EB East or West Bound in Nov...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anywhere and Everywhere
Programs: UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Costco
Posts: 622
EB East or West Bound in Nov...
Could not find it on the forum...
We want to travel on Empire Builder...should be go east or west in Nov....
I am worried about the amount of light during that time of the year.
Thanks...
We want to travel on Empire Builder...should be go east or west in Nov....
I am worried about the amount of light during that time of the year.
Thanks...
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Looking at the Amtrak schedule and sunrise/sunset times for November 15, one should have daylight on an (on time!) east-bound train:
- from Seattle most of the way to Wenatchee, WA (a fine stretch)
- or Portland much of the way to Pasco, WA
- Cut Bank, MT (regrettably east of Glacier National Park) to Stanley, ND
- a bit west of Minneapolis, MN, to Chicago
Using civil twilight rather than sunrise/sunset lengthens the periods but is less useful for photo opportunities.
- from Seattle most of the way to Wenatchee, WA (a fine stretch)
- or Portland much of the way to Pasco, WA
- Cut Bank, MT (regrettably east of Glacier National Park) to Stanley, ND
- a bit west of Minneapolis, MN, to Chicago
Using civil twilight rather than sunrise/sunset lengthens the periods but is less useful for photo opportunities.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
Bob H
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bollington, Cheshire, UK
Programs: BA, Best Western, Miles & More
Posts: 360
Traveled the EB 3 times. Went in mid June & it was very busy Chi-SEA route.
Went again a couple of years later CHI - POR & SEA -CHI and it was a lot qieter.
Pros for travelling in June was the amazing sunset over the Minnesota lakes.
Cons were that it was busy and you fought for room in the viewing car and some people travelling in coach were unable to get a reservation for dinner each night.
In May 2011 there were a lot of floods so the train was slower but we got to see more areas in daylight that we would otherwise have gone through in darkness. It was easier to sit in the viewing car and get dinner reservations and the views of Glacier National Park covered in snow were incredible. Daylight was pretty much of a muchness at that time of year. Unless you HAVE to go in November, go late Spring if you can. Happy travelling!
Went again a couple of years later CHI - POR & SEA -CHI and it was a lot qieter.
Pros for travelling in June was the amazing sunset over the Minnesota lakes.
Cons were that it was busy and you fought for room in the viewing car and some people travelling in coach were unable to get a reservation for dinner each night.
In May 2011 there were a lot of floods so the train was slower but we got to see more areas in daylight that we would otherwise have gone through in darkness. It was easier to sit in the viewing car and get dinner reservations and the views of Glacier National Park covered in snow were incredible. Daylight was pretty much of a muchness at that time of year. Unless you HAVE to go in November, go late Spring if you can. Happy travelling!