Chicago to South Bend
Our 959-mile journey on Lake Shore
Limited begins in Chicago, as we prepare to cross five
states on our overnight journey to New York. On leaving Chicago,
there is an impressive view of the skyline on the left. Shortly
after this, we pass Cellular Field, home to the Chicago White Sox,
and also on the left. As night falls, we cross over the South
Branch of the Chicago River, famous for its backwards flow. In the
cemetery on the left, Harold Washington, the city's first African
American mayor, is buried. We cross the Illinois/Indiana State
Line, and journey towards South Bend, where we pass the golden dome
of Notre Dame on the left.
To Ohio and Buffalo
Our train crosses the State Line into Ohio, and we call at
several places here through the night, including Cleveland, the
largest city in the state. The Lake Shore
Limited continues on into Pennsylvania early in the
morning, and here we call at Erie, an industrial city on the shore
of Lake Erie. Soon after, we journey over the State Line to New
York State. Here we arrive at Buffalo, situated on the eastern
shore of Lake Erie, and at the head of the Niagara River. Though
many services continue to New York, Denver marks the final calling
point for some of our journeys, due to its proximity to Niagara
Falls.
To New York City
Leaving Buffalo in the morning, we continue on to
Albany-Rensselaer, where the line splits into two branches. Our
train takes the New York branch. As we go through Catskill, across
the river on the right is the Saugerties Lighthouse. At Pollepel
Island you can see Bannerman's Castle, an abandoned military supply
warehouse. Washington Irving's home, "Sunnyside" can also be seen
here. Later we cross the Harlem River and enter Manhattan Island at
a point called 'Spuyten Duyvil' - Dutch for 'Spitting Devil' - so
called because of the tricky currents where the Harlem River joins
the Hudson River. We arrive in New York, the city that never
sleeps, in the early evening.
Please note that some of our tours operate this route in reverse, or feature a journey along just part of the route. See the tour itinerary for details.