Empire Builder

Empire Builder

Named for James J. Hill, founder of the Great Northern Railway, the Empire Builder was the railroad’s flagship train. The Empire Builder’s route connected Chicago and Seattle/Portland, and passengers enjoyed views of the Cascade Mountains and Glacier National Park from dome coaches introduced in 1955. The Empire Builder is still operated today by Amtrak, still connecting Chicago and Seattle/Portland, and is Amtrak’s most popular long-distance train.

Great Northern Railway | Spring-Summer 1940 Timetable

Great Northern Railway timetable with the railroad's logo and text that reads Home of the Air Conditioned Empire Builder
 
John A. Swider Timetable Collection.

Great Northern Railway | "Through Your Car Window" Travel Brochure, 1949

Illustration of two people looking out a train window with text: Through Your Car Window: Westbound on the Streamlined Empire Builder and other Great Northern Trains

 

Illustration of Great Northern Empire Builder passing a river and mountain. Text reads: The New Empire Builder Serves the Best of the Great Northwest
William R. Hough Timetable Collection

Great Northern Railway | "The Mid-Century Empire Builder" Travel Brochure, 1951

Great Northern Railway brochure with text that reads Mid-Century Empire Builder and an illustration of a train passing a lake and mountain landscape
William R. Hough Timetable Collection

Great Northern Railway | October 29, 1957 Timetable

Great Northern Railway 1957 timetable with illustrations of the trains Western Star and Empire Builder
John A. Swider Timetable Collection

Great Northern Railway | Empire Builder Menu. 1962

Empire Builder menu cover with the words Empire Builder and initials e b set against a dark green background
Ira Silverman Railroad Menu Collection

Great Northern Railway | "The Ranch" Menu, 1962

Menu for The Ranch, dining car on the Great Northern's Empire Builder, 1962
Ira Silverman Railroad Menu Collection

Great Northern Railway | "The Incomparable Empire Builder," ca. 1950s

Illustration of Empire Builder train traveling through a wooded landscape with text: The Incomparable Empire Builder

 

Photographs of the Empire Builder's interior and illustrations of Pullman accommodations William R. Hough Timetable Collection