Have you done the Amtrak?

[Timeshare Von]

This is an enjoyable video-blog on the Amtrak Empire Builder. Hope you enjoy!

I LOVE the Empire Builder . . . done it twice! First was R/T from MKE to Whitefish, Montana . . . in March. It was awesome! My return trip from Whitefish was with my sister & nephew. The second was one-way from Seattle to MKE with a friend in October. Also very good trip! Both were in roomettes . . . which are highly recommended. Unfortunately, their dining car services and meals have been dramatically reduced due to budget cuts.

 

[Panina]

This is an enjoyable video-blog on the Amtrak Empire Builder. Hope you enjoy!

I LOVE the Empire Builder . . . done it twice! First was R/T from MKE to Whitefish, Montana . . . in March. It was awesome! My return trip from Whitefish was with my sister & nephew. The second was one-way from Seattle to MKE with a friend in October. Also very good trip! Both were in roomettes . . . which are highly recommended. Unfortunately, their dining car services and meals have been dramatically reduced due to budget cuts.

I have not done this route but do love Amtrak train travel and have done others. The meals are now horrible, neither I or my other half could eat them. They are worse then bad frozen dinners. We will be bringing our own food next time which is sad. The dining car cooked meals was one of the experiences that made the trips memorable. I met so many interesting people in the dining car.

 

[Timeshare Von]

I have not done this route but do love Amtrak train travel and have done others. The meals are now horrible, neither I or my other half could eat them. They are worse then bad frozen dinners. We will be bringing our own food next time which is sad. The dining car cooked meals was one of the experiences that made the trips memorable. I met so many interesting people in the dining car.

Someone told me yesterday that on the cross country routes (which would include the Empire Builder he said) they still have the "good" meals in the dining car. {shrug} I'm not sure; I'd have to research closely before booking, that's for sure.

 

[pedro47]

I was under the impression that hot meals are not available on Amtrak trains now because of budget constraints.

 

[Panina]

I was under the impression that hot meals are not available on Amtrak trains now because of budget constraints.

Hot meals are available in frozen TV dinner style. They give you one free alcohol beverage to lessen the pain of the horrible food. I ordered the gluten free meal as marked on their menu and they gave me a dessert that was not gluten free.

 

[pedro47]

I have not had a frozen TV dinner in fifty (50) years. Are they still made by Morton or Swanson in those aluminum trays. What a joke.

 

[bizaro86]

I have not had a frozen TV dinner in fifty (50) years. Are they still made by Morton or Swanson in those aluminum trays. What a joke.

The trays are plastic now - same as the food.

J/k, but they aren't exactly high cuisine. If that's all that's available I wouldn't go. Sad to hear, I think itd be fun to do a long train trip.

 

[AnnaS]

I have taken Amtrak twice from NYC to Florida (Sanford?). Once we drove down and took the Autotrain w/roomette coming home.

I hate flying and wanted to try Amtrak. The first time it was with my son and daughter. The Autotrain was with my hubby, son and daughter. We only did it one way because I was afraid my husband would not like it. He would rather drive.

The Autotrain with the roomette was a much better experience. Your own car, not sharing restroom with the whole car, etc.

One is definitely better off bringing food and drinks. I would take the Autotrain and Amtrak again but with roomette if available. If no, roomette, I would suggest air freshener. I wish they cleaned the restrooms during the ride. I had written a letter to Amtrak after coming home. They are only cleaned once they reach their final destination (this was more than 10 years ago/maybe things have changed).

Could not see the blog - link broken? Perhaps other destinations/shorter destinations are better?