Recent content by bpl888

On my arrival in La Crosse I discovered that the Hertz car rental office a short distance from the train station had closed and moved their operations to the airport. The Hertz manager on duty made it right by honoring my reservation and paying for my cab to the airport. Well done Hertz!! I then...

Yes the trivia questions were all Amtrak train related. They were not overly difficult and I actually had the right answer on several of them, but because I was not the first to be chosen to answer I did not win a bottle. I don't remember the questions exactly but they were along the lines of "...

The eastbound Empire Builder towards La Crosse was about 35 minutes late but there were some friendly people from Wisconsin at the station so we spent the time swapping stories and laughs. I was shown to my roomette sleeper by the Sleeping Car Attendant Rob who was excellent. He showed me the...

The Eastbound Empire Builder was about 35 minutes late which was not bad. I settled in to enjoy the 5 hour trip to Malta MT. There were a good variety of people on the train and I caught part of a Rails and Trails presentation in the observation car. They were very knowlegeable and answered...

The next morning I walked to the center of East Glacier Park an picked up the rental car that I had reserved with Avis. The Avis franchise is in the general store across from the train station. There is also a Dollar Car Rental next to the Mountain Pine Motel. Reservations are required for...

I started my trip on Amtrak at St Paul MN. This was my first trip on a long distance Amtrak train. I flew in on a Friday night and took the 25 minute cab ride from the airport to the Amtrak station. There are not many restauants near the MSP station but I had 90 minutes until I boarded so I...

I have another question about the MSP staition. Is there a convenience store in or near the station? I may want to pick up some water/soda/wine before the boarding and I will not be allowed to transport those items on the plane with me. Thanks for any help offered.

Thank you for all the replies. I guess I will wait until I board to check for activities on any particular leg of my trip. Today there is a 7 hour delay on the #7 Westbound Empire Builder. I can see how any sizable delay will cause havoc on activity planning. I will just relax and take it as it...

Thank you all for your replies. This is a great forum and I always get very usefull replies and information. I expect to be wound up when I first board the train but I will just lay back, turn off the lights and enjoy the view. I may take a walk up to the upper level of the lounge car just to...

I will be travling at the end of May on the Empire Builder both eastbound and westbound over the coarse of several weeks with several stops. I know there are several activities aboard the trains including Rails and Trails and Wine and Cheese Tasting that I would like to participate in. Though...

I will be boarding the westbound Empire Builder at MSP station and departing at 11:15 pm +/-. What should I expect for when the SCA will turn down my roomette, or convert it to a bedroom? As this is my first boarding on my first LD train trip I'd imagine that I may want to sit up for a while...

Thank you for all the replies. I will be comming from the MSP airport At 8:40 so if all goes well and the plane is on time I will have have 1 to1-1/2 hours before the Empire Builder starts boarding. I think I should plan on putting my bags in the baggage storage and then depending on how I...

I will be boarding the westbound Empire Builder at MSP station at 11:15 on a Friday night. I will be arriving at the station two hours before that. Since I have some time to kill and I assume the cafe car will be closed when I board I would like to find a decent place to get a meal somewhere...