Watch this video in order to experience the Amtrak Empire Builder train as it crosses some of the most dramatic land in the United States, passing through Washington State, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois
Thanks to a delay, we saw more than most passengers would expect, including some of the most stunning scenery we’ve ever encountered in Northern Idaho.
The entire Amtrak Empire Builder route is scheduled to take 46 hours, but our trip ended up taking a lot longer. We were supposed to leave Seattle at 4:55 in the afternoon, but didn’t get going until nearly 8:00 at night.
The Amtrak Empire Builder is certainly one of Amtrak’s most iconic routes, passing through the very heart of Glacier National Park. My first experience onboard an Amtrak overnight sleeper train was this route, but Westbound back in 2020. It felt incredible to be back onboard!
In this video, you’ll see the unmatched scenery and spectacular sights along the route, get a tour of Amtrak’s Bedroom, learn the history of this route, and we’ll even answer some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked about Amtrak Train Travel.
We’ll also showcase Amtrak’s Traditional Dining, which has (finally) returned to their long-haul western routes like the Empire Builder!
The Amtrak Empire Builder route traces its heritage back to 1929 when it was the flagship route of the vaunted “Great Northern Railway.” In the early part of the 20th century, railroad companies were the airlines of their time. Perhaps none were as storied as the Great Northern Railway.
The Amtrak Empire Builder is the latest incarnation of a route The Great Northern Railway operated. This is the northernmost transcontinental railway in the country and was also the only privately funded transcontinental railroad in the nation’s history. Unlike every other one, it was built without any federal funding.
Today, Amtrak is the only passenger operator the Empire Builder route and, as with nearly all of Amtrak’s operations, we competed with freight traffic, which always takes priority because the freight lines own the track on this route. Amtrak is just borrowing it for the Empire Builder, which means delays are very possible. But, it turns out, our delay was the best thing that could have happened on this journey…
Watch this video to see one of the most luxurious experiences available on the rails in the United States: Amtrak’s Empire Builder in an Amtrak Bedroom!
0:00 Introduction
2:04 Boarding the Amtrak Empire Builder
3:28 Wake Up Day Two
7:14 Getting Ready on Amtrak
11:44 Amtrak Bedroom Tour
16:28 Amtrak Dinner
19:37 Amtrak FAQ’s
28:44 Bloopers
Check out Miles in Transit here:
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MUSIC:
I Will Be Gone (Instrumental Version) – Vicki Vox
First Glimpse of You – Victor Lundberg
A Sweet Dream – Victor Lundberg
A Dance in the Sun – Erik Fernholm
The Sun Will Shine (Instrumental Version) – The Eastern Plain
Free Mind – Wildflowers
Summer Love (Instrumental Version) – Kylie Dailey
Calming Rain – Candelion
Swaying – Candelion
I Wish (Instrumental Version) – Mindme
If I Wrote You a Song (Instrumental Version) – Melanie Bell
Songs for a Mockingbird (Instrumental Version) – Gabriel Kelley
This Poor Love Song (Instrumental Version) – Sture Zetterberg
On and On (Instrumental Version) – Lars Eriksson
25 Comments
Always bring Duct tape to handle rattles.
My partner and I booked two first class bedrooms and had the wall removed between the two rooms. It was during the worst part of Covid and we enjoyed the space as we were not allowed to go to the dining room. We appreciated the two bathroom/showers. One for wet and the other for the usual business.
Jeb and Susanne. Thank for this most recent Empire Builder video. In January 2022 my wife and I did an out-n-back ride from Indianapolis – Chicago – Portland. Amazing scenery. We were fortunate enough to have the Full Moon [not the Amtrak Moonie] follow us west and east. Your video brought back that terrific memory. We overnighted in Portland and returned with the same train and car attendant. Roomette both ways…I was up top both trips. Thanks again.
I rode the Great Northern Empire Builder back in 1960 to Minneapolis… 2 sleeper cars with my family.. I remember the moose we saw and losing a tooth. I forgot to check if the tooth fairy left anything in the bed pocket, so for the rest of my life visualized my tooth (or reward) going back and forth along that track. What an adventure!
We played duffleboard at a little miniature golf place in Lakr Tahoe. It's a fun time! Love the videos Jeb!
Hãy trả tiền bồi thường gây chiến tranh tại nước Việt Nam
"The mighty Mississippi" didn't look so mighty to me. Rather, it looked like a swallow, smooth surface lake. I've heard there is a drought and water has gone so low cargo ships and barges can't carry full loads because they'll scuttle on the bottom of the river.
Great video guys… Love the KC t-shirt ,travel safe!
Thank you for sharing. Such a beautiful trip. Do you know when making reservations for the coach seat, do we get to select window/aisle seat?
prob don't have anything to buy at the station because the homeless would rob it blind and put them out of business within a week.
Dear Americans, not flaming you…. but how can you be happy with the product that Amtrak provides ? Sounds and looks horrendous !
Such a charming couple!
You have to call Uno when you have 1 card….so technically you didn't win😂
Made this Empire Builder trip Chicago to Whitefish Mt and back 10/22. But this trip in winter time is just gorgeous. Thanks
Great video as always!! Hey Jeb, could you also make a video of the gears you use for filming the amazing footage?
Oky, heres my question, iv seen you and your partner travel on many cross country train trips, and flying trips.going every witch way. tell me how you can afford this? Im shure lots of people would like to know!
One of the questions was is a roomette worth it? I have done the roundtrip in a roomette from Chicago on the zephyr to west coast and empire builder back to Chicago. I will say yes, the roomette is well worth the expense if your budget can support it. When you are on that train for that long, there are times when you want a place to go to have some personal space and privacy. Having your own bedroom also makes a world of difference as well. It would not be any fun trying to sleep in a coach seat night after night. I would like to offer some advice to anyone who might be curious about booking an amtrack trip. You need to realize that this is not going to be luxury travel, these trains bounce, sway and rock and can tussle you about pretty good at times. Bathrooms are very small and cramped. A Shower is available, but you find it more manageable to forgo the usual daily shower like you do at home. I also met a few people on my journey who said they never had motion sickness from traveling in a car but experienced it on the train. The nearest thing I can compare it to is it is kind of like glamping. You do experience some level of luxuries but at the same time you have to be ready and prepared to deal with some inconveniences. If you look at it as an adventure and not a luxury vacation, you should enjoy. As for myself I loved every minute of my journey.
Thank you so much for your great videos, we enjoy them a lot; we never have taken a railroad trip here in The States and we are trying to learn about it through you two. Thank you.
Gods Will I must go on my first train
Great reviews. I’ve always dreamt of traveling by train just for the adventure. I just completed a trip from Minnesota to Salt Lake City. The trip was treacherous thru Wyoming, waiting on the paths to clear so I can return back east. Safe Travels & looking forward to seeing more of your adventures either by Air or Rail. 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡
Montana is a big state. Thank you u both. Love from Australia 😊
I'm yet to see an Amtrak video where anything goes right and everything always looks dirty and old.
Awesome Bedroom View of Snow Capped Mountains and Rivers
I was raised in the suburbs of Seattle and my dad's mother lived in Wisconsin. I made this trip several times when we visited. My old man had a fear of flying which I thought was odd since he worked for Boeing.
I wished Amtrak or another goes to Alaska but none do. I am surprised the room did not have a TV in it.