Photos from my Empire Builder and LSL trip Jan-Feb 2024

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oregon pioneer

oregon pioneer

Engineer
AU Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
2,821
Location
near Seneca, Oregon
Hi Friends, I decided to post my photos as a separate thread. These are from my eastbound trip January 10-12, which consisted of -ONLY- the Empire Builder (due to blizzards in upstate New York and Pennsylvania), and from my westbound trip February 9-13. I had a grand time, as you will see, in spite of the eastbound glitches! Here are some of my photos from the eastbound trip:

Waiting for the train at Wishram (WIH), in the Columbia Gorge
SCA Larry
Some scenery along the Flathead River near Essex MT
eastbound24.jpgeastbound24_1_Larry.jpgeastbound24_2.jpgeastbound24_3.jpg

The Izaak Walton Inn in Essex MT
Flathead River Crossing from the high trestle
US Route 2 on a windy, cold looking day
Last view of the Flathead Valley as we approach Cut Bank
eastbound24_4.jpgeastbound24_5.jpgeastbound24_6_US2.jpgeastbound24_7_cutbank.jpg

Lunch was a "children's meal" of pan-roasted chicken, potatoes and vegetable
I made up for it at dinner by having the fudge truffle cake for dessert
eastbound24_8.jpgeastbound24_8a.jpg
 
Last few photos from the eastbound Empire Builder:

Our engines at Havre, MT. The Siemens Charger in the lead was the culprit for our late Chicago arrival. It did not get along with the PTC after we passed MSP, and kept throwing the brakes on. They could not override it and eventually took the unit off in Milwaukee.

Snow drifting in though a bad gasket in our entry door. Our SCA poured a full bag of salt on it, and wow, did that make a mess.
Glasgow MT station after dark.
eastbound24a_Havre.jpgeastbound24a_snowdrift.jpgeastbound24b.jpg

My tea set, with my lunch brownie. This little kettle only uses 500 Watts, and doesn't bother the circuit breakers at all.
The room at the Hilton Canopy Downtown in CHI, where we were accommodated after our 1am arrival in CHI.
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Last edited:
Westbound, February 9-13:

Redcap helps us to the train in BOS
westbound24.jpgwestbound24a.jpg

Scenery from the LSL in western Massachusetts
Passing our eastbound sister train in western Massachusetts
View attachment westbound24c_MA1.mp4
View attachment westbound24c_MA2.mp4

My room is set up for charging my devices.
In North Dakota, it is obvious the river was higher before the freeze-up.

westbound24d.jpgwestbound24f_Montana.jpgwestbound24g_Montana.jpg

Columbia River at Pasco, WA, we were just late enough for it to be light out.
westbound24j_Pasco.jpg
 
Old MM said:
Love your report, you had some adventures! Never heard of Canopy, is that nearby the train station? Lovely pics too... now I have to find one of those portable tea kettles.
Click to expand...

Here's the Canopy: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chijbpy-canopy-chicago-central-loop/

Here's the kettle you want, but good luck finding one, especially in the 500 Watt version. This one uses 900 Watts, they had two different versions. https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-0-5L-Kettle-Stainless-Steel/dp/B008YQLZOW
 
oregon pioneer said:
...

Snow drifting in though a bad gasket in our entry door. Our SCA poured a full bag of salt on it, and wow, did that make a mess. ...
View attachment 35869
Click to expand...
Is it normal to be pouring salt inside a rail car like that? I would think that the extra corrosion caused by the constant usage of salt will shorten the lifespan of the car's floor and lower walls even if the majority is stainless steel. A shovel, sand, or something non-corrosive would be a better tool if they cared about the longevity of the car, or fix the gasket?

Oh, great photos! Especially the Flathead Valley.
 
UserNameRequired said:
Is it normal to be pouring salt inside a rail car like that? I would think that the extra corrosion caused by the constant usage of salt will shorten the lifespan of the car's floor and lower walls even if the majority is stainless steel. A shovel, sand, or something non-corrosive would be a better tool if they cared about the longevity of the car, or fix the gasket?

Oh, great photos! Especially the Flathead Valley.
Click to expand...
Thank you! I was absolutely horrified at the use of all that salt. The SCA said something about "safety first," but it made such a mess he had to throw towels over it so people could walk past. And yes, I also thought about corrosion. I hope they got it thoroughly cleaned up. I certainly would be writing up that gasket.
 
oregon pioneer said:
Thank you! I was absolutely horrified at the use of all that salt. The SCA said something about "safety first," but it made such a mess he had to throw towels over it so people could walk past. And yes, I also thought about corrosion. I hope they got it thoroughly cleaned up. I certainly would be writing up that gasket.
Click to expand...
The dude must have been thinking he was working on the highway.
 

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