Amtrak Empire Builder Trip Report | Portland to Chicago for $70 | Part 1

[@davidburrow5895]

The Seattle section of the Empire Builder is also very pretty, especially going through the Cascades and right along Puget Sound. It's especially beautiful in winter. If you get a chance to take that route at some point, you should.

[@Thom-TRA]

Seattle is one of the top cities I want to visit next, and I’m certainly not one to pass up an opportunity to take the train.

[@BroadwayLTDProductions]

But Seattle portion doesn’t get the lounge car. 🤬

[@robrepass2179]

@@BroadwayLTDProductionsuntil they get past Spokane

[@sarahou-young]

Thanks!

[@Thom-TRA]

Wow. Thanks for your amazing gift! You are so kind. I have recently taken this train for a second time and the video will be out this fall!

[@ClearTrackSpeed]

Answer your questions from an Amtrak Conductor, yes the Superliners have batteries on them and they last however long they’re charged and if the batteries are in a good enough condition. Great video, thank you for sharing

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks, I really appreciate the answer!

[@joshc2650]

1:26 Love the sound of trains taking off from the station!

[@gregorylparks7304]

Great Video of Amtrak Empire Builder!!

[@BrendaSullivan-s3s]

You two are absolutely adorable.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks! We like each other a lot

[@BrendaSullivan-s3s]

I'll be ringing in 2024 on the Empire Builder. CHI to PDX. First time on the EB. I have done the Capitol Limited CHI to WAS and the Silver Meteor WAS to WPB and back three times. Ive also used both the Silver Star an Meteor for intercity travel in Florida. Excited about my trip on the Builder. I love trains and your channel.

[@BCentury200054]

They are very adorable!

[@robrepass2179]

I am loving the sound of the Amtrak train horn I have heard it before when riding Amtrak

[@Mike_Turcott]

What a great video! Well done! I've taken the Empire Builder many times and also prefer the Portland section for the scenery. I've always been asleep when the trains combined at Spokane so I enjoyed seeing that. So interesting that #28 had a transition sleeper at the rear.

[@htmlcc92]

I've always wanted to take the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago. I do live just across the river from Pasco, WA, where the Empire Builder stops, but I want to do the whole route from start to finish sometime. I will say I don't like Portland as much in general, so I'd definitely do it from Seattle. And I recognize the bridge at around 12:00! The Cable Bridge between Pasco and Kennewick, WA, where I am. It's a nice bridge with a manmade island next to it. Would've been cool if you'd been able to see it in the daytime.

[@gregorylparks7304]

Great Video😊

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks! 😊

[@gregorylparks7304]

You're Welcome! Enjoy your ride.

[@RB.1595]

That looks like a awesome trip. I dream one day to br able to visit snd do this. One of the worlds great trips.

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for this great video ! I agree the Surfliner cars are really good, and glad the cafe car had a good menu choice ! The next stretch of line northward from Santa Barbara to San Louis Obispo is also superb ! Many thanks.

[@joemeyers3127]

Thanks for taking us along!

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re welcome! Saturday I will release part 2 of this trip!

[@joemeyers3127]

@@Thom-TRA Great!

[@jnrfalcon]

There are only 2 Talgo 8 sets left I think... The rest of the Cascades trains are Horizon cars. New Venture train sets will start delivery in 2024.

[@galenstone9097]

The interesting looking building was Riverfront Park and the lighted pavilion was built for the Worlds Fair in 1975. Spokane resident here:)

[@ryanridder4576]

Thanks for showing the Empire builders merging at Spokane, it’s exciting to watch that!

[@anthonyhunt701]

Those wooden carts in Spokane… classic rairoading there❤️🤘🏻🚆( plus my bet is some of those Genesis locos end with Metra or other reg trans)

[@EBaker0129]

Well made video guys. Keep up the good work!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@notarotomwithhair5637]

4:04 I heard somewhere that superliner I cars ran for about 20 years before getting replaced with superliner II cars

[@Thom-TRA]

They’re both still running

[@notarotomwithhair5637]

@@Thom-TRA cool

[@enjoyslearningandtravel7957]

Wonderful views! I like how you said normal people eat snacks but some people eat rotisserie chickens on the train.

[@Thom-TRA]

Neither of us are very normal people haha. I love traveling with my brother.

[@ChrisH-1952]

Another interesting and informative video. I liked seeing the scenery and the two portions joined up. I imagine that those sleeping in the Seattle coaches were quite aware of the maneuvers as their section backed onto your part. My favourite part though made me laugh: Bear (stuffing his face with rotisserie turkey): I'm normally vegetarian Thom (shocked): No you're not Brotherly love oozes forth. 🤣🤣

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes I can’t imagine that would make for a good night’s sleep haha. I am not aware of my brother’s dietary restrictions but he is a man full of surprises and this trip proved it once again!

[@oliviaoverboard]

I take the empire builder to and from Milwaukee and St. Paul since I live in minneapolis and my family lives in wisconsin. My most recent trip was upgraded by the bid system and I got a roomette !

[@deaventuraconkikomas4281]

As always I like your videos really much, good narration of how the Empire Builder move and connect with you two sections the one of Seattle and Portland, thanks for sharing.

[@miaviation-railway]

That looks absolutely gorgeous! Gonna need to add this one to the bucket list. Thanks for the in depth and informational reports as always!

[@kevanhubbard9673]

The Spanish and Portuguese loading gauge (as is the track gauge) is pretty wide so it's possible that the Talgo trains might not have needed much adapting to the USA and Canada except obviously regauging the bogies to standard gauge.

[@HGPL11]

Well done video. Thank you for this.

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re welcome!

[@dsncarruthers7477]

I really just wanted to show the train ride from Portland Oregon when it crosses over into that and it goes up to Columbia river and Dan & Jill goes in the world Walla and then it goes into Dayton I think but I’m not positive can you show the trip please

[@RobertNGk56]

Nice video of your AMTRAK Empire builder trip but must give you tips & advice on carrying your personal luggage on AMTRAK, like your ticket, wallet, camera so on. Always take those items in your personal carrying bag wherever you go on the train because there is no real safe haven from thieves. Make sure you read the fine print , before riding with AMTRAK.

[@Thom-TRA]

There aren’t many thieves on Amtrak. Try stealing something when the next stop isn’t for another 4 hours.

[@teve8414]

Hey Thom If you go back to Portland or Seattle you definitely got to check out the Talgo train. its very elegant and fast

[@billlauretti7963]

Thanks for a great video! This trip is on my bucket list.

[@Thom-TRA]

It’s an amazing experience. It’s incredible that one country can have so many different landscapes.

[@cargil10]

THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO, KEEP GOING... SALUDOS DESDE MEXICO

[@pinchy08]

Have you ever taken an Amtrak long distance train in a sleeper car? If not I know a lot of people including myself would say “I highly recommend it”. I guess sleeping accommodations we’re just too much for you wallet to handle. Yes I know. To get a sleeping compartment be a bedroom or roomette, huge wallet swallower. Especially for a 45 hour trip on the Empire Builder to and from Chicago. While the scenery excites me, even more is how it and the City of New Orleans have been pulled by some alc 42 chargers and p42 genesis. Love seeing the new and the old doubehead.

[@Thom-TRA]

That’s probably a hard pass for me, for the time being. I can’t justify spending 9x what I would for a coach seat and bringing my own food. I work hard for my money. Most KZbinrs post sleeper reviews anyways, so I have a lot of people telling me they’re so glad to finally see the perspective from someone riding coach.

[@dexteralexander2437]

Looking forward to seeing Part 2. In 2 weeks, on July 24, we will board Empire Builder in Chicago and ride to Seattle. We’ll be in a bedroom though. We’re too old to sleep in coach. We enjoy your trip reports.

[@Thom-TRA]

I wish I had a big trip like that coming up! I think you’ll enjoy it a lot. Good deal that you got the bedroom, you’ll be better rested than we were!

[@Thom-TRA]

Also, I wanted to make sure to get this up these weeks, because you had told me you were taking it soon!

[@baseballfan99]

Great vlog. I have done Chicago to Seattle but would start in Portland when I do this line again a some point in the future.

[@Thom-TRA]

I can definitely recommend the Portland section! I think it’s very underrated, especially on KZbin.

[@appalachianenthusiast9499]

Ah yes, one of the smallest Amtrak consists in America that eventually becomes a massive consist (or a massive consist that slowly breaks down into a cute micro train depending on the direction). Portland's section has four Superliners. Once in Spokane, seven additional Superliners and a second locomotive join the party from Seattle. Finally, an additional coach is added in St. Paul if demand warrants it.

[@dennisforner6090]

Well worth the wait Thom. I have been tossing as to whether Portland or Seattle should be the starting point. Looks like I might need to do 2 trips! How tall is Bear - it seemed as if he almost touched the train ceiling? I have watched many videos of this train but no one , that I am aware of, has ever shown the shunting operations as the 2 trains at Spokane. are joined As always a very informative & detailed upload on this fantastic Amtrak long-distance train. Your uploads as always, highlight what is awesome about train travel in the USA- large restroom, cafe on board, comfortable reclining seats, great legroom, the ability to walk around & even get off to stretch your legs, & the best part - the observation car. It is just a pity they don't include a shower for coach passengers given the number of days on board.

[@Thom-TRA]

Bear I believe is 193 cm, as opposed to my 183. I never realized the footage of the train combining was so rare. I may have to separately re-upload that particular clip, so people can use it as a reference. I’m so glad you got to enjoy a trip to a warmer place! You and I share a distaste for cold weather, that’s for sure. Glad yo hear you are well. Hang in there, spring will come!

[@dennisforner6090]

@@Thom-TRA Yes are our love of trains & travel LOL!

[@danielueblacker9118]

Thom great to see Bear back, another wonderful video. Can't believe you still need Masks on Amtrak... that socks... I love the fact that you Speak Well.

[@Thom-TRA]

This trip was in March! Hence the masks

[@nooner1228]

Super cool video!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks!

[@jnrfalcon]

Honestly, as someone lives in the Gorge, you didn't miss much🤣. Pretty much from The Dalles on, it's all high desert with boring brown cliffs. The best view is definitely west of The Dalles or Hood River

[@kenpalmer1965]

This is really neat! A rotisserie turkey? Was that sold on the train or did he bring that onboard? Just curious. Anyway, I would love to take this journey!

[@Thom-TRA]

He brought it on board

[@kenpalmer1965]

OK, Thanks! Do you by chance know where he bought it from? Just curious.@@Thom-TRA

[@lenseofhiphop]

I actually did this exact trip, last year! Except I had an additional train from Chicago to Michigan

[@kirkzevola5004]

Awesome ride onboard Amtrak Empire Builder #28 along the Columbia Gorge between Portland & Spokane. Awesome catches of Amtrak Empire Builder trains #8 combining with Amtrak Empire Builder #28 in Spokane to continue the journey east to Chicago. I prefer the Portland Section over the Seattle Section & I think the Portland Section is a lot more scenic then the Seattle Section imo.

[@Thom-TRA]

Haven’t done the Seattle section but I can certainly vouch for the Portland section! It’s very underrated in my opinion!

[@shirleyconnolly737]

My daughter and I will be on #28 in a couple of months. I enjoyed watching this to see what's in store as we too will be going from Portland to Chicago on the first leg of our journey. We will have a roomette so I hope to be able to see a video of that as well and the main dining menu.

[@rowanmulvey8632]

Is it my imagination or is Bear a particularly tall human or is it a camera lense/ perzpective thing?

[@eprohoda]

love it-greaat - take care.man! =)

[@CameronLandels]

Thank you for the video Thom! I'm sitting here across the pond in the UK, very jealous!! The scenery does look beautiful and I hope to ride the Empire Builder myself. When travelling coach class, can you reserve your seat online? Looking forward to part 2 :-)

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re welcome! You can’t reserve a specific seat, but you do have a guaranteed seat. As in, once you pick one, that one’s yours. I recommend boarding at the start of a route so you have better pickings and a higher chance of sitting with your party.

[@kevinhoward9593]

You should check out The Canadian between Toronto-Vancouver. Its the last true streamliner that i know of. Cars date to 1955. Cascade service to Vancouver is still suspended.

[@Thom-TRA]

I have no experience with VIA yet so as you can imagine I’m very eager to try it!

[@Mr.Octa1]

Hi... i wanna ask, for our suitcase, we put it on Amtrak, is it free? And I have a big suitcase😊 

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes you can take 2 suitcases for free

[@natertaterz335]

I was in Wisconsin Dells around the time you took this train! It would have been awesome to meet you.

[@deaventuraconkikomas4281]

Hi, have you ever been in the Amtrak Coast Startlight used in the lines or route from Los Angeles to Seattle Washington??? I am planning a trip like that but at least stopping in some cities for one or two days, and I would like to know if, You have that plan in one of your next videos? so I can share with you guys the route or part of the trip. Last year, I did what I call a "Crazy Trip" starting in New York and using 10 segments of the Amtrak offer of last Summer, to visit some cities, like Chicago, New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Boston, Stanford, providence and New Jersey, on different states and it was the most fun and cool way to do a trip in 19 days, visiting friends, family and meeting other people on the way. If you can, let me know if you're doing some next video on the Coast Starlight at the West Coast of the US. Thanks

[@Thom-TRA]

I don’t have any plans to take the Coast Starlight yet, that’s probably the farthest train from where I live so it will take a lot of work to plan. It is definitely very high on my bucket list, so someday I am hoping to ride it.

[@benedmonson3445]

Good video

[@johnburke1317]

Will you ever take a sleeping car trip 😴?

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha I’d love to, but I am a king time away from being able to afford such luxury. I’m doing coach while my body still allows it!

[@Thom-TRA]

That’s doesn’t mean never, or that I’m opposed to it, just can’t spend my money that way right now :)

[@shirleyconnolly737]

@@Thom-TRA Perhaps you can do the "bid up" option to try to get one that way.

[@midmichiganemdrailfan.4187]

I accidentally push a button as I return to video hope it did nothing to it cool BNSF UP at first I thought 4 cars because everybody didn't waer mask.