PJS1
Is the regular routing of the Eagle between Chicago and St. Louis over the former Wabash, with the alternative routing during the track work over the GM&O, or is it the other way around? Or am I totally uninformed? Add Quote to your Post
The "normal" route of the Eagle is the former GM&O (Alton) track Chigago, through Joliet, Bloomington, Springfield, Alton into St. Louis. The Illinois detour is via the former C&EI, MP, now UP track from Chicago through Momence, Woodland Jct, Villa Grove, Pana, (NYC also used this Pana to St Louis track) to St Louis. No major cities on this route. and if you are using https://asm.transitdocs.com/map to follow the Eagle when it is using this detour, you will see its icon in Illinois but not on any Amtrak line (except it looks like its on the line to New Orleans when its in the area north of Tuscola where it crosses the CN ex IC) on the map.
The former Wabash line is abandoned (removed) South of Manhattan Il. to Risk. NS track from Risk through Decatur to St Louis is freight only. The former Wabash N of Manhattan is operated by METRA for commuter service.