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DrG May 18th, 2019 06:29 AM

Chicago Seattle Train
 
We are planning a train trip to Seattle and then to Vancouver. Is the Empire Builder train (with a roomette) a good trip? Does the roomette have a shower? I e have always dreamed of a train compartment like the one Cary Grant had in North By Northwest.

Dukey1 May 18th, 2019 06:45 AM

If you want the compartment like Cary Grant's (and BETTER food) and equipment in much better repair, I suggest you look into taking the ViaRail "Canadian" from either Toronto or Winnipeg to Vancouver.

Daniel_Williams May 18th, 2019 07:42 AM

Hi,

I’ve taken the Empire Builder twice now from
Chicago to Seattle, in a roomette. It’s one of Amtrak’s most beautiful routes, especially western Montana and westward, with Glacier National Park a highlight, although some parts of Wisconsin along the Mississippi River with tall islands I found quite gorgeous as well. There is no shower in the roomette but there is one in the lower level of the sleeping car and the water always warmed up nicely, with complimentary towels, washcloth, soap and shampoo.

It’s not the romance of 1950s train travel and I would recommend to assume the train will be late, but I did enjoy both times. As one of Amtrak’s showpiece
routes, they even had a wine & cheese tasting the last time I went, focusing on Wisconsin cheeses and Washington State wines, with a trivia game where someone one a bottle! Good fun.

best wishes, Daniel



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