Maglev
Conductor
When I first got the idea of this early November trip in June, Roomettes for one person from Seattle to St. Paul and back were $437 each way. Bedrooms were over $1,500. When I bought my tickets at the end of July, Roomettes had gone up to $602, Bedrooms were nearly $1,900, but the Family Bedroom was only $817. I booked the Family Bedroom both ways, but continued to watch the fares. For the return, Bedrooms at one point were over $2,200, then sold out. For the outbound leg, I one day saw a Bedroom available for $860 so I immediately called and snagged it.
My wife was not joining me for this trip, but since I had a big room both ways I invited my sister to join me. She bought an Open Sleeper ticket for $238 each way, and took a Cascade up from Portland to join me in Seattle.
Due to uncertainties of the Washington State Ferry system, I decided to travel to Seattle a day before we were catching the Empire Builder. I visited the Museum of Flight on the day before, and found it very enjoyable. I took a guided tour of the oldest aircraft, then got to walk through the 707 Air Force One and the first 747 and 787. Unfortunately, the Concorde was not open. The Embassy Suites at King Street Station was my hotel for the night.
Before boarding the train, my sister and I visited the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park two blocks from the station. It's a fairly small museum, but has great exhibits and we saw an informative film.
When the train pulled into the station, I was glad to see that we had a Superliner I with our Bedroom C on what I considered to be the best side. I also thought our couch was facing forward, but as we boarded we were told to use room B because of a bed problem in the room we originally booked. Our Sleeping Car Attendant was courteous and efficient, although I handled our own berths. My sister was impressed with the quality of the food and the comfort of the room, and almost immediately began planning a trip with her husband.
On our return, we had the Family Bedroom. The small windows restrict one's view, but it's sure enjoyable looking out them. I had bought a power strip with a ten foot cord, and it worked perfectly sitting on the shelf above the trash can with the cord not even blocking the closet door. Our Sleeping Car Attendant had a tool which I had never seen an SCA use before, although as a professional housekeeper I consider it essential: a toilet brush! Yes, those disgusting Superliner toilets were actually clean!
There was a Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety car between the locomotives and the baggage car on our return train. Also, it had one of the refurbished coaches. They look nice, but I am skeptical that plastic is more comfortable than cloth. Regarding the new pillows and blankets, I am still glad I brought my own feather pillow and down throw blanket. The new blanket is too slick and synthetic-feeling for me. My sister had a lot of trouble with the new pillows, and ended up putting one of the blankets in a pillow case.
View from my hotel room in Seattle of two ferries and a water taxi.
Glacier National Park. Our view was restricted by fog and dirty windows.
Montana
Minot, North Dakota
Builder's plate not stolen
Grain train in Montana
Cascade Mountains
My wife was not joining me for this trip, but since I had a big room both ways I invited my sister to join me. She bought an Open Sleeper ticket for $238 each way, and took a Cascade up from Portland to join me in Seattle.
Due to uncertainties of the Washington State Ferry system, I decided to travel to Seattle a day before we were catching the Empire Builder. I visited the Museum of Flight on the day before, and found it very enjoyable. I took a guided tour of the oldest aircraft, then got to walk through the 707 Air Force One and the first 747 and 787. Unfortunately, the Concorde was not open. The Embassy Suites at King Street Station was my hotel for the night.
Before boarding the train, my sister and I visited the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park two blocks from the station. It's a fairly small museum, but has great exhibits and we saw an informative film.
When the train pulled into the station, I was glad to see that we had a Superliner I with our Bedroom C on what I considered to be the best side. I also thought our couch was facing forward, but as we boarded we were told to use room B because of a bed problem in the room we originally booked. Our Sleeping Car Attendant was courteous and efficient, although I handled our own berths. My sister was impressed with the quality of the food and the comfort of the room, and almost immediately began planning a trip with her husband.
On our return, we had the Family Bedroom. The small windows restrict one's view, but it's sure enjoyable looking out them. I had bought a power strip with a ten foot cord, and it worked perfectly sitting on the shelf above the trash can with the cord not even blocking the closet door. Our Sleeping Car Attendant had a tool which I had never seen an SCA use before, although as a professional housekeeper I consider it essential: a toilet brush! Yes, those disgusting Superliner toilets were actually clean!
There was a Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety car between the locomotives and the baggage car on our return train. Also, it had one of the refurbished coaches. They look nice, but I am skeptical that plastic is more comfortable than cloth. Regarding the new pillows and blankets, I am still glad I brought my own feather pillow and down throw blanket. The new blanket is too slick and synthetic-feeling for me. My sister had a lot of trouble with the new pillows, and ended up putting one of the blankets in a pillow case.
View from my hotel room in Seattle of two ferries and a water taxi.
Glacier National Park. Our view was restricted by fog and dirty windows.
Montana
Minot, North Dakota
Builder's plate not stolen
Grain train in Montana
Cascade Mountains
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