JUST DID THIS THREE WEEKS AGO. LOOKING FORWARD TO DO IT AGAIN!

I did the same trip in car 531 last week. I thought the ride from Fort Morgan to Lincoln was rough, but from Lincoln to Fort Morgan (return trip) there wasn't much sleeping going on. It felt like riding in a flatbed truck bouncing down a dirt road at 80 MPH. Awful!

What provisions do you make for handicapped passengers?

I of course do not get tired of you showing Chicago Union Station yet again! The room refresh looks good but too bad they didn't add a 2nd electrical outlet.

When it first started it was too expensive. In 2015 they offered free rides for a weekend to get people on board so to speak. They also gave away cardboard fold together models of a UP coach. Then they lowered the price.

Having tray tables and reclining seats on a commuter train is incredible.

Looks like the refurb was done on the cheap as most of the room was still original equipment, especially all the hard surfaces and floor, which seemed dingy and dirty. I took the Zephyr over 30 years ago and aside from the hallway carpeting, lighting, switches and seats, it looks like it's mostly the same. Pity, but Amtrak has been severely and intentionally underfunded for decades and even with the recent boost in its budget only has so much to work with, plus this refurb was likely planned well before the boost. I'd eventually like to see a whole new generation of Amtrak sleepers with a new design and layout to truly refresh them, perhaps taking its cue from Austria's new Nightjet sleepers. And maybe more than one long haul train a day, as is the case in the rest of the world. We really do have a lot of catching up to do. At least the scenery hasn't changed. The sights on the Denver to Emertville portion are among the finest in the world. And Amtrak's traditional dining car service is really quite good. And few countries have a sightseer car.

It's pronounced "thayms".

Looks like a fantastic trip. However, the rooms and the food are not anywhere near the standard of trains in other countries.

The way I describe the Empire Builder is that it's scenic, but it's not as scenic as some other route such as the Southwest Chief, California Zephyr and Coast Starlight. The reason I say that is because as your video showed, it's only grand in scenic for a small portion of its route with the rest being as you said, "nothing but flat green farmland." It's defiantly scenic in its own way, it's just the Chief, the Zephyr and the Starlight as the better ones when it come to scenery.

When comparing the Southwest Chief to the California Zephyr, many people say the Zephyr wins easily, but in my opinion, nothing can beet New Mexico so I think the Southwest Chief has better scenery.

I sure do enjoy the narrative and detailed description of train adventures. Nice work!!

225s win hands down!

Despite the downgrading Chiltern remain one of the better operators in the UK. Only just found your channel and am working my way through your US and Canadian trips. Looking forward to some more trips in Europe?

I agree with you about the locomotive. It is weird looking

This train definitely isn’t the future. Japan and China bullet train maybe is.

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Sad that Omaha's original station is not used by Amtrak. I love the historical stations that are still used in Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, DC, LA and many others. Cincinnati is always listed on best RR stations, but I've never seen it. On the Zephyr, the tracks now bypass Salt Lake's classic Rio Grande station. The train just stops under an overpass. And of course, the Bay Area didn't bother to preserve any of it's classic stations, sadly.

I rode the Zephyr last week (early May) SF/Oakland (okay, Emeryville) - Chicago, roomette. Much nicer with no snow. Glenwood Canyon and Donner Pass are pretty, but Nevada is interesting too. The Superliner cars may have been refurbished, but they are generally still old and getting rough around the edges. Downstairs bathrooms, chipped and scratched. To stop rattles in the roomette, I put the hangers on the floor and stuffed tissues in between the door and door pocket. When making sleeper car reservations check the floorplan of the cars. Middle rooms are always better than end rooms. You'd rather not ride over the wheels. After riding the Southwest Chief, the Sunset Limited and then the Zephyr (in 3 years), I'd say the food was best on the Chief. But VIA Rail's Canadian offers food that's a step up from Amtrak. Overall, I love riding that rail no matter what.

Amtrak sleeper cars still need: * an electric outlet for each passenger in the roomette * a door that passengers can lock from the outside as well as the inside * a PA speaker inside the room, so passengers don't have to scramble to hear train-wide announcements

I don't know about 'interiors' but the real issue for me was beds, not good. And face it, older folks can't do the upper bunk. After that, the horn blaring all night didn't help things. My railroad experience dates back to sleeping car porters and good food in the diner, no more, bad airline food, had better on the train I took across Thailand, breakfast was especially to be forgotten. Well, the auto train was actually early (didn't help any since the unloading crew wasn't there yet). Airlines are terrible by it's only three hours of it, not 17.

I'm taking this train to Bakersfield next week. I'm super excited. I also really enjoy your videos

I replied on your other video regarding business class - it's worth it if you're traveling for business and your company is paying for it. Most of my business trips are 2 days - basically up, meet some people at a site, and then back home right after meeting. I usually have a roller bag, computer bag, possibly an umbrella, too. The reserved seating and available luggage space reduces the hassle with trying to find a spot. The next thing I'm looking for is an electrical outlet for my laptop, which I'll be plugging in as soon as I'm settled in my seat. If I'm able to grab a Quiet Car, I'll do that instead so I can catch a short nap or work quietly. The quiet, reserved space, and fewer hassles or surprises are what you're paying for. Having the availability of dinner or a decent snack with an adult beverage from the Cafe car is also appreciated, if I couldn't grab dinner before getting on the train. Overall, it's worth it. And Amtrak makes sense if it goes to your destination and the alternative is 2-3 airline legs.

I did a selfie in the Great Hall

Can Coach passengers buy dinner in the dining car yet? They took that feature away during covid.

I'm disappointed that the updated sleepers don't offer single sleepers for those of us traveling alone and not wanting to pay for a second bed.. I remember some hosts talking about the possibility. However, I guess it didn't come to pass.

I returned from Union Station in Kansas City (plus a five hour layover in St. Louis) about a couple of weeks ago and I bought a roomette and it was pretty nice to say the least. The restrooms and showers were a tad tight as I’m tall and rotund but I managed. We had to take a bus from Fort Worth to Temple due to numerous miles of train tracks that had been damaged by the recent storms all over East Texas.

It is good to see the Ottumwa station platform being rebuilt. The station platform had platform sheds with open roofs more than likely removed decades ago. Glad to see work on the station.

I guess I was expecting too much after watching so many wonderful experiences that if I had a pair of your rose colored glasses I would have enjoyed my trip on the Zephyr much more! But even with your rose colored glasses the strong odor and dirt and lack of service could not be over looked. My entire trip was no where near your claimed experience! The best I can say is the scenery was amazing and we arrived ahead of schedule.

34:17 I burst out laughing at the tone of disgusting. I was palm slapping my mattress and in tears. Lowkey, i don’t think it’s nasty., however the smell may say otherwise if the water spray doesn’t do a great job shoving everything down. If there were even a spec of doo left, the night would be unsleeping 😂

Took the zephyr about 12 years ago Chicago to Sacramento. One of the best trips I’ve ever taken and I need to do it again with the refurbished cars

Looks like a decrepit train in a country full of detritus

Feck, US trains are beyond shite. @19:06 That slight orange be the pollution.

Mary for Amtrak President!

Attumwa Ia is where Radar on Mash was from!

The Empire Connection is on the *West* Side.

33:00 I must say, there is the notable exception of Grand Forks ND, that drains into the Arctic Ocean, and Devils Lake, ND, which is endoheric (does not drain into any ocean).

Brand-new interiors? This is like putting lipstick on a pig. What Amtrak needs are modern high speed trains to ride on smooth high speed rails. Riding Amtrak after riding European or Chinese trains is like catching a stage coach!

Rivers have banks. Lakes have shores. Hence the name of the train.

Only to Croton-Harmon? That's not even the prettiest bit.

You may have been disappointed, but writing from Australia I was not. Having travelled on the Zephyr previously it was interesting to see the scenery different to what it is in September, not to mention snowy Denver when I normally visit the US. Viewers probably won't have noticed, however the complete, 100% absence of the abomination of advertising hoardings, so familiar to travellers along interstates' was a joy to experience.

I love your videos of train trips on Amtrak ! I like your positive attitude , and I am never bored . Your photography is excellent, and the inserts from trackside fans also add interest ! I also appreciate the fact that you know very much about trains and Amtrak ! Keep up the excellent work !!!

Disembark? It's not a boat.

Why do you think this route is underrated?

Where would you rank this trip in relation to other long distance trains namely the southwest chief and coast starlight?

What is your opinion on Amtrak's heritage unit namely 145, 130 and the recently repainted 184? Do they look as good as the phase 5 painted p42dc's? Do they look better or worst?

Your channel has inspired me to create my own travel channel and i've already film plenty of trips and edited footage and I'm planning on starting it sometime next year maybe.

I here the coast starlight is your favorite route, my favorite is the southwest chief, how would you rank the other long distance trains you've taken?

I hear you saying that the P42DC is your favorite locomotive. It's my favorite locomotive too. I'm not as big a fan of siemens chargers and I know you like them, I just find them to be rather hideous. I would agree the ALC-42's look better than the SC-44.