Empire Builder Fargo, ND to Chicago

JodyLM · Dec 8, 2024

I have never taken a train before, but next summer my sister and I are traveling on the Empire Builder from Fargo to Chicago nd then back again. I have multiple questions:

1. My train boards at like 3:30 am. Will there be someone to help us find coach seats? Do we have to wake people on our own to have them move their stuff from chairs?

2. What is the most accessible route from Chicago Union Station to the red line?

3. How early should you arrive at the station?

Thank you to anyone and everyone for your help!

tgstubbs1 · Dec 8, 2024

I think Amtrak wants people at the station a half hour before departure, maybe that is documented somewhere.

The Amtrak service person or conductor will show you to your seat. It's unlikely they will wake anyone to accomadate you.

caravanman · Dec 8, 2024

If you are new to train riding, it would make sense to arrive about 30 minutes before boarding time.

Trains won't depart earlier than the scheduled times, but do be aware that Amtrak trains often run several hours late!

I think the Conductor would ensure your seat was free to use if that was required.

Sometimes you can choose seats for yourselves, sometimes they are assigned when you board.

There is a bus 126 from near Chicago Union Station to State Street, you can access the Red line there at Jackson station.

You could walk to the Clinton blue line and travel two stops to Jackson, there sems to be a walkway between blue and red lines at Jackson.

https://www.transitchicago.com/maps/downtown/

Cal · Dec 8, 2024

I know it's far away, but please do report back. I've never gotten on or off in the middle of the night and am interested in the experience, particularly finding your seat.

amtkstn · Dec 8, 2024

The station I regularly ride to and from has the same time for getting on or off. The conductor has a list of the passenger getting on or off at each stop. He or she should be ready for your boarding at your station. As stated they might get to pick your seat if the coach car that is assigned by your destination is not very full. If it ful most likely the train staff will assign you seat numbers before you board. You will get a blue slip of paper they has your designation. Once you find your seats place that slip above your seats in a thin metal slot. Also have your tickets in either electrical fiorm on a smart device or a printed one. Once the train departs the conductor will walk the car to scan tickets.

Cal · Dec 8, 2024

amtkstn said:
The station I regularly ride to and from has the same time for getting on or off. The conductor has a list of the passenger getting on or off at each stop. He or she should be ready for your boarding at your station. As stated they might get to pick your seat if the coach car that is assigned by your destination is not very full. If it ful most likely the train staff will assign you seat numbers before you board. You will Gavin a blue slip of paper they has your designation. Once you find your seats place that slip above your seats in a thin metal slot. Also have your tickets in either electrical fiorm on a smart device or a printed one. Once the train departs the conductor will walk the car to scan tickets.

Do they ever direct people to their seats since it's dark in the car? And why don't they scan tickets on the platform?

Literalman · Dec 8, 2024

It was a long time ago, but I boarded the Crescent with one of my sons at Greensboro after midnight, and the conductor had seats picked out for us and led us to them.

Peter_Travels · Dec 8, 2024

Cal said:
Do they ever direct people to their seats since it's dark in the car? And why don't they scan tickets on the platform?

As someone who regularly gets off and on in the middle of the night, what usually happens: (Texas Eagle, Cardinal, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited).

I’ll draw from the Cardinal. The new conductor gets on in Huntington who goes to Indy. After leaving Huntington, they will go through the coach cars looking for un-seat checked seats. They will make a list for future reference.

About 5-10 minutes before every stop, they will come around and wake people up going to that stop, and make sure the seats that they have marked as open are not being hogged by another passenger.

The train stops, people get off, the new passengers are assigned their seat, and repeat 5x.

When the train isn’t busy most of the time passengers getting on and just pick their seats (but I’ve never seen this on the Cardinal, which always seems busy).
(Alternatively, this is how I have always seen it on the Texas Eagle, which never seems too busy).

People in rooms are slightly different. They wake you up 10-20 minutes in advance, and then go deal with the coaches, then come back. It’s just the conductor who handles your departure (not your attendant) unless there is somebody immediately getting back on in your room. In that case, the attendant will make up the room in the quick time between leaving and departing passengers.

Of course, every experience is slightly different.

caravanman · Dec 8, 2024

Cal said:
Do they ever direct people to their seats since it's dark in the car? And why don't they scan tickets on the platform?

Although it is night time, there are always some night lights left on, it's never completely dark in the car.

I guess it is more efficient to scan folks tickets where they are seated, and then place that seat's destination tag overhead. I might be in the minority, but I have never been given a seat tag to display myself, train staff always have done that.

Every experience is certainly different! That's the one set standard aboard Amtrak...

Cal · Dec 8, 2024

caravanman said:
Although it is night time, there are always some night lights left on, it's never completely dark in the car.

Still, I think people who have never been on board can get lost easily, considering half the time people don't know where the cafe is on the Surfliner where there is daylight and clear signage.

caravanman said:
I guess it is more efficient to scan folks tickets where they are seated, and then place that seat's destination tag overhead. I might be in the minority, but I have never been given a seat tag to display myself, train staff always have done that.

Makes sense, I think people would forget to put it up there.

BlackDiamond · Dec 9, 2024

Before you leave home to go to the station, go to the Amtrak web site and select train status. Enter your train number (#8) and the station (Fargo) it should give you the estimated arrival time, in case it is running late you can adjust your leaving time accordingly.

Another site you can use is https://asm.transitdocs.com/ which displays a map of the Amtrak routes where you can select your train and see how it is running.

MccfamschoolMom · Dec 9, 2024

BlackDiamond said:
Before you leave home to go to the station, go to the Amtrak web site and select train status. Enter your train number (#8) and the station (Fargo) it should give you the estimated arrival time, in case it is running late you can adjust your leaving time accordingly.

Another site you can use is https://asm.transitdocs.com/ which displays a map of the Amtrak routes where you can select your train and see how it is running.

Those train status websites and apps are something I didn't have access to in the 1970s, riding the Empire Builder from Fargo, ND to Milwaukee to get home from college at Christmas and in the summers. I'd get to the station 1/2 hour before the train's scheduled arrival, and it was always 3 hours late back then. The OP and the ride to the station should both stay caffeinated and keep checking the train status, so the trip to the station can be adjusted accordingly.
Sleeping in coach is doable, especially for younger riders, and fortunately the OP will only be spending 1 overnight in coach.

Rasputin · Dec 9, 2024

Since they are boarding in the summer, the Empire Builder is likely to be packed and possibly sold out. If they are on the same ticket reservation it should be clear that they are traveling together and will likely be seated together. If they are on separate reservations, they may need to be pro-active and make sure that the conductor or attendant knows that they are traveling together and want to sit together.

The other suggestion I would have is to make good use of the sightseer lounge car. It is open to all passengers. If it is too crowded when you first go, wait a while and go back later to see if some seats are available.

Cal · Dec 9, 2024

Peter_Travels said:
As someone who regularly gets off and on in the middle of the night, what usually happens: (Texas Eagle, Cardinal, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited).

I’ll draw from the Cardinal. The new conductor gets on in Huntington who goes to Indy. After leaving Huntington, they will go through the coach cars looking for un-seat checked seats. They will make a list for future reference.

About 5-10 minutes before every stop, they will come around and wake people up going to that stop, and make sure the seats that they have marked as open are not being hogged by another passenger.

The train stops, people get off, the new passengers are assigned their seat, and repeat 5x.

When the train isn’t busy most of the time passengers getting on and just pick their seats (but I’ve never seen this on the Cardinal, which always seems busy).
(Alternatively, this is how I have always seen it on the Texas Eagle, which never seems too busy).

People in rooms are slightly different. They wake you up 10-20 minutes in advance, and then go deal with the coaches, then come back. It’s just the conductor who handles your departure (not your attendant) unless there is somebody immediately getting back on in your room. In that case, the attendant will make up the room in the quick time between leaving and departing passengers.

Of course, every experience is slightly different.

Didn't see this before, but thanks! Basically the same as any other stop I guess.

joelkfla · Dec 11, 2024

JodyLM said:
2. What is the most accessible route from Chicago Union Station to the red line?

When you say accessible, do you mean wheelchair accessible, or just convenient?

The Blue Line Clinton station is not wheelchair accessible; it has a couple flights of stairs to go down.

DaveW · Dec 11, 2024

They never leave a station early, but the Empire Builder frequently is running late. Check the Amtrak website before leaving home, unless it is a long drive.

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