Trains.com Director David Popp sits down with Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari for a casual conversation about traveling aboard Amtrak’s Empire Builder, one of America’s premiere, long-distance passenger trains.
On the Empire Builder route between Chicago, Ill., and Seattle, Wash./Portland, Ore., passengers get to experience bustling urban centers and the natural beauty of two mountain ranges. Whether you’re traveling alone or with your entire family, Marc shares savvy secrets to making the most of this epic western journey.
Want to see the Empire Builder in action along the route? Trains.com members can enjoy scores of additional trackside videos in an our railfanning library!
My wife and I had booked to travel on the Empire Builder between Milwaukee and Seattle (preceded by a cruise on the Great Lakes between Toronto and Chicago), just prior to the outbreak of Covid. All cancelled of course, with most payments refunded, but with only a credit on the rail journey package. Fortunately the agent allowed that credit to be used on other rail packages, including in Australia, and we have just returned from a trip on the Ghan, from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory, a distance of 2,980km (1,860 miles). An all-sleeper train, our train had 39 coaches, including restaurants, lounges, crew quarters and power vans, and was almost one kilometer (0.6 miles) long. The terrain is pretty flat so two 3,000kW locos handled the load easily. Accommodation in Gold class is similar to that described in the video clip, with a wide lounge seat across the coach converting to a bunk, a second bunk above, and includes ensuite shower and toilet; premium Platinum class apparently includes a double bed rather than bunks. Meals in the dining cars are excellent, and all meals and drinks are included in the fare.