Watching this Extreme Trains episode. Much more interesting than some of the other episodes. Looks to be a really nice trip. Has anyone on the forum ever taken this trip? Funny how everything shown looks just like folks getting on an airplane except it's a train. If I was starting from Pittsburgh, I'm assuming I would get a train to Chi-town and then hop on this train?
KC
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I have ridden Amtrak's Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago, with sleeping car (roomette) accomodations. It wasn't that great. 2.5 days is a long time to be on a train. (It is a good way to visit Glacier National Park, disembarking at East Glacier, Essex, Belton (West Glacier) or Whitefish. Don't go for the train ride itself.) The scenery along Glacier Park and in the Washington Cascades goes by quickly; in poor weather it's difficult to see anything. (Unfortunately, IMO the most scenic part of the route is the Kootenai River Valley in northwestern Montana and Northern Idaho; the EB goes through there at night.)
The scenery along Puget Sound is very nice, but you can get that on an Amtrak Cascades or Sounder commuter train day trip.
Hello, I haven't seen the episode, but my wife and I took the trip in 2010. It, and the Coast Starlight, are our favorite AMTRAK trips.
The Empire Builder winds through many tunnels. There are many curves, enabling you to see from one end of the train to the other, which I enjoy. (See the movie "Continental Divide".) The trip is very scenic at the western end, and the middle section gives one an appreciation of how much open space is left in this country. Chicago is indeed where you'd catch it toward the east. I recommend it. 1-800-USARAIL. 
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