Empire Builder

postcard of the Empire Builder near Glacier National Park circa 1940s (Photo: Great Northern Railway, Public domain)

The Empire Builder is a daily long-distance Amtrak train connecting downtown Chicago to either Seattle or Portland, Oregon. The journey takes about 46 hours, longer if delays occur along the route. Equipment used is common to most Amtrak long-distance routes, with two-level Superliner passengers cars, sleeper cars, dining car, an observation/snack bar car, and possibly several baggage/expedited cargo cars.

See rail travel in the United States for further information about Amtrak and other train routes.

Route

The Empire Builder begins its westbound journey at Chicago's Union Station. Passengers see the Chicago River and central Chicago as the train eases out of the station. The train heads north through the Chicago suburbs to Milwaukee before heading northwest through the pleasant countryside of central Wisconsin. Crossing the Mississippi River a couple of times, the train arrives at the St. Paul Union Depot around 10:30 PM.

The great hall at Chicago's Union Station (Photo: Velvet, CC BY-SA 3.0)

As the passengers sleep, the train carries them across Minnesota, and well into North Dakota before sunrise. The route parallels US highway 2 much of this stretch. Sights include the high prairie, once-prosperous farming towns (now almost vanished). Wildlife, especially birds, deer and coyote are often seen.

Around noon, the Empire Builder crosses into Montana. As you enter Montana, at the left of the train, you can see the large flag and reconstructed fur trading post of the Fort Union National Monument. The train loosely follows the Missouri River (and the Lewis and Clark Trail) for about 130 miles (210 km) between Williston ND and Wolf Point MT. This stretch passes through the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, one of several Indian reservations on the route.

Sunset at Glacier National Park (Photo: B D, CC BY 2.0)

The scenery remains rolling high plains for several more hours. In the late afternoon/early evening (depending on the season traveled in) the train arrives at Glacier National Park. In summer, the mountain vistas are beautiful—however, the light will fade quickly in winter, giving only a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.

The train traverses the mountains through the second night, traveling down the Cascade Mountains and Skykomish River valley to the Puget Sound. After an hour or so following the waterfront, the Empire Builder arrives in Seattle (approx. 10:20 AM, typically).

Passengers bound for Portland, Oregon have their rail cars diverted at Spokane, WA in the middle of the second night. By the time it gets light in the morning you are well out of the mountains and are traveling down the north side of the Columbia River to Portland. This is actually one of the most scenic parts of the trip. You see log rafts, wind surfers, dams, sagebrush. The last part of the journey is through the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.

Empire Builder passengers traveling eastbound from Seattle/Portland see much more of the Glacier Park area and less of the plains. Thus, if you are only traveling in one direction, east-bound is preferable.

The total running length of this route is 2200 miles.

As with other Amtrak lines, if track work is being done, passengers may be forced to take buses for part of the route. This may not be announced until the day of departure.

The American Industry Tour, an itinerary which features the industrialization of the United States, ending in mid-20th century Chicago, is a good prelude to the Empire Builder.

Stations

From east to west:

• Chicago, Illinois
• Glenview, Illinois
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Columbus, Wisconsin
• Portage, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells Station (Photo: Steve Wilson, CC BY 2.0)

• Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• Tomah, Wisconsin
• La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Winona, Minnesota
• Red Wing, Minnesota
• Saint Paul, Minnesota — Thruway bus connection for Duluth
• St. Cloud, Minnesota
• Staples, Minnesota
• Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
• Fargo, North Dakota
• Grand Forks, North Dakota
• Devils Lake, North Dakota
• Rugby, North Dakota
• Minot, North Dakota
• Stanley, North Dakota
• Williston, North Dakota
• Wolf Point, Montana
• Glasgow, Montana
• Malta, Montana
• Havre, Montana
• Shelby, Montana
• Cut Bank, Montana
• Browning, Montana - open from October to April
• Glacier National Park (East Glacier), Montana
• Essex, Montana - unstaffed
• Glacier National Park (West Glacier), Montana

Whitefish Montana train station (Photo: Public domain)

• Whitefish, Montana
• Libby, Montana
• Sandpoint, Idaho - the only operating Amtrak station in Idaho
• Spokane, Washington Location where the train splits with one branch going towards Portland and the other towards Seattle, and where eastbound trains are joined for going towards Chicago. See below.

Route to Portland

• Pasco, Washington
• Wishram, Washington - Wikipedia says "Although Wishram is one of the smallest communities served by Amtrak, it is an important gateway to the scenic recreational opportunities offered by the Columbia River." Opposite the Columbia from The Dalles.
• Bingen–White Salmon, Washington. Opposite the Columbia from Hood River.
• Vancouver, Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades.
• Portland, Oregon - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades and the Coast Starlight. Additional Thruway bus connections to Eugene and to Astoria are by the Oregon Point (operated by MTR Western].

Route to Seattle

Seattle's historic King Street Station (Photo: SounderBruce, CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Ephrata, Washington
• Wenatchee, Washington — Thruway bus connection for Omak
• Leavenworth, Washington
• Everett, Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades.
• Edmonds, Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades.
• Seattle, Washington - a connection can be made here to the Amtrak Cascades and the Coast Starlight. Additional Thruway bus connections to Vancouver by Cantrail and to Port Angeles by Olympic Bus Lines.

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