posted
Hi, i am brand new to the forum and looking for advice for a trip (in the planning stage) on the Empire Builder. I have taken the Lake shore ltd to Rochester from Baltimore via NY several times but this will be my 1st long distance trip. What time of year is best? Any other suggestions appreciated.
Glad to be here,
Mike
Posts: 11 | From: Pasadena, Maryland | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Since the Empire Builder goes through Glacier at dusk or dawn, a time with the most daylight hours is preferable.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you will be on the train only one way (and flying the other as too many of us sadly must), I would recommend taking the train eastbound. That way you will still get the ride through Glacier and the ride down the Mississippi River out og St. Paul the following morning in DAYLIGHT even if the train is several hours late.
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I would recommend May, June, July, or August. If you can afford it, I would recommend that you consider going out on the Zephyr or SW Chief, taking the Coast Starlight up to Portland (or Seattle if that is where you want to go), and then returning on the Empire Builder eastbound, when you will see more than on the westbound Empire Builder (because of what the train goes through at night). OR, if you are leaving from Rochester especially, you could consider going up to Toronto on the Maple Leaf and then west on the Canadian VIA Rail, down on a Cascades from Vancouver, BC, to Seattle, catch the eastbound Empire Builder there. This would be more expensive, esp if you want to get sleepers. If not, you can look into one of those North American Rail Passes; I believe they are cheaper in May than in June-August.
Or you can fly one way (boring) or go both ways on the Empire Builder, of course.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks for the advice. I should have enough vacation time saved up to make it a round trip so hopefully, I won't miss anything. I am hoping for this fall.
Mike
Posts: 11 | From: Pasadena, Maryland | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
September was beautiful in Glacier when I was last there. If you are going to the Pacific Northwest, July and August are the least rainy months, and the average precipitation increases gradually for the months in each direction from Jul/Aug.
Of course the train fares will be cheaper if you avoid the summer months.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you do have some vacation time saved up, try stopping off the Empire Builder and staying at the Izaak Walton in Montana near Glacier National Park for a day or two. It's right next to the tracks and has a railroad theme and a history. http://www.izaakwaltoninn.com/ I really like the Empire builder route, but they're isn't a huge amount of exciting "natural scenery" on most of the route so don't be to excited about that aspect of it,and expect dramatic mountain passes or something. If you really want to see that type of stuff up close it would be best to stop off near glacier national park. Make sure to take the Portland section at least one way to see the Columbia River gorge for the best natural scenery along this route. And of course the Mississippi River on CP rail.
For myself, grand natural scenery, although very much appreciated, is not that big a part of trip for me, I like the huge breadth of the American landscape, both land and people that you get to see. But I have talked to people who were a little misled before their trip on the Empire Builder and were really expecting natural wonders, and then were disappointed, so I just wanted to mention that. That said, I do really think the amazing sunset that seems to last forever out there in Big Sky country is a sight to behold. I especially remember walking the platform and seeing the train glow and shimmer in the last embers of faint light from a dying sun at a station stop in Shelby Montana.
During the winter the Empire Builder has been on and off again listed in the "hot deals" part of the Amtrak website. But that changes weekly, so you have to make up your mind pretty quick. I'm sure it won't be there for summer deals.That's one of my pet peeves recently, Amtrak fares are really getting to be out of my league for many of the popular routes, especially if you want to get a sleeper.
My philsophy is, go when you can, because you never know what will happen in the future to prevent you from traveling, vacation or not.
Posts: 38 | Registered: Dec 2006
| IP: Logged |
I love the EB and will be making my 3rd trip on it in just a couple of days.
The first time I boarded the EB was almost a year ago today. I took it westbound and flew back east. I had NO idea what to expect whatsoever. But it turned out to be just magical and inspired me to take it again.
Though I had flown cross country to the Pacific Northwest and California several times and had been all along the east coast to just about every city and area, I was in for a treat with the EB.
I was struck, once out of the Chicago and Minneapolis areas, how vast and undeveloped the middle of our country is. Some might think passing through hundreds of miles of plains, farms, and cattle and horse ranches is boring, but I did not. I thought it was beautiful and wished I could convince others to take this very route and see for themselves the wonders of this part of the country.
Approaching the Rockies at sunset while in the dome car and then dining was another treat. I had never experienced this close up before and really enjoyed it.
The next morning when we rode through the Vancouever area I was stunned to see forsythia in bloom, green everywhere, and balmy temperatures. This after days of nothing but snow elsewhere!
In August I took the EB round trip and was able to experience going eastbound. That was also quite the experience!
Traveling along the Columbia River Gorge and watching hundreds of colorful windsurfers glide across the water was such a treat.
Later in the trip, traveling near various parts of the Mississippi River was eye opening. I had always pictured the MR as this very wide, swift moving body of water and here it looked more like a lake or even a pond in some areas and was very calm!
One of the most visually pleasing bits of scenery during the August trip were the fields upon fields of blossoming sunflowers! It was truly magnificent.
Since I work in the arts, I guess I might have more of an interest in the contrasting scenery than the average person. To me, every sight is a potential composition and one I want to try and capture.
Regarding which time of year to go; I think each season provides its own distinctive beauty.
What I liked more about the March trip vs the August one, was the more relaxing and intimate atmosphere. During the height of the summer in August, the trains were pretty crowded and touristy in feel and didn't hold quite the charm of the March trip.
But then during the August trip, the Nat'l Park Guides were aboard and it was nice listening to them talk about what we were seeing. So I guess its a matter of preference and what your priorities are. And if cost is an issue, going in the off season is alot cheaper.
In August I couldn't afford the deluxe bedroom and had to settle for something less. And it made a big difference in my experience. I'd much rather go in the off season, have better accomodations, and a less crowded feeling. But to each his own and not everyone can choose when they can take time off.
Good luck planning your trip and let us know what you decide to do!
Cozyharbor
-------------------- A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Posts: 15 | From: Maine | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks to one and all for sharing their experiences on the EB with a new member who has never been west of Chicago on the train (not yet)! I am also struck by the vivid descriptions other members use when describing past adventures. You can practically see the country going by. You don't get that kind of emotion from fellow air travelers. Once again, thanks
mike
Posts: 11 | From: Pasadena, Maryland | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
