morgan51
Train Attendant
I've posted before that I want to take a trip to the northwest coast in early spring from where I live in Lincoln, NE. But instead of catching the Zephyr west, I'm hoping to head westward on the Empire Builder by leaving home in Lincoln NE, connecting in Chicago to the Empire Builder, then heading north and westward from there. I would connect with the Coast Starlight in Portland, make whatever stop I decide upon in Oregon, then catch the Starlight down to Sac to reconnect with the eastbound Zephyr back to Lincoln. The layover in Sac wasn't bad last time. I didn't mind it.
Some have suggested other routes - take the Zephyr both ways, go south and connect northward in LA - but I am not interested in the southern route if I can avoid it. I really have my heart set on the Empire Builder. Renting a car or taking a bus to a smaller station from Lincoln to avoid the Chicago layover is too costly for me.
Does anyone have comments about just spending a day at the Chicago station reading, relaxing, and resting? Are there affordable places to eat or visit within safe walking distance? Are there lockers or watchers available for luggage like there are in Sacramento? I am disabled but mobile with my cane and walking is fine if it's not a long hike. And I think I will have ample time with my 15-day Rail Pass to spare a day.
No offense to the folks who replied to my earlier post. Just looking at more options and having a blast doing so
Some have suggested other routes - take the Zephyr both ways, go south and connect northward in LA - but I am not interested in the southern route if I can avoid it. I really have my heart set on the Empire Builder. Renting a car or taking a bus to a smaller station from Lincoln to avoid the Chicago layover is too costly for me.
Does anyone have comments about just spending a day at the Chicago station reading, relaxing, and resting? Are there affordable places to eat or visit within safe walking distance? Are there lockers or watchers available for luggage like there are in Sacramento? I am disabled but mobile with my cane and walking is fine if it's not a long hike. And I think I will have ample time with my 15-day Rail Pass to spare a day.
No offense to the folks who replied to my earlier post. Just looking at more options and having a blast doing so