1978年3月1日、取り壊される直前のミネアポリス駅から最後の列車として発車したのは、エンパイアビルダーでした。時刻表では、8：52発となっていますが、当日は、様々なイベントや式典で若干遅れたようです。編成の最後尾には、ビジネスカー「Red River」も連結されていたとのことです。gngoatから以下転載します。
I was there that day and remember it was during the daytime the westbound Empire Builder departed toward Willmar. I thought it was later than 8:52 am though. There was a lengthy daylight sequence of events with media interviews, band playing music, and the prior departures of the Duluth train and "Hiawatha". I took pictures of the 'Builder's daylight departure with (as I recall) ex-GN business car "Red River" on back.
I was there that day and remember it was during the daytime the westbound Empire Builder departed toward Willmar. I thought it was later than 8:52 am though. There was a lengthy daylight sequence of events with media interviews, band playing music, and the prior departures of the Duluth train and "Hiawatha". I took pictures of the 'Builder's daylight departure with (as I recall) ex-GN business car "Red River" on back.
