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Amtrak Empire Builder to detour over former Burlington route
I just so happen to be free on some of those days of the detour. I think I might take a quick trip up to the twin cities just to ride the alternate route on the way back. What a geek I am.
I don’t blame you! The former Burlington is very scenic. I rode it on a detouring Empire Builder in 1994. If you go, have a great trip!
Wish I could come ride. Was on that train once before when it detoured. Was nice riding through Rochelle and alongside the Mississippi in that area. Sure was pretty.
@ SHAWN URSINI Well worth it! And, great that’s it is going to be #8 doing these detours during (hopefully on-time) daylight.
Once took NP’s North Coast Limited along this route. Outstanding.
A map would be nice.
I booked the trip for next week, this will be my first chance to really explore the twin cities as well. I plan on checking out the Hiawatha Line and perhaps North Star too if time permits. Doesn’t this route follow this Missippippi through the palisades to Savanah before turning east through Oregon and Rochelle? If so, I am even more excited as that area is very scenic. The bonus would be going through rail fan park as a passenger instead of just a spectator.
300 miles of smiles!!!
I think it goes west through Aurora… out to Mendota before going off on a single track to the Northwest. I took it in 1968 when it had the Big Sky Blue colors… with a pair of SDP45s. Loved it.
hey shawn! you’re the lucky geek! I wish I could go but I’m working on a sailboat off Florida during December. but I’m countin’ the days 'til the FEC runs!
It would be nice to see the Empire Builder again on CBQ rails. It depends on hiw late it is from the west. Route goes through Savanna, Milledgeville, Oregon, Chana, Rochelle, Shabona, Waterman, Hinckley, Big Rock, and Sugar Grove, then to Aurora and up the race track. US 30 parallels the old Q from Shabona to Sugar Grove, but it gets dark very early.