American Circle Train Trip

San Jose -> Milwaukee (via Portland) -> San Jose (via Denver) Read more

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March 26, 2022
American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 1
Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 7:45 PM
⛅ 59 °F
Altitude: 98 ft
United States San Jose Diridon station 37.32986, -121.9026137°19’47” N 121°54’9” W
7:45 pm Saturday: San Jose
March 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
I got to the station early, but the train is late. San Jose station is very quaint, considering this is the third biggest city in California.

As you can see, I have not mastered the skill of packing light.

The delay wasn't all bad, because I had time to walk over to the nearby Whole Foods and get a hot dinner.Read more
I think you pack very well. Russell looks sad. Lynn [Lynn]
3/27/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 1
Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 8:30 PM
⛅ 55 °F
Altitude: 79 ft
United States College Park 37.34287, -121.9154637°20’34” N 121°54’56” W
8:30 pm Saturday: All aboard!
March 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
It turns out the dining car was still open so I got two dinners: Whole Foods and Amtrak! Since the dining car was almost empty, I got a table to myself!
Don't know if you ever played napoleonssquare solitaire--R [Richard]
3/27/22Reply
Sarah McCabeNo. Should I try it. I wonder if there is an app for that. - Sarah
3/27/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 1
Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 9:30 PM
⛅ 52 °F
Altitude: 13 ft
United States Jack London Square 37.79341, -122.2724737°47’36” N 122°16’21” W
9:30 pm Saturday: Train Shoes!
March 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
I got my train shoes on. I got my stuff arranged so only the things I need are in my little roomette and I am settling in.

We are stopped in Oakland. We had been making up time, but evidently there's a car stalled on the tracks ahead of us. So until that moves we're not moving.Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 1
Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 10:00 PM
⛅ 52 °F
Altitude: 16 ft
United States Martinez Regional Shoreline Park 38.02363, -122.127638°1’25” N 122°7’39” W
10:00 pm Saturday: I have a bed
March 26, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
The new Amtrak blankets are very nice but I think I am going to be glad I brought my down throw.

I had a bit of a packing issue when I realized that my suitcase wouldn't really fit in the room so I had to reshuffle and pull out only what I need for tonight. Tomorrow I will do a full repack before I get on The Empire Builder.

Going to have a nightcap now. Good thing I pulled out the whiskey as essential for tonight.

We are running about an hour late. Hope we make up time overnightRead more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 6:41 AM
☁️ 46 °F
Altitude: 4,301 ft
United States Graham Creek 41.505, -122.2783341°30’18” N 122°16’42” W
6:40 am Sunday: Sunrise and Moonset
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F
Didn't have that great a night. Sleeping on a train is a skill I hope to improve on this week. I woke up just after dawn to an amazing view of a crescent moon setting next to Mt. Shasta. Truly spectacular.

I couldn't get a good photo, so I just gave up and tried looking harder to remember.

It looks like we made up a little time in the night and we are maybe only 30 minutes late.Read more
That is beautiful ! Lynn [Lynn]
3/27/22Reply
What a beautiful view! [Lauren]
3/28/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 8:15 AM
☁️ 43 °F
Altitude: 4,249 ft
United States Dorris 41.96833, -121.91541°58’6” N 121°54’54” W
8:00 am Sunday: Breakfast in the dining
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
Got a table to myself again. French toast is a great way to start the day. We crossed into Oregon while I was eating.

If you are wondering why it took me so long to get to breakfast after waking up, it's because I discovered that the essential stuff that I kept in my room last night did not include clothes for today. So I had to go down to the luggage rack and do some rummaging around. I really really really need to do a full repack today

Unfortunately, while that was going on, we had to pull over and wait for a freight train so we are back to running an hour late.Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 9:40 AM
☁️ 43 °F
Altitude: 4,449 ft
United States City of Chiloquin 42.66, -121.8233342°39’36” N 121°49’24” W
9:40 am Sunday: Exploring the train
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
I walked the train from one end to the other. Two engines (not that I could get inside them, but I counted when I boarded). Following them are two sleeper cars (mine is second). Then the dining car. Next is a coach car (with business seating on the lower level), then the observation car (with a cafe downstairs), two more coach cars (one with business seating downstairs) and finally the private car (which I can only see through the window on the door of the last car. Fun fact: in online forums for train enthusiasts, they call that window the "railfans window.". Normally you can see the tracks behind the train from it.

I'm hanging out in the observation car for a bit. Crater lLake is coming up soon on the west. My room is on the east. All the seats on the west side in here were taken but a guy got up and I snagged his seat before the cushion had recovered from his butt print.Read more
Sounds fun except for the butt print part . Lynn [Lynn]
3/27/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 9:51 AM
🌧 45 °F
Altitude: 4,544 ft
United States Klamath County 42.925, -121.8183342°55’30” N 121°49’6” W
10 am Sunday: Mt. Scott
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 45 °F
It turns out you can't see Crater Lake from the train. It's blocked by this mountain.

There are still patches of snow on the ground, but snowmobile season is over at this elevation. We are climbing, so I expect that to change.

We passed some more mountains. Not sure of their names. They probably answer to "Cliff."Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 48 °F
Altitude: 4,377 ft
United States Construction Creek 43.605, -122.1243°36’18” N 122°7’12” W
11 am Sunday: Traversing the Cascades
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
I see how this mountain range got its name.

The deepest snowpack I spotted was about 4 ft, going off the markers.

This scenery is breathtaking. Some might even say "gorge-ous."
Ta da! Nice pun [Lynn]
3/27/22Reply
You seem to have captured an image of Bigfoot doing some Trainspotting. [greg]
3/28/22Reply
Wow, between your "Cliff" and "gorge-ous" puns, you're giving Russell and me a run for our money... (er, punny? No, definitely not.) [Lauren]
3/28/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 12:48 PM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 1,086 ft
United States Disgust Creek 43.88167, -122.7133343°52’54” N 122°42’48” W
1 pm Sunday: Lunch in my Roomette
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
This meal I opted for dining alone in my room. I feel like I have enough close interactions with strangers for a while.

We are cruising along the bank of the mighty Willamette River.

I took the opportunity to repack my suitcase. I'm sure I will only have to do that once or twice more today.Read more
TravelerI like the picture in a picture.. here the big picture was the general background... and in the Cascades, the big picture was the close up.
3/27/22Reply
TravelerI am having an equally exciting time.. I've loaded up and started the dishwasher and am getting into early afternoon relaxing before possibly a big nap.
3/27/22Reply
rhonda meseroleWhat we do when the spouse is away. Clean, sleep and hopefully eat!
3/28/22Reply
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 1:25 PM
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 430 ft
United States Skinner Butte City Park 44.055, -123.0933344°3’18” N 123°5’36” W
1:30 pm Sunday: Eugene, OR
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
I took the opportunity when we stopped at Eugene to get out and go look at the private car. It turns out it is three private cars. Two with domed observation lounges and the third looks like a sleeper or a dining car.

The Eugene station isn't much smaller than San Jose's. Fun fact: Eugene is the westernmost station on Amtrak lines

We are almost back on our way, but I think we are still running about an hour behind.Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 4:02 PM
☁️ 66 °F
Altitude: 108 ft
United States Rock Island 45.31833, -122.6583345°19’6” N 122°39’30” W
4 pm Sunday: Heading in to Portland
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
We had to pull over and wait for the southbound Coast Starlight, making us a bit later than before. I think I will still get into Portland before the Empire Builder is scheduled to leave so hopefully the Empire Builder will not have to start late.Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 4:45 PM
⛅ 68 °F
Altitude: 13 ft
United States Steel Bridge 45.52833, -122.6683345°31’42” N 122°40’6” W
4:45 pm Sunday: All aboard!
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
We had about 5 minutes to change trains, so they didn't let us dawdle or diverge. As a result, I couldn't get into the station to take pictures. Kind of a pity because as I recall it's a very nice looking station. So here's a picture of crossing a bridge going into Portland and crossing a different bridge going out.

We did leave on time, so that's good.Read more
Nice to know you made your connection. I was checking the trains on the website and it looked like it might be close. [greg]
3/27/22Reply
Sarah McCabeevidently they would have been willing to hold the train if they had to, but they didn't want to so we were a bit rushed
3/27/22Reply
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 105 ft
United States Bass Lake 45.65167, -121.94545°39’6” N 121°56’42” W
6 pm Sunday: Roll on Columbia
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
I'm on the right side of the train for the scenery this afternoon. Tomorrow morning I will have to find a seat on the other side to check out Glacier Park.

Good thing I brought the window cleaning wipes. The windows in my room were pretty cruddy. The outside's not too bad though, which is really good.

I'm experimenting with using my camera instead of my phone.Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 6:30 PM
☁️ 64 °F
Altitude: 79 ft
United States Dog Creek 45.70833, -121.6783345°42’30” N 121°40’42” W
6:30 pm Sunday: Dinner in my Room
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
The Empire Builder is a weird train in that half of it starts in Seattle, and half of it starts in Portland. The two halves meet up in Spokane, Washington in the middle of the night and are then joined together. The train needs two engines to get over the mountains but it doesn't need twp engines to get to Spokane. This way they can have two different starting points. Anyway, our half of the train, has the lounge/observation car, while the other half has the dining car. So for our first dinner they just give us a boxed cold meal in our rooms.

This train is quite a bit warmer than the last train. That may be nicer when we get into the colder parts of the country, but right now I'm kind of overheating.Read more
rhonda meseroleThe food looks pretty decent!
3/28/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 2
Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 8:00 PM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 482 ft
United States Squally Hook Rapids 45.7324, -120.574645°43’57” N 120°34’29” W
8 pm Sunday: 24 Hour Report
March 27, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
I've been on the train for a full day now and I think I am settling in. I have discovered things, like a boot makes a really good bottle holder to keep that whiskey bottle from tumbling over as the train wobbles and rolls. I've discovered you can't have too many chapsticks or tubes of hand lotion because it does get very dry in here. I discovered you should really not have more than a large backpack in these roomettes. I honestly can't imagine how two people and their stuff could be in one of these. I guess I'm just really spoiled now. I'm still in the process of discovering what I want to load into my train bag which is the bag I carry with me when I go into the dining car or the observation car. See photo.

The sleeping car attendant on the first train was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately this one suffers in comparison. He's not terrible, he's just not amazing.. Oh well we have to get along for 2 days so I'm just riding the bumps. I'm just glad I didn't forget to tip her in the hustle and bustle of changing trains.

All in all I'd have to say there have been no big surprises on this trip. It's pretty much what I expected and wanted.Read more
YAY Sarah!! Love that you're enjoying this train trip!! [Sandy]
3/28/22Reply
rhonda meseroleI'm curious how the new cordless mask with speakers are working out for you.
3/28/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 8:00 AM
⛅ 34 °F
Altitude: 3,310 ft
United States Rattlebone Lake 48.69, -114.8248°41’24” N 114°49’12” W
8 am Monday: Breakfast in WY
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 34 °F
I had a much better night's sleep. I guess train sleeping IS a learned skill. I was so zonked out I didn't even get up in the night to watch them join our train to the Seattle train at 1 am. I heard it and felt it but I just couldn't get up.

I even slept in till 7:30. I kind of wanted to get up and watch the sunrise but that sound good better in theory than it did in practice. Fortunately the train is running a little late and we have not hit the really good scenery yet.

The lateness it turns out was caused by a combination of freight traffic and a boulder on the rails. I guess boulders are a common problem in this area because it didn't take them long tonight remove it.Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 37 °F
Altitude: 3,123 ft
United States Lake House Meadow 48.50154, -114.528948°30’6” N 114°31’44” W
9 am Monday: Freight Traffic Jam
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 37 °F
There is a confluence of freight trains here. We are parked on a siding behind an east bound freight train waiting for a westbound train to pass us both.

Then we will back up and go around the train in front of us because we can go faster than they can. All this means we are running about 2 hours late and it will probably only get worse.

The scenery here is not picturesque, so here's a picture of the Columbia River around sunset yesterday.Read more
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 45 °F
Altitude: 3,035 ft
United States Stumptown Historical Society Museum 48.41333, -114.33548°24’48” N 114°20’6” W
10 am Monday: Whitefish stop
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 45 °F
We finally pulled into Whitefish and I got off to check out the station. It is a beautiful town nestled by a lake up against the mountains. The station had a very western mountain feel.

I just realized we crossed time zones overnight, so since this morning we have been on mountain time. No wonder 7:30 felt so early this morning.Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 11:30 AM
⛅ 50 °F
Altitude: 3,356 ft
United States Cascade Creek 48.43833, -113.80548°26’18” N 113°48’18” W
11:30 am Monday: Crossing the Rockies
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F
This is the stretch of the Empire Builder with the most spectacular scenery. I spent most of this part in the observation car, because the best scenery is to the north. Once we started getting impressive sights on the south, I retreated to my room.Read more
What incredible scenery! [Lauren]
3/28/22Reply
Sarah McCabeI meant to point out that the mountain looked like it was wearing a fuzzy hat with that cloud stuck to the top.
3/28/22Reply
Wow the train route is very impressive. So cool you can see so much! And relaxing no driving involved. Lynn [Lynn]
3/31/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 12:55 PM
⛅ 61 °F
Altitude: 4,016 ft
United States Seville Flat 48.63333, -112.5748°37’60” N 112°34’12” W
1 pm Monday: Lunch on the Plains
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
No rain or stain on the train mainly on the plain as we gain time. No pain! I'm not vain but I'm kind of proud of my rhymes.

We have left the Rockies behind and are into the brown flat part of the trip. I was hoping we would have a white flat part, but I doubt that will happen.

On the up side, cell connectivity went from zeo in the mountains (except near some stations) to excellent on the plains. I could probably stream video the signal is so good.

My burger took over half an hour to show up because my lunch order literally slipped through the cracks. The waiters on the top level of the dining car take the orders and send them down to the kitchen through a chute. Then the kitchen sends the food up by dumbwaiter. Except my order got stuck in a crack and the kitchen never saw it. Finally the waiters realized I had been sitting there at an empty table for too long. No harm. It was hot and yummy when it showed up.Read more
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 3:30 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 2,484 ft
United States A and B Trailer Court Number One 48.555, -109.6783348°33’18” N 109°40’42” W
3:30 pm Monday: Havre, MT
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
This stop was our last chance to get off and stretch our legs until 11 tonight. If things go according to plan, I will be asleep by then. So I took some shots on the platform and stayed out there until they called "All aboard!"Read more
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 4:00 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 2,362 ft
United States 32N22E11DBCA01 Well 48.54787, -108.8421548°32’52” N 108°50’32” W
4 pm Monday: Afternoon Tea
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
I have been reading all these cozy British mysteries and it has made me realize that adding a fourth meal in between lunch and dinner made up of cakes and starches is a really good idea. So I am turning my left over breakfast croissant and left over lunch dessert into afternoon tea.

Then I will indulge in another venerable tradition: the afternoon nap.Read more
GOOD JOB, SARAH!!! You're learning quickly!!! [Sandy]
3/28/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 7:17 PM
⛅ 57 °F
Altitude: 1,913 ft
United States 28N55E36BD__01 Well 48.13539, -104.557748°8’7” N 104°33’28” W
7 pm Monday: Steak dinner
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
All the food has been wonderful. Tonight I went for the signature combo, surf and turf: lobster cake appetizer followed by steak.

The meals are all included in the fare but I really don't need to eat two desserts every day so I have been skipping them more often than not.

I have NOT been skipping the complementary glass of wine, however, so no worries that I have been kidnapped and replaced by a doppleganger.

And in answer to the question Russell is surely asking: Dark Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon.

I was hoping for one of those "whole sky painted in color" midwest sunsets, but alas the sky went from blue to grey with just the tiniest hint of pink. Not worth even trying to photograph.Read more
Dark Harvest Cab Sauv... that must be an Amtrak special.. [Russell Quong]
3/30/22Reply
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American Circle Train Trip Sarah McCabe
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Day 3
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 11:00 PM
⛅ 39 °F
Altitude: 1,588 ft
United States First Baptist Church 48.235, -101.2983348°14’6” N 101°17’54” W
11 pm Monday: Havre, MT
March 28, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 39 °F
I was still awake reading and watching videos when we hit the last stop of the day where we were allowed to go out of the train. I figured I should take the opportunity and see what the small town of Havre Montana has for its train station. There were quite a few people getting on at this stop.Read more
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