Last year my family took the Empire Builder from Spokane to Seattle, and I watched the process first hand.

First off the train is blocked in Chicago or Seattle to make the split/joining in Spokane fast. The Portland section is on the rear of the train and the Seattle section is the front, so no switching of individual cars is necessary. Also east of Spokane the Builder always runs with at least 2 locomotives unless there is a failure.

Westbound what happens is that the train arrives in Spokane, the lead locomotive uncouples and pulls forward and backs into the stub track that is on the west end of the station. This unit becomes the locomotive for the Portland section. While that was going on passengers on the Seattle section are boarding/detraining and getting baggage stowed. The Seattle section uncouples, does a quick brake test and departs, leaving the Portland section dark (without HEP power). The locomotive in the stub track moves back & couples up, connects HEP, does a brake test. While the Portland locomotive is getting coupled up passengers for the Portland section are boarding/detraining and getting baggage stowed. Portland section does a brake test, departs. For westbound trains this happens usually on the track closest to the station.

Eastbound the Seattle section usually arrives first. It pulls into the track closest to the station. Passengers boarding/detrain and get baggage stowed. The Portland section arrives on the main, the locomotive uncouples (leaving train “dark”) and goes into stub track. The Seattle section backs onto the Portland section, couples up, and pulls the whole train into the station. While Portland passengers are doing their thing the Portland locomotive uses the other station track to get to the front of the train and couple up, becoming the lead unit.

Note that in order for the locomotives to get into or out of the stub track one of the BNSF main lines is being used, since both station tracks go into the main and the stub track switch doesn’t have enough clearance for a unit to be clear of the main.

This of course is a typical day, and generally how things are done. Things can and do change for a number of reasons, but this is a typical night in Spokane.
Matt F
Moscow ID