Empire Builder Discussion 2025

[Siegmund]

What is going on with the ticket pricing? I am looking to go from St. Paul to Everett in next couple months. I was checking days of the week and weeks in advance. On some days I could get to Everett cheaper going to Portland and then catch the Cascades to head north. I would be tempted to do it except there is only a 3 hour layover in Portland.

In the wintertime, the Seattle section runs with only one coach, and sells out between Seattle and Wenatchee. The Portland section, lacking a baggage car, always has two coaches (one for handicapped access, one for checked baggage), even though there usually aren't enough passengers to fill one.

 

[BlackDiamond]

The Portland section, lacking a baggage car, always has two coaches (one for handicapped access, one for checked baggage), even though there usually aren't enough passengers to fill one.

Seems that a coach-baggage "combine" would be ideal for this, and for other similar trains such as 448/449 (Boston section of the LSL) where there wouldn't be enough baggage to justify a full baggage car.

 

[zephyr17]

Seems that a coach-baggage "combine" would be ideal for this, and for other similar trains such as 448/449 (Boston section of the LSL) where there wouldn't be enough baggage to justify a full baggage car.

That is exactly what is on 27/28. A coach/baggage, the Superliner equivalent of a combine. The upstairs is normal Superliner seating but what would be the downstairs seating area is replaced by a secure baggage compartment.

A standard Superliner coach is required in addition to the coach/bag because the coach/bag has no downstairs seating to accommodate mobility impaired passengers.