Trip Report: Amtrak Lincoln River Runner  

(1/21/24) Welcome to another Trip Report! This one is Amtrak’s “Lincoln River Runner” train #318, from Jefferson City (near Columbia) to Chicago. The full train name is “Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner”, but I’m calling it Lincoln River Runner for short. In spring 2022, one roundtrip from the Lincoln Service (CHI-STL) and one from the Missouri River Runner (STL-KC) combined to form one big run between Chicago and Kansas City, with an extended stop in St. Louis.
This video was uploaded on February 1, 2024; the 2nd anniversary of Amtrak Siemens Venture cars in revenue operations. Currently, the coach and business class cars are in service on all (but 1) Amtrak Midwest lines. Same with the San Joaquins out in California. Cafe and cab cars should be entering service sometime in the near future. The Siemens Venture cars, in my opinion, are PERFECT for same-day intercity train travel. You’ll learn why and how in this video.
Your opinion is respected if you dislike the Venture car seats. I’d suggest bringing onboard a bottom and back cushion if you’re traveling in coach onboard Amtrak Midwest.