For 85 years the Empire Builder has been moving passengers through Northwest Montana. Photos by Justin Franz and the Great Northern Railway Historical Society.
Justin Franz
The Empire Builder's route takes it along the southern boundary of Glacier National Park, seen here near West Glacier. Justin Franz |Flathead Beacon
The Empire Builder near East Glacier Park. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon
An Amtrak conductor directs passengers at West Glacier in 2011. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon
Amtrak's Empire Builder near Essex. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon
Passengers prepare to board the Empire Builder at West Glacier. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon
The Empire Builder passes near Essex. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon
Amtrak's Empire Builder passes Lake Five near Coram. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon
Amtrak's Empire Builder crosses the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Essex. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon
Passengers unload from an Amtrak train after its early morning arrival to the Whitefish Station. Lido Vizzutti | Flathead Beacon
Derek Wagner, left, waits in the Amtrak station lobby at the Whitefish tran depot for his train. Wagner was making his way back to Pittsburg, Penn., while on vacation with his family. Lido Vizzutti | Flathead Beacon
The Uhlein family from England, Donna, Jerry, Max and Millie, left to right, gather their belongings after disembarking from the east bound Amtrak train in Whitefish. Lido Vizzutti | Flathead Beacon
The Empire Builder in 1947. Courtesy Great Northern Railroad Historical Society
The Empire Builder in Whitefish in 1947. Courtesy Great Northern Railroad Historical Society
The Empire Builder in Havre. Courtesy Great Northern Railroad Historical Society
The Empire Builder near East Glacier. Courtesy Great Northern Railroad Historical Society
Courtesy Great Northern Railroad Historical Society
The Empire Builder near East Glacier Park in 1947. Courtesy Great Northern Railroad Historical Society
