Empire Builder

[caravanman]

Hi Folks, I am still playing around with options for my Jan 2006 rail trip. Can anyone enlighten me as to whether the Empire Builder train that arrives from Chicago into Seattle about 10.10 am each day, forms the train that leaves the same afternoon about 4.30 pm for the journey back to Chicago, or is it seperate equipment? Also would the crew be the same?

Ed. B)

 

[Trogdor]

Same equipment, different crew.

 

[caravanman]

Thats good news, at least I couldn't miss THAT connection if I wanted to arrive into Seattle and depart the same day!

Ed. B)

 

[Trogdor]

I should clarify. The OBS crew will be different, but I'm not sure about the operating crew.

 

[AmtrakFan]

I should clarify. The OBS crew will be different, but I'm not sure about the operating crew.

Yes the Operation Crew is the Engineer works to Wenachee, WA where he waits for the next days 7 and the Conductors go to Spokane, WA.

 

[panamaclipper]

Just booked by mid-March ride on the EB from Seattle to Chicago. With a "roomette" it was $292. Thought that was a very good price. Seems about the same as I paid for this trip two years ago and of course much cheaper than last March's transcon ride on the Canadian.

 

[battalion51]

I should clarify.  The OBS crew will be different, but I'm not sure about the operating crew.

Yes the Operation Crew is the Engineer works to Wenachee, WA where he waits for the next days 7 and the Conductors go to Spokane, WA.

That should be clarified.

Engineers are Spokane, Seattle, and Shelby based for the Zone 10 jobs. Engineers are St. Cloud and Milwaukee based for the Zone 7 jobs. The Engineers work Seattle-Wenachee (Seattle based), Spokanne-Wenachee (Spokane based), Spokanne-Whitefish (Spokane based), Shelby-Whitefish (Shelby based), Shelby-Minot (Shelby based), etc. Most of those jobs work by themselves, although a few do run with two man crews such as Shelby-Minot. Many times the crew will have a layover of 9-14 hours before turning around although some are longer. This holds true for most off-corridor jobs.