Amtrak's
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My first time riding this route, I had no idea what to expect, so I was blown away by the never-ending views. They're not kidding when they call it Big Sky Country.
The contrast between this Spring 2003 and the Fall 2016 rides on this route is quite stark. The seasons are very definitive. It would be interesting to try this again in the winter, but the winter-white scenery could become a bit monotonous. The other difference I noticed was how the area viewable from the tracks has changed - in 2013, I don't remember a single oil drilling site, but in 2016 there were hundreds. Around the central refinery bases, pocket communities of temporary/modular housing have popped up, complete with bars, banks, and casinos. American Capitalism at its finest! Other Empire Builder Galleries: |