RAILforum: EmpireBuilder this week

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Posted by boxcarbethie (Member # 3248) on :

Hello all,
I'm having a lot of fun reading the posts at this forum. I am going to take my first cross-country trip on Amtrak this week, from Ann Arbor, MI to Portland, OR. A sleeper costs $600, and coach is $175. This is a 55 hour trip. Should I spring for a sleeper, or is coach manageable that long? How much room will I have to stretch out in coach? Is this train usually filled to capacity? Any more details on what this ride is like would be much appreciated!
Thanks!!!!!

Posted by dixiebreeze (Member # 3224) on :

I mostly ride the Sunset and Starlight, but I really enjoyed a trip on the Empire a few years ago. Great crew and scenery.

It will likely be pretty full this time of year. I would definitely spring for a sleeper, but I like confort. Sort of depends if you can tolerate kids yelling/crying, carry-on food aroma, etc.

Other than that, coach seats are pretty comfy if you can sleep sitting up.

Posted by Ray S (Member # 3175) on :

Take the bedroom for your trip. Meals included will help cut the cost a little.

Ray

Posted by sutton (Member # 1612) on :

i would do coach to chicago and then upgrade on the builder. great trip; i did it twice. either way, you'll spend a lot of time in the observation lounge.

Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :

Hello, Beth!! (I assume that is your name) -- welcome to this forum!! I hope you enjoy all of us and get a lot of insight into the joys and despairs of train riding!!

Like Sutton says, take a sleeper on the Empire Builder!! You'll have privacy, and your meals are included in the price of your ticket. The Empire Builder (EB for short -- many of us use initials like this to refer to AMTRAK trains we are all familiar with!!) is a Superliner (double deck newer trains) and will have a "Sightseer Lounge" which you can sit in as much as you want -- it has large glass windows that wrap around from the floor to the ceiling, so you can see a lot of scenery. The first 1 1/2 days of the EB are not very scenic (except the part that goes along the Mississippi River), but after you get into western Montana and the mountains, the ride is a very pretty ride.

Have a great time, and let us know how it went!!!

Posted by dixiebreeze (Member # 3224) on :

Beth, some of the most beautiful scenery is when the EB runs along the Columbia River in Oregon.

Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :

This time of year you get to see more of the beautiful Glacier Park area when the days are longest. All the people in the pubs in that area will be out to wave (an Empire Builder tradition). Be sure to be in the observation lounge by East Glacier. Some of the scenery is out the TOP window. Sunrise on the Columbia River is awesome.

I do not think the train will be very full this week. St.Paul-Portland on Rail Sale is $52, so they must have many unsold seats. Wave out the south side about .4 miles after St. Paul. You go right by my house.

I almost went to Portland this week myself just because of the Rail Sale deal. I have found coach to be comfortable enough for sleeping (and I am old). And it gets you out with the other passengers.

Unfortunately they lock up the lounge at night after Spokane until they open for business in the morning. But when they do open, the lounge is right behind the engine. Lots of whistle sounds. Have a great trip.

Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :

If you've not made your travel arrangements yet you may want to fiddle around with the fares if you book in two segments....

For instance.......book the first segment in coach from Ann Arbor to Havre, MT and then book the second segment in sleeper from Havre to Portland....departing Havre on the same number 7 you arrived on.

One note......make sure the computer has space available for both segments before completing either transaction.

By doing this you'll have a private room (and access to a shower....perhaps even right after leaving Havre!!!)for the second on-board night when you need it most! The savings may not be worth the hassle but on a trip this long the sleeper will make a difference if you can afford it at least one night.

------------------
David Pressley

[This message has been edited by notelvis (edited 05-23-2004).]