Empire Builder discussion

[justinslot]

Taking the Empire Builder for the first time Friday...is there a stop like Albuquerque with the Southwest Chief?
Meaning is there a very long stop with a conveniently located grocery store a block from the station where you can run to and pick up snacks and wine?

I am guessing Albuquerque is special in this regard, but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[zephyr17]

Minot is a long stop, though not as long as Albuquerque. I don't know if there are grocery stores within walking distance. Also, eastbound Minot is fairly late in the evening.

 

[justinslot]

Huh there is a Stop and Shop a few blocks away but Google maps does not make the area look particularly pedestrian friendly, and an 8 minute walk at night (per Google maps) through unfamiliar territory seems a bit too risky to me (if the train even gets there on time since the Stop and Shop closes at 10.)

 

[zephyr17]

Huh there is a Stop and Shop a few blocks away but Google maps does not make the area look particularly pedestrian friendly, and an 8 minute walk at night (per Google maps) through unfamiliar territory seems a bit too risky to me (if the train even gets there on time since the Stop and Shop closes at 10.)

8 minutes there, 8 minutes back, 5 minutes to do your business. 21 minutes minimum. Minot is scheduled for a 45 minute dwell each direction, so I'd do it only if it were on time or early.

Also, eastbound it isn't even scheduled to arrive until 10:04 pm. So it would have to be significantly early to even try to squeeze in before it closes.

 

[uncleboots]

The MSP-SP is a pretty nice stop to get out and stretch.

 

[mmcpparties]

Their is one Conductor from Shelby who enforces a strcit 30 minute time limit in the SSL through Glacier so others can have a chance to see it from the SSL.


I can tell you what happens. I used to do this routinely when I was an SCA on the EB. When the current occupants are at a meal service we change the sheets out, and do some other things that most passengers don't notice. However, if their is a difficult passenger in that room who doesn't want to leave or move their stuff, etc. We'll let them get off, and when the pax who is in that room says I'm in room XYZ what I would do is politely explain that their room was just vacanted and I would need about 30 minutes to properly disinfect and clean their room, and would either re-accomdate them in antoher room if possible, or ask them to go to the SSL. As soon as I would say that, everyone was understanding and I always got the words "Thank you"!

Cody is a really good guy! He was one of my OJT trainers, and we got along really well. He was stunned that I was actaully "good". Simply because he told me that he always got the worst of the worst.

The only thing that can be done is push a button that runs cold air for 15 minutes. If we hit that button to many times then it will completely shut down the HVAC on the car.

I’m coming into Chicago on the EB and then need to get to the airport ORD. Any thoughts?

 

[jis]

I’m coming into Chicago on the EB and then need to get to the airport ORD. Any thoughts?

If you don't have too much baggage then take the CTA Blue Line from Clinton Station a few blocks south of Union Station all the way to its last stop heading north at ORD.

 

[Amtrakfan7]

Does the WB empire builder have lunch before arriving in Seattle

 

[Maglev]

Does the WB empire builder have lunch before arriving in Seattle

Welcome to the forum! I hope you let us know how your trip goes.

Lunch is not served, and breakfast usually starts and ends early.

 

[Siegmund]

As Maglev said, the Builder crew has a particular obsession with closing down the diner 3 hours before arrival so they have time to...um... do whatever it is they do when the diner is closed. Last call for breakfast is when you go through the Cascade Tunnel.

Before the schedule change this summer, that meant breakfast seating ran from about 6:00 to 6:30 and they planned to have everybody out of the car before 7:30. When I board in Whitefish the sleeper attendant makes a point of saying "you will only get breakfast if you get up early." Presumably one bonus of running the train an hour later is that you'll now have until 7:30 to get breakfast.

Arrival in Seattle, if on time, is before lunchtime still.

 

[Rasputin]

As Maglev said, the Builder crew has a particular obsession with closing down the diner 3 hours before arrival so they have time to...um... do whatever it is they do when the diner is closed. Last call for breakfast is when you go through the Cascade Tunnel.

I was not positively impressed by the breakfast situation on the westbound Empire Builder before arrival in Seattle some years ago. It seemed to me that the LSA announced on the train loudspeaker that the dining car was open for breakfast and about 15 minutes later, without any prior warning, announced that the dining car was closed for breakfast.

 

[Lonnie]

We'll be going east on the EB in mid-December. Any tricks we should know about for greatest enjoyment?

 

[Rasputin]

We'll be going east on the EB in mid-December. Any tricks we should know about for greatest enjoyment?

I would say that the best scenery of your trip will be on the first morning eastbound from Libby and Whitefish east to East Glacier and Browning. I do not know what time daylight is at this time of year there but I suggest that you research it, get up early, have breakfast early and enjoy the scenery in the morning. You can nap later in the day when crossing the plains.

Hope you have a great trip and will post a report of your trip.

 

[mgkeihl]

I would say that the best scenery of your trip will be on the first morning eastbound from Libby and Whitefish east to East Glacier and Browning. I do not know what time daylight is at this time of year there but I suggest that you research it, get up early, have breakfast early and enjoy the scenery in the morning. You can nap later in the day when crossing the plains.

Hope you have a great trip and will post a report of your trip.

Agreed, east bound was great, starting by going along the puget sound, in April eastern Washington was bathed in fields of blooming apple trees carpeted in daffodils, through Glacier, the Badlands, Missouri River. I loved the last day along the Mississippi River! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Willbridge]

And looking eastbound, when my dad learned that I was taking my family on a park-n-ride trip from Cut Bank to Seattle and Portland he commented "Cut Bank? That's where the Great Northern ran out of scenery!"

Here's how it looked when he rode it eastbound in the winter.

 

[Lonnie]

I would say that the best scenery of your trip will be on the first morning eastbound from Libby and Whitefish east to East Glacier and Browning. I do not know what time daylight is at this time of year there but I suggest that you research it, get up early, have breakfast early and enjoy the scenery in the morning. You can nap later in the day when crossing the plains.

Hope you have a great trip and will post a report of your trip.

Thank you, and will do!

 

[TimePeace]

I see a number of threads titled CZ Discussion, LSL Discussion, CS Discussion, etc. near the top of this forum. While there are specifics relating to the EB considerably lower down and older, I am starting this new one as a general Q & A. If A moderator needs to merge with another thread, so be it.

My questions are, how is this winter's weather affecting the Builder's OTP, cancellations and or re-routing? Anyone have thoughts about booking a trip in the next month or two?

I intend to go BOS to SEA, and all of the other Western trains seem heavily impacted by weather lately.

Also, dining experiences? Recent Covid precautions and enforcement? Other thoughts?

Thanks,

D.

 

[RalphCT]

The empire Builder has been seriously impacted by severe winter weather, problems with the new locomotives and heavy freight traffic and freight breakdowns. Winter on the Empire Builder has always been a crap shoot IMO. I have a couple of horror stories about lengthy delays including one of 30 hours. Given this history I do have a Shelby to Seattle round trip reservation but it's not until late March and mid April.

 

[Willbridge]

The Empire Builder was the first long-distance train to get Superliners, due to struggles with aging steam heat systems.

Train 7 in Minneapolis GN Station in December 1975.

 

[JayPea]

Dining is back to traditional dining, and is quite good in my opinion. There are no Covid protocols in place, but you can feel free to continue to wear a mask if you so choose.

 

[Bonser]

Dining is back to traditional dining, and is quite good in my opinion. There are no Covid protocols in place, but you can feel free to continue to wear a mask if you so choose.

I see a number of threads titled CZ Discussion, LSL Discussion, CS Discussion, etc. near the top of this forum. While there are specifics relating to the EB considerably lower down and older, I am starting this new one as a general Q & A. If A moderator needs to merge with another thread, so be it.

My questions are, how is this winter's weather affecting the Builder's OTP, cancellations and or re-routing? Anyone have thoughts about booking a trip in the next month or two?

I intend to go BOS to SEA, and all of the other Western trains seem heavily impacted by weather lately.

Also, dining experiences? Recent Covid precautions and enforcement? Other thoughts?

Thanks,

D.

I'm taking the EB in late March as part of a cross country trip from NYP. We're taking the LSL and connecting to the EB going all the way to Seattle. We annually travel via rail to SF but this year decided to get there after stopping in Seattle for a few days before taking the southbound CS to Emeryville. I've never taken the EB westbound before and wanted to know what to expect.

 

[TimePeace]

What's the current (Winter 2023) Consist?

 

[Maglev]

What's the current (Winter 2023) Consist?

Seattle section:
One or two locomotives
Baggage car
Transition/Dorm
Sleeper
Diner
Coach

Portland Section:
Locomotive
Sightseer Lounge
Coach
Coach/baggage
Sleeper

Over the last six years (I wasn't paying close attention before that), there has been added occasionally: another Seattle sleeper, another Seattle coach, and another Portland sleeper. At one time (I think summers around the mid 2000's), the Empire Builder had two dining cars, with different menus. It was probably running with more sleepers and coaches then also.

 

[mackinaw chief]

Carol on the Empire builder in the cafe car is awesome. Amtrak couldn't have a better paitent educator to a relatively new train rider. Looking at things online does give you a glimpse but that is it a glimpse. When you Boa rd the train it becomes a different world. The first morning after sleeping trying to make head or tails where you are at and getting to breakfast in itself a aerobic exercise. One whom didn't have his rail legs under him Carol took time to ensure I knew where everything was and to spread my feet to walk or stand in the rolling convenience store. Plus I also had backup in a fine couple from Oregon whom assisted me too Henry and his wife Sharon. Carol is a gem of an asset for Amtrak.

 

[chadamfleetrailfan]

I think 301 is a constant on the EB as well. I'm glad to see that the EB is 301's home for now.