Amtrak’s Empire Builder has had a miserable winter. The polar vortex, heavy snow, and a huge increase in freight traffic has resulted in many delays of many hours. The worst...

The Empire Builder is Amtrak’s most popular long-distance train, operating daily in each direction between Chicago in the east and both Portland and Seattle on the West Coast. To refresh memories,...

During the night, the Empire Builder angles across Minnesota, crosses into North Dakota for a wee-hours stop in Fargo, then swings due west. When I awaken, we’ve just left Devil’s...