Amtrak Empire Builder | The Frozen Mississippi River | Part 3

Welcome to the third and final installment on our trip report aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder. Over the past few videos, we boarded the Empire Builder in Portland, OR. We traveled through Glacier National Park and the vast plains of the northern United States.
Today marks the final stretch of our 2200 mile, 48 hour journey. We travel through the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois, chugging through major urban areas like the Twin Cities and Milwaukee. We flip-flop between both sides of the frozen Mississippi River and pass interesting rock formations such as the Dells of the Wisconsin River.
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[@jasonwyland5198]

Thanks!

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re welcome!

[@JeffMiletich]

In 1993 I took the train from Houston to Chicago (Texas Eagle) / Chicago to Mpls/St Paul (Empire Builder) and back twice - July/Aug. & Sept/Oct. The summer northbound trip there were many delays & diversions due to the heavy flooding. We were so late getting into Chicago (9 hrs.) that they put us up in a hotel for the night. On the Chicago- St.Paul run we went up on the east side of thr Mississippi River & came back a month later on the west side. The east side you are in Wisconsin for awhile & the tracks run very close to the river's edge.

[@markhedman1884]

Several years ago during Christmas break, I rode this train from St. Paul to Milwaukee. On the way back from Milwaukee to St. Paul, I got a roomette. It was quiet, I could lie down, the food was served to me. It was relaxing. The snow began to fall at dusk, and as it got dark, the Christmas lights of the towns of Wisconsin and the lightly falling snow looked great.

[@Thom-TRA]

Sounds like it was a great trip!

[@markhedman1884]

@@Thom-TRA Also, I could turn off the lights in the roomette and see out the window much better. The ride through Wisconsin on the way during the day was different, as the farmland got to look the same. Just south of St. Paul, the train rides through a swampy area, which looked interesting. I would like to ride along the Mississippi during the spring, summer, or the fall to see the colors.

[@kevinhoward9593]

The Mount Olympus Theme Park is also in Wisconsin Dells.

[@johnathancooper142]

Well the new intro certainly turned out well!

[@Thom-TRA]

I love it! Thanks so much

[@georgeuribe3305]

Another great video

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@miaviation-railway]

Great report and dope new graphic!

[@hockeyfan124]

Cool videos next there's talk of expanding Amtrak service to Columbus Ohio and when you can try the California zephyr in a sleeper car

[@Thom-TRA]

I hope to try the Zephyr someday soon, but I’m gonna have to pay off a whole bunch of student loans before there’s any talk of a sleeper car lol

[@NonstopEurotrip]

I have to say I've really enjoyed this series Thom. One of your best IMO. You really deserve one (or many!) of your videos to go big, because you are so knowledgeable about what you do, and make seriously excellent videos mate! Keep up the great work 👍🏽

[@Thom-TRA]

You have such a way of encouraging others. I don’t take that for granted, and I hope you know it’s a gift you have! Thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed. If you ever come to the states, hmu and we’ll do an Amtrak together haha

[@NonstopEurotrip]

@@Thom-TRA Absolutely mate! Thanks 🙏🏻 Or meet me in Japan 😇

[@scrappytracy5557]

I've done the EB train quite a few times between Chicago and MSP. Easy, relaxing ride.

[@kirkzevola5004]

Awesome ride onboard Amtrak Empire Builder #8/28 alongside the snowy icy Mississippi River in Minnesota, Crossing the mighty Mississippi River from Minnesota to Wisconsin, Traveling alongside the snowy Wisconsin Plains and finally arriving Chicago. The Amtrak Empire Builder is my number one favorite Amtrak route.

[@Thom-TRA]

It certainly is an impressive route. I enjoyed my trip a lot.

[@kirkzevola5004]

@@Thom-TRA The Amtrak staff did not let y'all get a fresh air break at Winona? That's weird that's a fresh air stop & Crew Change base but that is pretty interesting.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@kirkzevola5004 nope, no long stops the entire trip this time.

[@ravenm6443]

If you haven’t, I do suggest taking empire builder in summer. It’s even prettier 🙂 I hope to take empire builder to WI this coming summer. It’s always exciting to ride the train!

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for the video series about your trip. I had my last long distance Amtrak trip on the Empire Builder to Portland. I was a skier and found it cheeper to ride to Portland rather than Denver to ski. I was glad I got to ride it. As you noted the scenery especially in winter is great. One thing I found out was that Whitefish Mt. was a major stop for skiers. But I was glad I rode to Portland to see the city and enjoyed riding their transit system as well as a great day skiing in the area. I was able to enjoy the ride in a sleeping car but as you said Amtrak’s coach seats on their long distance trains are very comfortable and in reclining position provide a good nights sleep. One of my first long distance train trips was in coach from Chicago to Los Angelas in coach. The only thing I don’t like today is the restriction on coach passengers from getting dinner in the dinner. This is really disappointing if you are only traveling from Chicago to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Which I have done several times visiting the area. This could make people either drive or fly rather than take Amtrak due to that restriction.

[@AllegoryGar]

The name Winona is older than the city’s name, Winona means first born daughter in the Dakota/Lakota culture.

[@CrumbDumpster]

Bummed ya skipped La Crosse depot.

[@sammy7068]

looks like a nice time to travel! ty for taking us along love it

[@BillyDiamond]

Again thanks for these great videos! Is there any sort of stop/length to St. Paul? I friends there I have not seen in years but don't want to plan anything if it is just a blip of a stop. Thanks in advance for the help.

[@Thom-TRA]

I don’t think there’s much of a stop! Although, we were delayed so that did change things.

[@BillyDiamond]

@@Thom-TRA I would guess that they are trying to pick up time and it is what it is. Either way, I am totally excited and you helped generate that feeling - THANKS! [edits on stupidity spell checks]

[@gels1922]

Great Video. I've always wanted to take the Empire Builder. Wondering which is the best direction to take? Thanks

[@Thom-TRA]

If you go westbound you save the best for last; but I don’t know what the schedule for that one is.

[@ck4426]

Great vlog, as always!!! Really enjoy and appreciate your vlogs!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! I enjoy making and sharing them haha

[@dennisforner6090]

A very enjoyable video to watch, as well as very informative (as always Thom). I hope to take the Empire Builder next year & plan stopovers in St Paul/Minneapolis (Summer time - my son has been there in Winter & he soon realized why most of the city buildings were connected by full covered overhead walkways) it is a very cold city. Also a stopover at Milwaukee in order to see Madison & Green Bay( both bus trips). It is a pity that Amtrak does not service all the state capitals given it is a national carrier - perhaps one day. Anyway, thank you for sharing your train journey with Bear on this iconic train.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes, this part of the US gets wicked cold. One day perhaps I’ll escape hahaha…

[@davidburgess3882]

Now you need to do the Coast Starlight between LA and Seattle. Amazing scenery!

[@Thom-TRA]

Top of the bucket list!

[@ChrisH-1952]

Very good series with an informative commentary and (despite a couple of glitches) good quality video. Clearly you think about the editing as you are travellng and give yourself enough material for a mix of detailed and general shots. I look forward to the next adventure.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! I try to capture what sparks my curiosity, in the hopes that other people will find it fascinating as well!

[@CameronLandels]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us! I've really enjoyed watching it and am pleased to be a subscriber. I admire your knowledge Thom as I always learn something new from your videos. Looking forward to Saturdays video :-)

[@midmichiganemdrailfan.4187]

I still wish to go here I noticed the Railroad crossing say RXR RXR but no NO TRAIN HORN sines

[@markmanz8897]

Something to note. The Empire Builder is the only long-distance Amtrak train that uses the north platform of Chicago Union Station. All other Amtrak trains (other that the Hiawatha to Milwaukee) use the south platforms. The Empire Builder also uses the only through-track. You can get great views of the Chicago River if you’re on the correct side of the train.

[@favroitetiger2955]

In September I will be riding the brightline train. Could you give me some tips on riding the brightline train. like how early to arrive at the station. How often are the trains delayed.

[@Thom-TRA]

In my experience, Brightline was quite punctual. After getting an expected delay which we caught up on along the way, Brightline immediately offered compensation through Uber vouchers which was quite thoughtful-if I were riding standard, I’d probably arrive 15 minutes ahead of time, but for business I’d say about half an hour to fully enjoy the lounge!

[@dexteralexander2437]

A wonderful series Thom. We’re eager to experience the EB Sunday.

[@Thom-TRA]

Have fun tomorrow! Hope Chicago has been to your liking

[@dexteralexander2437]

@@Thom-TRA Thanks Thom. Our flight was 6 hours late, landed about an hour ago, so we opted for a taxi to our downtown hotel…$$$…rather than the Blue Line. Maybe next time. Next stop, Union Station tomorrow.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@dexteralexander2437 that’s a bad delay! Glad you made it in one piece

[@levim9707]

I was actually on the EB in March as well and possible at the same time as you! Also, I think the Twin Cities to Chicago train has been greenlighted. I think from what I remember it just needs minor track upgrades and that is about it.

[@Thom-TRA]

That’s exciting! I wonder if it will be called Hiawatha or if they’ll give it a new name.

[@levim9707]

@@Thom-TRA As of now it doesn’t have one. My gut says they will probably call it the Twin Cities Hiawatha since that use to be a train between it and Chicago. Also I’m 90% sure we were on the same train. I watched the second video and I believe we were on it at the same time given the date you mentioned. Small world!

[@Thom-TRA]

@@levim9707 wow, that is so cool! The train that left Portland/ Seattle on March 1?

[@levim9707]

@@Thom-TRA Yup! I double checked my tickets and we were on it.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@levim9707 how crazy is that. Hope you enjoyed the trip!

[@MikeFerrell]

What a fantastic trip report. We watched all three sections and it was very well done. Loved your narration and the thought you put into the report. The only thing missing was you never explained what you did for food on the train! It was so interesting to see a trip like that done in coach class VS all the first class videos out there. We really wanted to know what you ate on the train. Did you / can you, use the dining car? Or did you have to eat snacks from the cafe for the whole trip?

[@Thom-TRA]

We ate from the cafe car on occasion, and we did a lot of our own groceries in Portland! Unfortunately, no dining car access for coach passengers… So glad you enjoyed the videos! Coach travel really isn’t bad!

[@Hollowzzz]

Hey when are you coming back to Baltimore?

[@Thom-TRA]

Idk yet, no trips planned rn. Hopefully soon! I have some MARC and bus stuff I wanna do there

[@brunhildevalkyrie]

La Crosse=Tomah according to this guy

[@Thom-TRA]

Never said that

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

Did anybody say "Don't forget Winona."?

[@roguefamily7630]

Hey Thom I would like message u about amtrak

[@Thom-TRA]

Message me on Instagram! My user name is @tra_channel