Big Sky Blog

I’ve ridden the train too many times to count between northern California and Montana, either Whitefish or Havre. It’s a beautiful trip, and the romance of the rails is still alive. Sleepers are too expensive for most of us, but coach seats are roomy and comfortable
– unless you’re a stomach sleeper, like me. People get cozy and friendly on a train, and you’ll meet lots of nice folks. Also the occasional psychopath.

I warn against taking the train over the mountains in winter — there are nearly always problems — avalanches, rock slides, frozen toilets. You often end up getting bused. But Whitefish to Portland or Seattle
would probably be OK. Also, it’s best to relax and not get too hung up on sticking to a schedule, which Amtrak rarely does, usually through no fault of its own. Freight trains have priority on the tracks, since Amtrak just leases from them. And idiots often drive their cars onto railroad crossings and get themselves hit. When that happens, it slows everything. I took Amtrak from Washington, DC, to NYC last summer, and
the three-hour return trip turned into a seven-hour trip because of torrential rains, flooding and downed trees and electric lines.

My advice: Bring at least some of your own food and drinks, as Amtrak’s are expensive (but it’s worth it to have some meals in the dining car). Bring a coat that can double as a blanket. Don’t leave valuables
unattended. Maybe bring your own pillow, or one of those neck thingies. If you’re doing a long trip, it is possible, but difficult, to wash your hair in a bathroom sink. Pick a seat on the side that will have the best views (river, sunset, etc.) Pick a seat away from babies and teenagers. Bring ear plugs.

I live in NC, and took my family on the train from Chicago to Whitefish a couple years ago. It is fantastic. To be able to see the change in landscape from the lakes region in Wisconsin and Minnesota to the plains of North Dakota, and the mountains of Montana. One of the exciting moments was seeing the confluence of the Missouri and the Yellowstone Rivers.
If you treat the trip like a camping trip, come prepared, you’ll enjoy yourself. I forget where, but somewhere in Montana, a US Park Service interpretive guide gets on the train, and talks about various places along the way. I understand they go all the way to the coast.

Hey I might have seen you in Whitefish. I was walking around with my camera and dog :lol: I should really dig up the photos I took, it looked like a bunch of fun!

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