Recent content by montanamike

Better late than never. We took the LSL last week and what was so frustrating was that even though all of the track work had been completed for the new Rochester station (to allow the LSL to stop just once for all pax and baggage), there was no way to use it from the "temporary" station (read...

Does anyone know what happening to the EB (#7) in Montana this afternoon. It went from on time in Malta, MT to a 3+ hour delay in Glasgow, MT, now in service disruption mode. :-(

We live in Whitefish and other than very dense smoke and bone dry conditions (the driest summer in 110 years), we are not directly effected by the challenges in GNP. In speaking with residents in and around the park this morning, some were told to evacuate now (all people in and around most...

Update on our weather around the Park: The smoke and fires continue. Some days are decent, but more and more the smoke is becoming a challenge. The Sprague Creek fire is becoming problematic for the entire western portion of the Park now, so be aware that this may dramatically change your...

With the Lake McDonald Lodge now closed that does indeed change the picture for the Red "Jammer" buses as that was a major stop on the West side of the Park. Given the current situation in the Park they may shut down the Red Bus services earlier as well. The entire situation is day to day...

I just took a look at #49 today and argh, it is 4 hours and 15 minutes late, again!! I will be on this train, connecting to the EB in less than a month. Who would have thought with a 5 hour connection time we might not make it!!!!! :-(

Just a quick update on 8-31 on the local weather there in the GNP area. Yes, the Lake McDonald Lodge was closed due to very poor (read unhealthy) air quality because of an ever growing Sprague Creek Fire just a few miles away. This fire, and others in and around the Park are creating many...

If the delays are then going to be "built-in" due to these changes would it not be advisable then for Amtrak to modify their schedule to reflect the reality of the slow pace? The LSL has not been on time into CHI in quite a while.

So shall I assume these delays are likely to continue thru the rest of the summer and into Fall before they wrap up for the season?

Does anyone know why the LSL loses 1-3 hours each night on its westbound journey between SYR and ROC?

Either way the guy is dead...... :-((

I am currently on Train #350 just outside of Chelsea, Michigan. Sadly, a pedestrian decided to get in front of our train about 1:45PM today. Still waiting for the Coroner to arrive! Body removed, relief crew just arrived. Now approaching 3 hours. Hopefully we will be departing soon........

I ride the Empire Builder fairly frequently and the only way I can get any connectivity is by tethering my iPhone to my lap top. Pretty decent service from CHI until MOT. After MOT very spotty (very few people, lots of cows and horses) until WFH, then little service again until SPK. After...

How true. I take the train for the relaxation and scenery, not to get somewhere fast. That is what airplanes are for. I hope that #7 fares better than the one that is still stuck around Libby, MT. Now projected to arrive in Sand Point over 9 hours behind. Let me know how your trip turns...

In the past, since I have been a frequent Empire Builder traveler over the years, when a train went into Service Disruption I tried to be proactive and call Amtrak, with mixed results. Sometimes it was quite helpful, other times they were totally clueless as to what was happening. I found...