I really wish I could have written this story before the terrible accident that happened on the train that left the next day following us to Seattle. (More on that later)
Our train, the Empire Builder, was very crowded so no one had wifi therefore no blog. After we left Milwaukee proper, no one had cell service either. I was content to enjoy the scenery and take photos as we traveled West!
We enjoyed the beautiful weather in Chicago for our 4 hour wait. This gave us time to have lunch at Chick-fil-A at the station.
We had time to relax in the beautiful train station. Even time to walk outside!
This train had four private bedroom cars, dining car, 1 coach car for 60 passengers on their way to Seattle, and three coach cars on their way to Portland ,Oregon. They left our train in Spokane with a different engine. This separation was in the middle of the night and was so quiet we didn’t even realize it had happened!
The Best feature was the lounge car which included a domed observation area on the second floor. The cafe was on the first floor. The second floor area included tables and benches and swivel chairs to observe the beauty as you travel across the country.
Harriet & I found time to play a couple of rounds of banana grams and then she challenged two of our new acquaintances on the train to play extra games.
This train was newer with lots of leg room and because it was a double decker the views were fantastic!
By bedtime or sleeping in a “recliner time” we reached the edge of Minnesota and turned across North Dakota on our way west. Look for part 2 later today. (Signing off Monday morning 7:15 am from the Nieuw Amsterdam… any mistakes are mine)
Ellen’s Travel Journal 2016-2025 