Amtrak EMPIRE BUILDER Sleeper Train (Seattle to Chicago)
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Date: 2023-08-28
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Comments and reviews: 30
Charles
Empire Builder July 2023, CHI-SEA roundtrip. We just returned from a roundtrip on the EB and the Summer Scenery is amazing. Westbound Roomette. Eastbound Bedroom! I highly recommend the Superliner Bedroom. What was very interesting was the difference between West and East. We really appreciated the Westbound Car Attendant and Dinning staff and food but Eastbound was far and above the outbound trip. In particular our Eastbound Car Attendant Gul was amazing and could be working at the finest hotel or cruise ship but he choose to work for Amtrak. (Jeb Score-Service West=3, East 5. Additionally the EB was 100% full West and East. So book early! Safe travels!
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Empire Builder July 2023, CHI-SEA roundtrip. We just returned from a roundtrip on the EB and the Summer Scenery is amazing. Westbound Roomette. Eastbound Bedroom! I highly recommend the Superliner Bedroom. What was very interesting was the difference between West and East. We really appreciated the Westbound Car Attendant and Dinning staff and food but Eastbound was far and above the outbound trip. In particular our Eastbound Car Attendant Gul was amazing and could be working at the finest hotel or cruise ship but he choose to work for Amtrak. (Jeb Score-Service West=3, East 5. Additionally the EB was 100% full West and East. So book early! Safe travels!
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Carl
You folks are lucky. Three of us were booked on the Empire Builder with 2 Bedrooms departing King Street Station in Seattle on 2 May 2023. We got notified on 2 May that our train was cancelled. Our enquiries revealed that any departure on 3 May was not possible as the train was fully booked. 4 May had only one Bedroom available (we needed 2. This forced all three of us to take the Red Eye flight from Seattle home to Detroit (2 of us) & Minneapolis (1 of us) on 2 May. Luckily, we got a full refund from AMTRAK as they were the ones that cancelled the train. Perhaps another day for the Empire Builder.
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You folks are lucky. Three of us were booked on the Empire Builder with 2 Bedrooms departing King Street Station in Seattle on 2 May 2023. We got notified on 2 May that our train was cancelled. Our enquiries revealed that any departure on 3 May was not possible as the train was fully booked. 4 May had only one Bedroom available (we needed 2. This forced all three of us to take the Red Eye flight from Seattle home to Detroit (2 of us) & Minneapolis (1 of us) on 2 May. Luckily, we got a full refund from AMTRAK as they were the ones that cancelled the train. Perhaps another day for the Empire Builder.
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Pamela
So very great to see the Empire Builder again! What a treat, our son regularly traveled from our home in Minneapolis to Chicago on it and also on the Zephyr. He loved it them both. Bummer about the Observation Deck car on the Empire Builder being absent for repairs on your trip. He used to take a deck of Tarot Cards and do Readings for a fun pastime for anyone who wanted one, free of course. As a college student he meet many other travelers doing that and laughed saying it was a babe magnet to meet beautiful college girls from different schools traveling to and from. .
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So very great to see the Empire Builder again! What a treat, our son regularly traveled from our home in Minneapolis to Chicago on it and also on the Zephyr. He loved it them both. Bummer about the Observation Deck car on the Empire Builder being absent for repairs on your trip. He used to take a deck of Tarot Cards and do Readings for a fun pastime for anyone who wanted one, free of course. As a college student he meet many other travelers doing that and laughed saying it was a babe magnet to meet beautiful college girls from different schools traveling to and from. .
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DoubleDogDare54
On Idaho being a favorite state - My niece had never been to Idaho, but a social organization she belonged to had a national convention somewhere in Idaho and she flew out for it. While she was there she got in her rental car and drove all around the state. When she was done she flew back to Michigan, quit her job, told her live-in boyfriend adieu, loaded the dogs in the car and drove west to Idaho. Found a place to live, found a job, found a new boyfriend and got married and is still there ten years later.
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On Idaho being a favorite state - My niece had never been to Idaho, but a social organization she belonged to had a national convention somewhere in Idaho and she flew out for it. While she was there she got in her rental car and drove all around the state. When she was done she flew back to Michigan, quit her job, told her live-in boyfriend adieu, loaded the dogs in the car and drove west to Idaho. Found a place to live, found a job, found a new boyfriend and got married and is still there ten years later.
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Gil
Train delays? Here in Australia, we get delays and cancellations on ALL the transport, buses are called and they break down. Just have to keep a cool head. The state of NSW is the worst, Qld has the best sightseeing from trains running between Brisbane and Cairns. The beauty of this country is unsurpassed and we forgive when things go wrong during our travels. And service can be super friendly or lazily dismissive. Its a big country and I welcome visitors from overseas with an open heart and open smile.
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Train delays? Here in Australia, we get delays and cancellations on ALL the transport, buses are called and they break down. Just have to keep a cool head. The state of NSW is the worst, Qld has the best sightseeing from trains running between Brisbane and Cairns. The beauty of this country is unsurpassed and we forgive when things go wrong during our travels. And service can be super friendly or lazily dismissive. Its a big country and I welcome visitors from overseas with an open heart and open smile.
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SuperLemonAdam
Love your videos, you both are amazing!
I'm booking my first Amtrak trip this week. I live in Las Vegas, so I'm headed to LA and taking the Southwest Chief to Chicago. The day I arrive, the Blackhawks play the Avalanche, so I'm going to go to a hockey game in a new Arena for me, and have some Deep Dish Pizza for dinner! Then taking the Texas Eagle back to LA the next afternoon.
Thanks for all the tips, I feel MUCH more prepared than going in with no info/insight. Thanks, cheers!
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Love your videos, you both are amazing!
I'm booking my first Amtrak trip this week. I live in Las Vegas, so I'm headed to LA and taking the Southwest Chief to Chicago. The day I arrive, the Blackhawks play the Avalanche, so I'm going to go to a hockey game in a new Arena for me, and have some Deep Dish Pizza for dinner! Then taking the Texas Eagle back to LA the next afternoon.
Thanks for all the tips, I feel MUCH more prepared than going in with no info/insight. Thanks, cheers!
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David
I honestly wish I would take the journey my father took from Dickinson, ND to Joliet, MT. Sadly that route is long gone. He tell stories of going to visit his grandpa is south central Montana while just a child. He has memories of riding in the conductor train.
That world is in the past but my father lives and those memories remain. He loved the train then. He also has memories of the old Highway they traveled when driving. I am a historian and so much ends up lost and never recorded.
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I honestly wish I would take the journey my father took from Dickinson, ND to Joliet, MT. Sadly that route is long gone. He tell stories of going to visit his grandpa is south central Montana while just a child. He has memories of riding in the conductor train.
That world is in the past but my father lives and those memories remain. He loved the train then. He also has memories of the old Highway they traveled when driving. I am a historian and so much ends up lost and never recorded.
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HockeyVOX
Don't know if you've been back to St. Paul since this video posted, but there truly isn't much in Union Depot (St. Paul. I just took my first Amtrak trip a week ago, and it involved a connection which meant I took a bus from MSP to Chicago and beat the train. I did take the De Pere to Holland, MI and business class was awesome! BUT: I'm going to give the Empire Builder a proper whack in around two weeks when I head to Chicago without connections!
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Don't know if you've been back to St. Paul since this video posted, but there truly isn't much in Union Depot (St. Paul. I just took my first Amtrak trip a week ago, and it involved a connection which meant I took a bus from MSP to Chicago and beat the train. I did take the De Pere to Holland, MI and business class was awesome! BUT: I'm going to give the Empire Builder a proper whack in around two weeks when I head to Chicago without connections!
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Jose
No, no, no. Never show people brushing their teeth. Why! And you need to stop apologizing for their delays and making them seem pleasant. The delays are infuriating! I wish my family did not move too Florida. I dont fly and would rather not travel at all. To get to my Florida family I have to use Amtrak. And since I find it impostor sleep on a train or moving car my trip becomes a very tiresome and long journey.
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No, no, no. Never show people brushing their teeth. Why! And you need to stop apologizing for their delays and making them seem pleasant. The delays are infuriating! I wish my family did not move too Florida. I dont fly and would rather not travel at all. To get to my Florida family I have to use Amtrak. And since I find it impostor sleep on a train or moving car my trip becomes a very tiresome and long journey.
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Colonel
I have traveled amtrak many times coach. San Antonio to Nola to dc to Baltimore and then back to San Antonio via Chicago 10 months later. Couple years ago I did Dallas to San Antonio and several times between Austin and San Antonio. Worst thing about coach long distance is sleeping in a chair with maybe 45 degrees of recline.
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I have traveled amtrak many times coach. San Antonio to Nola to dc to Baltimore and then back to San Antonio via Chicago 10 months later. Couple years ago I did Dallas to San Antonio and several times between Austin and San Antonio. Worst thing about coach long distance is sleeping in a chair with maybe 45 degrees of recline.
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Kimbuucha
I took this route once many years ago and we were delayed by about 7 hours and let me tell you, it was worth it. Montana looks like something out of a story book in the winter. Such a beautiful state and not having cell phone reception makes it so you get up and talk to others. Would happily do it again. Thanks for sharing
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I took this route once many years ago and we were delayed by about 7 hours and let me tell you, it was worth it. Montana looks like something out of a story book in the winter. Such a beautiful state and not having cell phone reception makes it so you get up and talk to others. Would happily do it again. Thanks for sharing
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doubletapper100
We took the Empire Builder last week from Chicago to East Glacier and back. Over 8 hours late total. Over 3 hours on the way out and over 5 hours on the way back. The 'emergency meal was barely a quarter cup of the rice and stew. Some of us can't eat rice but no alternative was offered. Not happy with this trip.
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We took the Empire Builder last week from Chicago to East Glacier and back. Over 8 hours late total. Over 3 hours on the way out and over 5 hours on the way back. The 'emergency meal was barely a quarter cup of the rice and stew. Some of us can't eat rice but no alternative was offered. Not happy with this trip.
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John
Jeb, I've stopped watching your train videos. Watching your face being stuffed with food and your crummy smile really did not turn me on. Too bad because I enjoy watching train trip videos to see what all the parts of the U. S. look like. Most of the time it is because I've never been to where it was showing. JMS
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Jeb, I've stopped watching your train videos. Watching your face being stuffed with food and your crummy smile really did not turn me on. Too bad because I enjoy watching train trip videos to see what all the parts of the U. S. look like. Most of the time it is because I've never been to where it was showing. JMS
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Richard
One question I've always had is about how Amtrak handles food allergies. I'd be fine and would really like to do one of these journeys one day, but my wife is allergic to both dairy and gluten. It'll be hard to convince her to go with me if it means her starving for two days!
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One question I've always had is about how Amtrak handles food allergies. I'd be fine and would really like to do one of these journeys one day, but my wife is allergic to both dairy and gluten. It'll be hard to convince her to go with me if it means her starving for two days!
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Danielle
I've taken the Amtrak from NY to FL and back again many times, and love it. I always have a sleeper unit. It helps to think of it as a glamping experience. Bring food, a small blanket, a book, maybe a tablet or some device, and be flexible-minded about your schedule.
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I've taken the Amtrak from NY to FL and back again many times, and love it. I always have a sleeper unit. It helps to think of it as a glamping experience. Bring food, a small blanket, a book, maybe a tablet or some device, and be flexible-minded about your schedule.
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Randy
I've been across North America eight times. The Canadian train trip was especially nice. Unfortunately, they no longer have the Northern route which took you through so much wilderness. For a truly special train trip, take the one from Vancouver, Canada to San Diego.
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I've been across North America eight times. The Canadian train trip was especially nice. Unfortunately, they no longer have the Northern route which took you through so much wilderness. For a truly special train trip, take the one from Vancouver, Canada to San Diego.
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KR
Do fresh air stops happen only when someone has to get off or on the train, or are they scheduled stops regardless if no one is getting on or off? I honestly thought the train stopped in every town on the route map, but I guess that would add an extra hour to the trip.
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Do fresh air stops happen only when someone has to get off or on the train, or are they scheduled stops regardless if no one is getting on or off? I honestly thought the train stopped in every town on the route map, but I guess that would add an extra hour to the trip.
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Mohave
Thank you both for your great rail journey videos! And this one had the bonus of a great life lesson. to not get frustrated over things you can't control. Like it was meant for me! Also enjoyed revisting that great Whitefish Amtrak station.
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Thank you both for your great rail journey videos! And this one had the bonus of a great life lesson. to not get frustrated over things you can't control. Like it was meant for me! Also enjoyed revisting that great Whitefish Amtrak station.
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archlinuxrussian
The few times I've traveled on Amtrak (in coach, I've left my bags at my seat and went to the lounge car and never had any issues. Maybe it's just my luck or the particular passengers there, but it never felt unsafe to leave.
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The few times I've traveled on Amtrak (in coach, I've left my bags at my seat and went to the lounge car and never had any issues. Maybe it's just my luck or the particular passengers there, but it never felt unsafe to leave.
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jonel
My first long train trip was the Denver to San Francisco route with a planned return trip. I went coach to San Francisco. Never again! As soon as I got off the train I upgraded my return trip to a roomette. Definitely worth it to me.
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My first long train trip was the Denver to San Francisco route with a planned return trip. I went coach to San Francisco. Never again! As soon as I got off the train I upgraded my return trip to a roomette. Definitely worth it to me.
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lane
Great video just got off builder in Winina mn. have taken this train almost 100 times since 1975. I have never had anything taken in either coach or sleeper. it is a very safe way to travel. no need to worry about theft.
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Great video just got off builder in Winina mn. have taken this train almost 100 times since 1975. I have never had anything taken in either coach or sleeper. it is a very safe way to travel. no need to worry about theft.
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John
The Empire Builder is the Amtrak route I'd love to travel. A trip in the winter would be spectacular, but I imagine any season would be an adventure. I'd also love to do some of the Canadian trans-Canada routes as well.
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The Empire Builder is the Amtrak route I'd love to travel. A trip in the winter would be spectacular, but I imagine any season would be an adventure. I'd also love to do some of the Canadian trans-Canada routes as well.
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Cyan
Needs one queen size bed. Forget the side-by-side army cots and the bunk-bed army cots. That and sleeping pills so you can get to sleep. What with all that rockin' and rollin' all night long. I mean the train.
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Needs one queen size bed. Forget the side-by-side army cots and the bunk-bed army cots. That and sleeping pills so you can get to sleep. What with all that rockin' and rollin' all night long. I mean the train.
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ShakespeareCafe
No observation car. That's the reason to take a train to see both sides with a commanding view and talk with fellow passengers. I would be depressed stuck in that cramped cabin the entire trip
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No observation car. That's the reason to take a train to see both sides with a commanding view and talk with fellow passengers. I would be depressed stuck in that cramped cabin the entire trip
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Eric
Im booked in a roomette on the Chicago to Seattle train in September. Im really looking forward to the experience. My only negative is the sky high pricing. But its on my bucket list what can I say.
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Im booked in a roomette on the Chicago to Seattle train in September. Im really looking forward to the experience. My only negative is the sky high pricing. But its on my bucket list what can I say.
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Stetson
Jeb I grew up in North Idaho in Clark Fork, 20 miles east of Sandpoint on the Montana boarder. It was so wonderful to see were I grew up for 18 years. Made me cry, such a beautiful area!
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Jeb I grew up in North Idaho in Clark Fork, 20 miles east of Sandpoint on the Montana boarder. It was so wonderful to see were I grew up for 18 years. Made me cry, such a beautiful area!
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Doug
You just made my day at 8: 35 you said almost to whitefish mt and thats my hometown. Im homesick for that place! Thank you for filming this! Now Im gonna watch if you get off there or not!
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You just made my day at 8: 35 you said almost to whitefish mt and thats my hometown. Im homesick for that place! Thank you for filming this! Now Im gonna watch if you get off there or not!
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Pat
I think the delays are tolerable if you are not making connections. I also think that train travel is rea if you are not rushed to get somewhere. It seems more relaxing than air.
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I think the delays are tolerable if you are not making connections. I also think that train travel is rea if you are not rushed to get somewhere. It seems more relaxing than air.
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travel
Y E E E E S, Lets travel more by train and buss, amazing adventures and you travel eco friendly so more generation coming can do the same journeys but different adventures: )
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Y E E E E S, Lets travel more by train and buss, amazing adventures and you travel eco friendly so more generation coming can do the same journeys but different adventures: )
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TC
I was in a Super Liner sleeper in a wheelchair, the room was nice. The attendant brought out meals to the room plus coffee etc. A nice trip eastbound on the Zepher.
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I was in a Super Liner sleeper in a wheelchair, the room was nice. The attendant brought out meals to the room plus coffee etc. A nice trip eastbound on the Zepher.
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