Passenger Trains > Empire Builder - 2nd Seattle Sleeper

Does anyone know when the 2nd Seattle Sleeper is added to the consist of the Empire Builder or when the inventory for it may get added to Amtrak's website (if it is not already added?) this year? Even though I will probably regret it, I have an opportunity to take this train in June and it seems like sleeper space is starting to get scarce. But I am also waiting to see what happens with this "temporary schedule." If it gets extended past May 31st, I may just fly.

jp1822 Wrote:
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> Does anyone know when the 2nd Seattle Sleeper is
> added to the consist of the Empire Builder or when
> the inventory for it may get added to Amtrak's
> website (if it is not already added?) this year?
> Even though I will probably regret it, I have an
> opportunity to take this train in June and it
> seems like sleeper space is starting to get
> scarce. But I am also waiting to see what happens
> with this "temporary schedule." If it gets
> extended past May 31st, I may just fly.

Is your time so valuable that an additional hour or so ruins the whole train trip for you? You probably shouldn't be on the train in the first place. Leave it for those who will enjoy the trip.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/14 09:34 by Ptolemy.

2nd sleeper is already attached

Adam

Perhaps its not the additional 4 (which will probably turn into 8) hours that's the problem. Maybe the "temporary" schedule just doesn't fit well with his other travel plans or time in Seattle.

Carondelet Wrote:
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> 2nd sleeper is already attached
>
> Adam


Two SEA sleepers plus the dorm car? With the EB now running with six train I'm surprised the Superliner pool can support that.

Dave

2nd sleeper??? try 3rd sleeper. this morning at 10:45 am north of u of mn in minneapolis, mn. dave, out



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/14 14:48 by davebb71.

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andersonb109 Wrote:
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> Perhaps its not the additional 4 (which will
> probably turn into 8) hours that's the problem.
> Maybe the "temporary" schedule just doesn't fit
> well with his other travel plans or time in
> Seattle.

If his time is tight, then flying would be the "best" option.

Ptolemy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jp1822 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Does anyone know when the 2nd Seattle Sleeper
> is
> > added to the consist of the Empire Builder or
> when
> > the inventory for it may get added to Amtrak's
> > website (if it is not already added?) this
> year?
> > Even though I will probably regret it, I have
> an
> > opportunity to take this train in June and it
> > seems like sleeper space is starting to get
> > scarce. But I am also waiting to see what
> happens
> > with this "temporary schedule." If it gets
> > extended past May 31st, I may just fly.
>
> Is your time so valuable that an additional hour
> or so ruins the whole train trip for you? You
> probably shouldn't be on the train in the first
> place. Leave it for those who will enjoy the
> trip.

First, the temporary schedule doesn't fit well with the connection I would need to make to the Eastbound Empire Builder. That's one issue. The second is that bedroom space seems to be selling out when I need to travel. With a trip from Seattle to Chicago, I'd prefer to have a bedroom over a roomette. Lastly, the highlight eastbound has always been viewing between Whitefish and East Glacier. The temporary schedule has this scheduled at much earlier hours. I don't mind trading up some things but this could be a total strike out. Personal preference at play. I will be vacationing and combining business in with a trip in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada.

davebb71 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 2nd sleeper??? try 3rd sleeper. this morning at
> 10:45 am north of u of mn in minneapolis, mn.
> dave, out

3 Sleepers would make sense as in 1 sleeper from Portland and 2 sleepers from Seattle.

Sneebly

2 P42 Elephant Style (third when BNSF requests in winter)
Bag
Trans Dorm (rooms 17-21 available for sale except if a park ranger is on board, one is reserved for the ranger)
Sleeper 0731
Sleeper 0730 (may not operate January-February-March, depending upon demand)
Diner
Coach 0711
Bag Coach 0712
Lounge to Spokane and Train 27
Bag Coach 2714 to Spokane and Train 27
Sleeper 2730 to Spokane and Train 27
Coach 0710 to St. Paul May-Sept (Virtual Train 807)

Note that your easiest walk to the diner is from the second sleeper, and your longest walk is from the Portland sleeper. It is typically a little noisier up front. You do not receive a whole lot of attention if you end up in the crew dorm. If you are in the Portland sleeper you will be sandwiched between two coach cars to MSP. After the MSP coach is cut off, you are on the end of the train, which often has a bit more yaw, particularly upstairs in the end 2 roomettes over the rearmost trucks.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/14 13:50 by NewRiverGeorge.

NewRiverGeorge Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 2 P42 Elephant Style (third when BNSF requests in
> winter)
> Bag
> Trans Dorm (rooms 17-21 available for sale except
> if a park ranger is on board, one is reserved for
> the ranger)
> Sleeper 0731
> Sleeper 0730 (may not operate
> January-February-March, depending upon demand)
> Diner
> Coach 0711
> Bag Coach 0712
> Lounge to Spokane and Train 27
> Bag Coach 2714 to Spokane and Train 27
> Sleeper 2730 to Spokane and Train 27
> Coach 0710 to St. Paul May-Sept (Virtual Train
> 807)
>
> Note that your easiest walk to the diner is from
> the second sleeper, and your longest walk is from
> the Portland sleeper. It is typically a little
> noisier up front. You do not receive a whole lot
> of attention if you end up in the crew dorm. If
> you are in the Portland sleeper you will be
> sandwiched between two coach cars to MSP. After
> the MSP coach is cut off, you are on the end of
> the train, which often has a bit more yaw,
> particularly upstairs in the end 2 roomettes over
> the rearmost trucks.

FYI - There is a 2nd Coach for the Portland Section (#27/28).. Seen it many times this spring with a P42, lounge, coach bag, coach & sleeper.. Coach baggage car could be the second or third position in the train depending how Portland crew arranges it when it lays over in PDX..


SP8100