travel across the US by train

My original plan in reverse. 3,296 miles by Amtrak: Seattle to Chicago on the Empire Builder, then Chicago to Boston on the Lake Shore Limited. Complete pictures on Flickr.

For future long distance train trips I might not come back to Boston (the lake shore limited is far less appealing then the Empire Builder). However I cannot discount the joy of being in Seattle and realizing that I didn’t have to go through an airport again.

Most likely to visit friends in Seattle. A reletively quick 3 day trip. Lakeshore Limited from Boston to Chicago, then the Emprie Builder from Chicago to Seattle. With a room on the Empire Builder and a Student Advantage discount its $593. But If I split the room with a friend its $367, one way.

Airfare back would probably be $140-170.
Amtak coach one way is $141.