While traveling through the Midwest on Amtrak’s Empire Builder train, Oliver Bestul and sisters Danica and Veronica Swanson decided to pass the time with a deck of cards. Inspired by the the scenery and experience of the train ride, the spring-breakers thought of a railroad game to encapsulate their adventure. Thus, speeding alongside the bald eagles of the Mississippi River, the first few rounds of Amtrak the Game were played.