Amtrak's Empire Builder is running 42 minutes late out of MSP today. Shortly after I took this photo the engineer notched it up and gave me a good smoke show. I was also getting fr... (more)

The eastbound Empire Builder leaves downtown St Paul and passes Dayton's Bluff on its way out of the Twin Cities. It was my first trip to the Bluff and it's definitely as good as advertised.

The eastbound Empire Builder flies through the S curve in downtown Elk River as it sprints between St Cloud and the Twin Cities.

With a spectacular view of downtown St. Paul, we see the Empire Builder leaving said city behind as it continues its trip toward Chicago.

The eastbound Empire Builder is about to crest at Marias Pass summit.

After a long rainy weekend, the sun finally breaks through some early morning fog to shine light on the Empire Builder. Again, the train is running about an hour late, which seems to be the norm ... (more)

The Builder flies eastward just under an hour late, and just under the Highway 10 overpass.

Amtrak train 8, the Empire Builder is just getting started on the over 2,000 mile journey from Seattle to Chicago. The train is crossing the Salmon Bay Bridge, and in the background you can see th... (more)

The Empire Builder runs past Dayton's Bluff approximately 15 minutes late on a beautiful day in May.

The Empire Builder is a bit tardy today as it passes through the new crossovers at CTC Ramsey.

The eastbound Empire Builder lays down some exhaust as it flies across the Staples Sub just east of Frazee. The train was over three hours late today, making this daylight shot possible.

The Empire Builder has a few extra cars tucked in behind the power as it heads for Chicago.

Lets just say the trip back home after this shot was a happy one. Today's builder, over 12 hours late, was falling farther and farther behind schedule because of problems out west, and the additi... (more)

You have to see it to believe it. An Amtrak Cascades locomotive on point taking the Empire Builder across the country to Chicago. This unit will end up being serviced over there, however, it app... (more)