Amtrak's Empire Builder leaves from Seattle and heads through the beautiful countryside in Washington state and Montana on its way to Chicago. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

The Mississippi River, as seen from the observation car on Amtrak's Empire Builder in August 2012. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

Amtrak sleeping car attendant Kevin H. pours passengers glasses of wine during a wine tasting on Amtrak's Empire Builder in August 2012. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

Amtrak's Empire Builder — which heads from Chicago to Seattle and Portland and back — cuts through some beautiful country, including Glacier National Park in Montana. | Amtrak photo

Amtrak's Empire Builder — which heads from Chicago to Seattle and Portland and back — cuts through some beautiful country, including Glacier National Park in Montana. | Amtrak photo

Amtrak's Empire Builder leaves from Seattle and heads through the beautiful countryside in Washington state and Montana on its way to Chicago. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

Kevin Merrifield, a University of Illinois webmaster who lives in Champaign, Ill., relaxes with son Ian, 3, while on Amtrak's Empire Builder in August. | Lisa Merrifield

Ryan Arvie, a sleeping car attendant for Amtrak, takes a break while riding on the Empire Builder in August 2012. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

Volunteer National Park Rangers ride popular Amtrak routes during the summer and point out the highlights passengers can see out the window. Chuck Sexton (left) and Leigh Wilson, both of the Seattle area, head to the observation car during a stop along the Empire Builder line in August 2012. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

Lisa Merrifield, a University of Illinois Extension environmental scientist who lives in Champaign, Ill., stretches her legs along with daughter Beth, 8, and son Ian, 3, at the Whitefish, Montana stop along Amtrak's Empire Builder line in August. | Kevin Merrifield

Passengers exit Amtrak's Empire Builder in Essex, Montana, and head to the historic Izaak Walton Inn on the southern edge of Glacier National Park. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

Amtrak's Empire Builder travels through the spectacular scenary in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. The tracks are also used by private freight trains, which can lead to delays for Amtrak passengers. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

Carl Cowgill, 32, of Harvard, Ill., took Amtrak's Empire Builder with his 4-year-old daughter Willow. | Dave Newbart ~Sun-Times

The Mississippi River, as seen from the observation car on Amtrak's Empire Builder in August 2012. The train was rerouted down tracks east of the river, making for a rare view of the sun setting over the river for Amtrak passengers. | Dave Newbart~Sun-Times

The Mississippi River at sunset, as seen from Amtrak's Empire Builder. | Kevin Merrifield