Photos from my Empire Builder and LSL trip Jan-Feb 2024

[oregon pioneer]

Hi Friends, I decided to post my photos as a separate thread. These are from my eastbound trip January 10-12, which consisted of -ONLY- the Empire Builder (due to blizzards in upstate New York and Pennsylvania), and from my westbound trip February 9-13. I had a grand time, as you will see, in spite of the eastbound glitches! Here are some of my photos from the eastbound trip:

Waiting for the train at Wishram (WIH), in the Columbia Gorge
SCA Larry
Some scenery along the Flathead River near Essex MT


The Izaak Walton Inn in Essex MT
Flathead River Crossing from the high trestle
US Route 2 on a windy, cold looking day
Last view of the Flathead Valley as we approach Cut Bank


Lunch was a "children's meal" of pan-roasted chicken, potatoes and vegetable
I made up for it at dinner by having the fudge truffle cake for dessert

 

[oregon pioneer]

Last few photos from the eastbound Empire Builder:

Our engines at Havre, MT. The Siemens Charger in the lead was the culprit for our late Chicago arrival. It did not get along with the PTC after we passed MSP, and kept throwing the brakes on. They could not override it and eventually took the unit off in Milwaukee.

Snow drifting in though a bad gasket in our entry door. Our SCA poured a full bag of salt on it, and wow, did that make a mess.
Glasgow MT station after dark.


My tea set, with my lunch brownie. This little kettle only uses 500 Watts, and doesn't bother the circuit breakers at all.
The room at the Hilton Canopy Downtown in CHI, where we were accommodated after our 1am arrival in CHI.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Westbound, February 9-13:

Redcap helps us to the train in BOS


Scenery from the LSL in western Massachusetts
Passing our eastbound sister train in western Massachusetts
View attachment westbound24c_MA1.mp4
View attachment westbound24c_MA2.mp4

My room is set up for charging my devices.
In North Dakota, it is obvious the river was higher before the freeze-up.



Columbia River at Pasco, WA, we were just late enough for it to be light out.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

Lovely photos! Thank you!

 

[Old MM]

Love your report, you had some adventures! Never heard of Canopy, is that nearby the train station? Lovely pics too... now I have to find one of those portable tea kettles.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Love your report, you had some adventures! Never heard of Canopy, is that nearby the train station? Lovely pics too... now I have to find one of those portable tea kettles.

Here's the Canopy: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chijbpy-canopy-chicago-central-loop/

Here's the kettle you want, but good luck finding one, especially in the 500 Watt version. This one uses 900 Watts, they had two different versions. https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-0-5L-Kettle-Stainless-Steel/dp/B008YQLZOW

 

[UserNameRequired]

...

Snow drifting in though a bad gasket in our entry door. Our SCA poured a full bag of salt on it, and wow, did that make a mess. ...
View attachment 35869

Is it normal to be pouring salt inside a rail car like that? I would think that the extra corrosion caused by the constant usage of salt will shorten the lifespan of the car's floor and lower walls even if the majority is stainless steel. A shovel, sand, or something non-corrosive would be a better tool if they cared about the longevity of the car, or fix the gasket?

Oh, great photos! Especially the Flathead Valley.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Is it normal to be pouring salt inside a rail car like that? I would think that the extra corrosion caused by the constant usage of salt will shorten the lifespan of the car's floor and lower walls even if the majority is stainless steel. A shovel, sand, or something non-corrosive would be a better tool if they cared about the longevity of the car, or fix the gasket?

Oh, great photos! Especially the Flathead Valley.

Thank you! I was absolutely horrified at the use of all that salt. The SCA said something about "safety first," but it made such a mess he had to throw towels over it so people could walk past. And yes, I also thought about corrosion. I hope they got it thoroughly cleaned up. I certainly would be writing up that gasket.

 

[Asher]

Thank you! I was absolutely horrified at the use of all that salt. The SCA said something about "safety first," but it made such a mess he had to throw towels over it so people could walk past. And yes, I also thought about corrosion. I hope they got it thoroughly cleaned up. I certainly would be writing up that gasket.

The dude must have been thinking he was working on the highway.

 

[caravanman]

Very nice to see your pics. I use a travel kettle too, very common this side of the pond, mine is 650Watts, and works fine on Amtrak, although, being a universal voltage type, it takes twice as long to boil, stateside!

 

[Asher]

Love your report, you had some adventures! Never heard of Canopy, is that nearby the train station? Lovely pics too... now I have to find one of those portable tea kettles.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BFF2V81B/ref=tsm_1_tp_tc