Quirky routing on Empire Builder

[calwatch]

In the past, you were able to use the Empire Builder as an option from any point on the West Coast to Chicago, to connect further eastward. Well, now according to ARROW Train 28 no longer makes connections to anything east or south of Chicago. Interestingly Train 8 still makes connections - you can see the odd routings for an example trip from Portland to Detroit, for instance (routing you north to Seattle or south to Sacramento to go eastbound). Westbound they will let you connect in Chicago, although you will not be able to ride 27 to connect to something further south if your origination point is east of Chicago. This wasn't the case in the past, with the only limit trying to get a spot on the one Portland car. Of course, for passengers who want to to Seattle to Chicago via San Antonio that is still allowed, but with no connections further east.

 

[Mackensen]

In the past, you were able to use the Empire Builder as an option from any point on the West Coast to Chicago, to connect further eastward. Well, now according to ARROW Train 28 no longer makes connections to anything east or south of Chicago. Interestingly Train 8 still makes connections - you can see the odd routings for an example trip from Portland to Detroit, for instance (routing you north to Seattle or south to Sacramento to go eastbound). Westbound they will let you connect in Chicago, although you will not be able to ride 27 to connect to something further south if your origination point is east of Chicago. This wasn't the case in the past, with the only limit trying to get a spot on the one Portland car. Of course, for passengers who want to to Seattle to Chicago via San Antonio that is still allowed, but with no connections further east.

Huh, you're right. PDX->DET doesn't give the same routings as SEA-DET. You can get PDX-CHI-DET via Multi-City. That's very strange.

 

[TML]

Have you tried contacting Amtrak's customer service department regarding this problem?

 

[calwatch]

I'm just planing ideas for a future rewards trip, so no reservation yet.