Writing on Amtrak's Empire Builder - advice needed

Sounds like a great idea, Derek. Personally, I wouldn't want to make such a trip, especially if my goal was to concentrate on writing a book, without the serenity and peace of a roomette. We need you to finish this book without delay.

Hmmm...sounds good on the surface, but being a rail fan, are you sure you won't want to spend more time looking at the scenery and checking out all the aspects of train travel, the train and enjoying the ride? Sounds like a LOT of very interesting distractions there that could be constant disruptions? On the other hand, it could end up being be the note gathering for a complete new book?  

I just rode the Builder all the way from Chicago last week...

Get a roomette. You have:

• Meals paid for (decent food, too)
• Showers in the lower portion of the car
• A place to put your stuff if you have the roomette alone
• A door and curtains to close for privacy
• A car attendant to handle some stuff for you
• Your own electrical plug

Don't do coach. The second section split at Spokane takes the dining car onto Seattle and the Portland section gets the snack car.

Also, you will be going through long stretches with no cell service. Be prepared for that. We were, but some other passengers weren't ready for that...

 

Been 16 years since we rode that stretch. Very scenic but more than one night in coach is rough - we were very glad to have sleeping car accommodations.

I don't think coach has outlets. The observation/bar car might.  Cell and wifi connections can be spotty.

The scenery and the food were quite nice, as were most of our fellow passengers.

Call Amtrak and tell them what you want to do. At one point they were considering a program to let writers ride the train for free while they wrote. Definitely worth an inquiry. 

If you're going to do it as a direct round trip, I would get a roomette. The extra money is worth it to not have to sleep in a seat that many nights in a row. Also gives you meals, a shower and some privacy when you want it. 

Hi Derek

 

Like others have said get the room or roomette, I take that trip once a year. January and February are the best deals.  Go to the Amtrak website and keep looking for the best price. Leaving during the weekdays is usually cheaper. always  check for bedroom or roomette, difference in price is sometimes only twenty bucks. sometimes the family room on the lower level is the cheapest and thats a big room. Start looking in November. You might want to join Amtrak guest rewards program.

 

clem

Sounds good guys. I wrote to Amtrak's public relations department this evening and we will see how they respond. It would also be an interesting opportunity to produce an episode of Notch 6. I suggested both of those ideas to them. Will let you know if anything happens. 

 

Thanks!

Derek