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I will be taking the Coast Starlight up to Portland, this summer. After staying overnight in Portland, I plan on taking the Empire Builder from Portland, connecting with the EB portion from Seattle, and then on to Whitefish, Montana. I have booked a delux bedroom from Portland to Whitefish. Has anyone taken the Empire Builder from Portland to Spokane? I just reviewed the narrative by Ted and Sylvia Blishak (see home page for the Trainweb.com and click on their narrative for the Montana Daylight). They mentioned that there is no dining car on the Portland leg of the EB, but that some sort of "dinner packs" are available at "standard room 2", for bedroom sleeper passengers. I was interested if anyone has tried these dinner packs and if they are satisfactory. I am debating whether or not to take along sandwiches or to try Amtraks dinner pack. If there is no dining car on the Portland leg of the EB, what about a snack car? RH
TheBriz09 Member # 3166
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The Empire Builder splits into two trains at Spokane. The dining car goes to Seattle, and the Sightseer Lounge car goes to Portland. So you should have a cafe between Portland and Spokane. Amtrak timetable says you will get "cold meal service." I've never had it myself, but I've heard that it is not too bad. Don't know for sure, though. Have fun on your trip!
jp1822 Member # 2596
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Have taken the Empire Builder out of Portland in 2001 and 2003. Both times I had a deluxe sleeper and had the cold meal service. I thought it was very good - selection is either meat or fish/vegetarian. I had the chicken and salmon. You also got fruit, salad, and a dessert. Not a huge portion, but descent size. I too will be taking the Empire Builder again this summer out of Portland. Before my first trip, I was initially disappointed that there's no full diner out of Portland. But the cold meal service was satisfactory - local and fresh. Next morning you'll have the full service diner for the duration of the trip eastbound. And yes - the Sightseer Lounge is part of the Portland consist and the cafe is downstairs for snacks, beverages etc. It's a nice view, until it gets dark, traveling eastbound from Portland up the Columbia River. As an aside, each time I have taken the Empire Builder east from Portland, I have had a Superliner I sleeper that has been renovated. Good Luck!
trainman1 Member # 1392
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I took a picture of the box dinner I had on the Builder in May 2002. I thought it was a nice change of pace from the food in the regular dining car (at the time, Amtrak had only one standard nationwide menu). It was a lot of food...note that there's a roll and crackers, potato salad and coleslaw, and four pretty thick slices of beef.
[This message has been edited by trainman1 (edited 05-15-2004).]
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