2017 Empire Builder Train Tour

September 4-19

We returned from an extremely successful plane, train, and automobile tour this week a little tired but looking forward to our next adventure. Walter Caplan put together a flawless two week adventure that took our small group through some of the best museums and automobile collections in the world. We toured the Henry Ford Museum and spent time in Greenfield Village at the 67th annual Old Car Festival. Other collections included the Sloan Museum, the Gilmore Car Museum at Hickory Corners, the Studebaker Museum, and the Auburn, Cord, and Duesenberg Museum. We stopped for lunch at the Studebaker Mansion, toured the Civil War and Indianapolis Memorial in Indianapolis and did some Go-Cart racing along the way. John Bettencourt was the man to beat.

The fun started in Seattle. We visited Pike's Place Market, the Space Needle, and the Chihuly Art Glass Collection. From Seattle we traveled on the Amtrak Empire Builder to Chicago. We had a private coach with our cocktail lounge in the rear of our car as we travelled on to Dearborn, Michigan. Everyone was invited, newfound train enthusiasts and club members alike.

The Henry Ford, the Gilmore Museum, The Air Zoo, the Indianapolis Speedway, and the Museum of Science and Industry were trip highlights. We were able to visit the University of Notre Dame campus and spend an evening with the Mahl family at daughter Ursala's new home in South Bend.

We had a great time. Words can't describe the experience. From San Francisco to Pioneer Square in Seattle until our return home from Chicago this trip minute by minute was an adventure. Thanks again to Walter for doing the heavy lifting and doing all he could to make the trip enjoyable for everyone.

Photos by  Earle Hibler, John Bettencourt, Jeanine Mahl, Barry, Kinney, and Walter Caplan