Thanks for the shoutout at 7:55! Your videos (among others) inspired me to book a cross-country train trip back from my sister's wedding in Seattle, rather than just flying back. You do a remarkable job keeping these videos informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work!
I'm so glad you found this video! It really was a pleasure chatting with both you and Thomas over dinner, and I'm happy to hear you'll be back out on the rails soon. Maybe we'll cross paths again sometime!
@@LonestarTripsI actually meant that your videos inspired me to take the trip back in July! But don't worry - I've ridden plenty of Amtrak since then and will continue to do so.
Same. I live in Hawaii and when I go visit my parents in Tennessee later this year, I'm flying to San Francisco and taking the train the rest of the way. I'm so excited.
The flat spot occurs when a rail vehicle's wheelset is dragged along the rail after the wheel/axle has stopped rotating. Flat spots are usually caused by use of the emergency brake, or slip and slide conditions that cause wheels to lock up while the train is still moving.
Welcome to Chicago! Never ever call that building, "Whacha-talkin about Willis." It is and always wil be, the sears tower!!! Thank you for the train ride. I hope to take this one day. Maybe do a round trip with the chicago-San Francisco train. :-) ☮️
The two videos that make up this trip are perfect in length for me and not too long at all. You need the length to show all of the great footage! Thanks for tackling this epic trip with your usual thorough style. I have watched other reports on this trip which made me appreciate and look forward to your version. Thanks!
To be fair about the only electronic thing that people brought with then when the train was made was an electric razor. There were no phones, tablets ,game systems ect.
@@pattymc4726 I do as well. And it's not just old trains, but old cruise ships too. Electric hair dryers were available as well as electric razors back when these Superliners were built. People just brought extra batteries for their transistor radios, walkman tape and cd players, as well as portable video games... Not a rechargeable device in sight!!!
I have rode all of Amtrak's long distance overnight sleeper trains. While riding in coach is very affordable, I can afford the luxury of a sleeper roomette. There is no better way to see America, front and back yards, coast to coast. You can also figure out what made these towns grow while you ride past these cities and towns industrial and commercial areas...
What a lovely couple of videos and particularly interesting for me as I'm doing this trip in the other direction next Summer. I'm really looking forward to it.
As I said in the last video. I would sooooo love to experience this track to :) And I am glad the smoke cleared up so you could catch all those amazing views for us.. Thanks :)
Was just on a retrofitted Superliner 1 on Coast Starlight 11. Rooms had updated furnishings that were in the gray but had the renovated bathrooms too! Looking spiffy for sure!
Unfortunately he implied these Superliners are being replaced with new Siemens coaches. NOT!!! Amfleet I coaches, Horizon coaches, and the Talgo coaches are being replaced with Siemens coaches, not Amfleet II coaches, Viewliner sleepers and diners, and all of the Superliners fleet of cars. The Superliner fleet is being refurbished as are the Amfleet II coaches. Nevermind the Superliner fleet is over fifty years in age. Not even Amtrak Joe has been able to raise the funds to replace the Superliner and Amfleet II fleet...
Loved the video. Thanks for sharing it. I’m leaving shortly on a special trip with my son. Fargo to Chicago then Chicago to Pittsburgh. We will the be travelling from Pittsburgh to DC followed by DC to New York. Finally we will finish the trip going from NY to Boston. All by Amtrak.
@@LonestarTrips I'm taking the Cardinal from Chicago to Philadelphia in April, 2024 so I'm hoping your trip report will be available before then! I very much enjoyed both parts of your Empire Builder series. My wife and I took the EB from Chicago to Seattle in May, 2022 and loved the journey, the food, and the people we met onboard.
Nice video report. Here’s some amplifications: Minot, ND is also the mandatory FRA 1,000 mile inspection. Amtrak mechanics inspect all the truck, wheels and brakes. A brake test is performed. At Midway the EB leaves the BNSF, then travels the Minnesota Commercial Railroad for a few miles, then the CPKC rails all the way to Metra tracks. Maximum speed is 79 mph so when you showed 81 mph on your phone it was a GPS inaccuracy otherwise the engineer would get a violation as the locomotives have speed recorders.
My daughter and I went the opposite direction from Chicago to West Glacier Park with meal tickets all the way. our room was just right size... i took the top bunk.
While one was suitable when these Superliners were built for a electric razor and a hair dryer, one isn't enough to recharge batteries for todays rechargeable devices... Bring a power strip riding Amtrak, coach or sleeper...
I rode the AMTRAK Empire Builder back and forth a couple times years ago but did not know of the change in train station in Minneapolis to the St. Paul location. Any idea about the background of the change in train station location? I do not believe the St. Paul station was shown. I liked all the long distance routes crossing the West. Good video.
Thanks for the information. Sounds really good. I liked seeing some of the old train stations such as in L.A., Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Denver, Chicago, and Kansas City. St. Louis has done a really good job with its Union Station but does not serve AMTRAK but its small AMTRAK station is a short walk away and allows for a straight through whereas trains had to back in to its Union Station years ago. The current owner has done a good job making it an entertainment venue with attractions like a Giant Ferris Wheel and aquarium along with keeping up its grand hotel. That was my origin on AMTRAK trips. @@ronclark9724
Funny thing is, how did BNSF ever get the route of the Milwaukee Road when the Milwaukee Road's successor, Soo Line is actually a subsidiary of former CP, now CPKC
The sound in your roomette would make me pull my hair out and grind my teeth! Would it have been worth asking to be moved to a different room? Would calling Amtrak and asking for a discount on your trip or a free voucher for another trip have been worth a shot?
I've never even seen an Amtrak train. They don't come to my part of the country. The only trains I've ever rode were amusement park adventures. Take the little ride on the steam engine train and get robbed by bandits.
@@brianweber4154 nope. I wish. Just a part of Ohio that Amtrak doesn't think is important enough. The nearest train is about 60 miles away down in Cincinnati.
Absolutely! While it may be an early morning departure, you'll get to see both the Great Plains and Glacier National park in one day, and then arrive around noon in Portland, which gives you almost a full day to see stuff around the city. I would recommend waiting until mid-summer to go, as that will maximize the daylight hours, and thus increase the amount of Glacier you'll be able to enjoy.
so were you on the Empire Builder for 2 overnights and 3 days? I am trying to plan my trip from Johnstown PA to Seattle and back with maybe 1 night in Seattle. I can't make heads or tails on their website.
He was probably riding over that axle in his roomette. He should have asked the conductor to switch him to another roomette in the other car, or the third car after it was shunted at Spokane...
Amtrak used to have the "Idaho Star" for lunch on the Empire Builder two decades ago... The baked potato has been a big thing for the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads passenger trains now for over a century...
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for the shoutout at 7:55! Your videos (among others) inspired me to book a cross-country train trip back from my sister's wedding in Seattle, rather than just flying back. You do a remarkable job keeping these videos informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work!
I'm so glad you found this video! It really was a pleasure chatting with both you and Thomas over dinner, and I'm happy to hear you'll be back out on the rails soon. Maybe we'll cross paths again sometime!
@@LonestarTripsI actually meant that your videos inspired me to take the trip back in July! But don't worry - I've ridden plenty of Amtrak since then and will continue to do so.
@@johnbottenberg3243 Oh haha that makes more sense lol. But glad to hear what I said is still true. 😁
Same. I live in Hawaii and when I go visit my parents in Tennessee later this year, I'm flying to San Francisco and taking the train the rest of the way. I'm so excited.
The flat spot occurs when a rail vehicle's wheelset is dragged along the rail after the wheel/axle has stopped rotating. Flat spots are usually caused by use of the emergency brake, or slip and slide conditions that cause wheels to lock up while the train is still moving.
I'm gonna have to say the Phase 7 livery wins out for me because WOW... I've never found it more attractive. But my God, Phase 6 looks so good
That flat wheel would have driven me nuts!
Welcome to Chicago!
Never ever call that building, "Whacha-talkin about Willis." It is and always wil be, the sears tower!!!
Thank you for the train ride. I hope to take this one day. Maybe do a round trip with the chicago-San Francisco train. :-) ☮️
The two videos that make up this trip are perfect in length for me and not too long at all. You need the length to show all of the great footage! Thanks for tackling this epic trip with your usual thorough style. I have watched other reports on this trip which made me appreciate and look forward to your version. Thanks!
This is a great conclusion to the series! Thank you for all of the thorough and honest reviews!
Of course! Thanks for watching and I’m so glad you enjoyed!
To be fair about the only electronic thing that people brought with then when the train was made was an electric razor. There were no phones, tablets ,game systems ect.
It’s easily resolved with a small power bar or extension cord. I always travel with one so the outlet situation wasn’t an issue for me.
@@pattymc4726 I do as well. And it's not just old trains, but old cruise ships too. Electric hair dryers were available as well as electric razors back when these Superliners were built. People just brought extra batteries for their transistor radios, walkman tape and cd players, as well as portable video games... Not a rechargeable device in sight!!!
Excellent video as always, keep up the great work!
Thanks! Always happy to see you in the comments.
We’ve taken the route twice. Very relaxing
Really awesome video
Nice video, nice trip. That flat wheel though... 😵
The flat wheel was brutal. In hind sight I should've contacted Amtrak customer service about getting some kind of compensation for it.
Bring some ear plugs... I have problems falling asleep with the horns blasting at every railroad crossing...
@@ronclark9724 Always 👍 But wow, 24/7 the entire ride ...? 😵 I think that noise would seep into your soul.
*THE* US's LARGEST river. Get it right, Lonestar!
How funny, I'm taking the Empire builder to Seattle tomorrow afternoon. I took the California Zephyr last year, and absolutely loved it!
I have rode all of Amtrak's long distance overnight sleeper trains. While riding in coach is very affordable, I can afford the luxury of a sleeper roomette. There is no better way to see America, front and back yards, coast to coast. You can also figure out what made these towns grow while you ride past these cities and towns industrial and commercial areas...
Brings back a lot of memories so thanks for another great video.
Thanks for the vintage private car shots.
I’m glad you appreciate them 😊
Did you see the giant photographs on the top floor of the lounge? Easily my favorite thing in there.
Great footage and insight as always. I’m looking to be on the Southwest Chief next summer. I noticed towards the end a couple Metra F40Cs.
First! Good trip.
Thanks!
What a lovely couple of videos and particularly interesting for me as I'm doing this trip in the other direction next Summer. I'm really looking forward to it.
8:15 I will digress that's probably the one upside of wildfires: how the sun looks like a red disk.
As I said in the last video. I would sooooo love to experience this track to :) And I am glad the smoke cleared up so you could catch all those amazing views for us.. Thanks :)
Great video as always!
Thanks for the video
Was just on a retrofitted Superliner 1 on Coast Starlight 11. Rooms had updated furnishings that were in the gray but had the renovated bathrooms too! Looking spiffy for sure!
Unfortunately he implied these Superliners are being replaced with new Siemens coaches. NOT!!! Amfleet I coaches, Horizon coaches, and the Talgo coaches are being replaced with Siemens coaches, not Amfleet II coaches, Viewliner sleepers and diners, and all of the Superliners fleet of cars. The Superliner fleet is being refurbished as are the Amfleet II coaches. Nevermind the Superliner fleet is over fifty years in age. Not even Amtrak Joe has been able to raise the funds to replace the Superliner and Amfleet II fleet...
Good thing we have a President who loves Amtrak
Unfortunately Amtrak Joe hasn't funded Texas Central HSR as yet... Should have been number one on Amtrak Joe's list...
Loved the video. Thanks for sharing it. I’m leaving shortly on a special trip with my son. Fargo to Chicago then Chicago to Pittsburgh. We will the be travelling from Pittsburgh to DC followed by DC to New York. Finally we will finish the trip going from NY to Boston. All by Amtrak.
When did you take this trip? I’m taking the Empire Builder in March and I’m aware that sunset time greatly affects the scenery seen.
I took this trip in mid-July, so right at the height of the summer sun.
@@LonestarTrips That makes a lot of sense, thanks for the info.
Always enjoy the content. I’m curious if there is a plan to ride on Amtrak’s Cardinal route one day?
What if I told you I’m taking the Cardinal from Chicago to New York on Saturday 😉
@@LonestarTrips I will be anticipating the video with eagerness. Enjoy the trip
@@LonestarTrips I'm taking the Cardinal from Chicago to Philadelphia in April, 2024 so I'm hoping your trip report will be available before then! I very much enjoyed both parts of your Empire Builder series. My wife and I took the EB from Chicago to Seattle in May, 2022 and loved the journey, the food, and the people we met onboard.
@@edeinhorn6016 I should have it out in January or February, so it’ll be ready well before your travels 😊
Nice video report. Here’s some amplifications: Minot, ND is also the mandatory FRA 1,000 mile inspection. Amtrak mechanics inspect all the truck, wheels and brakes. A brake test is performed.
At Midway the EB leaves the BNSF, then travels the Minnesota Commercial Railroad for a few miles, then the CPKC rails all the way to Metra tracks. Maximum speed is 79 mph so when you showed 81 mph on your phone it was a GPS inaccuracy otherwise the engineer would get a violation as the locomotives have speed recorders.
My daughter and I went the opposite direction from Chicago to West Glacier Park with meal tickets all the way. our room was just right size... i took the top bunk.
How was sleeping on the top bunk. I heard very narrow and mattress is very hard on the top bunk.
Yeah we always travel on Amtrak with a power strip.
The flat iron steak is pretty good. The desserts are definitely Grade A.
While one was suitable when these Superliners were built for a electric razor and a hair dryer, one isn't enough to recharge batteries for todays rechargeable devices... Bring a power strip riding Amtrak, coach or sleeper...
You should review the Eurostar one day lad 🇬🇧
Midway station is still in St Paul. Amtrak trains have not stopped in Minneapolis since before Midway was built.
Glenview has the same platform number signs as Sounder/Seattle does too!
I rode the AMTRAK Empire Builder back and forth a couple times years ago but did not know of the change in train station in Minneapolis to the St. Paul location. Any idea about the background of the change in train station location? I do not believe the St. Paul station was shown. I liked all the long distance routes crossing the West. Good video.
St. Paul refurbished their beautiful downtown station...
Thanks for the information. Sounds really good. I liked seeing some of the old train stations such as in L.A., Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Denver, Chicago, and Kansas City. St. Louis has done a really good job with its Union Station but does not serve AMTRAK but its small AMTRAK station is a short walk away and allows for a straight through whereas trains had to back in to its Union Station years ago. The current owner has done a good job making it an entertainment venue with attractions like a Giant Ferris Wheel and aquarium along with keeping up its grand hotel. That was my origin on AMTRAK trips. @@ronclark9724
I would love to see an extended cut and have both parts in 1 long video.
I was actually thinking of doing just that.
@@LonestarTrips Please and thank you.
@@equaltoreality8028 😁
Funny thing is, how did BNSF ever get the route of the Milwaukee Road when the Milwaukee Road's successor, Soo Line is actually a subsidiary of former CP, now CPKC
BNSF isn't necessarily Amtrak... Amtrak's rides on all of the legendary railroads main lines somewhere it seems...
BNSF is the OWNER of the route Amtrak's empire builder travels on, not Amtrak
The sound in your roomette would make me pull my hair out and grind my teeth! Would it have been worth asking to be moved to a different room? Would calling Amtrak and asking for a discount on your trip or a free voucher for another trip have been worth a shot?
I think if I had called, they would have given me some kind of voucher for future travel.
I've never even seen an Amtrak train. They don't come to my part of the country. The only trains I've ever rode were amusement park adventures. Take the little ride on the steam engine train and get robbed by bandits.
Hmmmm south Dakota or Wyoming Alaska or hawaii......
@@brianweber4154 nope. I wish. Just a part of Ohio that Amtrak doesn't think is important enough. The nearest train is about 60 miles away down in Cincinnati.
Do you think it’s worth it to get on in Fargo North Dakota and travel to Portland? I’m thinking about doing an Amtrak vacation and I live in Fargo.
Absolutely! While it may be an early morning departure, you'll get to see both the Great Plains and Glacier National park in one day, and then arrive around noon in Portland, which gives you almost a full day to see stuff around the city. I would recommend waiting until mid-summer to go, as that will maximize the daylight hours, and thus increase the amount of Glacier you'll be able to enjoy.
so were you on the Empire Builder for 2 overnights and 3 days? I am trying to plan my trip from Johnstown PA to Seattle and back with maybe 1 night in Seattle. I can't make heads or tails on their website.
The trip is 2 nights. It leaves Seattle on day 1, the second day is entirely on board, and then you get in to Chicago on day 3.
Please tell me you received some form of compensation for that flat wheel noise! 😮
He was probably riding over that axle in his roomette. He should have asked the conductor to switch him to another roomette in the other car, or the third car after it was shunted at Spokane...
Why are they still stopping the train at Midway?
We were picking up the Northern Sky private car.
Havre is named after the French city of Le Havre (de Grace). "Havre" is actually the French term for "harbor".
Montana train stops. Glasgow, Malta, havre and ummm Essex hmmm
I need that cheesecake in my life
The question was it a BIG baked potato? What the Northern Pacific touted on it's slightly more southern route.
Amtrak used to have the "Idaho Star" for lunch on the Empire Builder two decades ago... The baked potato has been a big thing for the Great Northern and Northern Pacific railroads passenger trains now for over a century...
Every time I try to book tickets for this train, it's filled up.
Carpet in your sleeper is filthy and should be replaced.
Frankly Amtrak should spend a bit more money CLEANING the trains, especially the windows... I clean my car's windshield every time I fill up...
Those trains look so out dated
Amtrak is currently in the process of sourcing replacements. In the meantime they’re refurbishing the coaches they have.