One of my favorite parts of railfanning Amtrak; the human aspect. So many stories, so many hugs, so many happy faces. This lovely couple anxiously waits for the Builder grind to a halt so they can... (more)

Just after sunrise the Empire Builder dashes through the snow with an old bluebonnet in the lead. It looks like the train was turned around someplace as the baggage car is at the end and b... (more)

A late Empire Builder passes Minnesota Commercial C30-7 #55 on its way to Chicago.

The Empire Builder flies east past an automated reader on CP's River Subdivision.

Amtrak's Empire Builder runs smoothly and on time southbound out of Wisconsin Dells and along the Wisconsin River on its daily run from Seattle to Chicago. Locos 150 and 3 are pulling a pair of Am... (more)

Amtrak 19 Train 8 about to make a station stop at La Crosse, WI

AMTK 141 and a twin make the most of this nice, sunny day as they streak toward Chicago.

Following about a 5 minute station stop, the eastbound Empire Builder departs Shelby about 90 minutes late.

A combination of childhood fantasies, fascination with trains and a love of adventure.

On Independence Day 2007, Amtrak #8, the eastbound Empire Builder, makes a late stop at Staples while a coal train bound for Superior waits for the Amtrak to get underway so they can cross over to... (more)

After meeting a short grain train, the Empire Builder is quickly back up to 70mph as it heads east for Winona.

Amtrak is running about 2 hours late as it approaches the depot in Red Wing to pick up a crowd heading for Chicago.

After terminating on the north side of Chicago Union Terminal, a passenger-less Empire Builder is south of town, having turned around on the Canal Street Wye. Here backing on to CN's Joliet... (more)

Running just 20 or so minutes down they fly into town. The guys in the cab were flapping at the folks on the platform while a Soo 4409 sits in the small yard in town...

All aboard! The crowd gets ready to head east to Chicago while a handful hop off in downtown Red Wing...