We would like to go on the Empire Builder -- don't need to get anywhere in particular, just want to enjoy the trip. So a few questions:
1. Which is the better way to go, east or west? Looking at the schedule I would assume east, so as to go thru Glacier during the day.
2. Has anyone gotten off the train for the day at West Glacier or Essex (or ??) and spent a day in the National Park? Are cars available for rental or are tours available? And is there lodging in town?
3. At the western end, we can start in either Portland or Seattle. Is there better scenery from Portland to Spokane or from Seattle to Spokane. Also, for the several dates that I've looked at (late October), the coach fare is cheaper from Portland but the roomette is significantly cheaper from Seattle -- is this typical?
4. At the eastern end, we can leave from either Chicago or MSP. Is there much to see between Chicago and MSP?
I know that some of these questions (particularly east v west) have been addressed before on the Forum, but a fairly diligent search of the archives didn't reveal the prior posts. Thanks for all ideas and thoughts.
1. Which is the better way to go, east or west? Looking at the schedule I would assume east, so as to go thru Glacier during the day.
2. Has anyone gotten off the train for the day at West Glacier or Essex (or ??) and spent a day in the National Park? Are cars available for rental or are tours available? And is there lodging in town?
3. At the western end, we can start in either Portland or Seattle. Is there better scenery from Portland to Spokane or from Seattle to Spokane. Also, for the several dates that I've looked at (late October), the coach fare is cheaper from Portland but the roomette is significantly cheaper from Seattle -- is this typical?
4. At the eastern end, we can leave from either Chicago or MSP. Is there much to see between Chicago and MSP?
I know that some of these questions (particularly east v west) have been addressed before on the Forum, but a fairly diligent search of the archives didn't reveal the prior posts. Thanks for all ideas and thoughts.