The Cascade Tunnel has been one of the longest railway tunnels in North America, but it's not the longest tunnel in general in the US! That title belongs to the Delaware Aqueduct of the NYC water supply system. The Delaware Aqueduct is over 85 miles long (137K meters) and was completed between 1939 and 1945, making it the longest tunnel in the whole world! It takes water from the Rondout, Cannonsville, Neversink, and Pepacton reservoirs on the west bank of the Hudson River through the Chelsea Pump Station, then into the West Branch, Kensico, and Hillview reservoirs on the east bank, ending at Hillview in Yonkers. Per day, it carries over a billion gallons of water! Before NYC's ambitious water supply system, New Yorkers used Collect Pond in what's now Chinatown. The contamination of Collect Pond created a huge hazard, so they created a canal so it could drain. Thus how Canal Street got its name. As the city was aware of its deteriorated water quality, owing to its rapid population growth, it needed another solution. So they turned to both the Croton Watershed in Westchester County and the Catskills as sources. They first built the Old Croton Aqueduct in the late 1830s (which they stopped using in the 1950s), built the New Croton Aqueduct in 1890, the Catskill Aqueduct between 1907 and 1916, and then the Delaware Aqueduct.
Winona, Minnesota played an important but now-forgotten role in American history: at a time when his policies were becoming unpopular, President William Howard Taft had an opportunity to walk them back, but instead he gave a speech in Winona doubling down on them. It was the end for him and cemented his fate as a one-term president. The "Winona Speech" was infamous in its day.
I agree. I used to go on frequent car trips from Washington state into Idaho. This is excellent heading East instead of South. This area of the country is stunning!
King Street station's clock tower was modelled after the St Mark's Campanile in Venice! At the time the 74 m-tower was constructed in 1906, it was the tallest building in Seattle! Glacier National Park was established in 1910 and soon after it was, the Great Northern Railway built a number of hotels and chalets to promote it, like how the Canadian Pacific Railway built hotels and lobbied the Canadian government to create the iconic Banff National Park. You didn't get to see any, but the symbol of Glacier National Park (and the Great Northern Railway) is the mountain goat, which are incredible creatures! Besides Glacier National Park, they're mostly found in British Columbia but are also native to Yukon and Alaska, and were introduced to Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and South Dakota. Despite their name mountain goat, they're not in the Capra genus, which is the genus that contains all true goats. Instead, they're in the genus Oreamnos (which they're the only living member of) and they're more closely related to the takin and chamois. In the high-altitude environments, sometimes above 13,000 ft, they are the largest mammal! Mountain goats are powerful but nimble and can jump nearly 12 feet in a single bound, and weigh between 150 and 220 pounds. Their coats help them to withstand winter temperatures as low as −46 C and winds of up to 160 kilometers per hour! They can be quite aggressive towards each other. When they're grouped together, they display, charge, and engage in mini-duels four or five times per hour.
I'm going to admit that I got a little chuckle out of the guy who was the photo bomber for you. It's normally some young guy sticking his head in some old guys video, but we got the opposite of this one this time. I really been enjoying your series.
As a resident of northern Iowa, I am very much looking forward to the extension of a Hiawatha train to St. Paul. Not only is the additional train a welcome option, but a regional train is much more likely to be on time than the Builder usually is.
I did a 16 day, 12 state, 3 train (Lake Shore Limited, Zephyr, and Coast Starlight) adventure like that myself in summer of 2022. It was ABSOLUTELY the trip of a lifetime. You are right its so worth it.
I was on the EB three years back just before Thanksgiving. One of the Chargers broke down just as we were getting to St. Paul. They stashed the broken train in the old Midway station, where we sat for six hours. Could be the last time that the EB was at that disused station. Folks bound for St. Paul/Minneapolis were allowed to disembark there. We got pulled to Chicago by a BNSF locomotive, arriving nearly 12 hours late. Thanks to a kind Amtrak policeman I was able to stay in the closed Union Station until I could catch a train to Joliet the next morning.
Interesting that they needed a BNSF loco to pull the train to Chicago, usually the EB runs 3 locos and by the time they're in Minnesota they can drop one and still have sufficient power to get to Chicago. Watched a video last week where yet another lead ALC-42 got clogged up with snow and went weird on them, broke down for several hours, when they got it fired back up would only run in notch 1 so they cut it out and drove to intermodal on 2 locos and left the broken down charger there.
I like the idea and the low cost of the rail pass . For me I would ride coach for say 8 to ten hours , get off the train and stay in a hotel for a few nights, visit the area and repeat. I may not cover as much territory if I slept on coach, but I would rather have some move comport and quality for my trip . Yes, probably a few less legs in the 30 day time frame , but more quality . Say you only did 6 legs instead of 10 . One only ends up paying $50..0o per leg which is cheap !
I’ve been on a comfortable Amtrak train. It was pretty nice being on the Texas eagle, but the trip didn’t last for long. This is because I was taking the Amtrak train to my grandma and grandpa’s and they live in Dunlap, Illinois and I got off at Bloomington-normal
Spectacular and enlightening this video ranks as one of your best Thom,, This incredible sojourn informed me that shoes have to remain on feet and alcohol in bottles on Amtrak. The beautiful scenery coupled with your educational travelogue made for a fabulous experience,, Thank you for this wonderful TRA video,
Thom and Lindsey, this is the best yet. Great work, inspiring insights. I must admit, your first mention of CPKC resulted in a WHAAT? Then I remembered the merger. Thanks for the views, the commentary and the personality you pour into all of these. Thank you for the hard work.
@@Thom-TRA So did those of us here in KCMO when it was first announced. The new logo is distinctive. I need to capture a shot of it. Thanks again. Back to school yet?
Although others have done trip reports on this route, I was glad to see this posted by you! Your combination of relaxed style, interesting facts and nice camera work make going on the journey with you and Lindsey fun and very enjoyable. I Minot watch your videos when you first post, instead I look forward to relaxing and watching them in full size on my TV!
Thank you for the awesome views. This is the train I would have taken to see my friend from radio. She lived in Oregeon by the ocean but she passed away :(
Great video! The Empire Builder (Seattle-Chicago) is my favorite Amtrak route of all. It's stunningly beautiful pretty much from the beginning to the end. And the beauty of Washington is very different than the beauty of Montana. And Wisconsin. And so on. I didn't know the full history of the route until your video. Bonus points for "Minot".
Yeah. People might complain about Amtrak but it's really kept the legacies of all these great and important routes alive. I have a feeling the people who complain about Amtrak don't actually ride Amtrak 'cause it's one of my favorite things to do in this giant country.
Loved the "Photo Bomb: from the guy in Shelby! LOL Wow, I never heard of not having a working card reader before, that'll make me bring more cash if needed.
Have traveled solo in coach for 19 hours from Chicago to New Orleans. I'm 68 and use CPAP at night, which I put on the table. Most travelers were pleasant, and I felt pretty safe; slept with my purse on my lap and my arm through the strap. Overall, good trip.
Just finished with my first Amtrak ride (and second) - last weekend from Pasco -> Chicago, then Thursday through this morning Chicago -> Pasco. I experienced SO MUCH my first time, it's crazy to me. I think I experienced just about everything I can. I went via coach for reference, much cheaper. EB -> Chicago: All was well until sometime in Montana, when the train made contact with a pickup truck at a crossing. Ambulance came for the driver of the truck, as well as some sheriff vehicles. While still there, there was an incident involving an elderly man having an episode in which he thought things that didn’t happen. He ended up throwing a hot beverage and getting another passenger with it. He was later escorted to a sheriff’s SUV. Amidst that too, we had a tornado warning in the area as well as high wind warnings. So, we crawled slowly for a while, then eventually stopped for about an hour to ride out the storm. After Winona, we were about 6 hours behind schedule still. Now I get to experience something I heard about on a UA-cam video too - an extra dinner (complementary) of beef stew. The train ended up in Chicago about 7 1/2 hours late. Amtrak emailed with a voucher for a future trip! WB -> Pasco wasn't as "exciting," but the restrooms in our coach car stopped working early on. I will say despite experiencing all this on my very FIRST Amtrak trip, I am not dissuaded! I hope to be able to take some more trips in the future. Just stockpile some vacation at work and take some time. Technically I will be taking it again Thursday - Empire Builder westbound back to Pasco. Here’s to hoping that’s less eventful!
@@Thom-TRA Same, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Now with my voucher, I'm thinking of trying the Coast Starlight sometime. Have to use it by June 17 of next year, so got some time to decide.
I tried to do it this this year too, and unfortunately they eliminate that sell, now they only offer $50 discount of a $499 regular USA Rail pass,very sad. I've done it for 2 years round, and now I have to do some other arrangement to travel different states. Thanks for sharing your video on your way back, great experience!
I like the Seattle section of the Empire Builder the most. Love seeing the Cascade and Rocky Mountains. But the Cascades I find are the most towering mountains in Washington State. The Rockies are outstanding. Love Glacier National Park in Montana.
@@Thom-TRA Per your comments about trains running late, I’m also hoping that we run 1-3 hours late just so that I can see more of Glacier in daylight! 😀
@2:37 Seattle Union Station is still around, and it's even sort of used for transit. It's the main offices for Sound Transit and sits on top of the International District/Chinatown light rail station. I personally found Union Station to be a more impressive facility than King Street Station, but King Street "wins" because it's actually served by trains.
Great report! and thanks for the info about the name. I estimate that you must have missed bathing in 2 days of travel. Amtrak needs to offer a bathing option to coach class passengers.
Even if there was just one paid shower at the bottom floor of each car it would be such a game changer. But then less people would choose Amtrak’s more expensive accommodation, so they won’t do it of course.
Train travel hasn't been the same since the introduction of welded rail joints. The characteristic click-clack of 39ft bolted rail sections was part of the experience. BTW, I hope the $45/person dinner in the diner was a _good_ one.
Thanks for another awesome video. You nicely blend your own personality and enthusiasm with the unbelievable scenery passing by. Good job, and it was fun traveling along with you guys.
It's my favorite train. Perhaps driven by nostalgia. I'm currently in California and also lived in Colorado so I know those scenic rides. It's just cosie. I would recommend.
Great ending to a great series! It's unfortunate that the card-reader wasn't working in the café car, since many people just don't carry much cash with them nowadays.
Delighted to see your return trip on the Empire Builder ! Your description was excellent, and I really like the Seattle section of the train which for me is the more scenic of the two routes. Also delighted to see the lead locomotive of your train was the Genesis from Portland, truly my favourite AMTK locos ! Many thanks indeed.
I took this train 20 years ago and it’s certainly amazing ing and I would take it again probably travelling the Portland leg this time. Glad you both had an amazing trip and it’s pleasing to see diner access has been restored for coach passengers on the Western Trains. I am planning a trip across Canada in the next 2 years from Halifax to Prince Rupert!
Thanks. Pretty tough to find good videos of folks traveling in coach. I did 7500 miles last year using a rail pass. Only difference between us is that I did it as an 80 yo! My EB section was CHI-PDX.
Great video, Thom (and Lindsey!) I loved traveling back to Chicago with you. Your knowledge of the history of the route and of the train equipment is impressive. Thank you again for a great video!
When i had my pass I took Lakeshore Limited Southwest Chief Coast Starlight Empire Builder and the Capitol Limited. Took about took weeks. there's a video on my channel. its basically a slideshow with music. I covered almost 7600 rail miles. Sad reality about Amtrak is even if the train is totally sold out it still doesn't make a profit.
I'm excited, as a result of your Portland -> Chicago Empire Builder trip videos, which I watched over the weekend, I'm taking it in June! Won't be able to do the whole thing though, will catch it from my hometown area of Pasco, so I think like 6.5 hours shorter. But looking forward to it nonetheless!
@@Thom-TRA Thanks! -Don’t know if it depends on the station, but is there a recommended time to get there before the train comes? I think mine is scheduled to leave Pasco (small station) at 9:06 p.m. -Is there a fee for the two carry ons it says online that you can have? -I saw some shakiness in your videos - if my sister gets motion sick in a regular car, is it a good idea to bring something for that? -I’m planning to do coach - should I plan to bring snacks and drinks for the whole ride, or does coach have access to meals for a fee? -I tend to snore - how is the ambient noise in the car? Would things like snoring or phone alarms be quite loud?
Been LOVING this series! I am planning the same trip this May and it gives me a good idea about what to expect. I am excited to be stopping over in Whitefish. I forgot about the fires last year and hope it’s different this year It must have been a little strange to see footage of coming into Chicago after moving to D.C.
@@Thom-TRA thanks! Will be happy to update! You have convinced me to leave out of San Jose instead of Emeryville. I’m also leaving a day early for Portland at your suggestion
@@Thom-TRA You really are! I was in a quandary since I don’t think Coast Starlight North is that great with the night departure. San Jose is the perfect solution! I love that little station too
Very beautiful and informative trip report! I didn't know that the Superliners were introduced in 1979, on the EB. That's probably why my dad took our family from St. Paul (the old Midway "Amshack") to Glacier Park the following year. I was only 3, so I don't remember that trip, but I was very fortunate to head out west on the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr later in the 1980s. It's cool how the trains still have the same look and feel from when I was a kid. I live in St. Paul and look forward to expanded Hiawatha service to Chicago.
Wow! This Amtrak series across all these western and northwestern states has been fantastic! Every video has been awesome. I hope you two will have the chance to travel the entire USA on Amtrak's routes over time, and will continue to enjoy sharing your travels with us!
Ik this may be unrelated to the video, but i've got an idea. The intro can be randomised a bit by using different horns, like an amtrak P42's K5LA or a Metro-North M8 RS2M.
I was always wondering if its worth it to ride that long via coach. I took the Empire Builder on that same Seattle-Chicago route a few years ago but I had a sleeper cabin. The only downside to buying a cabin ticket is how outrageously expensive it was. It just doesn't make any sense why a sleeper on that train costs like 1000$. I got mine for 600$ but even then I wasn't sure it was worth it for that, lol. However, if you get the ticket for cheap and got a few days to relax, it's a must experience.
I live in the Chicago area have family in Seattle so I've always wanted to do an empire builder run for a while. I'll have to find a good time in the future since it'll be quite a trek!
I want to ride the entire route of the Empire Builder going to opposite direction. That’s the way I’d prefer it because I like the idea of going out out of Chicago and then getting all the nice views. I haven’t been on that train ever but I’ve traveled as far northwest as Minneapolis on a road trip from Chicago where that train stops and never went to any of the other states west of it that it travels through. Not even central or western Minnesota.
@@Thom-TRA That’s also nice. Maybe it would best if I were to do a round trip which I probably could not afford. I’d be happy after seeing the views one way.
I took the North Coast Hiawatha from Seattle to Portage Wisconsin in June of 1979. It had 3 or 4 vista dome cars and was sold out. It only ran 3 times a week, leaving Seattle Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 520 pm. The other days it was the Empire Builder that ran 4 days a week, leaving Seattle at 5:00pm. The two schedules resulted in a daily service between Seattle and Minneapolis and they got to Chicago at 6:59pm. I still have the summer 1979 national timetable. It basically was one set of equipment that served two different routes that were about the same distance. The Empire Builder route was 2291 miles and the North Coast Hiawatha route was 2234 miles. When the Superliner equipment was scheduled to arrive the same route structure was supposed to be in service. But the cuts to the Amtrak routes in the fall of 1979 took the Hiawatha route off the map. And the Empire Builder went daily. I was totally disappointed with the removal of the vista dome cars when the Superliners took over. The sightseeing lounge car is nice but the dome cars are so much more exciting being able to see front and back.
A great way to build new rail options is to pair with the Department of Defense to create small military bases along the proposed line. This makes ot a military priority. By doing this, the whole process is smoother and less obstructed by bureaucracy.
I miss seeing the Surfliner F59PHI that are apparently being used by Metra still with the og Surfliner Livery (only difference is they painted Metra over the Amtrak logo). Glad to see em again. Those were the best locomotives imho.
Seeing nice station like Seattle’s King Street station in videos like this makes me wish that my nearest major rail terminal (Boston South Station) was nicer. Sure, it’s a historic building, but it doesn’t really look like one on the inside. Many services that used to be available are no longer available (there used to be a newsstand and an Au Bon Pain that are now gone) and a mezzanine with food court seating has been closed for quite some time.
I think the ten-ride coach ticket sounds like a great deal but how much sleep do you get in Coach? I always spring for a roomette but would love to save money on a coach seat.
In the late 70s, I traveled on the Empire Builder from Breckenridge MN to Yakima WA, two and a half times, but I see that it no longer passes through or stops at either location. ;-) At 18:24; unfortunately there's people who are rude idiots. On one trip (to Yakima?), I fell asleep in the vista dome, to wake amongst the forests of Washington, fantastic! On another trip (from Yakima), I was using a cane (that I didn't need) and ended up not having to pay for my drinks in the club car. Before I forget... again, if you want to read about how Seattle got the train terminus (and its early history), check out "Son of the Profits", it's hilarious. I just remembered an incident, when a guy had a radio tuned to the trains channel, we heard the Engineer inform the Conductor, the train had "nudged" a car off the tracks and was stopping, but after going to the farthest carriage, we couldn't see anything in the darkness. On a train you can tell if someone is drunk, their not weaving back and forth. ;-D
I am 42 years old and use a walker due to neuropathy but in some Jack in the Box in San Diego they give me a senior for the food there in San Diego but I will not mention which one.
Excellent video and history lessons as well. Some crew clarifications: At Wenatchee only the engineer is changed-conductors run from Seattle to Spokane. In Shelby, MT the train gets two engineers because of the lengthy crew district (Shelby-Minot). It always has two conductors-one is assistant conductor. The dream of passenger trains returning on the former route of the Vista Dome North Coast Limited is just that (a dream) because the current Amtrak management is very anti-long distance trains. Just look at the number of Superliner cars that are out of service because repairs are needed. Western long-distance trains go without a Sightseer Lounge car sometimes and all those trains could easily sell accommodations if those trains had one more sleeper car. But that would increase revenue and management doesn’t want that. Lastly the POS not working in the cafe is inexcusable. Back ups should be on every train -they are very cheap. But again customer service is not a priority with this management team.
Ah, the conductors must have just switched who was making announcements or something. This conductor said before we arrived that he’d be handing things over to his colleague at Wenatchee.
If the entire goal is to break even, I don't understand why Amtrak management would not want more revenue. It's clear they can sell out the long haul trains in the summer months. The long haul trains especially is where they should be trying to run them at a profit as they're providing primarily a tourist service rather than essential service ala NEC, it doesn't matter of the NEC runs at a loss, it's providing an essential transportation service to that region. They also really need to work on upgrading the NEC so that they can actually use the potential of the Acelas, the new Avelias will not be appreciably faster than the old Acelas as they're only going to be able to use that 165mph top speed on the same 56 miles of track where the old ones go 150mph.
It’s a good day when a new TAA video drops.
Today is a good day!
The Cascade Tunnel has been one of the longest railway tunnels in North America, but it's not the longest tunnel in general in the US! That title belongs to the Delaware Aqueduct of the NYC water supply system. The Delaware Aqueduct is over 85 miles long (137K meters) and was completed between 1939 and 1945, making it the longest tunnel in the whole world! It takes water from the Rondout, Cannonsville, Neversink, and Pepacton reservoirs on the west bank of the Hudson River through the Chelsea Pump Station, then into the West Branch, Kensico, and Hillview reservoirs on the east bank, ending at Hillview in Yonkers. Per day, it carries over a billion gallons of water!
Before NYC's ambitious water supply system, New Yorkers used Collect Pond in what's now Chinatown. The contamination of Collect Pond created a huge hazard, so they created a canal so it could drain. Thus how Canal Street got its name. As the city was aware of its deteriorated water quality, owing to its rapid population growth, it needed another solution. So they turned to both the Croton Watershed in Westchester County and the Catskills as sources. They first built the Old Croton Aqueduct in the late 1830s (which they stopped using in the 1950s), built the New Croton Aqueduct in 1890, the Catskill Aqueduct between 1907 and 1916, and then the Delaware Aqueduct.
18:24THE MOOD CHANGE 😂😂😂
Winona, Minnesota played an important but now-forgotten role in American history: at a time when his policies were becoming unpopular, President William Howard Taft had an opportunity to walk them back, but instead he gave a speech in Winona doubling down on them. It was the end for him and cemented his fate as a one-term president. The "Winona Speech" was infamous in its day.
The stretch between Everett and Wenatchee has to have the most gorgeous views I've ever seen on a train.
It is simply stunning
I agree. I used to go on frequent car trips from Washington state into Idaho. This is excellent heading East instead of South. This area of the country is stunning!
King Street station's clock tower was modelled after the St Mark's Campanile in Venice! At the time the 74 m-tower was constructed in 1906, it was the tallest building in Seattle! Glacier National Park was established in 1910 and soon after it was, the Great Northern Railway built a number of hotels and chalets to promote it, like how the Canadian Pacific Railway built hotels and lobbied the Canadian government to create the iconic Banff National Park. You didn't get to see any, but the symbol of Glacier National Park (and the Great Northern Railway) is the mountain goat, which are incredible creatures! Besides Glacier National Park, they're mostly found in British Columbia but are also native to Yukon and Alaska, and were introduced to Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and South Dakota.
Despite their name mountain goat, they're not in the Capra genus, which is the genus that contains all true goats. Instead, they're in the genus Oreamnos (which they're the only living member of) and they're more closely related to the takin and chamois. In the high-altitude environments, sometimes above 13,000 ft, they are the largest mammal! Mountain goats are powerful but nimble and can jump nearly 12 feet in a single bound, and weigh between 150 and 220 pounds. Their coats help them to withstand winter temperatures as low as −46 C and winds of up to 160 kilometers per hour! They can be quite aggressive towards each other. When they're grouped together, they display, charge, and engage in mini-duels four or five times per hour.
Always here for the fake goat trivia!
Interesting. I have a photo of one I took in B.C. a few years back.
I'm going to admit that I got a little chuckle out of the guy who was the photo bomber for you. It's normally some young guy sticking his head in some old guys video, but we got the opposite of this one this time. I really been enjoying your series.
The cameo that launched his media career
I started chuckling when I saw that and had to come down to see if anyone mentioned it. It was pretty funny.
What a great video to conclude the rail pass series on your channel! I always appreciate your Amtrak videos as well!
It was such an epic trip, hard to believe it’s been so long ago already
I rode the Empire Builder in 1962 when it was The Great Northern RR Butte MT to Seattle
As a resident of northern Iowa, I am very much looking forward to the extension of a Hiawatha train to St. Paul. Not only is the additional train a welcome option, but a regional train is much more likely to be on time than the Builder usually is.
That on time performance will be a major factor in its popularity!
I did a 16 day, 12 state, 3 train (Lake Shore Limited, Zephyr, and Coast Starlight) adventure like that myself in summer of 2022. It was ABSOLUTELY the trip of a lifetime. You are right its so worth it.
So glad to hear you loved it!
I was on the EB three years back just before Thanksgiving. One of the Chargers broke down just as we were getting to St. Paul. They stashed the broken train in the old Midway station, where we sat for six hours. Could be the last time that the EB was at that disused station. Folks bound for St. Paul/Minneapolis were allowed to disembark there. We got pulled to Chicago by a BNSF locomotive, arriving nearly 12 hours late. Thanks to a kind Amtrak policeman I was able to stay in the closed Union Station until I could catch a train to Joliet the next morning.
Interesting that they needed a BNSF loco to pull the train to Chicago, usually the EB runs 3 locos and by the time they're in Minnesota they can drop one and still have sufficient power to get to Chicago. Watched a video last week where yet another lead ALC-42 got clogged up with snow and went weird on them, broke down for several hours, when they got it fired back up would only run in notch 1 so they cut it out and drove to intermodal on 2 locos and left the broken down charger there.
Great trip, enjoyed your narration as you traveled East. Your history of the stations, trains and area’s traveling through is exceptional.
Thank you, I appreciate that!
I like the idea and the low cost of the rail pass . For me I would ride coach for say 8 to ten hours , get off the train and stay in a hotel for a few nights, visit the area and repeat. I may not cover as much territory if I slept on coach, but I would rather have some move comport and quality for my trip . Yes, probably a few less legs in the 30 day time frame , but more quality . Say you only did 6 legs instead of 10 . One only ends up paying $50..0o per leg which is cheap !
Thanks for taking me on the part of the trip I haven’t experienced.
You’re welcome!
5:41 that's Richmond Beach Saltwater Park which was my first train watching spot as a kid
Great Video!!
Thank you!
I love your Amtrak traveling experience videos!
They’re so much fun to film!
@@Thom-TRA facts same here I love train travel especially on Amtrak.
I’ve been on a comfortable Amtrak train. It was pretty nice being on the Texas eagle, but the trip didn’t last for long. This is because I was taking the Amtrak train to my grandma and grandpa’s and they live in Dunlap, Illinois and I got off at Bloomington-normal
Awesome video Thom, amazing vistas. If flying is your thing so be it, but if you have the time then take the train you will not be disappointed.
Sometimes I fly and then take the train back, or vice versa. But I prefer taking the train all the way!
Spectacular and enlightening this video ranks as one of your best Thom,, This incredible sojourn informed me that shoes have to remain on feet and alcohol in bottles on Amtrak. The beautiful scenery coupled with your educational travelogue made for a fabulous experience,, Thank you for this wonderful TRA video,
I’m glad you enjoyed watching this as much as I enjoyed making it!
Thom and Lindsey, this is the best yet. Great work, inspiring insights. I must admit, your first mention of CPKC resulted in a WHAAT? Then I remembered the merger. Thanks for the views, the commentary and the personality you pour into all of these. Thank you for the hard work.
I definitely had to double check that that’s the actual abbreviation!
@@Thom-TRA So did those of us here in KCMO when it was first announced. The new logo is distinctive. I need to capture a shot of it. Thanks again. Back to school yet?
@@tokugawa12able yes!
Thank you for another great video! Your history lessons are so interesting. I’m looking forward to your next videos.
I’ve been particularly interested in history recently
Well done video
Although others have done trip reports on this route, I was glad to see this posted by you! Your combination of relaxed style, interesting facts and nice camera work make going on the journey with you and Lindsey fun and very enjoyable. I Minot watch your videos when you first post, instead I look forward to relaxing and watching them in full size on my TV!
There Minot be anything better than just taking the time to sit down, relax and enjoy a good video!
Thank you for the awesome views. This is the train I would have taken to see my friend from radio. She lived in Oregeon by the ocean but she passed away :(
I’m so sorry to hear that!
@@Thom-TRA thank you so much
Great video! The Empire Builder (Seattle-Chicago) is my favorite Amtrak route of all. It's stunningly beautiful pretty much from the beginning to the end. And the beauty of Washington is very different than the beauty of Montana. And Wisconsin. And so on. I didn't know the full history of the route until your video. Bonus points for "Minot".
I love the colorful histories of the different amtrak trains
Yeah. People might complain about Amtrak but it's really kept the legacies of all these great and important routes alive. I have a feeling the people who complain about Amtrak don't actually ride Amtrak 'cause it's one of my favorite things to do in this giant country.
Loved the "Photo Bomb: from the guy in Shelby! LOL Wow, I never heard of not having a working card reader before, that'll make me bring more cash if needed.
I was craving a noodle bowl and did not have the cash to satisfy my needs
Great video! Views are awesome and it’s cool to hear about the history along the way. Thanks for sharing your trip!
You’re welcome!
Have traveled solo in coach for 19 hours from Chicago to New Orleans. I'm 68 and use CPAP at night, which I put on the table. Most travelers were pleasant, and I felt pretty safe; slept with my purse on my lap and my arm through the strap. Overall, good trip.
I’m glad to hear you had a positive experience!
Just finished with my first Amtrak ride (and second) - last weekend from Pasco -> Chicago, then Thursday through this morning Chicago -> Pasco. I experienced SO MUCH my first time, it's crazy to me. I think I experienced just about everything I can. I went via coach for reference, much cheaper.
EB -> Chicago: All was well until sometime in Montana, when the train made contact with a pickup truck at a crossing. Ambulance came for the driver of the truck, as well as some sheriff vehicles. While still there, there was an incident involving an elderly man having an episode in which he thought things that didn’t happen. He ended up throwing a hot beverage and getting another passenger with it. He was later escorted to a sheriff’s SUV. Amidst that too, we had a tornado warning in the area as well as high wind warnings. So, we crawled slowly for a while, then eventually stopped for about an hour to ride out the storm.
After Winona, we were about 6 hours behind schedule still. Now I get to experience something I heard about on a UA-cam video too - an extra dinner (complementary) of beef stew. The train ended up in Chicago about 7 1/2 hours late. Amtrak emailed with a voucher for a future trip!
WB -> Pasco wasn't as "exciting," but the restrooms in our coach car stopped working early on.
I will say despite experiencing all this on my very FIRST Amtrak trip, I am not dissuaded! I hope to be able to take some more trips in the future. Just stockpile some vacation at work and take some time. Technically I will be taking it again Thursday - Empire Builder westbound back to Pasco. Here’s to hoping that’s less eventful!
Wow! That’s way more eventful than a normal Amtrak trip. Glad you still had a good time!
@@Thom-TRA Same, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Now with my voucher, I'm thinking of trying the Coast Starlight sometime. Have to use it by June 17 of next year, so got some time to decide.
Did you observe any families with children riding coach for the entire stretch?
Yes, mostly Mennonite families but a few others as well
I tried to do it this this year too, and unfortunately they eliminate that sell, now they only offer $50 discount of a $499 regular USA Rail pass,very sad. I've done it for 2 years round, and now I have to do some other arrangement to travel different states. Thanks for sharing your video on your way back, great experience!
I still never took empire builder yet 2. OMG you caught the F40C at 29:00 the rarest locomotive in the US
I like the Seattle section of the Empire Builder the most. Love seeing the Cascade and Rocky Mountains. But the Cascades I find are the most towering mountains in Washington State. The Rockies are outstanding. Love Glacier National Park in Montana.
Doing this route next month and cannot wait!
I hope you have fun!
@@Thom-TRA Per your comments about trains running late, I’m also hoping that we run 1-3 hours late just so that I can see more of Glacier in daylight! 😀
@2:37 Seattle Union Station is still around, and it's even sort of used for transit. It's the main offices for Sound Transit and sits on top of the International District/Chinatown light rail station. I personally found Union Station to be a more impressive facility than King Street Station, but King Street "wins" because it's actually served by trains.
Yeah having trains is pretty important for a station lol
Great report! and thanks for the info about the name. I estimate that you must have missed bathing in 2 days of travel. Amtrak needs to offer a bathing option to coach class passengers.
Even if there was just one paid shower at the bottom floor of each car it would be such a game changer. But then less people would choose Amtrak’s more expensive accommodation, so they won’t do it of course.
Love your narration. Love the sceneries ❤ good video. 👍
22:31 I had to turn on CC just to see what you were saying and OMG but not sure if Lindsay is your wife or girlfriend but her answer was funny lol :)
Lindsey is my wife!
Train travel hasn't been the same since the introduction of welded rail joints. The characteristic click-clack of 39ft bolted rail sections was part of the experience. BTW, I hope the $45/person dinner in the diner was a _good_ one.
I didn’t buy the dinner. I’m not made of money!
7:52 nice shot from NoMa - Gallaudet station looking at the former Uline Arena!
Thanks for another awesome video. You nicely blend your own personality and enthusiasm with the unbelievable scenery passing by. Good job, and it was fun traveling along with you guys.
Love to see you take the Vermonter, the former Montrealer.
I see it running through DC from time to time
It's my favorite train. Perhaps driven by nostalgia. I'm currently in California and also lived in Colorado so I know those scenic rides. It's just cosie. I would recommend.
I’ll be happy when It goes to Montreal again.
I enjoyed that video👍👍
Great ending to a great series! It's unfortunate that the card-reader wasn't working in the café car, since many people just don't carry much cash with them nowadays.
Glad you haven’t changed your name to Cardman though!
@@Thom-TRA touché, sir. Touché. :)
Delighted to see your return trip on the Empire Builder ! Your description was excellent, and I really like the Seattle section of the train which for me is the more scenic of the two routes. Also delighted to see the lead locomotive of your train was the Genesis from Portland, truly my favourite AMTK locos ! Many thanks indeed.
I took this train 20 years ago and it’s certainly amazing ing and I would take it again probably travelling the Portland leg this time. Glad you both had an amazing trip and it’s pleasing to see diner access has been restored for coach passengers on the Western Trains. I am planning a trip across Canada in the next 2 years from Halifax to Prince Rupert!
That will be an impressive trip!
Great video. Appreciate all the information and historical details you incorporated. 👌
Thank you!
I'm riding the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle in April!! I'm so excited, videos like these get me so hyped :D :D
Have a great trip!
you'll love the Empire Builder, I rode it from Chicago to Seattle back in October 2003, the train ride was beautiful.
Thanks. Pretty tough to find good videos of folks traveling in coach. I did 7500 miles last year using a rail pass. Only difference between us is that I did it as an 80 yo! My EB section was CHI-PDX.
I have so much respect for you for doing that!
Thom, porpoises don't jump out if the water...but orcas do. You may have seen an orrca breach! I am envious. That is a teeat!
It was much too small and gray to be an orca though, for how close it was to the train
Great video 👍
Wow I ran into you
Great video, Thom (and Lindsey!) I loved traveling back to Chicago with you. Your knowledge of the history of the route and of the train equipment is impressive. Thank you again for a great video!
That's great i always like your videos
Thank you!
Nice@@Thom-TRA
I wish you could have seen North Idaho it's so beautiful
I saw it last time
GOOD JOB, waiting on another adventure.
Thank you! You won’t have to wait long
I love history and trains. And you sir have a fine video. Love it! Very informative
Thank you very much!
When i had my pass I took Lakeshore Limited Southwest Chief Coast Starlight Empire Builder and the Capitol Limited. Took about took weeks. there's a video on my channel. its basically a slideshow with music. I covered almost 7600 rail miles. Sad reality about Amtrak is even if the train is totally sold out it still doesn't make a profit.
I'm excited, as a result of your Portland -> Chicago Empire Builder trip videos, which I watched over the weekend, I'm taking it in June! Won't be able to do the whole thing though, will catch it from my hometown area of Pasco, so I think like 6.5 hours shorter. But looking forward to it nonetheless!
Wow, this is such a huge compliment to me! I’m sure you’ll have an awesome trip!
@@Thom-TRA Thank you! I have never rode on Amtrak, let alone a train, before. Can I potentially ask you some questions?
@@htmlcc92 of course!
@@Thom-TRA Thanks!
-Don’t know if it depends on the station, but is there a recommended time to get there before the train comes? I think mine is scheduled to leave Pasco (small station) at 9:06 p.m.
-Is there a fee for the two carry ons it says online that you can have?
-I saw some shakiness in your videos - if my sister gets motion sick in a regular car, is it a good idea to bring something for that?
-I’m planning to do coach - should I plan to bring snacks and drinks for the whole ride, or does coach have access to meals for a fee?
-I tend to snore - how is the ambient noise in the car? Would things like snoring or phone alarms be quite loud?
I hope that wasn’t too many. I may have more, haha
Rode from Glenview to Wisconsin dells in coach, I was in the Lounge car a LOT
It’s the best place to be
Been LOVING this series! I am planning the same trip this May and it gives me a good idea about what to expect. I am excited to be stopping over in Whitefish. I forgot about the fires last year and hope it’s different this year
It must have been a little strange to see footage of coming into Chicago after moving to D.C.
I’ll be curious to hear how your travels went!
@@Thom-TRA thanks! Will be happy to update! You have convinced me to leave out of San Jose instead of Emeryville. I’m also leaving a day early for Portland at your suggestion
@@dianethulin1700 I’m honored to have been such an inspiration!
@@Thom-TRA You really are! I was in a quandary since I don’t think Coast Starlight North is that great with the night departure. San Jose is the perfect solution! I love that little station too
Very beautiful and informative trip report! I didn't know that the Superliners were introduced in 1979, on the EB. That's probably why my dad took our family from St. Paul (the old Midway "Amshack") to Glacier Park the following year. I was only 3, so I don't remember that trip, but I was very fortunate to head out west on the Southwest Chief and California Zephyr later in the 1980s. It's cool how the trains still have the same look and feel from when I was a kid. I live in St. Paul and look forward to expanded Hiawatha service to Chicago.
Hopefully the “Borealis” comes soon!
Wow! This Amtrak series across all these western and northwestern states has been fantastic! Every video has been awesome. I hope you two will have the chance to travel the entire USA on Amtrak's routes over time, and will continue to enjoy sharing your travels with us!
We will be shading our travels for a long time to come!
Amazing video, beautiful your content, Like, greetings from Italy
I want to go back to Italy…
So cool I just took it!
Very informative, enjoyable and scenic. Thank You
Brilliant video ya cheeky pair!
Ik this may be unrelated to the video, but i've got an idea.
The intro can be randomised a bit by using different horns, like an amtrak P42's K5LA or a Metro-North M8 RS2M.
Another great video! Thank you
Thank you!
very nice loved the trips u did peace
Peace
Glad you had a good time
Sorry to see you guys leave the Windy City! Was beginning to think of you guys as ours😢
We can still be honorary citizens!
I've done the Portland section of the Empire builder before
That one is nice too
@@Thom-TRA I played chess with someone in the lounge car before. Btw have you done the City of New Orleans?
Very good video. You are very knowledgeable. And your voice and descriptions are very clear
Thank you, thank you, and thank you!
Thanks!
Wow, thank you for this super generous gift Terry!
@@Thom-TRA You're welcome.
I was always wondering if its worth it to ride that long via coach. I took the Empire Builder on that same Seattle-Chicago route a few years ago but I had a sleeper cabin. The only downside to buying a cabin ticket is how outrageously expensive it was. It just doesn't make any sense why a sleeper on that train costs like 1000$. I got mine for 600$ but even then I wasn't sure it was worth it for that, lol. However, if you get the ticket for cheap and got a few days to relax, it's a must experience.
Coach is totally fine as far as I’m concerned. The massive cost savings outweigh anything else.
Great trip! I enjoyed thr ride too.
I live in the Chicago area have family in Seattle so I've always wanted to do an empire builder run for a while. I'll have to find a good time in the future since it'll be quite a trek!
It’s so worth it!
Yes, there were reasons some routes were terminated in the past. But that does not mean they would not be worthwhile today. Things change!
Things change indeed!
Thanks for another great video
You’re welcome!
I want to ride the entire route of the Empire Builder going to opposite direction. That’s the way I’d prefer it because I like the idea of going out out of Chicago and then getting all the nice views. I haven’t been on that train ever but I’ve traveled as far northwest as Minneapolis on a road trip from Chicago where that train stops and never went to any of the other states west of it that it travels through. Not even central or western Minnesota.
The views headed east are actually a little better because of the timing!
@@Thom-TRA That’s also nice. Maybe it would best if I were to do a round trip which I probably could not afford. I’d be happy after seeing the views one way.
28:52 Metra 427, 86, 115, 216, 215, 611 & 614
I took the North Coast Hiawatha from Seattle to Portage Wisconsin in June of 1979. It had 3 or 4 vista dome cars and was sold out. It only ran 3 times a week, leaving Seattle Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 520 pm. The other days it was the Empire Builder that ran 4 days a week, leaving Seattle at 5:00pm. The two schedules resulted in a daily service between Seattle and Minneapolis and they got to Chicago at 6:59pm. I still have the summer 1979 national timetable. It basically was one set of equipment that served two different routes that were about the same distance. The Empire Builder route was 2291 miles and the North Coast Hiawatha route was 2234 miles. When the Superliner equipment was scheduled to arrive the same route structure was supposed to be in service. But the cuts to the Amtrak routes in the fall of 1979 took the Hiawatha route off the map. And the Empire Builder went daily. I was totally disappointed with the removal of the vista dome cars when the Superliners took over. The sightseeing lounge car is nice but the dome cars are so much more exciting being able to see front and back.
What a dream to ride the vista dome…
A great way to build new rail options is to pair with the Department of Defense to create small military bases along the proposed line. This makes ot a military priority. By doing this, the whole process is smoother and less obstructed by bureaucracy.
They don't have an ATM at that station? Why not, Minot?
They Minot have the security for it.
I miss seeing the Surfliner F59PHI that are apparently being used by Metra still with the og Surfliner Livery (only difference is they painted Metra over the Amtrak logo). Glad to see em again. Those were the best locomotives imho.
They’re everywhere in Chicago!
Seeing nice station like Seattle’s King Street station in videos like this makes me wish that my nearest major rail terminal (Boston South Station) was nicer. Sure, it’s a historic building, but it doesn’t really look like one on the inside. Many services that used to be available are no longer available (there used to be a newsstand and an Au Bon Pain that are now gone) and a mezzanine with food court seating has been closed for quite some time.
Yeah Boston south is kinda depressing
I think the ten-ride coach ticket sounds like a great deal but how much sleep do you get in Coach? I always spring for a roomette but would love to save money on a coach seat.
I get a decent amount of sleep to be honest
28:45 Is he coming into Chicago or Seattle?
In the late 70s, I traveled on the Empire Builder from Breckenridge MN to Yakima WA, two and a half times, but I see that it no longer passes through or stops at either location. ;-)
At 18:24; unfortunately there's people who are rude idiots.
On one trip (to Yakima?), I fell asleep in the vista dome, to wake amongst the forests of Washington, fantastic!
On another trip (from Yakima), I was using a cane (that I didn't need) and ended up not having to pay for my drinks in the club car.
Before I forget... again, if you want to read about how Seattle got the train terminus (and its early history), check out "Son of the Profits", it's hilarious.
I just remembered an incident, when a guy had a radio tuned to the trains channel, we heard the Engineer inform the Conductor, the train had "nudged" a car off the tracks and was stopping, but after going to the farthest carriage, we couldn't see anything in the darkness.
On a train you can tell if someone is drunk, their not weaving back and forth. ;-D
I am 42 years old and use a walker due to neuropathy but in some Jack in the Box in San Diego they give me a senior for the food there in San Diego but I will not mention which one.
Excellent video and history lessons as well. Some crew clarifications: At Wenatchee only the engineer is changed-conductors run from Seattle to Spokane. In Shelby, MT the train gets two engineers because of the lengthy crew district (Shelby-Minot). It always has two conductors-one is assistant conductor. The dream of passenger trains returning on the former route of the Vista Dome North Coast Limited is just that (a dream) because the current Amtrak management is very anti-long distance trains. Just look at the number of Superliner cars that are out of service because repairs are needed. Western long-distance trains go without a Sightseer Lounge car sometimes and all those trains could easily sell accommodations if those trains had one more sleeper car. But that would increase revenue and management doesn’t want that. Lastly the POS not working in the cafe is inexcusable. Back ups should be on every train -they are very cheap. But again customer service is not a priority with this management team.
Ah, the conductors must have just switched who was making announcements or something. This conductor said before we arrived that he’d be handing things over to his colleague at Wenatchee.
If the entire goal is to break even, I don't understand why Amtrak management would not want more revenue. It's clear they can sell out the long haul trains in the summer months. The long haul trains especially is where they should be trying to run them at a profit as they're providing primarily a tourist service rather than essential service ala NEC, it doesn't matter of the NEC runs at a loss, it's providing an essential transportation service to that region. They also really need to work on upgrading the NEC so that they can actually use the potential of the Acelas, the new Avelias will not be appreciably faster than the old Acelas as they're only going to be able to use that 165mph top speed on the same 56 miles of track where the old ones go 150mph.
Great video, but we need another Bear sighting!!!
Less than 48 hours from now!
where do you sleep when riding coach? i dont think it was shown
It was shown many times: in your seat
@@Thom-TRA oh lawdy...
Why the Amtrak stations don’t all have ATMs is a mystery
Quite annoying indeed
Question do you have to pay for your meals in coach class if you eat in the dinning car?
Yes, it is $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $45 for dinner
Second time in a row being pulled by an Amtrak alc-42 on a long distance train be like
How was the 75 degree weather in DC?
Amazing
18:23 hi sir