TRIP REPORT - Amtrak Empire Builder, Portland to St Louis

Welcome to part 3 of my Oregon adventure. After years of requests, I finally made it on the Empire Builder. This is one of Amtrak's most famous and scenic routes. Things quite literally go off the rails during this trip, so on top of reviewing the train, I also got to see how Amtrak handles operational issues and missed connections.
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[@grand_vacation]

Jacob, I wanna take a moment to say how much KZbin watchers (i.e. me) APPRECIATE YOU for doing these videos. They're always great. They make you feel like you're actually there with you and we can relate a lot to you. You just stumble upon random videos on KZbin and suddenly you're not so lonely anymore. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@gtavstepfordcounty1733]

That was beautiful 😅

[@jeffthanson]

Great video! This re-route by bus reminds me of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles"

[@gladfan1989]

Well, what a journey. Gotta admit, Amtrak did a fantastic job handling the situation and that room in Chicago looks great.

[@larryloveless2967]

Your videos are excellent. During the period from 2001 to 2013 I took all the long distance AMTRAK train routes west of St. Louis (i.e. connections in KC and Chicago at times) and others such as the Surfliner and the Canadian between Vancouver and Jasper as part of trips. Your videos have let me re-live those experiences. It's like I am right there with you on your trips. Thanks you for placing them on KZbin.

[@Jonathan-mn4ss]

You were lucky to find Elf Storage so soon after Christmas.

[@NozomuYume]

Yay for you getting the heater control in the room right! So many people don't understand how it works. Lever in ceiling vent to control how much central air you get (at whatever temperature the central car control is at -- controls are next to the stairs on the bottom floor behind a panel), dial to control floor/wall heater.

[@jgd2338]

14:03, No actually they normally the Portland sleeper ends up at the back, just it was flip-flopped as the locomotives moved to the end of the train.

[@BoratWanksta]

So it was because of turning around the train in Whitefish due to the freight derailment in Bonners Ferry, ID, that the eastbound Empire Builder had the Portland sleeper in the front? I see, since myself I also was wondering why the Portland sleeper was in the front. Since usually the Portland sleeper is in the rear, of the Empire Builder train going east. And also going west too, as I remember(correct me if wrong).

[@jgd2338]

@@BoratWanksta Yes, The Portland Sleeper is always at the rear of the train, Eastbounds & Westbounds.

[@susanfoster8637]

I took that train in 1989 and had almost the same experience, only it was a landslide over the tracks. Our bus ride was quite short, but I was pregnant and had my small daughter with me, too, so it was not fun. Thanks for the memory.

[@Cal90208]

30:00 That stew is the go-to for emergencies on delayed trains. Many Amtrak veterans have had it over the years

[@edwinbase9299]

This is cool. Whenever I had time during visits in USA, I took Amtrak and almost traveled the 3 quarters of this great country by Amtrak. Got to see the passing moments with a time to sink in before it fades away.

[@divox9pqr]

Great that you were able to get your trip in before the pandemic locked everything up. I did the Empire Builder two years ago and it was great.

[@farmcentralohio]

On the bright side your bus trip added some scenery that we wouldn't have got to see otherwise :) another well done production. My favorite part is when your showing your room on the trains, like someone else said, you make it feel like we're there with you. I've never been on an Amtrak train so it's interesting to see what it would be like. Thanks.

[@JimBeary]

Great trip report, Jacob! I like how you spread it out over 3 videos. Montana was beautiful. You are a lucky man to be able to travel in so many different ways and so often! Can't wait to see more....

[@ericjamieson]

The flip side to the delay and the bus trip was you got to see a bunch of gorgeous Montana scenery you otherwise would have gone through in the dark.

[@BoratWanksta]

I suspect he probably got to see some Idaho scenery too that normally would only be passed through, at nighttime as well due to how late they got into Spokane for the bus. Though it was a little weird seeing the eastbound EB pass through all of Wisconsin, at dark. Finally it was cool to see he passed through Fargo, ND in daytime hours, since I remember sleeping through Fargo on the EB in both directions when I went out to Glacier National Park a year ago.

[@ngtflyer]

Thanks for these tours. It's very much like being along for the trip minus waiting to fall asleep and the 4 hour bus ride :) Your presentation and editing are right on point. Great job. These are always great to watch, but a special treat while sitting at home being isolated in current times! Stay safe and healthy, looking forward to the next one.

[@vedales8670]

Train travel can be great except when that happens. Yikes!!! Our guide does a fantastic job letting us live vicariously through his travels. Great job!!

[@kathleenoman726]

That's so funny. Roomette #7 was my room on my return trip from Seattle to Chicago on May 2, 2019. Obviously, it was a different car. But the similarities didn't stop there. An oil tanker derailed and burned about 40 miles west of Stanley, ND. They had to rebuild the track. We spent the night and most of the next morning in Williston, ND as they had yet to finish the track and test it. Instead of arriving in Chicago on Saturday, we finally arrived Sunday morning about 5:30 a.m., or about 15-1/2 hours delayed.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Elf storage had me rolling.

[@Cityplace2711]

While you were on this trip, I happened to get my iPhone 11 (2 January 2020), which I hold today. Miraculously, it's still working strongly! Great video, either way. I always enjoy watching and listening to your Amtrak line tour videos.

[@alexandersheppard1997]

Very cool to see you in Montana. I live in Kalispell, which is about 20 minutes south of Whitefish. Welcome!

[@svaddict9499]

I personally have to say that I have loved all of your videos with things such as the elevators, the Sienna review, the train reviews, and plane. Keep up the amazing work!

[@farmcentralohio]

The scenery shots in this video are really good, very relaxing

[@jimbrigden3024]

I have ridden the Empire Builder round trip between Portland and St. Paul and also Chicago and Seattle. 1 time we had a pretty good car attendant (new to the route) and the other 3 times we had really great car attendants. As to dining car attendants, mostly pretty good although there was one that we experienced two times (I believe his name is Chris...big, very friendly guy that was really great with the very large party including several kids). Found the food to be pretty good or better. Planning our next trip for this year when things settle down.

[@Cal90208]

The Portland section actually ends up at the back of the train. However due to the switching, they just took the engines and put them at the back. So you got to be in the front. You could see that the baggage car was at the back, which is unusual.

[@Jumpingoffthecliff]

That’s too bad you had to ride the bus for that part of the trip. The empire builder goes through early in the morning and it isn’t usually too viewable, but the run from Spokane to Whitefish along the Kootenai River is incredible. Going into LaCrosse you run across a swing bridge on the ex Milwaukee Road tracks. My grandson and I filmed that thing in operation. It was pretty cool to watching it open and close. Thanks for the video,

[@manubird2475]

Aloha from Hawai'i! I always enjoy your train reports since I am a train nut. Well done. I really like your shots of Portland Union Station, one of my favorites. I missed it last summer when I made a trip to the NW to torment relatives. When I traveled from Tacoma to Portland via train (only way to go!), my son made me get off in Oregon City because of that horrific homeless camp now outside Portland Union. I'm glad you were able to board safely. I hope you'll be able to do a repeat during summer time. Thank you!

[@mikewrasman5103]

I LOVE the Empire Builder! You are treated extremely well by the Amtrak crew!

[@dave1001]

Top marks to Amtrak for the vouchers and hotel even as you said the delay wasn't their fault.

[@mackpines]

That's too bad about the derailment and the delay out of Portland. Usually, it's on time departing. When I went on the train, it was early summer and the scenery was a lot nicer. I'll give Amtrak credit for figuring out solutions quickly. Still an awesome trip report. I recommend the Coast Starlight or the Sunset Limited next.

[@jojohnson8062]

Thanks to you, I’m planning my trip from Birmingham, Alabama out west some where

[@macdunlap6257]

do crescent to NOLA then sunset limited to LA. gorgeous in spring and fall

[@joemeyers3127]

What an adventure! Thanks for sharing.

[@Cassie4486]

For the accident you mentioned where both sides of Amtrak 'switched', we had the same thing happen from NY to Florida. We had to get off in DC, get on a bus for an hour trip to Virginian to catch the Amtrak train coming north. Those passengers had a bus take them to DC so they could catch our train. But it was a nice way to see DC!

[@Rohrbach00]

Wow! Sounds crazy but what happened in your situation exactly?

[@donnaswan347]

Excellent video of your journey on the Empire Builder, from 'Portlin' (lol) to St. Louis. I especially appreciate the time you took to show the room & the meals. Gives us viewers a good idea of what to expect if we take a similar journey. Thanks.

[@amtrakharry]

Another classic trip by you with a few hiccups enroute but you roll with the punches ! Thank you for sharing these amazing video's with us ! Take care and be safe !!! :):):)

[@thenearestfire4574]

Browning looked like a cheery spot. 😊

[@ebob1967]

It looks like they updated the Metropolitan Lounge in Portland since my trip back in July. I remember it being kind of tired looking with well-worn furniture. I had lunch at the restaurant attached to the station (I think it was called Wilf's). The food was pretty good and not as expensive as I thought it would be.

[@glennkennedy441]

This was fascinating.....thanks for putting this together.

[@thetrainsport]

Wow that’s a cool trip on Amtrak

[@dantx4545]

Well when in Milwaukee I know where to store my elves! Love the video

[@MsRomancediva]

I took the Empire Builder roundtrip from .St Louis to Seattle, did an overnight in Seattle...it was awesome. This was my last long distance train to complete riding all the west coast trains. Now to complete the east coast routes from St Louis. I caught the SW Chief in KC, however.

[@charlesraymond2751]

I love the Breathtaking views from Portland to Montana. Love the Scenery. I love that kind of Scenery!

[@JohnAckerman31]

Jacob I’ve got to say, I am a HUGE fan of your channel! You really post some excellent content. I love all of your videos. I especially like your car wash videos since I was crazy about car washes when I was little. I love all the different places you travel, and the reviews you give on the hotels you stay at. All I can say is you really are an awesome guy! I would love to hear from you. Stay safe, and keep up the good work!!

[@United1158]

When shit is back to normal you should ride the Sunset limited because I’m curious about the scenery

[@luciafromwiisports3393]

Yess!

[@macdunlap6257]

did that one in 18 from LA to NOLA. great run and gorgeous scenary

[@Cal90208]

The scenery is great if you can enjoy the desert. I live in the city, so I enjoyed it. But many find it boring as between Palm Springs and San Antonio, is basically all the same

[@kevinwhite7729]

Love you trip reports!

[@tommollan983]

Terrific job. I took the Empire Builder from Seattle to Milwaukee in October of 2018 and enjoyed every bit of the trip.

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

Honestly, I think the scenery from the bus was better than from the train, and likely would would have been sleeping through it anyway. Don't tell Amtrak I said that until after you get any recompense from the disaster. If there was any. :)

[@baksidesteez]

Stellar video Jacob! Some of those Montana views are breathtaking.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Awesome video as always Jacob! It looked like quite an interesting trip!😸

[@michaelglass4701]

Looooove your video 👍🛤️, back in October of 2004 my Brother and I rode the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle we had a sleeper, the ride was beautiful.

[@lawrencewestby9229]

I took the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland last October. As another comment noted, the Portland sleeper was the last car of the train. I was going to take the Empire Builder the other way from Portland to Chicago this month (May, 2020) but had to cancel. The funny thing is I was actually going to start in Seattle but the price was much cheaper to take the Cascades from Seattle to Portland in Business Class and then the Empire Builder from there to Chicago in a roomette than taking the Empire Builder direct from Seattle in a roomette.

[@TheElevatorChannel]

Lawrence Westby Yeah, it’s funny how that works. Technically they’re 2 different trains in Amtrak’s computer system. So if one section fills up, the price can shoot above the other one.

[@BoratWanksta]

I remember noticing this quirk in Amtrak's reservation system, as well! Where for sure sometimes you'll see a sleeper for a cheaper price in one section of the Empire Builder(#7 and #8, out of Seattle, or #27 and #28 out of Portland), vs. the other. If you're traveling between Chicago-Spokane, you can usually use this quirk to your advantage, to purchase a sleeper in whatever section of the car that is cheaper! I remember booking a sleeper in the section going to/from Portland, since it was cheaper vs. out of Seattle. Don't forget it also can work to your advantage, for finding a cheaper coach fare in one section of the train vs. the other. Regardless if that's on the #7/8 section out of Seattle, or the #27/28 section out of Portland. There is also this same quirk if you ride the Lake Shore Limited, where you can compare fares between one section of the train(#448/#449, out of Boston) and the other(#48/49, going to New York) to occasionally see a cheaper train fare in one section of the LSL. It also exists on the Texas Eagle(Chicago-San Antonio) and Sunset Limited(for just the San Antonio-Los Angeles part of the route), as well. Between Chicago and San Antonio you can book either the train #21/22 section of the train(ending/beginning in San Antonio), or #421/422(ending/beginning in Los Angeles, and is connected to the Texas Eagle 3 days a week as coach and sleeper through cars that are added/detached from the Sunset Limited in San Antonio. Also if you ride between San Antonio and Los Angeles on the 3 days the Sunset Limited runs, you can choose to ride in the #421/422 section(the cars added/detached from the train in San Antonio to the Sunset Limited), or in #1/2(the regular section of the Sunset Limited, out of New Orleans).

[@shellyp9141]

Well, you definitely have a trip to remember! I have to commend Amtrak for their customer service! I think they did the best they could given the circumstances. This route has beautiful scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Great video!!

[@christinagoodescarwashvlog4850]

Some of mine were very interesting. One was finding a hotel in Houston without a car. I was at the Galleria area, and I chose the Hyatt Regency in the area. Unfortunately, I was underage. Even the woman on the phone said I could check in at 19. So I decided to search for a hotel via route 82 (goes along Westheimer), and I checked into a Motel 6 at 10:22 pm. I was over in the Westchase area. So, leaving the Galleria at 9:05 pm, I got creative.

[@denisestadnik6000]

I took that route back in the summer of 2000 . Love the snow scenery ☺️🗻 in Montana

[@EasilyDistractedBySparkly]

It looks so cold outside! If I ride it, I'll go summer or fall!

[@paulwest8185]

Even though you never are up to this part of the USA, the Downeaster is a really great train route that I would recommend you checking out. Boarding at north station which is also TD garden where the Boston bruins and Celtics play, then take the train up north whether you want to stop in New Hampshire and do a college tour or stop anywhere else (there are 3 stops) or go to Maine and do either shopping at the Freeport outlets, go to old orchard beach (the train stops right on the beach you can see videos of it going through downtown and it’s a 2 minute walk from train station to Atlantic Ocean it’s amazing) it’s seasonal though so catch it at the right time. You can go to Portland and catch a bus to downtown or do wells which is a few minutes away from wells beach or Brunswick or Saco as well. Business class is totally worth it too. It’s only $10 for an upgrade and you get a free drink, service to your seat if you order something from the cafe, and it’s overall a really nice experience. Plus if you wanted to stay in coach, they have the upgraded coach cars with new seats and everything. Believe it or not, it’s actually one of Amtrak’s most profitable routes. Another thing too is since there are two locomotives always, one being a p42 and the other being an NPCU (most of the time) your very likely to see heritage unit #406 since the Downeaster is one of the few routes that uses NPCU’s. It’s been on the Downeaster for probably 2 years now so your odds are good. It’s definitely worth an experience to check out and if you ever wanted to do a vacation to Maine, old orchard beach you could definitely go without car and do trolleys and buses

[@christinagoodescarwashvlog4850]

30:52 One day when I was on the Texas Eagle from El Paso to San Antonio, they did offer a similar offer. It was a chicken meal (cannot remember what was in it), but I turned that down - I was actually on coach. There was some maintenance happening on the main line at the time, so I left El Paso at around 12:30 pm. I actually bought a meal at the dining car, and I even had a small plain cheesecake as my dessert. It was a little pricey, but it worked. When I was on the coach, the farthest angle that the seat reclined from 90 was to about 70 to 75 degrees. It wasn't the most comfortable, so I had to take a 3-mg Melatonin. Despite that, the seat angle was pretty comfortable.

[@montanamornings8526]

I love riding Amtrak and have ridden this many times as it stops in my little town. Most of this footage was my neighborhood.

[@austincox9378]

This is my favorite channel for trip reports

[@average_joe8905]

Sorry that you got caught up in that BNSF mess, but that trip certainly was an adventure!

[@benedmonson3445]

Ttavelled Empire Builder Chicago-Whitefish and return 10/22. Lovely scenes ,trip and excellent service Amtrak staff both ways. Plus passengers just stepped in and assisted we seniors. Recommend separate Roomettes for seniors or those with mobility issues.

[@farmcentralohio]

14:51 that strap is to keep the coats or garments from swinging into the face of the person sitting in that seat next to it.

[@cervezafria2776]

For what I've seen on another channels that also did this trip, scenery looks way better without snow. I'd say better than Southwest Chief.

[@beccac629]

what a wonderful & well done video

[@brianbowers3312]

Excellent work on thos video sir!!!!

[@21xd09]

12 car Empire Builder!? I heard somewhere in the video that they will come to coach 12, but 12 cars!? Now that's long! Btw awesome video! Really great catches of the snow when you were in the mountains! Really scenic. Amtrak did an amazing job with this service!

[@rickboivin7732]

Standard EB in summer is two locomotives, baggage car, transition/dorm, 2 sleepers, diner, two coaches (Seattle section) followed by the Sightseer/lounge, two coaches (at leaat one being coach/baggage) and a sleeper. During peak season I think they still run an extra coach between St. P and Chicago. During the winter they usually drop one sleeper from the Seattle section but since this trip started Jan 1, they might have needed the sleeper. Also in winter they usually operate a third locomotive west-bound just in case. There is/was a website that listed the Amtrak consists and the car numbering scheme.

[@21xd09]

@@rickboivin7732 Thanks for the info. I guess you can say that this is Amtrak's 2nd longest train consist in the network.

[@markgilbertson4917]

The first sleeper car you had was the newer type. It is much better than the second one going East.

[@TheElevatorChannel]

Vicki Gilbertson First was a Superliner I, older car but more recently renovated on the inside. The second was a Superliner II. I prefer the common areas (showers, bathrooms, etc) on the Superliner Is and I’ve heard the full size bedrooms are nicer. But I prefer the roomettes on the Superliner IIs

[@TheMM1215]

Ask and you shall receive. Finally the Empire Builder!!! 😎 I'll say it again Jacob, your train videos are some of my favorite videos on YT and because of them I got into traveling by train. I've traveled the EB a few times and the scenery is much better traveling west, just like the CZ. That bus trip kinda ruined the best scenery on that rail.

[@beccac629]

what beautiful scenery

[@misterakt]

love your Amtrak videos! makes me want to jump on one after this pandemic clears up. too bad they shut down the station in my town (Pensacola FL) many years ago after Katrina messed up the tracks between here and New Orleans...

[@SamSitar]

amtrak accommodated you very well.

[@warrenf5821]

Great video! I love the idea of taking a train across the country, but from what you've shown us, it looks a lot more difficult than one might think. Nevertheless, it's great that Amtrak takes care of its passengers.

[@EvergreenElevators]

Honestly, traveling from city to city seems like a lot of fun. I'm from the Portland area, and after the pandemic, I plan on traveling from Portland to Seattle as a fun little adventure. I will for sure do a trip report myself on that as well, whenever that is.

[@dragon32210]

Wow, what a solution by Amtrak operations

[@scottpodzikowski559]

I was on the Texas eagle two years ago and got into Chicago 8 hours late they had us at a different hotel for the night and they also a stew for the dinner that at the end.

[@chrisbracey1059]

Great video. Thanks for doing this

[@bodrodz]

Thanks so much for the great video. Love these awesome train videos. Keep up the great work! Cheers

[@seanbrosnan2074]

Worth the wait!

[@megahertz27]

In 1978 i travelled from Chicago to LA by Amtrak, a great souvenir.

[@ivabuckley1066]

Thank you 🙏. Enjoyed the video.

[@spencerwood2093]

I'm thinking about taking Amtrak to Vancouver to Denver!!!

[@3dkidsartfairs]

You should do the Acela Express or Silver Star (or Silver Meteor) next!

[@padraicmcguire108]

I made the trip St Paul to Whitefish a few year's ago in mid February. My trip was completely trouble free. On time both ways. My only complaint was no WiFi on the Empire builder. Montana and NoDak are so sparse, cp service/data was almost nonexistant! We filled our time with beer and poker in the observation car. I did not have a roomette, but the train was so empty, I had both seats to myself. $200 RT ticket!

[@ninawade3055]

Thank You enjoyed the video!

[@tinaduncan72]

I enjoyed the trip. Lovely scenery.

[@brucebartman4782]

Another great Amtrak vdo! Thanks for the journey! Amtrak did you right!

[@Txdcblues]

I can’t believe how long it’d been since you saw a video of the elevators at the swissôtel when they were original. It’s been like 12 years since they were modded at this point

[@MosheArcade]

I have been late 5 hours on the California Zephyr because of a frozen switch

[@RobertCox36722]

I had the same thing happen on the west bound empire builder 8 years ago got stuck in Minot for almost 10 hours and they did the same thing bused us around the derailment to Williston arrived in east glacier exactly 24 hours late

[@MomentsInTheSky]

A great video and I think the way that Amtrak handled that was excellent. I really enjoyed watching this report 👍

[@Newberntrains]

wow that was a good review i love riding amtrak cant wait till things get back from being crazy and we can enjoy trains again maybe try the city of new orleans next :)

[@kansascitysouthernfan6966]

I don’t know if you noticed but the train was in it’s westbound configuration from Whitefish to Chicago. That is confirmed by all the coach seats facing the rear of the train vs to the locomotives. My guess is that they had no-where it “Y” or “turn around” the train so all they did was have the locomotives switch ends. This also means that going Westbound the Portland bound cars are at the rear of the train and they also would be going back East normally, but because they didn’t turn around the train they ended up at the front. You were on one different / special Empire Builder Service.

[@rickboivin7732]

They had to wye the locomotives because they all point in the same direction 'elephant style' instead of being back-to-back like freight usually goes. Wyeing the whole Empire Builder would be a difficult operation at best, and who knows how hard it was to turn the locos. Everyone facing backwards was obviously the better option.

[@kansascitysouthernfan6966]

Rick Boivin didn’t even notice that before. Looking at it now there’s 3 locos. Not sure how many the Builder usually runs with. There’s 2 facing backwards and 1 forwards. If I’m being honest I don’t think they wyed the locos at all. Then again I’m not very familiar with how they run the locos on the builder so I could be completely wrong. I would assume usually they would run 2 forward facing. 27:18 is a timestamp where you can see the locos.

[@jimbrigden3024]

@@kansascitysouthernfan6966 Pretty sure the train is usually 2 locos from a few trips on the EB. They must have run the two around but unable to wye them so backed a 3rd from someplace to be the lead

[@thetrainsport]

Jacob you should go on the Amtrak silver star

[@divox9pqr]

Swiss hotel was wonderful after being late getting into Chicago on the Zephyr last year.

[@RefrigeratedWaffles2]

Oh sweet another Amtrak report!

[@stlelevators]

2:24 I love the sounds of S70s!

[@justinfriedchicken]

I'm A big fan of you

[@hornshowrailfan2554]

You should do the Silver Star or Silver Meteor to Florida. Can you also do the Auto Train?

[@beccac629]

the train ride seems very smooth

[@sagestats]

Sorry the beautifully redone station in St. Paul was on the other side of the train. Fired me up for doing this trip over the summer if travel restrictions lift.

[@eddog6666]

I say the Portland Oregon route is okay but the Seattle start is better with more mountains and the longest train tunnel in the USA! The casecade tunnel 8.9 miles! And then the one in the bitterroot range which is 8.7 miles long. However the casecade tunnel is the more famous of them. It took 3 attempts to get the route right. First attempt over Steven pass was a switchbacking track on both side of the mountain. So the train had to pass one switch point thorn reverse up a hill to another point and then forward it was in a set of four up and four down. 4.5% gradient. Couldn't be used in winter. The first tunnel was built but it collapsed eventually

[@haggischaser1028]

Excellent video

[@452trucker]

That is a wind up door bell at the Swiss hotel. The key should be on the outside of the door. These go back to the early 1900's.