I'm so excited, we booked today and I leave on the 26th of this month!!!! I arrive in Chicago with about a 6 hour wait to get the Empire Builder to Everett WA!!!!
I'm originally from England and we rode trains EVERYWHERE over there....but that was years ago when I was a little girl....I'm nervous and excited all at the same time!
I can't wait! We have a roomette for the Empire Builder Leg of the trip there and back. We leave to return hom on the 6th of July.
I know smoking is gross, but I smoke and I was wondering what it's like being a smoker on the Empire Bulder route? Are there lots of stops where you can get out on the platform?
Also, can you eat your meals in your room or do you have to go to the dining area.
And how does a person get into the top bunk?
I can't BELIEVE I'm crossing the US by train!!!! I'm almost as far east as you can get...and going all the way to WA state just amazes me! Yippeee!
One other question.....they don't check baggage at Cumberland MD....but Amtrak.com says you can take 2 carry ons each no bigger than 28 by 22 by 14.(I think)......Well we are in coach seating for the 14hr trip from Cumberland to Chicago. If we each bring two big bags(because those are large carry on sizes), will there be room to store them????? All four bags.
Posted by musicfan (Member # 4673) on :
I'm sure you'll have a great trip with such a positive attitude. I have never smoked personally, but from my observation it's a little tough on a smoker. Any station where they stop long enough to let you step off the train for a few minutes, you should be able to smoke. But sometimes that can be many hours in between. Some of the smaller stations are just stop and go.
I don't know how much you smoke per day. If you know it would bother you a lot to smoke less than you normally do, it might be a good idea to pick up some nicotine gum to chew on or something just to help get by for the trip and let you concentrate on having fun looking out the window. The staff seems to be pretty severe on people who try to "sneak" one in on the train, so I would say it's best not to try that.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Thanks for the info....I know smoking is terrible and I wish I'd never started.....
I would never try to sneak one though, if anything I'll just take a nap and rough it out. I smoke about 3/4 of a pack a day. Might have to get some nicotine gum! That's a good idea.
I am VERY excited...this trip isn't just for the train trip...I'm going to meet the rest of the hostesses from the website I work on. We're all staying at the "bosses". In the 5 years I've been a member/hostess on his site I've never met him, and I never dreamed I would. I won't fly, so this is perfect and I'll get amazing pictures along the way instead of just seeing clouds in the sky.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
And we are all excited for you! You have to be sure to post a trip report when you are done. I'm looking at doing the EB from Milwaukee to either Everett or SEA in late September and will be interested in your experience.
Best,
Frank in cloudy SBA
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Of COURSE I'll come back and fill you all in. I'm taking a journal to take notes......and I just got a new memory stick for my camera and can now hold almost 3,000 pictures! Which is good because I'm a picture-o-holic!
BTW, I'm Laura---and I'm 31!!! My husband Mark will be going with me and he's hardly ever traveled anywhere so this will be exciting for him as well.
Anyone know anything about the Capitol Limited Route???? I'm still worried about my baggage since Cumberland MD doesn't have checking.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
The Empire Builder has some long service stops at Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minot, Havre, Whitefish and (middle of the night)-Spokane, where they change conductors and engineers. These will allow you to catch up on smoking time. There are additional short stops just for smoking or fresh air. I believe Williston and Shelby are two but there are more.
You will be fortunate to be travelling when the days are long. The best scenery on the eastbound Builder is the evenings on the Mississippi (day 1)and at Glacier (day 2) and the morning descent into Seattle. Eastbound is the reverse (PM From Seattle and AM Glacier and the Mississippi).
Endless vast Big Sky Montana and Dakota prairie will be a far cry from England. This type of country many Americans find boring can be fascinating to Europeans, - so much space and so few people.
You can have your meals in your room, but attendants are often not eager to do this; and the dining car is a great place to meet people and watch the countryside speed by.
The upper bunk is accessed by carpeted step-up spots that also function as a place to set items. You can't fall sideways, there is no room! Check the Amtrak website for a visual tour. Floor space with the beds down is about the size of your feet.
When checked baggage is unavailable, I have never known Amtrak to be too strict for the types of things you are carrying. There is a large luggage area near the lower level entry point of the Buider, but not too much space in your roomette.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
So much great info that I REALLY appreciate!!!!
I'm jotting things down in my journal I'm taking!
So our Capitol Limited part is leaving here at around 7pm and arriving in Chicago around 8am. I guess everyone sleeps okay right? Lots of snorers and stuff? Should I take earplugs? LOL
In the dining car, since there is just two of us....do they seat you with others? I imagine they do.
So many questions....I'm sorry if I sound like an idiot .....I'd rather go prepared than know nothing. Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
Take earplugs if ambient noise bothers you; me, I sleep like a log as long as the train is MOVING. Must be something about the rocking motion.
You can count on being seated with another couple in the dining car. We met some interesting travelers on our trip on the California Zephyr last winter.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
The dining car has 4 to a table. You will be seated in a way to encourage meeting your fellow passengers. Couples are seated on the same side of the table facing the people they don't know. The Empire Builder and Auto Train have the best food and service of the long distance Amtrak trains.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Best advice I can give you, Ms. Laura, is to keep checking the website for any Sleeper space becoming available. Since you are already ticketed, the upgrade would have to be done with an agent.
Amtrak clears their inventory of expired reservationa at "oh dark thirty" which I think is 3AM ET. While conceivably you wish to be adverturesome on your outward trip aboard #29(26), once you have been in Sleeper, you won't want to even think of Coach again (just my thought, others will disagree).
Somehow, I think you will be returning on #30(8JUL) in Sleeper.
Also, I must ask you note that Long Distance (LD in forum shorthand) trains such as the Capitol Limited are not like trains in the UK, which will, say, get up to speed as soon as clearing the "throat" at KC wil will not slow down, save the stone arch bridge at Berwick until reaching Edinburgh Waverly. Over there, passenger trains are what the rail system is all about, here the few passenger trains away from the Northeast move at the sufferance of the railroad's (CSX and Norfolk Southern) freight traffic. Delays account heavy freight traffic are quite commonplace.
But as the more avid riders here will always say, think of this as an adventure. i think you agree; for if you were looking for Point A to B transportation, you would be on Big Bird.
Posted by musicfan (Member # 4673) on :
I second the notion of sleeping well while the train is moving at speed. If we stop for too long or are moving at too slow a speed I wake up. Go figure.
I find I usually sleep on and off the first night, and then much better the second night if there is one, regardless of track conditions. I don't think this is just being tired from the first night. Just seems like your body adjusts to the motions. As far as the original poster, the Capitol Limited will probably be somewhat late into Chicago, but you have such a long time before your next train, you should have no worries. If you've never been to Chicago Union station before, make it a point to walk over to the very cool Great Hall. The Sears Tower and chicago River(among many other things) are also very nearby if you just want to walk around a bit.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
You guys are just so great!!! I'm very glad I found this forum!
And yep you're right about the difference between UK trains and US trains....although this will BE an adventure of a lifetime. If I enjoy it I will be planning more trips on Amtrak!
11 days and counting! I need to start thinking of packing before long. Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
We all just jump at the chance to give travel advice about trains. The term "foamers" is often used to describe railfans, implying that when we talk about trains we start foaming at the mouth. I learned about this forum at dinner conversation on the Empire Builder several years ago from an LA schoolteacher named Jennifer, and have been hooked ever since.
But to put things in perspective, Amtrak travel can involve 12 hour late trains, outdated malfunctioning equipment, surly lazy onboard staff, obnoxious fellow travelers, or worse. Most of the time things are just fine. We all like to tell newbies to think of it as an adventure. On the Empire Builder you will experience the best in Amtrak long distance travel running on a railroad (BNSF) that keeps passenger trains on time.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
I have traveled on the Capital many times. I like getting to Cumberland because you can see so much from the windows. It usually gets there in the evening so you won't have too much time to be uncomfortable about the smoking before bed time. Then you get into Chi in the morning(if you are lucky , not too late) so there isn't much time to be miserable, I smoked for many years and I know how miserable it can be but don't take a chance and smoke on the train. You can be put off at the next station. They will announce the "'smoking stops" before you get there and the smokers are usually lined up at the door with cigarettes ready the minute the door is opened. What did you want to know about the Capital route? If noises bother you ear plugs couldn't hurt. I suggest you bring a wrap, light blanket ,afgan etc because it can get chilly at night. Also put some snacks (especially since you will be smokeless for periods of time)and a bottle of water in your cary on. I think you can store bags on a rack on the lower level but we haven't gone coach for some time so I am not sure. Someone here can answere that. But be sure to take a small carry on or tote bag to keep with you with small toilet article bag, snacks, book or what else you may need for the 14 hours so you don't have to open your big bags. In Chicago you can check the big ones through so you will need to keep out sleepwear. I sleep in knit slacks and a t shirt and wear slip on shoes so I don't have to have a robe and slippers. You are not an idiot!!! We all went through the learning process of how to and what to on the train and you will find the posters on this forum are really helpful and friendly. When I was in Eurpoe we took the train from Calais to Dover and I assure you I had many questions. So ask away.Oh, and do try to eat in the diner. You do meet interesting peole from all over
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
A couple of things to add -
In Chicago there is a 'Metropolitan Lounge' which will be available to you because you are leaving town in a sleeper on the Empire Builder. (You can also use it on the return since you will have arrived in sleeper.)
Aside from being a bit more civil than the general boarding areas, the advantages to the metropolitan lounge include....
A) You can check your luggage (even your carry-on's) there for free while you explore a bit of Union Station and the surrounding neighborhood.
B) Complimentary snacks and soft drinks.
C) Advance boarding of the Empire Builder.
If your 'Capitol Limited' isn't more than a couple of hours late, you might enjoy visiting the Sears Tower. It's only a block from Union Station (just across the river) and the Observation Deck 103 floors up is a great place to get a quick overview of Chicagoland. It costs maybe about $8-10 per person (I've not done it in several years now) but the view on a clear day is impressive.
Finally, there are a number of readers on this forum who delight in the mention of any horses or ponies that you might see from the train. Be sure to include them when you post a report on your trip. If you have any good bagpipe stories (or even mediocre ones.....), those are appreciated too.
OK......so I'm joking a bit about the horses and bagpipers......that's actually a running gag among a few regulars like myself....
Regardless, enjoy the trip. Your excitement is evident and I wish you and Mark a successful journey.....and much luck with the lengthier runs between smoke stops. The gum was a fantastic suggestion!
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
quote:The term "foamers" is often used to describe railfans
I have a feeeling I may become a foamer! lol
quote: Amtrak travel can involve 12 hour late trains, outdated malfunctioning equipment, surly lazy onboard staff, obnoxious fellow travelers, or worse.
WOW. I didn't realize that the trains could be so late....I wonder, theoretically, what would happen if the train to CHI were late and we missed our connection to EVR. What do you all think is the worst route to take with Amtrak?
quote: have traveled on the Capital many times. I like getting to Cumberland because you can see so much from the windows.
I'm about 20 minutes from Cumberland, it's an old town with old buildings but lots of history. I keep trying to call their station but there's never an answer and it's miffing me off! Didn't think of a blanket! That's perfect! Me and Mark can share one spread lengthwise. Tonight I bought some of those pack maxx things that you can put a lot in and take the air out of to collapse to nothing! I'll be sure to eat on the diner! I just wasn't sure what my options were in case I didn't feel good or something like that.
Notelvis, I'll be sure to keep my horse and pony stories to myself! LOL And I didn't realize that about the lounge so another big thank you! And I was wondering what was close to the station in Chicago in case we have time to look around a little bit. That way I can say I was "in" Chicago and not just going thru it!
You've all been just the best!!! To me this trip is 2 vacations....the train part, and the stay in WA state....so I'm just thrilled!
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
If you miss the train because of Amtrak's lateness they put you up in a hotel and get you on the next train out if possible. Once we were given the option to fly to our destination but as I told them "I don't do flying" so they put us in another train. Cumberland is an old city. We drove drove there several years ago to show it to a visiting relative. We did enjoy the visit but on a couple of those hilly streets we could have used the ponies to pull the car. For some reason most stations don't answer. Just call Amtrak and they can answer your questions though once they put me through to the station in Alexandria which didn't even have a listed phone # I am not sure you can have your meal brought to your seat in coach.That is something you can check with them. Have a great trip and let us know how it went on your return
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
You cannot have a dining car meal SERVED at your coach seat unless you are mobility impaired--in that event, advise your car attendant. However, the dining car staff is usually able and willing to prepare your meal "to go" for you to take back to your seat, if that is what you prefer. If there is a huge backlog for diner seats, you might inquire into this option.
[ETA: You CAN, at least theoretically, have your dining car meals served to you in your Sleeping Car room when you are traveling first class--although I understand some sleeper attendants are reluctant to perform this service, even with $cajoling$. If that is the case, the "to go" option still applies. Be advised that two people eating dinner in an Amtrak roomette is going to be a very tight squeeze--the table is not overly large.]
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Travel light! You'll have a better time. The smaller the suitcase you can use, the better, and be sure it has wheels and isn't too heavy.
Instead of a blanket, I usually use the raincoat or jacket I bring for the trip as my blanket. But I often bring a small pillow when I travel coach. It isn't heavy and it squishes into my overnight bag.
Bring music--walkman or iPOD or such. It's great to listen as you look out the window.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
Rail crews, I have been told, sometimes refer to "foamers" as "ferns," their pronunciation of "FRN," or "****ing rail nut."
As for myself, I am a mere "rail buff," which just means a foamer wearing a clean shirt.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Calling the Cumberland station on the telephone is likely to be a futile effort. That station is 'unstaffed' which means you can't buy a ticket or check luggage there. (but you already knew the bit about no checked luggage.)
What they do have is a custodian who unlocks the place an hour or so before the train is due, turns on the lights, and maybe sweeps up a bit.
These unstaffed station attendants in North Carolina generally do a good job keeping their station presentable and answering questions from the riding public but such may not be the case in other areas where the state DOT has not invested the amount of money North Carolina has in maintaining and restoring the stations Amtrak uses.
There may no longer even be a phone in the Cumberland station and the guy who unlocks the door may or may not feel like answering it for his part-time minimum wage.
Another tip......on the afternoon you travel you can check online or call the toll-free number to get an updated Estimated Time of Arrival for the Capitol you are boarding in Cumberland.
More about the Metropolitan Lounge.....you will need to check in at the desk so be prepared to show them your ticket for the outbound Empire Builder. They will issue you a pass for admission back into the lounge each time you return, direct you to where you can check luggage (usually just steps away), and give you a time to be back for boarding the Empire Builder. Coming off the Capitol you'll wind to your left and then back to the right and make another right to get to the Lounge.....just follow the crowd and ask questions if it gets confusing.
I foam moderately.....that means I only use one camera when I chase a train.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
One more question....what is the norm for tipping the room attendant? I have no clue about that and I wouldn't want to "stiff" anyone.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Sleeper Attendants are quite happy with $5 per person/per day. That factors in the normal services such as bed making and one "gofer' per day, i.e. round of drinks from the Lounge.
Dining Car with your complomentary Sleeper meals $3 pp Dinner, $2 others. 15% additional is perfectly generous for alcoholic beverages. Amtrak sells "perfectly drinkable Halves" for I think $12 - reasonable AFAIC; I bring "private stock" for in-room consumption (not allowed in Coach, but I'm hoping you will choose to upgrade your Capitol Ltd ride).
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Thank you for the tipping info!
Yeh, a lot of the really nice train stations have been demolished around here over the years .....lots of derailment pics in there too! Sure hope that doesn't happen too often with Amtrak!
I'm not a drinker anymore so I don't have to worry about that.
Are these trains usually pulling a lot of cars???
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
You can take a 3 hr roundtrip train ride on a steam engine train. I actually took it one Halloween, they turned it into a "ghost train" event.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I live and learn Ms. Laura when you shared that the WM's station stil stands in Cumberland. Much of their abandoned ROW is visible when traveling on I-70 East of the Pa line.
The Capitol Ltd will probably be nine cars; the Empire Builder twelve until Spokane, when it will shrink to seven - tho other five going to Portland.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
My tickets are coming express so I need to make sure I'm here to sign for them.
That Amtrak station is there yep, and so is the old train station...but like I said that's only used nowadays for tourist steam train trips. And once a year they bring in the Thomas the Tank engine for the kids.
{{{hugs}}}} to you all for helping me with details for this trip! I can't tell you how relieved I was to find this site and be able to get some idea of how things work.
How early do you think I should get to the Cumberland Amtrak station? 30 minutes???? 45 minutes?
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Thanks for the link to the Western Maryland Scenic. I made a great weekend trip there and rode their train fifteen years ago when I was a graduate student in College Park, MD. Maybe someday I'll get back to Cumberland again.....my wife used to enjoy that area as a weekend getaway when she lived and worked in the DC area as well. (Of course in the DC area it's all about getting OUT of town.)
Thirty to forty minutes ought to be plenty for Cumberland if the train is on time. If you call ahead and get a report that it's, say, 30 minutes late then I would allow 45-55 minutes ahead of the predicted late time.....it might catch up a little though losing more time is more likely.
I rode the Capitol westbound in mid-April and that night we paused for a crew change just before reaching the Cumberland Amshack. I don't know if this is standard or not.....I'm guessing so.
I don't know if you've ever seen the mid-1980's movie 'The Untouchables' with Kevin Costner, Robert DeNiro, and Sean Connery BUT if you have, the stairway where they filmed the shootout around the baby carriage is in Chicago Union Station.......just ask someone to point out the 'Untouchables' staircase.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
When you get sick of my questions just tell me to stop! lol
Do any of you get the DigEplayer thing with the movies on it? My TV addict husband is going into shock at the thought of not having tv....I don't mind, I'm a reader. I have a laptop, but I don't know if I really want to lug it around with me or not....If I get one in Chicago would I leave it with them on the train???? I don't think Everett is a drop off spot for them.
Cool, I'll ask about the staircase! Haven't saw the movie for a while, but Dad has it...I'll borrow it off him.
Hope you can get back up here to ride the steam engine....it's one of the biggest draws to our area....Cumberland used to be an impressive city back in the day, now it's in decline with old buildings and the younger generation moving away.
Like I said I'm 20 minutes from there, and I lived there for 5 years....I remember seeing the superliner cars and thinking, WOW they are big train cars....lol
Amshack! He he he. Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
I've not gotten the DigEplayer but someone on the forum may have tried it. I remember reading somewhere that there was going to be the possibility of getting a special envelope to mail it back if you were getting off at a smaller station. Don't know if that ever came to pass though.
The booth for DigEplayer rentals in Chicago is just steps frm the Metropolitan Lounge though. Should be easy to arrange if they do have the mail-in option......and face it, North Dakota and Eastern Montana are very flat.....some diversion during that part of the trip will be appreciated.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
LOL, I agree...there are movies that I wouldn't mind watching....Thanks for letting me know it was near the lounge, I'll check it out when we get there. TV addict hubby will thank me greatly if we get one.
I just don't know if I really want to lug around a laptop and dvds for it...then I'd have to take it everywhere because I'd be scared to leave it.
I'm looking forward to the scenery...I love photography! I guess I should try to find out what the best settings are for taking pics thru a train window...never thought of that until now!
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
On the train it is easy to secure a laptop with a universal cable lock. There are plenty of places to wrap it around something. If your bedroom has the thin closet, it will fit nicely in the bottom cabled to the hanger rod. Out of sight, locked and can still be used or recharged without undoing the lock (those rooms are small!).
If you are into sightseeing, you may spend most of your daylight time in the sightseer lounge. I am an early riser, and I always love to watch the sunrise in the lounge with my coffee. Places as flat and vast as North Dakota can have some awesome sunrises.
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
proloz, you won't have to find the DigEPlayer rental booth in CUS. They have "proactive" salesmen who will canvass the waiting room and the Metropolitan Lounge for customers. Not a tv/movie addict myself, so I passed on it when I took #5 last winter.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by proloz: How early do you think I should get to the Cumberland Amtrak station? 30 minutes???? 45 minutes?
None. Well, be sure you aren't late at all. If it is on time, it will leave without you. But since you are not checking baggage, all you have to do is get there in sufficient time to be sure you are in position to get on before it gets there.
George
Posted by ehbowen (Member # 4317) on :
As George says, early arrivals at a station are only necessary when you are checking baggage (in that case, plan on 30 minutes minimum). As a wise friend once told me when I was new to train riding, "A train may ARRIVE early, but it will never LEAVE early." There are no check-in or boarding formalities, except that they will probably ask to see your photo ID when you actually step aboard. While the train crew may direct Chicago passengers to a specific coach car, once onboard (in coach) seating is "catch as catch can". Sleeping car rooms are assigned by car number and room number; the car number being a four digit number displayed on a small sign visible from outside as you board the train (NOT the 5 digit number which is permanently painted on the car).
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Thank you for all of that info.
So reserved coach seating doesn't mean specific seats, just that we have 2 seats? So we sit anywhere we want?
Eight days!!!! That's all! Eight more days!
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
yes and the nice thing about Amtrak is you won't get bumped like with the airlines. They don't overbook
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Hopefully there's a place with not too many people on the trip from here to CHI....My husband snores.... lol
I bet it's full though, oh well...I'm sure there are a LOT of snorers.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
Car attendants (or conductors) may assign your seats when you board, or they might tell you to sit anywhere you want. They usually try to keep areas of the coach available for people traveling together, and they know from the manifest that you are getting on. You will get a little card with your 3-letter destination clipped to the luggage rack above you. This officially assigns the seat to you, even if you leave it empty.
Some friendly attendants will let you change if you are unhappy, others might not even notice if you change your little card to another spot. Car attendants remain on the train from beginning to end. Conductors get on/off at crew change stations.
If you have a choice and are looking for a quiet night, stay away from the doors at each end, the stairway, and concentrations of overactive children. For scenery, I like to sit back aways from the front so you can see some of what's coming in the windows ahead.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Oh good advice there too!
I seriously would've been blundering all around if I hadn't found this website.....
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Is there a way to tell if your rooms are upstairs or downstairs? I bet they are both downstairs...
Service 7 Empire Builder. (way there) 1 Superliner Roomette Room 017 - Car 732
Service 8 Empire Builder. (way back) 1 Superliner Roomette Room 010 - Car 831
BTW, I just got our tickets via Fedex today! Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
I always take ear plugs--don't use them, but I take them--and an eye mask--which I do use--when I sleep in coach (or you can just put a shirt or jacket over your eyes). There are safety lights in the coach cars, so it's good to be able to black them out when you want to sleep.
Don't know about the dig-E-player but it seems a little pricey for me--depends on your tastes, though. This time of year, when it's light so late, I'd rather sit in the observation car (except during dinner) and look out at the scenery. That's why I liked to bring music and listen as I look. One could also bring a CD player and audio book on CDs, if you like audio books (I have trouble concentrating on those and would rather read from a real book when I read; I do that after it gets dark). I like bringing CDs with music about what I'm going through, e.g., cowboy songs for eastern Montana, Mississippi River songs for when I'm crossing that, train songs at any time. I also like reading books about the places I'm going to or trough, if I can. For instance, I read Campbell's Kingdom by Hammond Innis this time while in the Canadian Rockies. Then, when I read about a rock slide in those mountains a day after seeing a really big one live and in person, I knew what Innis meant!
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
Not sure about that Roomette #17? I believe 1-10 are upstairs and 11-14 downstairs.
For Car numbers, the first digit is the number of the train (7 >west, 8>east). After the locomotives comes the baggage car and crew dorm, then your 2 Seattle sleepers with the lowest number next to the diner. 732 is 2nd car forward from the diner, 831 would be next to the diner behind 832. Behind the diner are the Seattle coaches, the sightseer lounge, the Portland coaches, and finally the Portland sleeper(s).
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
17 sounds like a transition sleeper. 9 and 10 are the last rooms on the upper level. On the lower are rooms 11-14, the family room and the accessable one.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Interesting, I didn't even know about transition sleepers.......It would make sense because the day after I booked that route was sold out. So maybe they did throw us in the transition car.
I read that showers and toilets are available on both levels....so that wouldn't be so bad.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
no showers on the upper level unless you have a bedroom. There is a shower room on the lower level and I think 3 toiilet rooms. But they are very small so I suggest using the one on the upper level. It has far more room.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
FIVE more days!!!! Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
A possible convergence of forum contributors on the Empire Builder?....
If Laura (proloz) and Mark leave on the 26th, they will probably roll through Essex the night of the 28th. Vicki (HopefulRailUser) and Art should arrive on Essex on the 25th, and later hop back on the Builder bound for Portland. Depending on how long Vicki stays in Essex, you fine folks could all be on the same train Essex-Spokane.
If so, I might suggest the lounge or the long stop in Whitefish as a place to meet up. I may meet Vicki and Art when they board #27 in St. Paul on the 24th.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by proloz: FIVE more days!!!!
Oh the excitement!!!
Of course I'm thrilled that I am now on summer vacation until August 2. I've got this workshop next week and a trip to the Colorado narrow guages in July.....otherwise I am free!!!!!!!
Yes.....I'll do something with Amtrak. Anyone have any experience leaving a vehicle for a few days at the Carbondale, IL station?
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Two more days now!
Gotta finish packing tonight.
Have a great vacation, that's a lot of time to be off!!! Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
There has to be a "perk" or two left for educators in this life, Ms. Laura.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Hey Laura and Mark,
Have a great trip.....thanks to wireless internet and the fact that I'm on a college campus each night this week (just different colleges each night), I may be able to keep up with news of your trip.
Keep an eye out for the ponies!
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Oh I agree, educators deserve much more than they get!!!
If I can I'll be on to update...I'm not taking my laptop afterall, but I will have many computers to access when I get to WA state.
We return on the 9th of July so if all else fails I'll be back with updates then! Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by train lady: yes and the nice thing about Amtrak is you won't get bumped like with the airlines. They don't overbook
Ms Train Lady, Amtrak DOES overbook in the Corridor. Not the case with Sleepers and I doubt even with LD Coach.
Secondly Ms. Laura, as of a few moments ago, the website shows Roomettes on both 29(26) and 30(08JUL)are available. You know my advice; GRAB 'EM.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Just curious how Laura and Mark's trip went. I noted that their Capitol was just under an hour late into Chicago which meant they had about five hours to explore and still make their connection.
Hopefully we'll get a trip report when they return.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Guess what? I'm back! I have 985 pictures! Not all ones you'd want to see of course, but quite a few you might.
On the way home the Empire Builder ran 5 1/2 hours late due to mechanical issues and we had to stop forever and wait because the sister Empire Builder running west had switch issues and they had to get out and have someone inspect them or something like that. LOL
So we missed our connection on the Capitol Limited and ended up staying at the Hilton with $40 given to us by Amtrak. It was a great suite and actually it was nice to have a night in Chicago.
It's great to be home though.....that's a LONG journey......I still feel like I'm on a train to be honest. lol
Met lots of nice people too, oh and also on the way home the AC broke in the dining car and we had to stop and get subway subs for lunch---Amtrak got them and passed them out to our rooms, and they brought us dinner to our rooms too......eating in the dining car was awful, it was literally in the 90's in there.
We never did upgrade the CL to a sleeper, we just roughed it---BUT make no mistake, if we go next year we WILL have a sleeper for both parts.
Smoking breaks were fun in a way and actually made you bond with your fellow smokers.....lol Not as bad as I thought.
When I upload my pics I'll post a link to my albums for you all.
Posted by cubzo (Member # 4700) on :
Glad you had a great trip and cant wait for the pic link.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Thanks for the update. Glad you made it back OK.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
First of all, I know I know...no pics of horses in fields or something. My husband stole my camera though and he was bored and took a lot of boring pics....lol It wasn't me. But there are others in there that you all might like to see so I thought I'd share the albums from the trip there, and the trip back. It was amazing.
Great pictures. You came through on the westbound EB a few days after us. We were late and missed the Rockies in the daylight so I enjoyed those pictures. Loved the few ponies too, they are an essential component of any train trip. You also did some nice shots of the great hall at CUS, I should have done those stairs. Thanks for sharing it all.
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
How cool that you were on there around the time I was. Some of the pics are blurry of course, hard to get great pics when going so fast on a train. A man that smoked outside with us had a GPS something or other that was tracking the trains speed and he said we topped out around 83mph on the empire builder!
Some parts of Montana and North Dakota were extremely boring though......we had a digEplayer on the way so that helped out some. Mark saw a few coyotes, antelope, and even a black bear(although he missed the pic of that and it killed him).
My room attendent on the way was Cheryl and on the way back it was Cynthia. Both were really nice.
What amazed us was seeing all the snow capped mountains in July. Pretty wild!!!!! Especially when we were in WA state and saw Mt Baker, and Mt Rainier. They were so cool.
At first we were REALLY mad our train on the return was so late and we missed our connection, but in a way it turned out good....we had a free night at a super nice Hilton Suites....so it was like a free vacation night, and luckily Mark had enouogh vacation hours left to cover it.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
The photos were great.......and yes, there sure is alot of Montana and North Dakota.
I'm glad that you guys were able to make the best of your unexpected extra night in Chicago and I'm glad that Amtrak made suitable arrangements to look out for you.
Alot of folks when traveling west to east automatically build a night in Chicago into their plans now......so that they don't have to worry about making the connection. Of course if any of us were betting on making a connection off one of the western trains, we would have our money on the Empire Builder, Oh well.
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Let us know how your next trip goes.
Posted by 20th Century (Member # 2196) on :
Nice pictures. There are some beautiful mountain shots. One can never get the same feel of our beautiful country from a plane. Well, that's from a train lover's point of view.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Ms. Proloz - great pictures!!!! Thanks for sharing them with us!
Posted by proloz (Member # 5427) on :
Glad to share them, and that you all enjoyed them. I'll never forget it. From the trip there, being there, and back---I have 985 pictures to get developed then I'll be making a series of scrapboks so I can keep all of the memories.
Plus, it's nice to see me huh? And put a face to a name!!!! At least it is for me on forums.
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.....I'd rather go prepared than know nothing. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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.....lots of derailment pics in there too!