Amtrak's Empire Builder (and salute to the Surfliner)

[Ralph Thornton]

I really enjoyed Chris Dodkin's series on the Surfliner. As a train buff I submit a couple of views of my favorite, Amtrak's Empire Builder. The Builder runs daily between Chicago and Seattle/Portland. The entire consist runs between Spokane and Chicago but west of Spokane part of the train goes to Seattle and the other part goes to Portland.

The westbound Empire Builder crossing the high trestle over Cut Bank Creek just west of Cut Bank, Montana.

The eastbound Empire Builder rounding the big Blacktail curve on the south edge of Glacier National Park in Montana. The string of single level passenger cars between the locomotives and the baggage car makes this an unusual consist.

 

[Hamish Gill]

That second one is a beauty! Love the whisps of cloud!

We have talked about starting a "train theme" thread ... Good timing!

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Wow!!! great stuff!! You even have a train track in your back garden..... hahaha!!! great pictures 2nd one is my fav...

 

[Paul Lange]

... Good timing!

Unlike the trains!

 

[Darren Turner]

wow how rickety / unsafe does that bridge look on image 1 lol, great photo though

 

[Ralph Thornton]

wow how rickety / unsafe does that bridge look on image 1 lol, great photo though

It does look a little rickety. But it's been there a long time. During WWII the US Army guarded the bridge against attack fearing that if the bridge was destroyed commerce on the rails would be seriously interrupted.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Ralph welcome - and WOW!

A couple of stunning locations there - glad I'm not the only enthusiastic train snapper

Was thinking I needed to get up the coast and capture the Surfliner in Mid/North California, you've inspired me to plan further.

Love the colors in #2.

 

[Thomas brookes]

Ralph love the second shot !! But the engineer in me can't help but stair at the tresle crossing, amazing!!!! I would love to stand under that!! Does it make a lot off noise and vibration?

 

[Ralph Thornton]

The sound of the train as it crosses the trestle is "different" but I would say there is a lot of vibration.