Famous for aggravating passenger railfans with diesel under catenary. On the other hand, good job on maintaining those HHP8’s! And running a good service.
Agreed. The diesel under catenary will forever annoy me, but considering that two of their lines run on non-electrified tracks, it only makes sense that the vast majority of their motive power be diesel.
@@LonestarTrips It will annoy me too. In a comment on Simply Railway’s review on MARC, someone said that the reason they chose to do so was that they need to pay a high price to Amtrak for using their catenary. But i think it’s weird, as the Penn Line is operated by Amtrak.
They have no right to be aggravated. Diesel locomotives are more versatile; they can be used on non-electrified lines, and if the electric system is down. MARC isn't the only operator that runs diesel under the wire; MBTA does too, as did Shore Line East for many years.
@@simonsv9449 operated by Amtrak doesn't mean you don't also have to pay Amtrak for the electricity. It simply means the train crew are Amtrak employees, and the agency pays Amtrak to operate the trains. They still have to pay for fuel separately, and it may well be cheaper to pay for diesel than to pay for electricity.
The 3mph speed limit on the platforms at Washington Union Station is no doubt a reminder for red caps, commissary, and mechanical employees and their vehicles. When I worked in OBS there over 20 years ago, they raced around the station as they pleased.
The platforms and canopies at WAS and BAL are in deplorable condition. Too much of the federal subsidies is spent on outrageous bonuses to top management while the Board of Misdirection continues to downgrade service.
Baltimore Penn station is undergoing a huge renovation that will improve the platforms. Right now the station building is getting most of the attention in this phase of the project.
This may be an unupopular opinion, but I hope one of these HHP-8s can be preserved at the B&O museum specifically 4913, since its been named after an MTA administrator, Kathryn D. Waters.
@@yeoldeseawitch Agreed. My guess is that the HHP-8s will stay in service for another few years, likely between 5 and 10, and only after that will they start thinking about retiring them. That being said, HHP-8s are going to become slightly more common in the near future, as Amtrak is rebuilding some of them as cab cars for the Ethan Allen Express.
@@lamegaming9835 It's possible they purchase diesel/catenary dual mode locomotives from Siemens, like the ones that will power the Amtrak Airo trainsets.
While they do still run the HHP-8's, I rarely see them. I've probably taken 20-30 one way trips on the Penn line over the course of a year or so, and got an HHP-8 exactly once, but that one time I actually got it was a ton of fun. I think I've had my trains pulled more frequently by Amtrak Sprinters than MARC HHP-8's!
They only operate during peak periods on trains from Perryville to DC and vice versa. They don't operate on the off peak Baltimore-DC trains which is a majority of the service
They occasionally run some WAS-BAL trains in during rush hour too. I've taken a few trains behind HHP's to Penn over the years and they arrived either right before the rush hour started or right in the middle
They're still pretty tempramental engines. Between some of them running with an extra crewperson, and being the only other MARC units I've seen in convoy moves besides the Chargers, it's fair to say their availability is still pretty low. Most of the time when I see them, they're either on a rush hour train, or idling in Ivy City. I suppose their speed and acceleration capabilities was enough for MARC to decide to refurbish them instead of replacing them with Chargers, like they did with the AEM-7's, but their availibility probably wasn't high enough to consider getting any from Amtrak. Well, at the very least there's a good chance MARC can be a home for the Sprinters when Amtrak retires them
12:52 Yeahhhh Baltimore Penn is definitely worse for wear these days, but there's work to make it better. I got to tour the counstruction site last Fall, and not only are they working on redoing the platforms, but also adding another platform on Track 8, and a brand new station hall on the other side of the cutting the track is built into. It'll connect right to the current wating area over the tracks, turning the T layout of the building into an H. IIRC, the original terminal building is going to remain, but is going to be reconfigured more for office space
I might add The Ferdan Megellan the Lionel put out like every 10 years They put it on the website for just one whole week They sell out very quick I am rather lucky I have two of them I am a model train buff
Auto Train is certainly on the todo list for this year. That one will take some extra planning because I wanna bring a car with me, but I definitely want to check it out.
Anyone know why they opt for MP36 & Charger locomotives as well as the HHP-8’s when the line is electrified? Wouldn’t it make sense to have an all electric fleet?
@@THEFINALHAZARD NJ Transit has five unelectrified lines and yet the only time they run diesels under wires is where the diesel and electric lines overlap. Not sure how this explains it.
Maybe Amtrak is having a sale, but I see some $5 WAS-BAL on future dates. Amtrak NER as a whole is a good deal, but doubles then triples (or more) as you get closer to same day, and can sell out. Commuter lines don’t, but you may have to stand.
Look up when you’re in Baltimore Penn Station, and look away from the station while you’re on the platforms. You missed a great view and the beginning of a new station. The the platforms will all be redone.
12:43 I don't know why but I thought it was a kinda dumb move to use SC-44 in Baltimore to DC, I mean its better like teir 4 diesel emission than other diesel, but you can't think it is better than overhead electric AEM-7 I mean COME ON, they literally could of just refurbished other electric locomotive like AEM-7 so they don't have to deal on electrified line by using some diesel locomotives and use SC-44 on other but no instead they retired AEM-7. 😕
So why would you show an HHP-8 in the thumbnail when the train in the video is not even hauled by an HHP-8, but rather an MP36PH-3C? That's quite misleading.
It was sheer luck of the draw to be honest. I rode the Penn line hoping I would end up with an HHP-8, but things just didn't work out, and I didn't have time to MARC again just for another change to catch one. That being said, the HHP-8 is still very rare and pretty cool, so I wasn't just going to ignore it in the video.
@@stephenkeever6029 The Penn line has a top speed of 125 MPH, which is reached by both the HHP-8s and the SC-44 Chargers. Unfortunately, as I mentioned in the previous comment in this thread, luck of the draw saw me riding on a train pulled by an MPI MP36PH-3C.
@@LonestarTrips The SC-44 chargers are rated for 125 but they are restricted to 90 due to (I believe) a PTC issue (positive train control). Currently, only the HHP-8s' are clear to go 125 (Although for whatever reason, they are always pulling locals instead of expresses (or at least they have every time I've seen them) so who tf knows if they actually can get to 125 before slowing down again lmao). The MP-36s' and SC-44s' are both restricted to 90mph.
Haha yeah. I'm more of an F1 fan in general. If you go back through the channel, you can find me wearing all kinds of team merch, mainly from Mclaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Aston Martin.
The speed limit is for the luggage/service carts that drive around the platforms. The low speed limit ensures that passengers can get around the platforms safely, without the risk of colliding with a cart.
@@marcogeurts9881 Amtrak has checked luggage on quite a few of their long distance routes, so the carts bring bags from the station out to the luggage cars. Additionally, some passengers may need assistance moving from train to station, and the carts can help them do so.
The lower level run-through platforms have passengers wandering around taking a break outside while Amtrak swaps locomotives since electric catenary stops south of WAS. The cars go dark so it’s a good place to get some air. In future years the locos will be dual-mode and won’t need swapping. The video though is on the more convenient upper level, no stairs or escalators needed, and less milling around.
@@kitchin2 in The Netherlands in times when there where more loco hauled trains also in intercity services like the Intercity service from Den Haag Centraal to Venlo the locomotive changed from the side from the train wich was a ICK and while it happenedthe interior lights where then still on or the loc wich hauled the train to Venlo was shunted away from the train while the machinist from the other loc started that locomotive(it where old Interregio cars type BM²³⁵ from DB buyed by NS and where in service in the period from 4 February 2002 until 20 April 2009 with the NS 1700/1800 as locomotive for and sometimes behind the train.) And by the IC Berlin in Bad Bentheim when the NS 1700 loc is shunted away from the train to make place for the DB BR 101 some of the passengers step out because Bad Bentheim is their destination and the other passengers there are boarding while that happens and some step out and then board again because to see that happen or the other way around or by the Nightjets from Amsterdam Centraal to Wien HBF/Innsbruck HBF 3 times in the week and next year no locomotive change and Basel SBB and Zürich HB is changed first in Köln West from the NS International BR 193 Vectron to the ÖBB1116 Taurus and that locomotive stays for the Nightjet from Köln West to Wien HBF/Innsbruck HBF and for the Nightjet to Basel SBB and Zürich HB it's the same as the other Nightjet but the ÖBB 1116 is changed at Nürnberg HBF for a DB BR101 and then until Basel SBB where the DB BR101 is changed fir the SBB Re 460 or sometimes for a SBB Re 430 (4/4 III) but all the time the light stays on well in the night dimmed
Is it me or when your train left Baltimore, did that seem a bit… Underpowered? Seemed they were at full throttle by the sound but, the acceleration was so slow
Rather disappointing. We hardly saw any of the interior of the MARC trains. The content of the video would've been much better if we saw more of the train rather than the floor... the stairs... out the window... close-ups on the seats... toilet... would've liked to have seen more of the coach itself like you did with the VRE trains...
I’m sorry you think that. Unfortunately, seeing more of the interior means filming people as a by product, and passengers tend to not appreciate it when you point a camera at them. I do the best with what I can, while still respecting everyone’s privacy. Edit: The VRE video has so much of the interior because I boarded well before anyone else, so I had time in the coach all to myself to get footage.
@@LonestarTrips I kinda figured that would've been the reason (and it's a valid one). But, even though it's time-consuming, it may be worth it to just blur the faces out so we can see a better picture of the cars. Personally speaking, I would've loved to see them. Would've been able to get a better picture of how things look. I mean, I get it... just disappointed is all. Still loving the content even though it makes me homesick ...
@@kietero Yeah I've definitely considered blurring people's faces, but the main issue isn't people being in the video, it's that people often don't appreciate actively being filmed, which would be the case if I was filming the inside of the cars. I do appreciate the feedback though, and I'll do my best to incorporate more shots of the interiors moving forward.
People are filmed constantly in public spaces. A quick 3-5 second clip will not upset anyone, and is all that is needed to show what things look like. Conversely, I don't need 2 minutes of video footage of a nasty bathroom that I'll never use on a commuter train.
Yeah the stations are beautiful but Amtrak is a slow and lethargic train and a laugh for the rest of the world. Come on America, wake up!!! Highspeed bullet trains and maglev super train technology, the new american dream....
Famous for aggravating passenger railfans with diesel under catenary. On the other hand, good job on maintaining those HHP8’s! And running a good service.
Agreed. The diesel under catenary will forever annoy me, but considering that two of their lines run on non-electrified tracks, it only makes sense that the vast majority of their motive power be diesel.
@@LonestarTrips It will annoy me too. In a comment on Simply Railway’s review on MARC, someone said that the reason they chose to do so was that they need to pay a high price to Amtrak for using their catenary. But i think it’s weird, as the Penn Line is operated by Amtrak.
@@simonsv9449 yeah Amtrak charges absurd prices for using their catenary.
They have no right to be aggravated. Diesel locomotives are more versatile; they can be used on non-electrified lines, and if the electric system is down. MARC isn't the only operator that runs diesel under the wire; MBTA does too, as did Shore Line East for many years.
@@simonsv9449 operated by Amtrak doesn't mean you don't also have to pay Amtrak for the electricity. It simply means the train crew are Amtrak employees, and the agency pays Amtrak to operate the trains. They still have to pay for fuel separately, and it may well be cheaper to pay for diesel than to pay for electricity.
The 3mph speed limit on the platforms at Washington Union Station is no doubt a reminder for red caps, commissary, and mechanical employees and their vehicles. When I worked in OBS there over 20 years ago, they raced around the station as they pleased.
Glad to see MARC make an appearance!
It was a fun ride, so it only made sense to cover it in a video!
I am a rideshare driver in the Washington Metro region and have never seen the drop off zone on Columbus Circle that empty.
The platforms and canopies at WAS and BAL are in deplorable condition. Too much of the federal subsidies is spent on outrageous bonuses to top management while the Board of Misdirection continues to downgrade service.
Yep, it's completely ridiculous. As much as I love Amtrak, they really need a rework at the top to get things going straight again.
Baltimore Penn station is undergoing a huge renovation that will improve the platforms. Right now the station building is getting most of the attention in this phase of the project.
This may be an unupopular opinion, but I hope one of these HHP-8s can be preserved at the B&O museum
specifically 4913, since its been named after an MTA administrator, Kathryn D. Waters.
That would be great if they could make it happen.
@@LonestarTrips Im not sure when the MARC HHP-8s will be retired, but I feel like it would be wrong to scrap something named after someone.
@@yeoldeseawitch Agreed. My guess is that the HHP-8s will stay in service for another few years, likely between 5 and 10, and only after that will they start thinking about retiring them. That being said, HHP-8s are going to become slightly more common in the near future, as Amtrak is rebuilding some of them as cab cars for the Ethan Allen Express.
@@LonestarTrips im willing to guess they'll replace them with diesels though, even though diesels under wires suck
@@lamegaming9835 It's possible they purchase diesel/catenary dual mode locomotives from Siemens, like the ones that will power the Amtrak Airo trainsets.
While they do still run the HHP-8's, I rarely see them. I've probably taken 20-30 one way trips on the Penn line over the course of a year or so, and got an HHP-8 exactly once, but that one time I actually got it was a ton of fun. I think I've had my trains pulled more frequently by Amtrak Sprinters than MARC HHP-8's!
As far as I'm aware, the HHP-8s will remain in service for the foreseeable future, but with only 6 total, they really aren't that frequent.
They only operate during peak periods on trains from Perryville to DC and vice versa. They don't operate on the off peak Baltimore-DC trains which is a majority of the service
They occasionally run some WAS-BAL trains in during rush hour too. I've taken a few trains behind HHP's to Penn over the years and they arrived either right before the rush hour started or right in the middle
They're still pretty tempramental engines. Between some of them running with an extra crewperson, and being the only other MARC units I've seen in convoy moves besides the Chargers, it's fair to say their availability is still pretty low. Most of the time when I see them, they're either on a rush hour train, or idling in Ivy City. I suppose their speed and acceleration capabilities was enough for MARC to decide to refurbish them instead of replacing them with Chargers, like they did with the AEM-7's, but their availibility probably wasn't high enough to consider getting any from Amtrak.
Well, at the very least there's a good chance MARC can be a home for the Sprinters when Amtrak retires them
Thank you to everyone who showed up to the premiere! Can't wait to see y'all next week!
Wish i would have known about this service a few years ago. Great video.
Thanks, and I'm glad you enjoyed.
Thanks!
Amtrak returns there HHP-8 as Cab NPCU in late 2022 for test runs. It's unknown in detail will be back in service.
I saw that they were moving one out to NYC for testing on the Ethan Allen Express.
@@LonestarTrips Your right I hear about that.
Nice video
Thanks!
12:52 Yeahhhh Baltimore Penn is definitely worse for wear these days, but there's work to make it better. I got to tour the counstruction site last Fall, and not only are they working on redoing the platforms, but also adding another platform on Track 8, and a brand new station hall on the other side of the cutting the track is built into. It'll connect right to the current wating area over the tracks, turning the T layout of the building into an H. IIRC, the original terminal building is going to remain, but is going to be reconfigured more for office space
What they need to do is get rid of that hideous male/female statue in front of the station lmao
I might add The Ferdan Megellan the Lionel put out like every 10 years They put it on the website for just one whole week They sell out very quick I am rather lucky I have two of them I am a model train buff
and yes Marc is the fastest commuter rail 125 MPH in The USA
I thought MARC express trains stopped at New Carrollton in addition to BWI
Can you please make a video about Amtrak auto train?
Auto Train is certainly on the todo list for this year. That one will take some extra planning because I wanna bring a car with me, but I definitely want to check it out.
Anyone know why they opt for MP36 & Charger locomotives as well as the HHP-8’s when the line is electrified? Wouldn’t it make sense to have an all electric fleet?
Becasue MARC also has two non electrified lines. The Brunswick and Camden lines
@@THEFINALHAZARD NJ Transit has five unelectrified lines and yet the only time they run diesels under wires is where the diesel and electric lines overlap. Not sure how this explains it.
$9 is really on-par with Amtrak 😳. I’d think that Amtrak would be at least 3x as much
Maybe Amtrak is having a sale, but I see some $5 WAS-BAL on future dates. Amtrak NER as a whole is a good deal, but doubles then triples (or more) as you get closer to same day, and can sell out. Commuter lines don’t, but you may have to stand.
It’s crazy because TTN-NYP is about the same distance, and during commuting hours the fare is $103 one-way on the Keystone!
Look up when you’re in Baltimore Penn Station, and look away from the station while you’re on the platforms. You missed a great view and the beginning of a new station. The the platforms will all be redone.
12:43 I don't know why but I thought it was a kinda dumb move to use SC-44 in Baltimore to DC, I mean its better like teir 4 diesel emission than other diesel, but you can't think it is better than overhead electric AEM-7 I mean COME ON, they literally could of just refurbished other electric locomotive like AEM-7 so they don't have to deal on electrified line by using some diesel locomotives and use SC-44 on other but no instead they retired AEM-7. 😕
So why would you show an HHP-8 in the thumbnail when the train in the video is not even hauled by an HHP-8, but rather an MP36PH-3C? That's quite misleading.
It was sheer luck of the draw to be honest. I rode the Penn line hoping I would end up with an HHP-8, but things just didn't work out, and I didn't have time to MARC again just for another change to catch one. That being said, the HHP-8 is still very rare and pretty cool, so I wasn't just going to ignore it in the video.
@@LonestarTrips I'm confused by your title where is says 125 MPH which was not reached in this video?
@@stephenkeever6029 The Penn line has a top speed of 125 MPH, which is reached by both the HHP-8s and the SC-44 Chargers. Unfortunately, as I mentioned in the previous comment in this thread, luck of the draw saw me riding on a train pulled by an MPI MP36PH-3C.
@@LonestarTrips The SC-44 chargers are rated for 125 but they are restricted to 90 due to (I believe) a PTC issue (positive train control). Currently, only the HHP-8s' are clear to go 125 (Although for whatever reason, they are always pulling locals instead of expresses (or at least they have every time I've seen them) so who tf knows if they actually can get to 125 before slowing down again lmao). The MP-36s' and SC-44s' are both restricted to 90mph.
Secret Aston Martin F1 fan? 👀
Was trying to figure out what teamwear he was wearing.
Haha yeah. I'm more of an F1 fan in general. If you go back through the channel, you can find me wearing all kinds of team merch, mainly from Mclaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Aston Martin.
@@LonestarTrips I’m just glad you put McLaren first. 😀
@@benmoorhouse88 Mclaren is my #1, so I had to 😄
This sounds like a stupid question, but how often does MARC run diesel equipment on fully electrified lines like the Penn to Perryville?
Every day
Indeed. The punt line is the only electrified one of their three lines. Surprised they even run electric at all any ore
WAS Union Station is home to only 10 Amtrak intercity and long distance services?
As far as I can tell, that's the case.
@Lonestar Trip Reports why is the speed limit at Washington Union Station 3 miles/4 kilometers per hour?
The speed limit is for the luggage/service carts that drive around the platforms. The low speed limit ensures that passengers can get around the platforms safely, without the risk of colliding with a cart.
@@LonestarTrips okay but why do they have a cart service
@@marcogeurts9881 Amtrak has checked luggage on quite a few of their long distance routes, so the carts bring bags from the station out to the luggage cars. Additionally, some passengers may need assistance moving from train to station, and the carts can help them do so.
The lower level run-through platforms have passengers wandering around taking a break outside while Amtrak swaps locomotives since electric catenary stops south of WAS. The cars go dark so it’s a good place to get some air. In future years the locos will be dual-mode and won’t need swapping. The video though is on the more convenient upper level, no stairs or escalators needed, and less milling around.
@@kitchin2 in The Netherlands in times when there where more loco hauled trains also in intercity services like the Intercity service from Den Haag Centraal to Venlo the locomotive changed from the side from the train wich was a ICK and while it happenedthe interior lights where then still on or the loc wich hauled the train to Venlo was shunted away from the train while the machinist from the other loc started that locomotive(it where old Interregio cars type BM²³⁵ from DB buyed by NS and where in service in the period from 4 February 2002 until 20 April 2009 with the NS 1700/1800 as locomotive for and sometimes behind the train.) And by the IC Berlin in Bad Bentheim when the NS 1700 loc is shunted away from the train to make place for the DB BR 101 some of the passengers step out because Bad Bentheim is their destination and the other passengers there are boarding while that happens and some step out and then board again because to see that happen or the other way around or by the Nightjets from Amsterdam Centraal to Wien HBF/Innsbruck HBF 3 times in the week and next year no locomotive change and Basel SBB and Zürich HB is changed first in Köln West from the NS International BR 193 Vectron to the ÖBB1116 Taurus and that locomotive stays for the Nightjet from Köln West to Wien HBF/Innsbruck HBF and for the Nightjet to Basel SBB and Zürich HB it's the same as the other Nightjet but the ÖBB 1116 is changed at Nürnberg HBF for a DB BR101 and then until Basel SBB where the DB BR101 is changed fir the SBB Re 460 or sometimes for a SBB Re 430 (4/4 III) but all the time the light stays on well in the night dimmed
Carolinian isn’t long-distance, but it’s a low-frequency intercity 🚆
Why were the MARC Bombardier Alstom HHP-8s retired?
Is it me or when your train left Baltimore, did that seem a bit… Underpowered? Seemed they were at full throttle by the sound but, the acceleration was so slow
Rather disappointing. We hardly saw any of the interior of the MARC trains. The content of the video would've been much better if we saw more of the train rather than the floor... the stairs... out the window... close-ups on the seats... toilet... would've liked to have seen more of the coach itself like you did with the VRE trains...
I’m sorry you think that. Unfortunately, seeing more of the interior means filming people as a by product, and passengers tend to not appreciate it when you point a camera at them. I do the best with what I can, while still respecting everyone’s privacy.
Edit: The VRE video has so much of the interior because I boarded well before anyone else, so I had time in the coach all to myself to get footage.
@@LonestarTrips I kinda figured that would've been the reason (and it's a valid one). But, even though it's time-consuming, it may be worth it to just blur the faces out so we can see a better picture of the cars.
Personally speaking, I would've loved to see them. Would've been able to get a better picture of how things look. I mean, I get it... just disappointed is all. Still loving the content even though it makes me homesick ...
@@kietero Yeah I've definitely considered blurring people's faces, but the main issue isn't people being in the video, it's that people often don't appreciate actively being filmed, which would be the case if I was filming the inside of the cars. I do appreciate the feedback though, and I'll do my best to incorporate more shots of the interiors moving forward.
People are filmed constantly in public spaces. A quick 3-5 second clip will not upset anyone, and is all that is needed to show what things look like. Conversely, I don't need 2 minutes of video footage of a nasty bathroom that I'll never use on a commuter train.
@@bradzeigler 3-5 seconds isn’t enough to be useable, and the bathroom is a key feature that people may want to know about.
Pretty poor infrastructure for America's "premier rail corridor"
And yet so much less worse than the rest, so it's still by far the best of the worst.
Yeah the stations are beautiful but Amtrak is a slow and lethargic train and a laugh for the rest of the world. Come on America, wake up!!! Highspeed bullet trains and maglev super train technology, the new american dream....
( 80 Carolinian )T'S funded by nc d.o.t