I used to crew on the Empire Builder from Seattle to Spokane when it was operated by the Great Northern Ry, also the trains to Vancouver, BC, & Portland, OR along with stations ('depots') in between.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2020 12:42PM by GNPE.
readers might be interested to note my edit to my post about Vancouver, I meant to say Vancouver BC, 'eh?
the Canadian & U.S. Customs were positioned so that there weren't delays at the border (Between White Rock BC & Blaine, WA).
Currently there's a Canadian Immigration designation for crew members, I don't think it was ever that way when I was working those trains.
some ppl occasionally confuse Vancouver, WA with Vancouver BC, (linked together by a common N-S rail route) sorta like Washington State & 'the other Washington'... Moscow, Idaho!!
GNPE Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > readers might be interested to note my edit to my > post about Vancouver, I meant to say Vancouver BC, > 'eh?
the assignment was train #32 Empire Builder to Spokane, get legal rest, then #27 Western Star back to Seattle / King street.
towards the end, non-employees learned of the free parking at King Street, we had to put GN stickers on the inside of our windows.
Also, sometimes I'd be assigned to be the baggage 'person' on #28 leaving Seattle about 10:00 pm. for spokane, LOTS of loading bulk mail at Everett; I've now forgotten what the assignment was to return to Seattle.
I've watched a very good documentary lately on the RM. And I've driven that route twice in the last couple summers. Spectacular scenery...and the train has even better views.