Well even though it is my name on this forum I have never actually ridden the Empire Builder or any Amtrak train before. I may finally get to go on it next month, so I have a couple of questions. Just out of curiosity what cars (and in what order) make up the EB? Secondly, what are some good tips or pieces of advice I should follow when riding the Empire Builder or any Amtrak train in general for the first time?
Posted by Amtrakman (Member # 2403) on :
The EB by far has one of the best time-keeping of any long distance trains. BNSF keeps this train running smoothly all the way. If you would like, you can check out my website and click the link to my Empire Builder Trip Report and Photos. It was alot of fun, exactly a year ago.
Check it out if you want.
Hope this was helpfull.
------------------ ~Late train+more time on the train=The best trains~
There is a *lot* of slack built in... we were just over 2 hours late at Essex but arrived bang on time in Seattle. The BNSF dispatchers told me that BNSF gets a fat $$$ incentive for running Amtrak on time - and they usually do give Amtrak priority over virtually everything else.
Usual Amtrak consist plus the Portland section (P=Portland section; S=Seattle): 2 Genesis 1 baggage (S) 1 transition sleeper (S) 2 sleepers (S) 1 diner (S) 1 lounge car (P) 2 coach (S) 1 coach/baggage (P) 1 sleeper (P)
Numbers of coaches and sleepers vary according to demand. Also, coaches and sleepers may be in reverse order.
Make sure you eat in the diner at dinner at least once.