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It's 9:42pm, we're not due into Spokane for another 3 minutes, yet we're already fully formed with the Portland section, half watered, and nearly ready to go. We'll probably be ready at least half an hour before scheduled departure.
Sleeping car attendant is good, dining car waitress was good, shame about the head of the diner, shooing the last sitting out as quick as he could. Good enough food.
More later.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Well, as of a few moments ago, so far so good for Mr. Mayo aboard 8(28); the website reports expected OT at Havre.
Of course there remains the "oil patch" ahead. Somehow, I'd expect that the deterioration, if there is to be any, would start at around Wolf Point.
There is always the chance that someone about Warren's age, bought 100 BRK some fifty years ago and has held it since. Possibly that shareholder wrote to Warren saying how a recent ride on the Builder was 12 hours late and that letter got on "the man's" summary read. Somehow the phone was picked up and words to the effect of "Matt, just get that Amtrak train on time" were spoken.
Vincent206 Member # 15447
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Seattle/Portland to Spokane is rarely the scene of any delay (until the rains start, of course). The on-line status map shows that 3 of the 4 EB trains currently on the road are on time or scheduled to arrive within 60 minutes of schedule. The 4th train is about 100 minutes late. That's pretty solid timekeeping for the EB.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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We're waiting outside Havre as a freight is blocking our path. We could have made it a few minutes late but now we're approaching an hour late. Nicely refurbished sleeper car. Shame about the disposable plastic plates in the diner. One regular snowbird (ie 2x per year) says she's not keen on Amtrak any more for that reason alone.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Nearly 2 hours late and we're only at the start of the oil traffic! Construction of a 2nd main track is progressing east of Williston ND.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Well, it appears the oil patch was molasses as, or a few moments ago, 8(28) is expected at MSP 97ML
CHI shows 30ML; we'll see about that!!!
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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#8 making good time into St. Paul. Should pass the old Midway Amtrak station about 9:15am and get into MSP about 1:40 late. Maybe I'll go down to Midway and wave. Old guy with a beard and green jacket.
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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PV "Berlin" was waiting to be hitched up to #28 when I got to Midway. The view of 8/28 was obscured by the Milwaukee 261 consist on a track closer to the depot. So I went past the depot and waved at the Seattle sleepers, the diner and the lounge. If Geoff was on the south (right) side of the train he might have seen me. After the PV hookup (about 25 minutes), #8 is running over 2 hours late into MSP.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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133ML arrived MSP according to the website.
I'd like to say that my road will whittle that down a bit, but I can't be that optimistic.
At least Mr.Mayo need not be concerned about connections beyond a taxicab to the hotel. Hope he can accept wild drivers; they did not learn their trade in London.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Welcome to Chicago, Mr. Mayo, even if your arrival was 149ML
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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2h40 late at Milwaukee, down to 2h29 by Chicago - about right given the scheduled eastbound running time between the pair. But don't forget we left Seattle/Portland 3 hours early - and Spokane for that matter - so you could say we were 5h29 late. Still, only one person complained but he was silly enough to book a 7pm flight from ORD after a scheduled 3:55pm arrival into Chicago, so he's only got himself to blame (ended up getting off at Glenview, per advice from the car attendant).
I know things have changed and cut back over the last few months, let alone years since I last rode long haul. Let's start with the sleepers. One attendant per car, ours was Bobby, an Asian-looking, slightly effeminate guy who worked hard and did his best to keep everybody happy. He even learned everybody's names from the manifest. Seattle-based, he'll spend the night in Chicago before heading back to Seattle tomorrow. Five nights on, 6 nights off.
Moving back we have the diner. Lead Service ATtendant who I initially didn't care for much, plus two female servers upstairs, a cook downstairs, and a dogsbody downstairs. The latter did the little washing up there was, in between doing prep work, assisting the cook, probably doing some of the food work as well. Mostly we had Sarah at our end of the car - bubbly, friendly, honest, hard working, and generally great. I can't remember the other server's name but she was good too. Sarah's biggest worry was being furloughed over the winter months when they plan to cut back to 2 upstairs, 1 downstairs (compared to 5 total currently). A bonkers idea, and I feel sorry for her.
Going further back, obviously I didn't really have much dealings with the coach car crew. Except one, in the lounge car. I went down to buy some snacks and she was buying stuff for her passengers. The lounge car attendant was still serving her but asked what I wanted. She also served me while serving the attendant, at which point the attendant virtually accused me of stealing her order! I told the attendant probably has more, else she wouldn't have served me mine, yet she still gave me the evil eye as I walked away! Nothing to do with me love. Your lounge attendant is multi-tasking: deal with it.
Having said that, the lounge attendant was a little too microphone happy as she announced her comings and goings, to the point of repeating herself no less than 5 times (yes, five) for her final closure, and not a short spiel repeated ad nauseum either. Anyway, a minor niggle, nothing more.
As I said earlier, we were early into Spokane, as was the Portland section. We pulled straight past the train without stopping, waited a few minutes, then backed onto the Portland section sans its engine which had sneaked off. That returned to form the lead engine of our consist. Our final consist was (P-Portland; S-Seattle): P-engine; S-engine; S-baggage; S-transition sleeper; S-sleeper; S-sleeper; S-diner; S-coach; S-coach; P-lounge; P-coach/baggage; P-coach; P-sleeper. As TSR says, we picked up some varnish in MSP as well.
(And TSR, I apologise for not seeing your message until after MSP. However, I do vaguely recall waving to somebody between the old and new stations - on the right side, I was in the sleeper immediately forward of the diner, at the vestibule door)
So yes, we were late. Yet it was not obviously due to the oil trains directly: just trains in general, which in themselves might have been delayed by oil but who knows. When I woke up this morning, there were numerous trains, both oil and others, waiting as we weaved left and right past them between St. Cloud and MSP. Tacking on the varnish at MSP (old) took a while so our long scheduled stop at MSP (new) was just a few minutes.
After Milwaukee the conductor announced we seemed to have found a good path through the Chicago commuter traffic, and indeed we sped most of the way there. Finally, we pulled into Chicago Union station on track 17 to no fanfare (of course!), on a cool, grey, and drizzly evening.
Quick shower and out to eat: Indian at a restaurant north of the Loop. Nice but I think I've had my entire salt ration for a week in just one dish. I like to mop up the sauce with naan bread but this was salty to the point where it hurt. Not good. Mentioned to the waitress and was brought the check. It may have been a one-off but somebody either didn't check the sauce before it went out or is a salt addict. Either way, hello TripAdvisor review ("good ambience, extensive wine list, way too salty").
Though I've done this journey before, albeit Chicago to Seattle something like 10 years ago, this was like seeing it anew. Seattle to Spokane in particular was very scenic indeed, and Cascade Tunnel in daylight (well... you know what I mean). However, the earlier running means one misses Marias Pass and suchlike as it's very early in the morning. You win some, you lose some.
And for the rare mileagers around here: westbound the Builder takes a different route through North Dakota. For a short time only!
Overall: great. I'd do it again. While none of my dinner companions were those I'd like to meet again, one still feels a slight disappointment that it's over when you finally step off the train.
Possibly the next trip is LA to San Antonio with the wife and kids, in the family room, next year. Maybe. It's a small room, as I was able to see for myself being in the room right next door, but given a late boarding time and an early disembarkation, it's effectively just one full day between 2 nights for that segment. Manageable. Maybe.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Oh and regarding the taxis (I walked; it's not far). I doubt many London taxicab drivers learnt in London either: more likely Mumbai or Warsaw.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Well Mr. Mayo, I guess everything changes. I can still recall during July 1960 getting off the steam powered Boat Train with my Father at Waterloo and into a taxicab in which the driver, not exactly speaking with the accent of The Queen, took us safely yet expediently, to The Connaught.
I guess it is now safe to walk from CUS to Halstead Street (sure wasn't when I first set foot in Chicago) where as I recall from your earlier topic you are staying at a hotel in that area. Consider having a Breakfast at Lou Mitchell's on Jackson a little East of CUS. Today should be a nice walk over to The Stevens (whoops, Conrad Hilton); can't say same for rest of the week (the NBC weatherman, Brant Miller, is the most believable one around these parts).
Otherwise, enjoy.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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AH yes, the city where people legally on the crosswalk with a white walk sign mean nothing to drivers who weave and intimidate. Say what you like about Californian drivers but at least they stop for pedestrians without (visible) complaint!
Actually I'm at the Holiday Inn at Merchandise Mart. The beer is overpriced but the food, strangely for a "slightly posh" hotel, is not. But good luck to anybody trying to find it as it's perched on top of an office building with very little in the way of signage at ground level. Great view from my room in the north-west corner though: Union Station (north) and the OTC trains are directly visible below.
I've done my course and it's my virgin experience with Southwest Airlines non-stop to Ontario tomorrow morning. I just need to get there, only carry-on bags, laptop loaded up with a movie and some work; anything else is just side orders.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Something I forgot to mention earlier is how fast the Empire Builder route is, outside of the mountains and cities. I did some GPS tracking which I need to download to examine properly but with green signals we were flying at 79mph for vast chunks of the route. And apart from Spokane and MSP, there seems to be little in the way of recovery time. The last 225 miles were achieved at an average of 57mph and that includes stops and gradual slowing as we approached Chicago.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Quite a journey, Mr. Mayo, for what was apparently a one day seminar.
Have fun on your return KMDW-KONT on "my favourite" airline. Hope the Attendant's "skit" that somehow passes for the pre-flight safety briefing, is a little more informative about how to react "in the unlikely event" than it is a Thursday preview of SNL.
I'm certain you are quite aware that you can get out to Midway on the CTA Orange Line. Since much of the route was laid over railroad ROW, there can be many an opportunity for rail, and even Amtrak, viewing.
Otherwise, glad the weather cooperated so you were able to walk about the city.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Though I'd been on the Orange line before to Midway, I'd forgotten (or not noticed last time) that indeed it does cross over and even parallel several lines.
Midway TSA surprised me - don't take your shoes off, don't bother taking your liquids out, leave your laptop in your bag, just put your bags as normal through the scanner. If they find anything on the x-ray then yes you could be in for a more personal search. But backpack with liquids, laptop, and me wearing boots and belt, straight through with no issues at all! So if they can do it, why can't others...?
The SWA safety briefing was just a regular briefing, nothing humorous about it. A 100% full flight but fortunately I got an aisle seat. Frankly I'm surprised at some of the things they offer for free, such as free TV and movies (if you bring your own wifi-enabled device such as a laptop/phone/tablet), free soft drinks and coffee, free snacks - as well as the no-change fees and is it one free checked bag? However, the seating is the single thing that puts me off flying with them again.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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Back in June, I was also surprised at TSA inspection. At the Santa Rosa airport, flying Alaska from Santa Rosa to Portland, I had to take off my shoes, chuck them in the plastic bucket along with my wallet, metal items, etc.
However, I was on the "fast track" flying from Portland to Redmond, Oregon. After checking my baggage at the Alaska desk, I was told to get in the "fast line". Did not have to put anything in the plastic bucket, just whisked through the scanner and that was it. I didn't even have to take off my shoes.
Same thing on flying back from Redmond to Portland. I don't understand why I qualified for "fast track" and others didn't.
Only negative was the bumpy ride when flying into Redmond over the Cascade mountains.
Richard
notelvis Member # 3071
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That's encouraging to learn that the Empire Builder has improved and is somewhat more reliable now.
Wanderlust is starting to stir in the depths of my soul and I am needing a rail trip somewhere.....anywhere...... before the end of 2015. Looks like Christmas Break might open up a few days for me. I'm imagining carryout Lo Mein in a styrofoam container consumed in a warm corner of Chicago's Metropolitan Lounge.
Or something.
I'm conflicted in a way that I did not expect (but probably should have). I want to make a trip. I want to ride a train. I want seamless European-style intermodal transit between the plane and train......... I have been spoiled by Frankfurt and Zurich I'm afraid. I want to travel but I can't think of a single Amtrak destination which excites me just yet.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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You know, I can't actually think of a single Amtrak stop where one could *directly* transfer to a plane. I am not including shuttle buses or walking on sidewalks in the definition of direct.
Chicago is pretty good but still involves a walk. Milwaukee looked good but involved local trains. New York involves transfers (X2 for JFK). LAX... forget it.
palmland Member # 4344
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Geoff- Philadelphia comes close too, about like Chicago. All walking is within the terminal once you take the escalator from trackside.
Notelvis - I understand the itch. Since it's always nice to head south on a train in the winter from the cold north, how about a flight into Chicago from Atlanta. Then take the CONO and overnight in New Orleans and Crescent home. A good dinner in Chicago and then a drink in the lounge to view the Chicago skyline as you leave. I'm sure you know the charms of New Orleans and then a leisurely ride the next day through the south on the Crescent. No stress on missed connections!
Ira Slotkin Member # 81
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I'm conflicted in a way that I did not expect (but probably should have). I want to make a trip. I want to ride a train. I want seamless European-style intermodal transit between the plane and train......... I have been spoiled by Frankfurt and Zurich I'm afraid. I want to travel but I can't think of a single Amtrak destination which excites me just yet. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Ah notelvis What a dilemma for a dedicated train lover . I hope that your excitement returns, as I fear the change will have to be in you vs the likelihood of the trains changing anytime soon.
Hugs and a trainku for you
Ira
Zurich to Frankfurt Not even the jello shakes Am I in heaven?
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by Geoff Mayo: Something I forgot to mention earlier is how fast the Empire Builder route is, outside of the mountains and cities. I did some GPS tracking which I need to download to examine properly but with green signals we were flying at 79mph for vast chunks of the route. And apart from Spokane and MSP, there seems to be little in the way of recovery time. The last 225 miles were achieved at an average of 57mph and that includes stops and gradual slowing as we approached Chicago.
That last 225 miles is on the former Milwaukee Railroad which in times past had a 100 mph speed limit where track alignment permitted.
DonNadeau Member # 61606
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quote:"Still, only one person complained but he was silly enough to book a 7pm flight from ORD after a scheduled 3:55pm arrival into Chicago, so he's only got himself to blame (ended up getting off at Glenview, per advice from the car attendant).
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