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Amtrak EMPIRE BUILDER Sleeper Train (Seattle to Chicago)
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Amtrak EMPIRE BUILDER Sleeper Train (Seattle to Chicago)



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:
https://www.youtube.com/@MilesinTransit

And here’s a link to Simply Railway:
https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyRailway

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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

50 Comments

  1. Random Travel

    I've done the DC – Chicago – Seattle direction a few years back, and was one of the few (nut bar) passengers who were dismayed that the train arrived a little early at the end!

  2. Susan Statkowski-Rivalsi

    Okay…kinda pricey concept… but, if you win the lottery, consider a video on the concept of two adjoining bedrooms – for those who can't/won't clamber up top (and…yeah…money is no object – LOL).

  3. April and Jack Bobin

    There aren't things to buy in King Street Station because it all gets stolen by homeless druggies and mentally ill people. I live in Seattle and have traveled Amtrak a bunch.

  4. Heritage367

    In 2021, I took the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Albuquerque, and it was a wonderful experience. At one point on our way out of Colorado, we got stuck in a narrow canyon for quite some time. But the canyon was full of red clay, and it was raining, so I got to watch this weirdly beautiful splatter painting made before my eyes.

    Yes, Amtrak has lots of delays, but at least I'm not trapped in a tiny seat like I would be on an airplane, and you sometimes get these lovely moments.

  5. Josh Molinari

    Did Amtrak just start letting coach use the diner recently? Was on the Empire Builder last September and that wasn’t happening. Would’ve gladly payed that $20 for the French Toast.

  8. MA

    I love train travel and I've done NYC/ATL but every time I can't shake the feeling that's its soooo slow. I can still enjoy the view with the scenery zipping by. That being said I wanna do East/West cross country.

  12. Sid Seney

    Just did Chicago to Seattle in November. It was way cool, but be better. I would do it again though. We had bedroom D too… ;:)

  14. Vickmarks Garage

    This train goes right through my town of Perham, MN every day. I've even rode on it from here to the Wisconsin Dells at one point many years ago. It varys greatly when it comes through town. It's supposed to be coming through here in the 130-330 am time frame….depending which direction. Some days it's early, some days it comes through 8 or 9 am, sometimes even later. Doesn't seem to be real consistent. I will say the one time I rode it, it was an hour and a half late. But was a new and enjoyable way to travel. Hope to do it again sometime.

  17. Shelz P

    About the question asking if the rooms are safe, I guess things happen anywhere but I don’t worry about that at all and I have taken many many trips on Amtrak.

  20. Rhelrahne Wiseman

    To a certain extent delays aren't always a bad thing, in fact more often than not those delays could mean the difference between a smooth, comfortable and pleasant journey compared to a genuine tragedy that could have occurred if they didn't delay.

  21. B Rowlett

    I have traveled in both a roomette and coach. Roomette is better but expensive. But trips were fantastic best way to travel in my opinion.

  22. raykrv6a

    Interesting video. My grandfather on my dad's side was an engineer for Great Northern. I grew up in St. Paul where my dad's family lives and worked downtown St. Paul for years. Used to walk a couple of blocks down to the river during lunch when the weather was nice and watch the trains and barges on the river. Funny you mentioned Cutbank. I met a guy in school and he was from outside of Cutbank where his family had a 17,000 acre farm. Blew my mind. He only came to the university during the winter as he was busy on the farm the rest of the time.

  25. Andrew Drechsler

    American: You have to accept that your train is 6 hours late.
    German: There is a national inquiry if your train is 30 seconds late leaving the station.

  28. Kwaku Addo-Danquah

    One day, I would love to travel across the United States on an Amtrak… You make me fall in love with trains every time I watch.

  29. James Dooley

    I might be wrong, but I think Seattle was pretty much like that way 30 years ago when I went through there.- few services in the station building.

  30. Zhaina A

    snow blanketed wonderland♡
    It feels like not just a trip but a mixture of meditation and leisure. Nice work>>>Subscribed!!!

  37. Coach

    You should "host" an Amtrak meet-up on one of the long-haul trains for your fans. I'm sure you could fill an entire extra sleeping car or two with fans and have a blast. I'd come along!

  38. Paul Matulavich

    Wow Jeb – what skillful cinematography and editing. Would like to know what camera or phone you are using to film here. Please be specific. Thank you very much!

  40. Aaron Brown

    Excellent experience! I hope to ride the Empire Builder one day. Did you prefer starting in Seattle instead of starting in Chicago?

  42. Cactus9

    Dude! I understand it wouldn’t be the best fit for this channel but I (and I’m sure others) would love to see your timepiece collection

  46. Mary Williams

    Do u guys know if Amtrak has any lines going down the west coast of Florida or is it only parellel to I 95 on the east coast? Ive heard that if u take aAmtrak to Orlando that theres a bus that will bring u to Tampa or Sarasota?

  48. Liz Taylor

    What month were you traveling? I live in Portland and would love to take this journey in winter.

  49. Ricki Belden

    As a child I took the amtrak train from spokane to Seattle, Seattle to Portland and Portland back to spokane.
    It was unforgettable for sure and has left me with a want to travel by train again.
    The trip from spokane to Chicago would be awesome for sure.
    Maybe someday I will get the chance to travel by train again. ❤

  50. William Dixon

    Spectacular views. The rooms dont look very spacious at all. I was supprised not to see a white table cloth draped over your table? But then again Amtrak has no compititiom. 45 bucks for dinner prices sounds very steep! I do hope you 2 had a good time on board.

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