Thank You Galesburg for Expanding Your Amtrak Station

Many of us have visited Galesburg, Illinois, situated on the historic Santa Fe and Chicago Burlington and Quincy.  Through the years, we have attended Galesburg Railroad Days and watched the trains of Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, BNSF and Amtrak as they make their transcontinental trek.
Many of us, myself included, have boarded the Amtrak Southwest Chief and California Zephyr from Galesburg’s venerable depot.  At that, I would like to take a moment to say, “Thank you,” to the City of Galesburg for making a much needed expansion to their town’s Amtrak station.
We all enjoy riding Amtrak, and with much needed improvements to stations, cities such as Galesburg ensure that our Amtrak experience is truly second to none.  Thank you Galesburg.
Amtrak was designed to serve the communities of America.  Each community working together with Amtrak makes a teamwork of service to Amtrak’s riders.  With Galesburg’s improved station, that teamwork is truly winning.
Galesburg’s expanded station was financed in part by funds set aside for Amtrak in Illinois Jobs Now! and by funds for Rural Transportation Assistance in a Federal Transportation Administration 5311 Grant.  With projects such as the Galesburg Depot expansion, we truly can look forward to a greater Amtrak of today and tomorrow.

Boarding The Amtrak Southwest Chief at Galesburg, Illinois

Here I am about ready to board the westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief in Galesburg, Illinois.  Every time I board Amtrak, I anticipate seeing the beauty of America.

The Southwest Chief crosses the Mississippi River and crosses Raton Pass  of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  The vast landscape along the Southwest Chief is breathtaking.

Riding the California Zephyr

Some of my first train rides were aboard the California Zephyr at William Land Park in Sacramento.  Here I am with my brother, sister and dad on a Saturday morning in 1979.

Below, I am in the lounge car of the Amtrak California Zephyr as I head to Amtrak Train Days.  Thirty-five years later, I am the same person, always eager to hear the whistle blow and to see the scenery pass by as I ride a train.

The Story of Trains at Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg

Nothing unifies railroad enthusiasts like the story of trains. Here I am at Amtrak train days in Galesburg sharing my posters and postcards with fans who attended Amtrak Train Days.

We discussed the history of the railroad that built Galesburg as we watched today's BNSF and Amtrak trains pass by.  It is great to see so many enjoy the railroads that built America.

The Joy of Being a Railroad Artist

I always enjoy meeting with the public at Amtrak Train Days.  Here I share stories with those who attended Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg.  We talk about riding Amtrak and about our love of railroading.
I have always enjoyed that my artwork allows me to begin great conversations with rail enthusiasts of all ages.  We all love seeing Amtrak's proudly painted Veterans and Heritage locomotives.  Some remember taking the Santa Fe Super Chief many years ago.  Railfans love seeing the trains as they pass by headed across America.
With each new drawing I do, I find another story I am able to share.  That is the greatest gift of all for being a railroad artist.

Sketching the Amtrak Logo at Galesburg Amtrak Train Days

Here I am sketching the Pointless Arrow Amtrak logo at Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg.  Sketching these logos is a great conversation starter which allows me to discuss composition, detail, practice and many finer points of my artwork. I am always thankful if I inspire artists who want to draw trains.

BNSF ES44C4 at Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg-Reminder of GE Manufacturing Solutions Tour

Here I am in the cab of a BNSF ES44C4 at Amtrak Train Days at Galesburg Railroad Days in Galesburg on June 27 and 28.  What made sitting in this cab so exciting was that I had just seen many of its sister units being built from the ground up at the GE Manufacturing Solutions Facility in Fort Worth Texas last October.  Sitting in the cab truly made that visit come full circle to me.  How exciting.

Andrew Fletcher at Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg

I had a great time at Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg meeting the public and handing out posters and postcards of Amtrak and freight railroad locomotives.  It is always fun to do drawing demonstrations of logos and locomotives so I can explain the basics of how I draw trains.

Boy Scouts Make The Journey to Philmont Scout Ranch Aboard Amtrak

As I attended Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg, I watched as several troops of Boy Scouts prepared to board the westbound Southwest Chief for Raton, New Mexico with the ultimate destination of Philmont Scout Ranch.  In a few days, I would be taking the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles, and several additional troops of Boy Scouts made the westward trek to New Mexico aboard that day's Southwest Chief.
While drawing Amtrak logos in the lounge car, I asked them about their journey to New Mexico.  I learned that making the summer trip to Philmont Scout Ranch aboard the Southwest Chief is a long standing tradition for Boy Scouts across America.

Amtrak Train Days-The Experience of a Lifetime

I truly enjoy attending Amtrak Train Days.  Attending Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg, Illinois was a trip down memory lane.
The event centered around Galesburg Train Days, an event I had last attended twenty years ago.  I got to meet fans who worked for the railroad who were only kids so many years ago.  Collectors told stories of my magnets that had been on their refrigerators for years and how they were to glad to see me again.
I always love to draw new trains, and I am very grateful to take Amtrak to connect with fans both young and old, many whom have stories and memories to share.  America is a beautiful country, and seeing it by Amtrak is truly the experience of a lifetime.