Amtrak Empire Builder Chicago - Portland MISTAKES WERE MADE!

I went for a ride on Amtrak's Empire Builder headed westbound. Starting in Chicago on February 5, 2024, I spent two nights in a roomette traveling over 2100 miles to Portland.
Mistakes were made in my planning but it was a great trip anyway!

[@jetsethome]

This is such a great video!!!!! I can't wait to see more of your adventures. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@Itchyfootscratch]

Thanks, I appreciate that especially from you! 😀

[@Mikell-h2c]

Riding the rails is so much better than air travel , went from N Y to Portland in 2019 , one of my best trips❤

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

I did the Empire Builder in about 1990 to West Glacier Park in a roomet.

[@miragexl007]

I gotta say, For someone who doesn't care to fly anymore, I've loved the trains with sleepers despite the prices.. So relaxing, No real security getting on. The scenery, The comfort and more privacy, The food For the most part, Meaning unique people Etc. As long As your prepared With a few things pointed out in many videos..

[@TrainMike2013]

The dining car removal is well published online on various blogger sites.

[@stevesteffen7001]

Overall a good video, love you optimism and positive outlook.

[@Itchyfootscratch]

Glad you enjoyed! It was such a fun trip :)

[@SuperEholmes]

I have a trip scheduled in October to do this route in a roomette. My question is about tips. When to tip, and how much and such. I am not a seasoned traveler. I went on this route for the first time in 2017 in coach which was nice, but I am looking forward to the roomette. Thanks for the interesting video.

[@Itchyfootscratch]

@SuperEholmes I tipped the car attendant $25 at the end of the trip and $3-5 per meal to the server depending on the meal in the dining car (did the same for the dinner I had in my room). Enjoy your trip! You'll love the roomette, especially if it's just you, so much nicer than coach! Thanks for watching! :)

[@SuperEholmes]

@@Itchyfootscratch Thanks so much!

[@conductor1961]

Nice opening video. Kind of sounds like you're possibly doing the same trip I did only a week or so ahead of you. Only I went to opposite direction. California Zephyr to Coast Star Light (Star Late as I like to call it) and finishing with the Builder. When I came through Montana / North Dakota / Minnesota there was no snow and at the fresh air stops, there was no coats needed on Febuary 2nd. And if so, another difference, I took the Zephyr all the way to the end of the line. Which I was glad I did because if the connection would have been in SAC, I wouldn't have gotten on the Star Late until after 1AM

[@Itchyfootscratch]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yeah the CS timing through Sac northbound is part of why I came east on the EB and then south on the CS. Being dropped off at midnight is a big ask of someone, picking me up at 7 am is much more reasonable.

[@Mark-pp7jy]

Two suggestions. 1, Bring lots of wet wipes. 2, If you are in a sleeper, bring rubber doorstops, or something similar to wedge into your door, walls, cabinets, etc. Everything squeaks to beat hell! 🙉🚅

[@miragexl007]

It's a great experience.. You learn little things That first time , let alone the second Time. You're right, Wet wipes are good and everything moves or squeaks some little.. Which is just part of the situation. Stifling anything major is easy with anything.

[@lindawheeler3242]

First time watching one of your videos.....it won't be the last!

[@Itchyfootscratch]

Thank you so much! You just made my day! :)

[@glowingfish]

One question--- until the train split, I didn't see any footage of the cafe car. Did you do any socializing on the train, or did you mostly stay to your room? Some trains have great socialization and lots of cool people to meet. Others are more "meh".

[@Itchyfootscratch]

I did a bit of socializing, just didn't take the camera out. But I did spend a lot of time with In my roomette. My neighbors were fun to chat with!

[@glennallen4518]

Nice video. But, what were the mistakes?🤔

[@Itchyfootscratch]

My trip planning was my mistake. I missed out on many spots I wanted to see because I chose to go in the winter and westbound. Next time, eastbound and summer!

[@NickP16]

@@Itchyfootscratch eastbound anytime of the year works Westbound, only go in the summertime to see everything Hope you have a great trip whenever you get back to the Empire builder

[@misterhat5823]

It was just click bait.

[@garryferrington811]

Amtrak: 🐌

[@Bitterrootbackroads]

Can’t hear your voice when the music / noise is turned down to acceptable level, in fact I don’t hear anything because the mute button is pushed.

[@TrainMike2013]

I hear him just fine.

[@Archie583]

@@TrainMike2013 Me too. What is this guy talking about? I even went back to the video, voice was loud and clear, music and background noise not even noticeable. Maybe something wrong with that listener's equipment.