Noob looking for tips on the Empire Builder

ThePun · Nov 29, 2024

Heya all,

First time poster here but I a 20+ year forum veteran and lived all around Chicago from the city, burbs, and out in the country. I have done plenty of short rides inbusiness class and love avoiding Chicago traffic when commuting to NW Illinois.

Looking to do a round trip from Chicago to Portland at the end of December. Traveling solo and staying 3-4 nights in Portland to visit a friend before heading back to Chicago. Might be traveling Xmas/NY and very flexible on departure and arrival to save some cash.

Hopefully going to grab a Roomette but heard about the option to bid to upgrade and wanted to know how that’s worked.

Any advice from the experts here otherwise I’ll be searching around for some answers in previous threads. Throw up any links to hidden gem threads here or ways to search best fairs.

Might start using this Amtrak to run the Floridian South for the winters also as I spend a lot of time in Ft Lauderdale so this will be a great resource.

Thanks in advance.

Maglev · Nov 29, 2024

Welcome to the forum!

The site https://railforless.us/ is a good tool for searching for the lowest fare over a range of dates.

Here's one thread of several on bidding: https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/bid-up-questions-and-experiences.80709/

I personally would want a confirmed reservation for a room, and not gamble on a bid. I might Bid Up for an upgrade from Roomette to Bedroom.

danasgoodstuff · Nov 30, 2024

Bring warm clothes, it can be cold that time of year in PDX and it will almost certainly be wet. And the train could be cold too since it can be really cold in North Dakota and Montana. Weather can affect on-time performance too, so I'd be prepared for that, bring some hearty snacks. And sunglasses, if there's fresh snow and then sun then the glare can be intense. If it's Xmas/NY then the train should be full and I'd want that roomette locked up, otherwise it shouldn't be as full. Get to the Sight Seer Lounge early if that's of interest, it tends to fill up. Enjoy your trip, it can be a beautiful time of year.

Cal · Nov 30, 2024

danasgoodstuff said:
If it's Xmas/NY then the train should be full and I'd want that roomette locked up,

Is the train usually that busy on Christmas and New Year's eve/day?

ThePun · Nov 30, 2024

Maglev said:
Welcome to the forum!

The site https://railforless.us/ is a good tool for searching for the lowest fare over a range of dates.

Here's one thread of several on bidding: https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/bid-up-questions-and-experiences.80709/

I personally would want a confirmed reservation for a room, and not gamble on a bid. I might Bid Up for an upgrade from Roomette to Bedroom.

Thanks for the tip, yeah would start with Roomette and see if can upgrade. Then no worries if not I’m still safe.

That website seems to not show the Empire Builder just other lines maybe I don’t get the settings.

Maglev · Nov 30, 2024

ThePun said:
That website seems to not show the Empire Builder just other lines maybe I don’t get the settings.

I tried the website, and it has changed since I last used it. It was somewhat confusing, but I found these prices for a Roomette CHI-PDX at the end of December. Surprisingly, New Year's Eve is the lowest fare:

zephyr17 · Nov 30, 2024

Maglev said:
I tried the website, and it has changed since I last used it. It was somewhat confusing, but I found these prices for a Roomette CHI-PDX at the end of December. Surprisingly, New Year's Eve is the lowest fare:

View attachment 38489

That $622 for New Year's Eve is lowest bucket, BTW.

I've been on the Builder over New Year's. They don't do anything special.

oregon pioneer · Nov 30, 2024

On the eastbound trip, if you have a roomette on the left side, you are lucky. And if the train's late, you are even luckier. Open your drapes, and look out the left side as soon as you can see anything at all. Should be great views of rivers, forests, and mountains.

If you didn't get lucky, and you are on the right (mountain) side, get up early and go to the diner or SSL for the views. Eventually, the train crosses the river and the views are on the right, but you only have an hour or two after that, and you are out of the mountains.

Here are some left-side views on the eastbound EB:

Right-side views (starting with the river crossing east of Essex MT and the Izaak Walton Inn):

Cal · Nov 30, 2024

What's the best side for Steven's Pass?

ThePun · Nov 30, 2024

oregon pioneer said:
On the eastbound trip, if you have a roomette on the left side, you are lucky. And if the train's late, you are even luckier. Open your drapes, and look out the left side as soon as you can see anything at all. Should be great views of rivers, forests, and mountains.

If you didn't get lucky, and you are on the right (mountain) side, get up early and go to the diner or SSL for the views. Eventually, the train crosses the river and the views are on the right, but you only have an hour or two after that, and you are out of the mountains.

Here are some left-side views on the eastbound EB:

View attachment 38493 View attachment 38494 View attachment 38491 View attachment 38492

Right-side views (starting with the river crossing east of Essex MT and the Izaak Walton Inn):

View attachment 38495 View attachment 38496 View attachment 38497

Perfect thanks for the info! Love this inside info.

ThePun · Nov 30, 2024

Maglev said:
I tried the website, and it has changed since I last used it. It was somewhat confusing, but I found these prices for a Roomette CHI-PDX at the end of December. Surprisingly, New Year's Eve is the lowest fare:

View attachment 38489

zephyr17 said:
That $622 for New Year's Eve is lowest bucket, BTW.

I've been on the Builder over New Year's. They don't do anything special.

I can’t get the EB or Roomette to show what options did you choose?

zephyr17 · Nov 30, 2024

ThePun said:
I can’t get the EB or Roomette to show what options did you choose?

Choose "one way", one person, and "roomette" for class and your dates. Once the initial search results come up, choose to filter by Route: Empire Builder only, Layovers: no layovers.

zephyr17 · Nov 30, 2024

Cal said:
What's the best side for Steven's Pass?

Right side westbound, left is mostly facing into the hill.

Most of Stevens is "tree tunnel" so there are few expansive views. You mostly see big fir trees up close and personal going past on either side.

No possessive. It's "Stevens" not "Steven's".

ThePun · Nov 30, 2024

zephyr17 said:
Choose "one way", one person, and "roomette" for class and your dates. Once the initial search results come up, choose to filter by Route: Empire Builder only, Layovers: no layovers.

Sweet got it to work on desktop.

zephyr17 said:
Right side westbound, left is mostly facing into the hill.

Most of Stevens is "tree tunnel" so there are few expansive views. You mostly see big fir trees up close and personal going past on either side.

No possessive. It's "Stevens" not "Steven's".

So west bound from Chicago I want right side. Got it.

Found some decent rates just gotta narrow in dates.

Cal · Nov 30, 2024

zephyr17 said:
Right side westbound, left is mostly facing into the hill.

Most of Stevens is "tree tunnel" so there are few expansive views. You mostly see big fir trees up close and personal going past on either side.

No possessive. It's "Stevens" not "Steven's".

Thanks! And yeah forgot grammar, my bad.

zephyr17 · Nov 30, 2024

ThePun said:
Sweet got it to work on desktop.

So west bound from Chicago I want right side. Got it.

Found some decent rates just gotta narrow in dates.

Stevens Pass is on the way to Seattle, not Portland. Going to Portland, you go through the Columbia River Gorge, which is much more scenic than Stevens Pass, IMHO.

But the Gorge is on the left side west ~~east~~ bound.

danasgoodstuff · Dec 1, 2024

Eastbound from Portland, you cross to the Washington side and then go east, so the river is on your right. Westbound, it's on your left. The opposite would be true on the old Pioneer route on the Oregon side.

Cal · Dec 1, 2024

zephyr17 said:
But the Gorge is on the left side eastbound.

To this day I regret not spending time in the SSL when I was on 28.

railiner · Dec 1, 2024

zephyr17 said:
I've been on the Builder over New Year's. They don't do anything special

That’s too bad. I can imagine that an enterprising LSA could perhaps decorate the cafe a bit with balloons and New Years regalia,
and encourage passengers to “come to the party”. Doing so would benefit Amtrak financially, as well as the LSA, as this would probably garner some generous tips…

Maglev · Dec 1, 2024

Here's my one and only photo of food on the train--turkey dinner on the Empire Builder bound for Portland in January, 2017. It was a "special," not on the menu.

Here's also a few pictures of the Columbia River Gorge:

ThePun · Dec 1, 2024

Great info thanks all!

My dates are still in the lowest bucket so hope to book today.

Maglev · Dec 1, 2024

If you call Amtrak to book (as opposed to booking online), you can choose a specific Roomette based on what is available. You should first join Amtrak Guest Rewards online (this allows you to get points for your trips), and after you have an account number, call the dedicated AGR number (1-800-307-5000) to make reservations. The AGR agents are often more knowledgeable, and should know how to select a particular room.

I like lower-level Roomettes (11, 12, 13 & 14) because there is less traffic in the hallway; and you are closer to three toilets, the shower, the luggage rack, and the door to go outside at fresh-air stops. Also, you can clean the outside of your window either in Chicago or at a fresh air stop (depending on whether or not your room is on the side of the platform).

It is not possible to predict on which side your room will be; the cars can be oriented either end forward.

I always print a copy of the schedule with mileage, as well as a route guide. Here's a link to the route guide:

https://juckins.net/amtrak_routes/route_guide_Empire_Builder.pdf

Maglev · Dec 1, 2024

Also, if you join the Rail Passengers' Association, you get a 10% discount off your rail fare (although not the sleeper charge).

https://railpassengers.org/

oregon pioneer · Dec 1, 2024

Maglev said:
...you can clean the outside of your window either in Chicago or at a fresh air stop (depending on whether or not your room is on the side of the platform).

Which longer stops have raised platforms on the EB route? I usually board in the Gorge (WIH) for the eastbound trip, and I can't remember where (if any), except Spokane which is in the middle of the night both ways.

Also, I guess this right side / left side may be confusing to some. To make it simpler, I will state that most views are on the NORTH side on Stevens Pass, in Montana, and in Minnesota (Mississippi River coming into MSP). The views are on the SOUTH side in the Columbia Gorge.

Cal · Dec 1, 2024

railiner said:
That’s too bad. I can imagine that an enterprising LSA could perhaps decorate the cafe a bit with balloons and New Years regalia,
and encourage passengers to “come to the party”. Doing so would benefit Amtrak financially, as well as the LSA, as this would probably garner some generous tips…

Definitely agree. Will be on board for New Year's this year so hoping they'll do something. Not holding my breath though.

Noob looking for tips on the Empire Builder

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