Saluki (Amtrak)
Encyclopedia
The Saluki is a 310-mile (499 km) passenger train line operated by Amtrak
running between Chicago
and Carbondale, Illinois
. The train is a part of the Illinois Service
rail network and is partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation
. The train service uses the same track as two other Amtrak trains, the City of New Orleans
and the Illini
, providing one additional daily round trip on the route.
The Saluki is an outgrowth of the Illini, which, along with the rest of the Illinois Service trains, posted record ridership levels in the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Combined with strong support from the communities through which the Illini runs, this made the addition of another train an obvious decision. Service on the route began on October 30, 2006.
The train gets its name from the Saluki
dog breed, which is the mascot of Southern Illinois University
in the train's southern terminus of Carbondale.
The trains are typically made up of the engine, three coach cars, and the combination cafe/lounge car.
During fiscal year 2010, both the Illini and Saluki services combined carried a total of 264,934 passengers, a 3% increase from FY 2009's total of 259,630 passengers. During FY 2010, the two trains had a total revenue of $7,674,434, up 7.7% from $7,126,732 in FY 2009.
in Chicago and Carbondale
. The southbound Saluki is scheduled to depart Chicago at 8:15 a.m. and arrive in Carbondale at 1:45 p.m. The northbound Saluki is scheduled to depart Carbondale at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in Chicago at 1 p.m.
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
running between Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, in the state of Illinois, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51, southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest...
. The train is a part of the Illinois Service
Illinois Service
The Illinois Service, branded as Amtrak Illinois, is a United States passenger rail network that consists of five trains operated by Amtrak along three corridors to provide frequent daily service between Chicago and other cities in the U.S. state of Illinois, plus St. Louis, Missouri...
rail network and is partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois Department of Transportation
The Illinois Department of Transportation is a state agency in charge of state-maintained public roadways of the U.S. state of Illinois. In addition, IDOT provides funding for rail, public transit and airport projects and administers fuel tax and federal funding to local juridictions in the...
. The train service uses the same track as two other Amtrak trains, the City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans
The City of New Orleans is a nightly passenger train operated by Amtrak which travels between Chicago, Illinois and New Orleans, Louisiana. Before Amtrak's formation in 1971, the train was operated by the Illinois Central Railroad along the same route . The train currently operates on a 19½ hour...
and the Illini
Illini (Amtrak)
The Illini is a 310-mile passenger train operated by Amtrak that runs between Chicago and Carbondale, Illinois. The train is a part of the Illinois Service rail network and is partially funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation and by local governments along the route...
, providing one additional daily round trip on the route.
The Saluki is an outgrowth of the Illini, which, along with the rest of the Illinois Service trains, posted record ridership levels in the 2005-2006 fiscal year. Combined with strong support from the communities through which the Illini runs, this made the addition of another train an obvious decision. Service on the route began on October 30, 2006.
The train gets its name from the Saluki
Saluki
The Saluki, also known as the Royal Dog of Egypt and Persian Greyhound is one of the oldest known breeds of domesticated dog. From the period of the Middle Kingdom onwards, Saluki-like animals appear on the ancient Egyptian tombs of 2134 BC. They have connections both to the Bible and Imperial...
dog breed, which is the mascot of Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
in the train's southern terminus of Carbondale.
The trains are typically made up of the engine, three coach cars, and the combination cafe/lounge car.
During fiscal year 2010, both the Illini and Saluki services combined carried a total of 264,934 passengers, a 3% increase from FY 2009's total of 259,630 passengers. During FY 2010, the two trains had a total revenue of $7,674,434, up 7.7% from $7,126,732 in FY 2009.
Station stops
The Saluki, trains 391 southbound and 390 northbound, stop at 11 stations in Illinois, including the originating and terminating stations, Union StationUnion Station (Chicago)
Union Station is a major train station that opened in 1925 in Chicago, replacing an earlier 1881 station. It is now the only intercity rail terminal in Chicago, as well as being the city's primary terminal for commuter trains. The station stands on the west side of the Chicago River between Adams...
in Chicago and Carbondale
Carbondale (Amtrak station)
Carbondale is a railway station in Carbondale, Illinois, United States served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. The station was built near an old Illinois Central Railroad Depot, which itself was built in 1903 and restored in 1996....
. The southbound Saluki is scheduled to depart Chicago at 8:15 a.m. and arrive in Carbondale at 1:45 p.m. The northbound Saluki is scheduled to depart Carbondale at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in Chicago at 1 p.m.
Consist
Today, the Amtrak Saluki consists of:- 1 GE Genesis P42DC locomotive
- 3 Horizon Fleet Coaches
- 1 Amfleet IAmfleetAmfleet is a series of intercity railroad passenger cars built for the operator Amtrak by the manufacturer Budd Company in two series during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Today, Amfleet cars are used extensively throughout the Amtrak system outside the western United States...
Club-Dinette (half café-half business class seating)