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The scenery remains rolling high plains for several more hours. This strech passes through the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, one of several Indian reservations on the route. The train loosely follows the Missouri River (and the Lewis and Clark Trail) for about 130 miles between Williston ND and Wolf Point MT. As you enter Montana, at the left of the train, you can see the large flag and reconstructed fur trading post of the Fort Union National Monument. Wildlife, especially birds, deer and coyote are often seen.Īround noon, the Empire Builder crosses into Montana.
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Sights include the high prairie, once-prosperous farming towns (now almost vanished). The route parallels, US highway 2 much of this stretch. Crossing the Mississippi River a couple of times, the train arrives at the Twin Cities station around 10:30 PM.Īs the passengers sleep, the train carries them across Minnesota, and well into North Dakota before sunrise. The train heads north through the Chicago suburbs to Milwaukee before heading northwest through the pleasant countryside of central Wisconsin. Passengers see the Chicago River and central Chicago as the train eases out of the station. The Empire Builder begins its westbound journey at Chicago's Union Station.
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(Track work is not announced until the dat of departure.) Equipment used is common to most Amtrak long-distance routes, with two-level Superliner passengers cars, sleeper cars, dining car, an observation/snack bar car, and possibly several baggage/expedited cargo cars. Passengers may be forced to take busses for part of the route if track work is done. The journey takes about 46 hours, longer if delays occur along the route. The Empire Builder is a daily long-distance Amtrak train connecting downtown Chicago to either Seattle or Portland, Oregon.