Surviving 46 Hours on Amtrak's Empire Builder
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Welcome back to my channel, where I reveal the uncensored reality of travel experiences! In this video I take you aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder train for a coach class journey from Portland, Oregon to Chicago, Illinois.
Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as I expose the realities behind coach class on this iconic train route. Join me as I embark on a grueling adventure with my Aunt and Uncle through cramped quarters, questionable amenities, and the constant struggle for comfort.
I will be showing you the conditions and potential inconveniences that await unsuspecting travelers in coach class. Prepare to witness the possible discomfort of seat limitations. Is the price tag really worth it? Or do you upgrade for sleeping accommodations.
I will also show you the lackluster food options and how to also stay fresh as possible seeing as coach class passengers don't have shower access like the sleeper car passengers.
Discover the joys of shared restrooms amid the pungent odors, and lack of privacy. I'll dive into the captivating world of trying to find serenity and cleanliness among the travelers aboard.
All that being said I'll also showcase the stunning beauty this route has to offer so make sure to pack a camera.
Pack some snacks, some entertainment and come aboard with me. LET'S GO!!
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I really appreciate all the information you give along the way. That's one of the things I love about really well done travel videos, when people give you information about the area you're traveling through.Great job!
Thank you for that. 😊
been on this trip many times, my only advice is get a roomette, makes the trip a little better.
Definitely so!
The Empire Builder actually never entered glacier national Park. It only skirts the southern border.
And you missed another major airport along the Empire Builder route. Minneapolis St. Paul is a major airport.
I’ve stayed at the Izaak Walton Inn twice. It’s a great place with a lot of railroad Memorabilia. The only downside right now with that property is about a year ago. It was sold from a private owner to the corporation. So they closed it down last summer and are remodeling the whole thing. We have no idea exactly what it’s going to be like under a corporation ownership. How much it’s going to change from the nostalgia of the place to a modern hotel
Other than that good video. I’ve taken the trip many times in both directions. Love the Empire builder.
Good information to know thank you. Hopefully the corporation doesn’t ruin it.
@@mattsmoments2 I hope so too, I’ve stayed in both the in and one of the caboose is on the hill
Good times.
hi! i was wondering what were some issues you've dealt with on coach (the people, did you sleep well, etc). i plan on traveling from maryland to oregon on coach... i just wanted to know what i'll be getting myself into lol!
So the people can be interesting. You got your train jumpers/homeless type, good people that respect others, and then as for the seats you just gotta find that sweet spot to sleep. I can typically sleep anywhere so I had no troubles. All meals are on your dime and if you want a spot in the sightseeing car you gotta start early usually. I hope it’s a good adventure for you.
In coach I recommend bringing your own food,snacks, drinks, blankets, pillows and hope the seat next to you is unoccupied for more sleeping room. In 1993 I went from San Bernardino, California Denver, Colorado and back in coach. It was fine for me back then . But if I went by train now, I would definitely get at least a roomette.
Can you tell us what month and what day of the week you traveled just as a marker for the low amt of passengers
I want to say it was mid may before school was out.
I don’t remember the day of the week. But I’d guess mid week is better.
No way! Can't wait that long without shower!
I mean don’t get me wrong I was absolutely ready for a shower lol. I showcase these experiences so that the audience can get the best insight they can from the experience.
I’m considering an east to west run. Thanks for the video and info
You’re welcome! That sounds exciting! Enjoy the ride!
I’ve done it several times visiting family in IL. It’s really actually enjoyable if you like scenery. And so much cheaper than driving 😅
@erincaywood7596 you’re correct about that.
How was no shower for that long, also how many hours did you sleep in coach. Thanks.
It was too bad because I had dude wipes. Nothing spectacular though. I can sleep anywhere typically so I had no problem sleeping 6-7 hours
Nice job! It was always my goal to take a long haul trip on Amtrak, but I never made it. Glad to have experienced it through your video. And you're right ... nobody EVER films this from west to east. I don't know why,
My pleasure and thank you for watching. I’m glad I was able to showcase west to east
I took both directions and slept in a sleeper car; if you are taking this train, this is the way to go.
I agree with you. I aim to showcase all aspects of travel from miserable sounding to luxurious feels
I have a hard and fast rule.. never travel coach on a train if you are going to be traveling more than 6 hours! Roomette is the only way to travel if you are by yourself!!
Good information and well-researched video. And impressive that you did the trip in coach like a real traveler! But don't call coach class "economy," please. This is not an airline.
Yes yes I know. lol. 20 years in the airlines I definitely slip saying economy instead of coach.
I appreciate the compliment and thank you for watching
I liked that you did this in coach, very different perspective.
My goal is to showcase all kinds of ways of traveling. Thank you for watching!
Nice video. Most are asleep during the train merge and don’t film it. I want to do the Empire Builder, probably with a stop over at East Glacier
Wipes and sanitizing spray are essential for coach passengers. I did Chicago to Salt Lake City last summer, 32 hours plus 2 hour delay, which was nothing compared to the 10 hour delay getting to Chicago (but I had the family bedroom to myself on the way out).
Wow!! That’s quite the delay! Knocking on wood I’ve been lucky with experiences on Amtrak. I’m sure one day that trend might change.
@@mattsmoments2 our Coastal Starlight train we did hit an abandoned car on the tracks in California. I think we were delayed 4 or 5 hours while they switched locomotives cause it had some damage. Fun times...
Nice video. I did ride this train a while ago, round trip. Once the train was assembled in Spokane, it was a 14 car train. A much different experience back then, June 1967.
Thank you for watching. I can only imagine how things were back then. Same with flight experiences
I love Empire Builder! I took the train from NY (lake shore limited) to Portland, Oregon (Empire Builder). I got my food and music, I’m in heaven lol
There ya go! That’s a great combo!
wwo looks great rode in coach its ok but dont like sitting next to others. t for sharing ur journey with us loved the views
Glad you enjoyed it
Very well-done and well-researched video! You are a travel warrior doing that trip in coach! So tired of the endless sleeper car reviews. But I wished you had documented your onboard experience a bit more. More about the food, more about how you managed to sleep on the journey, more about your time interacting with people in the lounge car. Well, maybe next video!
Thanks for watching
We are going from Chicago to Spokane and back, to see my aunt for Thanksgiving. Pretty excited but im guessing since its winter it will be dark a lot. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Thank you for watching and I enjoy hearing from viewers. I hope for safe and enjoyable travels ahead.
@@mattsmoments2 thank you!! Hoping the weather doesn't make a mess of things lol
I've ridden the EB from Spokane, WA to Wisconsin Dells, WI in coach. Highly recommend getting a room for that length.
Definitely agree!
I need to take a cross country trip- on the empire builder as well as the California zephyr
You definitely should. Opt for the roomette or room. I’ll do that next time
We did the Southwest Chief in a roomette, it was pretty cool. This train will be our 2nd Amtrak. Definitely do it
Great video. This makes me want to stay over in Portland to get a good look at their station lol. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing
You’re very welcome!
Empire Builder is my favorite route of the 3 Amtrak routes I took (SW Chief, Coast Starlight) but I took it westbound. What's what all these damn ads??? 😂😂😂😂
I know right! Big things ahead! Thank
You for your support!
I need to get on the long Amtrak routes.
I took this train last year from Everett to Chicago another train from Chicago to New York from New York to Boston Maine take a bus to Portland Maine we went coach cuz I could not afford Sleeper Car do you give people Vice how about my sheet my blanket my two pillow my throw pillow my nightgown my stuff to change my clothes my medicine my small ice chest my dry food only thing I did was buy my coffee and my milk for that many days ate at the dining car the four-course meal a three-course meal with $ 37.00 20.00 for breakfast 25.00 for lunch they do have a car that has a toilet two sinks and a and a couch to sit in to change your clothes I even washed my hair in the sink because I had my hair short and people thought I was weird because when I got on it Everett Washington I put my sheet down on my coach seat put my tooth throw pillow on each side of me and my pillow behind me and my small pillow and my blanket my DVD player cuz the internet you don't get very much and my earphones so I can watch my DVD player nightgown and got ready for bed weird when I started to make my bed but that was comfortable for me it's like sitting in a lazy boy chair with your feet propped up but please do not overpack food like I did but it was a fun trip unless you got up to walk around and I wore my house slipper when I got my flannel pajamas on it got cozy in bed I'm thinking about going back and Coach this year in 2024 in June to Portland Maine again to see my sister because she had a stroke and I want to go visit her and see some of Maine and Salem Maine for a week it's a fun trip to go if you do coach if you coach is cheaper and you can eat at the restaurant if you want to spend the money are you can pack I pack dry cereal peanut butter bread oranges bananas tuna fish can opener package of mayonnaise cucumbers muffin pop orange juice cranberry juice
Nicely done. Sounded like quite the setup to make yourself as comfortable as possible
As for tea/coffee. You can use one of those little 300 watt kettles or immersion heater to plug in at your seat.. Can also use it for instant noodles/ breakfast oatmeal etc. You can take those mini-moos that don't need to be refrigerated or dry milk powder etc. The electric water heater is even talked about on the Amtrak website on one of their "traveler blogs" so they can't really claim they are not allowed.
I was on The Empire in June. Went from Mattoon, Illinois then Chicago and then to Vancouver, WA. So, I recognize the scenery.
I did the return trip also.
It’s a fun journey. One day I’ll do the westbound route in a roomette
If do it again I’ll do a roomette.
My favorite part of the video is when you took a picture with that Sasquatch in Washington. I hear the red ones are a lot meaner than the regular ones.
Too funny!
I think after this you should do a review of one of the Columbia River cruises.
I like your thinking! I’ll look into this sometime.
I have never risen the Empire Builder. You have reignited my desire to try it also.
That’s exciting to hear. I hope you have an awesome journey
I did this trip from Seattle back in August last year! Taking the train back just to Havre next week, it looked interesting to me.
That’s a fun time! Enjoy the journey!
i was on thempire builer. was 20 plus hours late in may.
Yikes!! That’s a long delay
We went from Chicago to Glacier and back. Over 8 hours late total. They gave us the emergency meal on the way back with no other choice than beef and rice. Some of us CAN'T EAT rice Amtrak!!
If you do the Empire Builder from or to Portland, you don’t go through the seven-mile Cascade tunnel.
I rode the Empire Builder in 2005 with my dad, sister and brother-in-law for my dad’s 65th high school reunion in Austin.
I'm unsure where you're talking about. If i gave the wrong info my apologies.
New to your channel..love the info..thanks
Thank you kindly!
@@mattsmoments2 new subbie too...
@scrappingfla9016 thank you
Really enjoyed this video, on you did it in coach and it looks like you enjoyed it. Great video.
Thank you! I aim to find the fun in most things/situations
you wnt right by my house.
Very Cool
You cut out a lot of video of the country side. We saw a lot of you instead. Not interested.
I’ll keep that in mind next time. Many think it’s boring countryside.
@@mattsmoments2I’m interested
I have taken this train twice once from St. Paul to Seattle and back to St. Paul. I got a roomette and throughly enjoyed the trip. It did take a bit getting use to to sleep on the train but I found it a fun trip and definitely recommend it.
Loving hearing the feedback and others’ travels too. Thank you for sharing