Trip report Chi to Williston, ND

[margo]

My husband and I just completed our first Amtrak trip. We boarded in Chicago on the Empire Builder and rode to Williston, ND. Union Station in Chi is beautiful and huge. We were allowed to board first because we are seniors. We went coach on our way west. The seats are very comfortable, but we had a little trouble sleeping in them. We had to ask for pillows and did not get blankets. Good idea to carry your own. The Lounge cars are very nice and the snack food and drinks were fine. It was so relaxing to just sit back and watch the scenery. We were on the upper level, which we enjoyed. We arrived in Williston on time. They are redoing their parking lot, so it's a mess. After a week sightseeing in ND, we boarded the EB for our trip back to Chi. The train was an hour late getting into WTN and lost 3 more hours by the time we got to CHI. We had a roomette this time. It is tiny, but roomy enough to sit and to sleep. The top bunk is not for any one who is mobile-impaired or large-sized or claustrophobic. Our coach attendant, John, made our dinner reservations for us before we got on in WTN. Dinner was great-steak and salmon. John made up our room while we ate. We were in Room #2, right across from the restroom, the stairs and the coffee,etc. Our dinner, breakfast and lunch in the dining car was included with our room. There was no dinner provided, even though we arrived in CHI at 8:00 p.m. Luckily, we did not have to make a connection. We stayed overnight in CHI. We might travel by Amtrak again. It was definitely more relaxing(if you aren't in a hurry) than flying. No security to speak of. (not sure if that is good or not). The only thing to cause us to hesitate is that coach seats are not reserved.

 

[Guest]

Your coach seats are reserved, just not a particular seat or seats! You can reserve a lower level seat when you book but this just ensures a lower level seat! Most times the car attendant is good about having seats reserved for those traveling together (they will have a sign above them), when the train is full you will hear announcements about single travelers doubling up or everyone put their stuff in the overhead bins or in the baggage compartment since the train will be full!

Glad you liked the trip, Im surprised they didnt serve yall the famous beef stew over rice in the diner which is the emergency food when Amtrak trains are running very late or they run out of the regular menu items1 If you check in advance,(up to 11 months)you can book low bucket deluxe bedrooms which of course have a private bathroom/shower and sink and more room! On the Eastern single level trains the Viewliner roomettes have a toliet and sink in the room and are a little more roomy and the top bunk has windows which makes it a different world than the coffin up taop on a Superliner!

 

[Railroad Bill]

Glad you had a nice trip. The EB is one of Amtrak's best trains, especially if you are riding farther west through the Rockies and Cascades. Next trip: ride the California Zephyr to California and you will really be impressed.

 

[amtrakwolverine]

Nice report. Coach seats are reserved but unlike airlines you can't pick ahead of time which pair you want. The only trains that don't have reserved coach seats(greyhound style first come first serve)are some surfliners and I think some regional trains.