I like the way you narrate the trip. I have seen too many of these train videos on TH-cam that are silent, save for the train noise. I'd much rather hear your comments. Thank you!
Your films are both immensely educational and entertaining - a very difficult feat for even the best. Look forward to your future filming as I dig back and watch your previous work with enjoyment.
Aww... I always get when his train odysseys end, but I look forward to watching all of his other wonderful train odysseys! I have a few favorites I watch over and over! ❤️
Your are very fortunate to live in the greater Chicago area as Chicago seems to be a "superhub" for Amtrak for the entire country. This advantage makes it much easier to use the entire Amtrak system. Again, thank you so much for your great videos on Amtrak travel.
In 1918 the NY State Barge Canal opened as the third version of the original Erie system. Much of the old canal was abandoned and lakes and rivers were used with locks to deepen and widen the canal. Now there’s almost no commercial traffic on it.
glad u r letting me tagalong again, These Odysseys really are fun during these troubling times. Thanks for all your great rides, they mean a lot to me.
I would take the lake shore limited home from college (Marquette) in mid 90s. Thanks for taking me back in time on your trip. Surprisingly most everything looks the same in union station. Cheers!
Hello! I really enjoy your rail adventure videos! I am an engineer for Amtrak currently working on the Auto Train out of Sanford. Per CSX operating rules, operating crew must get permission from the section foreman to restart the train, each time the train stops inside the section foreman's working authority. They also must get the authority to enter the section of track, that is controlled by the section foreman Thank you for sharing your videos!
??: 🚂 Shared your info with freight-rail-fan who said to ask you: how come CSX passenger trains aren't signal controlled, like CSX freight trains? I'm thinking it might be a safety/liability issue? Thanks
LOL!!! At 1hr 31min in your video. Continental breakfast! All I can say is good job CEO Richard Anderson, good job!!! Brand new single level dining cars to serve your airline food. Some people just need to stick with airlines for their leadership or just retire and Richard Anderson is exactly one of those.
Thanks for the video of a bedroom I was considering getting a bedroom on my next overnight trip but after seeing the actual size of it I will stick with the roomette. It should be big enough for the hubby and me. Your video was very helpful making this decision keep it up.
Thanks for posting this video. You do a really amazing job. I am scheduled to take this train in a few months. I have been struggling with whether or not to upgrade my roomette to a bedroom. You have definitely convinced me to stick with the roomette.
The long pieces of rail running along side are pieces of continuous welded rail awaiting installation or had been changed out with new rail. If you aren't hearing the clickity clack of the wheels on the rail you are on welded rail. Also the rail through Northern Indiana for the most part is maintained by the N.S. rail road.
1:18:50 The bathroom setup is exactly the same for the majority of RV's and smaller boats. You have to turn sideways in the compartment wash one side, turn 180 degrees wash the other side, sit on the toilet lid to wash your legs and feet. Cramped, but at least you do not have to wait for it. The Mississippi River is the divide for U.S. trains. There is 5 Class I railroads operating today, over 14 when I started my railroad career, mergers are both a blessing and a curse. In the east, there are CSX 21,000 miles of track, which was formed in 1980 by the merger of the Chessie System and Seaboard lines, the "X" was just added to imply Xtra. The other is Norfolk Southern(NS) 21,500 miles of track which was the merger between Norfolk & Western Railway and Southern Railway in 1982. Some of the railroad lines on CSX and NS have been in continuous operations since the 1840's, namely CSX's Baltimore & Ohio railroad, the nations oldest. West of the Missippi River you have Union Pacific 32,100 miles of track, which is the nations largest railroad for tonnage hauled since they acquired Southern Pacific Lines in 1998. Then you have Burlington Northern Santa Fe(BNSF) 32,500 miles of track and my employer, that was formed when the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway when they merged in 1996. Last but not least is the Kansas City Southern Railway with 6,000 miles of tracks. Some shippers consider Canadian Pacific and Canadian National as Class I's, yes they do own operations in the U.S, such as The Soo Line and Illinois Central, which before restructuring was known as, and still to me, Illinois Central Gulf, more commonly known as the railroad Casey Jones worked for. And there are hundreds maybe thousands of Class II & III railroads Alaska Railroad (ARR), Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS), Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) and many more are considered Class II lines. Class III lines are mostly the port, switching and chemical plant lines. Railroad Class system is based on the money made in operations during the year. Class I operating revenue exceeding $457.9 million Class II operating revenues between $36.6 million and $457.9 million Class III operating revenues of $36.6 million or less There is not one single Class I that has operating revenues under $30 billion a year. Mergers, a blessing and a curse for the workforce. Due to the Class system applying to freight railroad operations, AMTRAK is not included in it, but many regional passenger trains are listed as Class II's. 1:57:32 The most common problem with short trains like AMTRAK is loosing the shunt with the rails and disappearing off of the dispatcher monitors. For the signal system to work the axles of the train create a very low resistance connection across the tracks, a shunt. This shunt trips relay's, located in the shiny silver boxes you see beside the track among other things, that signal the computer exactly where the train is at. The dispatcher's urgency to stop was due to today's computer dispatching systems when AMTRAK disappeared, the system does not look for it and the possibility of giving a clear signal to a waiting opposing, or lining track switches against the train is very real. These systems were designed and built for trains exceeding 5,000 feet in length. 2:03:11 Respotting, means they must pull the train forward two cars to"spot" the end two cars were they can be serviced on, boarded or detrained. 2:05:10 That "extra rail" is either new rail waiting to be installed or old rail ready to be removed. Most rails on lines with continuous welded rail is moved in lengths from 2,300 feet and up. I have seen it being laid down in 7,500 feet for one track! th-cam.com/video/VOnkzMox89I/w-d-xo.html 2:20:13 The Catskill Mountains of NY is the only senery in the state. Good video.
Andrew Armstrong, thanks for clearing up those questions. Regarding the stunting, I was aware of the idea that the solid metal axle/wheels shorting out, or shunting, the rails, and this being detected by electrical circuitry. Probably 25 -30 years ago I encountered a freak accident at a railroad crossing where a vehicle was pinned under a partially lowered crossing gate, which was entangled in some power/phone lines that were overhead at a diagonal to the road AND the tracks. Emergency responders were trying to free the vehicle from the gate, but it would not raise or lower. The vehicle's engine was not starting, so many people were trying to push the vehicle off the tracks, but the gate was hung up with something on top of the vehicle. I approached a police officer with my offer to try and trick the gates to raise and lower, by using my car's jumper cables to shunt the rails. He agreed that this was something he would like me to try. I found that a brief shunt had no effect, but stunting for a longer period did trigger the gates to cycle (I don't remember exactly HOW they cycled), but I was able to get the gates to attempt lowering, followed by raising, and while the people rocked the vehicle, after a few cycles the gates got untangled with the power lines (it was very gusty/windy and the lines were swaying quite a lot) AND disengaged with the roof of the vehicle, and they pushed it off the tracks. I tried to get the police to call the phone number on the crossing gate post, to advise the rail company of what we had done, in case our actions might have triggered something in their computer system or at a dispatcher's console. I don't know if they ever did.
@@youtuuba No damage was done other than a signal dropping to red in front of a train if a train was operating in the area. Must have been those old wood gates, think they were mahogany, some were steel I-beams, today they are all lightweight fiberglass and you can push them up with one hand, furthermore, they are made to swing away as well, and being spring loaded they snap back. I know a lot of people complain about coming up to a crossing with the gates down and no train around, they are build to "safety fail" in the down position, such as power outage, battery banks dead, bad relay. That is not my area of railroad expertise but over the years of talking with signal maintainers, who are the ones with that expertise, I always found it interesting on how and why that stuff works. Maybe it was because it was too much to learn or maybe they didn't want operating crews to know, I do distinctly remember a signal maintainer riding with us for about 75 miles to check on signal alignment and other issues. It was at that time, 6 years into my career, that I learned all those crossing gates, lights and trackside signals worked off of a 10 volt DC current in the rail, that when shunted, made from one to two dozen or lots more single and double throw relays make a signal appear, crossing gate lower or tell the dispatcher where we were at on his control board on a certain part of track. Here is something good to sink your teeth into, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) www.arema.org//files/pubs/pgre/PGChapter7.pdf
@ Edward Anderson: Thanks for clarifications! All are things my freight-rail-fan husband couldn't explain. Great fun to share your explanations with him.
If I had to pick just one thing I like about your Amtrak videos (compared to other creators), it's your narration. Like the porridge in Goldie Locks and the 3 bears, it's just right.
I loved hearing you were coming thru Phila….my hometown.....I am still planning my trip on the empire builder....not sure of the best time to travel up north
You were actually on the Boston bound portion of the train. Between Boston and Albany (pronounced All Bany) the train consists of the engine, baggage car, Sleeper and two coach cars. It arrives in Albany late in the afternoon and waits for the section coming from New York City. There the two portions are combined and continue on their way. Of course you were heading eastbound. I actually see the train every once and a while in Springfield, MA and have taken it to Chicago. It was sad to see that they've taken away the full service dinner car. When I travelled on it a couple of years ago we had some nice meals in there while the country rolled by. I hope they bring that back!
Again extremely informative and educational. Whenever travelling solo by AMTRAK, my preference is booking a roomette which provides enough room for me. Whenever I travel with my wife, I must purchase 2 adjoining Deluxe Bedrooms or suite. On Superliner Sleepers, the only rooms which can be ensuite are rooms B&C or D&E. When on a Viewliner Sleepers, there are only rooms A&B which could provide this feature since there are only 3 rooms of this type in this car, the 3rd being an accessible bedroom. I need to book 11 months before the trip to ensure this accommodation. Although the video is great, it's challenging for some individuals with claustrophobia, particularly when the beds are down. My wife cannot have the upper berth let down and there isn't enough room on the lower berth for the 2 of us. We also carry cleaning materials with us and wipe surfaces down with gloves since we don't know who we're coming behind. There's little evidence of rooms being cleaned whenever we travel AMTRAK. Too bad they don't provide cooked meals anymore on this route. At least meals are still complimentary. Watching these videos spares me the extra expense and planning. Thank you.
Since both of us aren't nimble enough to climb up to the upper berth, we book two across the aisle roomettes, which believe it or not is sometimes cheaper than booking a standard bedroom. We more or less use one during the day, but use both at night. The second roomette gets all the baggage during the day as we need all the space we can get. My wife packs too much into too many bags...
You have to remember that you're not dealing with a stateroom on the Pacific Princess. So, the idea of comfort is subjective. For me I might consider that full relatively comfortable - I'm used to having to do coach most of the time that I've traveled on Amtrak. So, for that long of a trip I might pay the extra money - if I could. The Lakeshore Limited splits at Albany with 1/2 continuing EB to Springfield/Boston and the other 1/2 turning south to New York. Your narration is pretty good
I'm from Syracuse originally and when you went by Onondaga lake all I could think of was the fact that it is the most polluted inland body of water in the US-and is on the Superfund clean up list-the bottom is full of mercury from Allied-Chemical when it was running its plant long ago....Thanks for the video!
Thanks for yet another excellent rail travelogue. Yeah, the scenery sucks, but this gives me an opportunity to compliment you on how you do your videos. After watching a couple of yours, I started watching others -- no narration, no GPS, no road atlas, usually in coach with all the attendant background noise. Fortunately I've traveled all my life and could usually figure out where we were, but there was no help from the video. Anyway, I enjoy your train stuff and look forward very much to each new installment.
That's where I agree completely! Unfortunately, i suspect that some viewers just aren't as interested in the geographic and technical aspects of "training" !
@@mikesgoodmann9349 I don't do the first class or no class coach works for me I save my money for the destination. I have however flown first. Traded a coach seat for it. I did enjoy that
I traveled on the California Zephyr and took the Lake Shore Limited as my connecting train. I loved the Lake Shore Limited and was surprised that the roomettes had toilets with sinks that fold down. I just felt the Lake Shore Limited had more room overall. The dining car was really nice and I liked the free drink. I also used the radio scanner with built in railroad frequencies. It came in handy when there was a broken rail and I could listen to them talk.
Capital limited text the same route until Cleveland when it branches off and head to Pittsburgh. If you haven’t taken that route, it says really sweet route through Pennsylvania along the Potomac river.
I just watched the segment from Syracuse to Albany with the shots of the Erie Canal. The original 1817-25 canal ran in a narrow “ditch” because of the limitations of horse-drawn barges. Since the 1918 enlargement, it has run in the Mohawk River and other local rivers where possible because powered barges can overcome the current. There are still locks where the Mohawk is shallow or has falls.
Amazing video! Keep the train odysseys coming, I love everyone of them. I'm riding this going back from Chicago to visit my Aunt and Cousins for thanksgiving (they live in the Western Suburbs). I'm not a huge fan of this train because the prices are high and there's been no dining as of recently (thanks Anderson), but It's either this or the Capital Limited, on which both they took the dining service off of. I'm petitioning for Amtrak to bring it back, but so far no success. I watched your video on the Cardinal and that looks great. It just so happens that that was the same price as the Lake Shore and it ran on that day, but it got into New York too late since I have school the next day.
Count me among those who thoroughly enjoy your videos and appreciate the effort that goes into them. Note, though: if the town in Central New York is the one that gave its name to a US Navy aircraft carrier, then it's pronounced oh-RIS-kuh-nee.
Thank you for yet another great travelogue. Just like everyone here I enjoy your train videos and look forward to each new installment. Every time I see one it wants to make me board an Amtrak train and go some place. I haven't been on one in years. If I do, it'll be on the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles, CA. I like your narrations, GPS, road atlas, and scanner all necessary tools for a trip like this. Sometime I'd like to see Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania, that's a good train watching spot.
Used to love taking the Broadway Limited to either Harrisburg or Princeton Junction and going over the curve. Sadly Amtrak removed that route from existence.
I used to Metra in from the Grayslake station as well. Now I settled myself down in the Dells area of Wisconsin, so I can just jump on the Empire Builder there.
Well, at least you helped me make up my mind about whether or not I would ever get one of those foul bedrooms. I have occasionally done the smaller roomette, but for my running back-and-forth between Chicago to Minneapolis I just do coach. The seat are comfy and the dining not worth it any more.
Those of us who have taken the Lake Shore Express call it the LATE Shore Express!! The time you lost was spent on the siding while a CSX freight train had the right of way. Been there, done that! Grandson came from WI to visit in NY and train was 7 hours late arriving in Buffalo.
I’m looking forward to taking the cardinal one of these days, but you really need to jump on the capital limited. Once you get to Pittsburgh and it’s like night time when you go through that pretty lit up burg, Pennsylvania , New York, and the rest of the way through the mountains and along the Potomac river and through the tunnels and such it’s really a pretty route and apparently you haven’t taken that yet, so I recommend it
The trees are one reason that’s a detriment for Rocky Mountaineer trip from Vancouver to Jasper. It’s very expensive for a lot of trees (with the occasional spectacular view).
I think I've heard it suggested elsewhere that one sit (on the toilet seat) while showering in the private showers in Amtrak sleeper cars (and use the shower head as a telephone shower), mainly to increase one's stability while showering on a moving train. (But if the shower/toilet is that narrow, it sounds like you could probably just brace yourself against the sides of the shower/toilet while standing, instead.)
I thought the scenery was beautiful. Great trip. Reminded me of Indians coming down the Mohawk River in canoes. In parts of PA and OH it is really overgrown with trees and forest.
Not sure how I missed this 6 months ago, but, I suspect that extra rail you saw outside of Buffalo was a replacement rail. Some railroads, actually, bury the spare rails to keep them from being damaged by accidents.
The extra rail you mentioned at Buffalo ( 2 hours 5 min into the video) is actually one of two things; New rail waiting for track crews to replace older rail on a track for a certain stretch or recently removed older rail recently replaced awaiting a rail train to pick up. Older rail can still have lots of life left and placed on lighter density lines.
Fyi: I asked my train-fan husband what happens to used rail. He said rails eventually experience metal fatigue, but can be melted down and re-cast. Now I'm wondering how the companies determine rail fatigue. (Perhaps they track tracks? LOL.)
your sitting on the wrong side of the train Roomette on the right side of the train is better the scenery is better. The views on the right side from Albany to NYC are priceless.
My map shows the Amtrak route and in Utica for a while the Mohawk River is on the right as you head east and the Erie Canal on the left, but the canal is far wider than the river. The rail line then veers away from the river and crosses the canal. From there the canal is on the right and Highway 5 on the left.
At this point,we are only 1 hr into your trip.I have viewed most,if not all of your previous trips.I am surprised that you did not know that your train would be split in Albany(Awlbany) NY.Half going to NYC and half going to Boston.Superliners are not used in the east because the bridges and tunnels ate not high enough.We will never get them in the east.Our problem,for being too old.Please continue with your trip narrations and filming.You excel in both.I am not trying to ne a wise ass.I do enjoy your Odysseys.Thank you.
Did a little research on the locomotive change at Albany. Amtrak has some locomotives that are combo units. They run diesel until they get to the Northeast Corridor than they take power using the "3rd rail" system. This research was done because I was wondering why the locomotives leaving for New York did not have pantographs on top.
The line heading into Pennsylvania Station from Albany is third rail to the Harlem River I believe, not overhead. Amtrak shunts on a combination diesel/third rail locomotives at Albany for the train heading south, while the train heading east to Boston retains the diesel.
As of November 2018 the Sears Tower (no one in Chicago calls it by that other name) is still the tallest building in North America when measured from street level to it’s rooftop. It stands 1,450 ft and has 108 floors. Some say it has 110 floors but the top two are for mechanical purposes. The building will be overtaken by New York’s Nordstrom Tower which will rise over 1,500 ft to it’s roof when completed. The new World Trade Center in NY is only taller than the Sears Tower because of the spire/mast/antenna they stuck on top of it. And Toronto’s CN Tower is not considered to be a true building at all. Sears is a skyscraper and CN is a Tower.
I think most of us outside of Chicago don't call the Sears Tower anything else either. Lol. It'll never be anything else. It's too ingrained in American memory xD ^_^
When driving I90 from the Cleveland area to Buffalo and beyond there were vineyards from east of Erie to south of Buffalo with signs for Welches. I never knew if Welches owned all those vineyards or if they were only contracted for the grapes. The last time I I drove that route was 1982 so I am not sure if this still exists. Made the train trip several times but never to Boston. Loved the views from Albany thru the Hudson River Valley.
Looks like you were in the new generation of cars being constructed for Amtrak. Regarding the "restart", I have heard that before here at the Longview Railyard (where I worked for 20 years 7 months). It apparently has to do with PTC or Positive Train Control. If the PTC loses track of the train, they have to do a restart. That may have been the reason for the "safe stop" which means they don't have to "dynamite" the brakes but just do a normal stop.
Youtuba: Just for the record, they HAD to raise the level of streets because they were sinking in the clay. THAT is why all buildings in the Loop are built on piles sunk to hid bedrock
Great video - as usual. I suspect that quarry with a bridge over it coming into the Rochester station was the gorge of the Genesee River. The tracks go right over High Falls, the first of three waterfalls on the way to Lake Ontario. And just to prove we are unique, Chili is locally pronounced “Chi lie” with both the “i”’s being long. Keep filming, I’m loving them.
If I were the Amtrak CEO, I would sue the NS Railroad until their books BLED red ink until they started giving my trains priority (Which is the law, BTW)
Having recently and finally going into full retirement, I plan on doing a lot of Amtrak travel for recreation. Took a day trip to Dallas and back on Texas Eagle so see what would work with camera and GPS. Took a fully independent tablet with me (no wi-fi needed) and used it for location with Google Maps using the satellite imagery. Works far better than an automotive GPS. You would have had a much better idea of how close to (or far from) the lake you were. With the large number of videos nicely documenting the Amtrak routes, my videos will be mostly brief and aimed towards family and friends. However, I plan to travel much the way you do with scanner and road atlas. Also, much appreciate the view outside the Chicago Union Station since I will probably have some long layovers there.
2:03:05 that wind noise starts up again... it's in a lot of the videos, not just in this Odyssey. Perhaps you've commented on already and I missed it: do you know what's happening?
I've never heard the term restart used. Since there was no mention made of a loco failure but mileposts were mentioned it might have something to do with the Positive Train Control that railroads are phasing in for safetpurposes.
Just started watching your videos have stayed up half the nite looking at them I'm from n.w. Ohio we r taking a month long trip starting with being driven to Windsor On. Train to Toronto a dew days there then the canadian to Winnipeg with deluxe sleeper a,week there then on to Vancouver a few days there then bus to Seattle a few days there then sleeper to L.A. change trains to San Diego 5 days there then back to L.A. then eagle from L.A. to Chicago via San Antonio then backa q to toledo
@youtuuba i think we just like to see every aspect of trips, including food. i personally like seeing the food. not sure why that seems so silly to you. overall i enjoy your videos immensely
My attitude to showing food might be a reaction to the very situation I observed on TH-cam that originally caused me to start making my own train videos....namely, the great number of superficial, inadequate, incomplete, and silly train videos that I saw when I went looking, the kind where the people making the videos spent half their time with the camera looking at themselves instead of at the train or at the scenery. The videos were 'about them', and not about the trip. But I noted that so many of those also seemed to spend a lot of time focusing on the food, as if it were a restaurant review show or something. I hated that kind of thing and decided to make my own videos about the kind of content that I found lacking elsewhere. But because of viewer feedback, I am at least trying to reintroduce a little food observation in my newer videos.....
@@youtuuba that's cool. I appreciate all your insight. I agree we dont need a full review of dinner on the train lol, just maybe a little description of the food and if it was any good. Anyway I've seen a lot of great ideas on your videos that hopefully I'll be able to use someday. ... Someday I hope once I get some $$$ issues taken care of, i can start taking more trips and actually be able to afford the roomettes instead of coach...im assuming the ceo Anderson wont destroy the national network first and amtrak will still exist west of the northeast corridor by the time I can afford it.
Exactly, Richard Anderson hails from Delta airlines, one of the poorer airlines in my opinion based on accommodations and family opinions. I never flew delta for that reason. I went on the Auto train in late 2015 for the Christmas holiday with my family. We bought priority placement for our car on the train, but ironically, had to reserve our dinner for 9pm. At least the food was still cooked hot then. No point in spending lots of money for what seems to be nowadays as lower quality.
whoopie, another Amtrak trip. I'm loving these Odessey trips. Thanks ever so much. Have a question about the Metropelitan Lounge in Chicago: Is there a fireplace in the newer lounge? I spent many hours in front of that fireplace in the older lounge.
Restart means they stopped and then had to move the train forward 5 cars. Any train movement requires permission from the dispatcher. The train was probably too long for the platform causing the move to allow passengers to board or leave those cars.
They did seem to be using the term restart and respot interchangeably. Anyone familiar with the Empire Builder, like Youtuuba, knows respotting is common and listening to his scanner usually only involves the engineer and a conductor. However this time, dispatch issued an EC-1 track warrant after the signal failure before the station. The warrant was still in effect at the station so now I assume the respot has to reported to dispatch. Normally this would be under signal control, but I assume the signal failure caused dispatch to declare it dark territory temporarily.
"Take 'em ahead about 5 cars" would be the standard RR lingo for respotting the train. Train movement requires the permission of the dispatcher only if it is straddling a signal while stopped or will pass a signal going ahead, or making a reverse move or if permission is needed to pass a signal displaying a stop indication. Passing a red signal is usually done when returning to a part of their train that is tied down on the other side of a signal or if moving into an occupied block while looking out for the train ahead. I think the "restart" had to do with the newly implemented PTC or Positive Train Control. I have heard that term several times here in Longview, TX, and it usually means the PTC lost track of the train and they have to do a restart (i.e. reboot of the train's PTC computer).
wow, with all the delays you are experiencing, it is no wonder that Amtrak is a losing proposition. AND it seems that 75% of the coach seats and 50% of the roomettes that you are showing us are empty. How the heck are they making ANY money??????? Anyway thanks for your efforts. I know taking videos is taking away from the relaxation and pleasure of your travel experiences. Listening to your narration, I can tell you are a very intelligent person, from one software engineer to another. Godspeed, Ren
You will notice when you travel a lot on Amtrak that some days are busier than others. These train routes are linear unlike airline routes with passengers getting on and off for the entire route. Sometimes the seats and sleeping accommodations are sold more than once on the same journey to the end of line. Sometimes not. But don't get the thought in your mind Amtrak isn't busy during the holidays... If the train was fully sold out from Chicago to New York City for the entire route, there wouldn't be a need to have any stops in-between. This isn't a airline flying directly non stop...
Did You Have a Choice for Breakfast and Lunch or Do They Just Hand You a Box? Are you supposed to tip the various AMTRAK staff? Did the train make up any of the lost time getting out of Chicago? Your walk around Chicago was blotted out by the "Windy City" winds such that I couldn't make out what you were saying.
No choice for the boxed meals, everyone got the same (as I recall). There might have been a vegetarian option or something. Regarding tipping, you are not required to do it, any more than tipping anywhere else. It is common to leave a dollar or two for your server in the Dining Car. I think many people, maybe even most people, will tip their sleeping car attendant at the end of the trip; I usually tip $10 per day of the trip, so for a trip lasting three days I tip $30. But I would not feel guilty tipping a third of that if I was short on cash, or if the attendant did a so-so job. The train was pretty much on schedule by the second day. AMTRAK builds delays into their long distance train schedules so that they can compensate for unexpected delays. If they leave one place late, or have a slow down, then at one of the planned longer stops, they might stop for a shorter period, and they might have some leeway with the dispatchers to help make up time where possible.
Just had a thought, Maybe you could carry a squeegee with a telescopic handle to clean AmTrak's dirty window. Send them a bill when you get home or get credit on your next Odyssey
@@youtuuba Just a thought, I love your oddysseys. Might just take a ride on the Cardinal with you in a few minute. You are doing the things I would love to do. It is so great for you to share your adventures with us. Thanks
I might have said that I had some train travel planned for this month. It takes a lot of time to do the editing after a train trip, so any new train videos will not appear until some time in October.
At the end where you point out those 2 cars as though there being used for something, well out west on the Seattle to LA rough there are 2 cars that are either owned by someone or just cars as privet rentals like you renting the sleep room.
Thank you for these videos, I truly enjoy them as I am planning to take a cross country train trip this Christmas. One thing I am intrigued by that I cannot seem to figure out is what is that aluminum structure shown on the second deck of the metra cars you ride. It seems to have some sort of a cat-walk but it does not look like a luggage rack and I routinely pause your videos to try and figure it out. Thanks again for sharing!
I would have thought the first class sleeper would directly connect with the first class dining car. I guess they ought to say they offer exercise facilities for their first class passengers.
Barbara Miller, on most trains, the Dining Car is shared by First Class and Coach passengers, and is positioned in the 'consist' in between the Sleeper and Coach cars. If the consist includes a Lounge/Observation car, it is usually located adjacent to the Dining Car. But on some trains, which will be combined or separated at some time during the route, the Dining Car might be located at a point that minimizes the amount of rearranging of cars. If a First Class passenger does not want to walk far their car attendant will pick up their meals and bring them to the passenger's private room.
@@youtuuba No, I don't think you did, but I recall that you commented somehow on the problems of photography due to lower ceilings (which is a problem on trains in the East).
@@mikesgoodmann9349 , Or any AMTRAK trains that use Viewliner type cars. The City of New Orleans train is sort of a western train, but it uses the Viewliner cars....and I think that some of their shorter regional trains, regardless of where in the country, also use Viewliner, or some other single level cars.
I was born in Ft. Wor th TX over 68 yeaRS ago buit lived in Schenectady from age 2 - 3 years old. But after that I p'ermanently moved back to Texas, with Dallas being the main place of residence all of these years.
I like the way you narrate the trip. I have seen too many of these train videos on TH-cam that are silent, save for the train noise. I'd much rather hear your comments. Thank you!
The "background noise" sometimes is NOT in the background so George is 100% corect,
Your train adventures are so much fun! I really enjoy your perspective on things. Thank you kindly for making it possible for us to come along.
Pluto Prosciutto I agree. I’m hooked!
Wonderful adventure. My Father-in-law has dementia, but he seems to focus and understand when he watches these programs. Thank you!
Your films are both immensely educational and entertaining - a very difficult feat for even the best. Look forward to your future filming as I dig back and watch your previous work with enjoyment.
Aww... I always get when his train odysseys end, but I look forward to watching all of his other wonderful train odysseys! I have a few favorites I watch over and over! ❤️
Your are very fortunate to live in the greater Chicago area as Chicago seems to be a "superhub" for Amtrak for the entire country. This advantage makes it much easier to use the entire Amtrak system. Again, thank you so much for your great videos on Amtrak travel.
We love seeing your meals, because it is something different, than we are experiencing. It really is good stuff!! Great video.
but they make me too hungry! lol
In 1918 the NY State Barge Canal opened as the third version of the original Erie system.
Much of the old canal was abandoned and lakes and rivers were used with locks to deepen and widen the canal. Now there’s almost no commercial traffic on it.
THANK you for showing me the bedroom. I had thought about maybe buying one of those for strip, but now I realize the rommette is better!!
glad u r letting me tagalong again, These Odysseys really are fun during these troubling times. Thanks for all your great rides, they mean a lot to me.
I would take the lake shore limited home from college (Marquette) in mid 90s. Thanks for taking me back in time on your trip. Surprisingly most everything looks the same in union station. Cheers!
I love how in depth these videos are, props to you Sir. (:
Hello! I really enjoy your rail adventure videos! I am an engineer for Amtrak currently working on the Auto Train out of Sanford. Per CSX operating rules, operating crew must get permission from the section foreman to restart the train, each time the train stops inside the section foreman's working authority. They also must get the authority to enter the section of track, that is controlled by the section foreman Thank you for sharing your videos!
??: 🚂 Shared your info with freight-rail-fan who said to ask you: how come CSX passenger trains aren't signal controlled, like CSX freight trains? I'm thinking it might be a safety/liability issue? Thanks
LOL!!! At 1hr 31min in your video. Continental breakfast! All I can say is good job CEO Richard Anderson, good job!!! Brand new single level dining cars to serve your airline food. Some people just need to stick with airlines for their leadership or just retire and Richard Anderson is exactly one of those.
What great fun to ride along on these trips -- That's a swell road map. Nice to know ones where abouts.
Thanks for the video of a bedroom I was considering getting a bedroom on my next overnight trip but after seeing the actual size of it I will stick with the roomette. It should be big enough for the hubby and me. Your video was very helpful making this decision keep it up.
I love all the tree tunnels along the Eastern Seaboard. Little different than the SW Chief.
Thank You for the video! I have watched your train videos over and over, so entertaining!
Thanks for posting this video. You do a really amazing job. I am scheduled to take this train in a few months. I have been struggling with whether or not to upgrade my roomette to a bedroom. You have definitely convinced me to stick with the roomette.
The long pieces of rail running along side are pieces of continuous welded rail awaiting installation or had been changed out with new rail. If you aren't hearing the clickity clack of the wheels on the rail you are on welded rail. Also the rail through Northern Indiana for the most part is maintained by the N.S. rail road.
Love it, when you are less than happy, and you don't want to portray irritated, in your videos. My Grandfather used exact tone, and demeanor!!😃
That scanner is fun--- also, nice road map, atlas.
Love the scanner and the road map
1:18:50 The bathroom setup is exactly the same for the majority of RV's and smaller boats. You have to turn sideways in the compartment wash one side, turn 180 degrees wash the other side, sit on the toilet lid to wash your legs and feet. Cramped, but at least you do not have to wait for it. The Mississippi River is the divide for U.S. trains. There is 5 Class I railroads operating today, over 14 when I started my railroad career, mergers are both a blessing and a curse. In the east, there are CSX 21,000 miles of track, which was formed in 1980 by the merger of the Chessie System and Seaboard lines, the "X" was just added to imply Xtra. The other is Norfolk Southern(NS) 21,500 miles of track which was the merger between Norfolk & Western Railway and Southern Railway in 1982. Some of the railroad lines on CSX and NS have been in continuous operations since the 1840's, namely CSX's Baltimore & Ohio railroad, the nations oldest. West of the Missippi River you have Union Pacific 32,100 miles of track, which is the nations largest railroad for tonnage hauled since they acquired Southern Pacific Lines in 1998. Then you have Burlington Northern Santa Fe(BNSF) 32,500 miles of track and my employer, that was formed when the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway when they merged in 1996. Last but not least is the Kansas City Southern Railway with 6,000 miles of tracks. Some shippers consider Canadian Pacific and Canadian National as Class I's, yes they do own operations in the U.S, such as The Soo Line and Illinois Central, which before restructuring was known as, and still to me, Illinois Central Gulf, more commonly known as the railroad Casey Jones worked for. And there are hundreds maybe thousands of Class II & III railroads Alaska Railroad (ARR), Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS), Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) and many more are considered Class II lines. Class III lines are mostly the port, switching and chemical plant lines.
Railroad Class system is based on the money made in operations during the year.
Class I operating revenue exceeding $457.9 million
Class II operating revenues between $36.6 million and $457.9 million
Class III operating revenues of $36.6 million or less
There is not one single Class I that has operating revenues under $30 billion a year. Mergers, a blessing and a curse for the workforce. Due to the Class system applying to freight railroad operations, AMTRAK is not included in it, but many regional passenger trains are listed as Class II's.
1:57:32 The most common problem with short trains like AMTRAK is loosing the shunt with the rails and disappearing off of the dispatcher monitors. For the signal system to work the axles of the train create a very low resistance connection across the tracks, a shunt. This shunt trips relay's, located in the shiny silver boxes you see beside the track among other things, that signal the computer exactly where the train is at. The dispatcher's urgency to stop was due to today's computer dispatching systems when AMTRAK disappeared, the system does not look for it and the possibility of giving a clear signal to a waiting opposing, or lining track switches against the train is very real. These systems were designed and built for trains exceeding 5,000 feet in length.
2:03:11 Respotting, means they must pull the train forward two cars to"spot" the end two cars were they can be serviced on, boarded or detrained.
2:05:10 That "extra rail" is either new rail waiting to be installed or old rail ready to be removed. Most rails on lines with continuous welded rail is moved in lengths from 2,300 feet and up. I have seen it being laid down in 7,500 feet for one track! th-cam.com/video/VOnkzMox89I/w-d-xo.html
2:20:13 The Catskill Mountains of NY is the only senery in the state.
Good video.
Andrew Armstrong, thanks for clearing up those questions. Regarding the stunting, I was aware of the idea that the solid metal axle/wheels shorting out, or shunting, the rails, and this being detected by electrical circuitry. Probably 25 -30 years ago I encountered a freak accident at a railroad crossing where a vehicle was pinned under a partially lowered crossing gate, which was entangled in some power/phone lines that were overhead at a diagonal to the road AND the tracks.
Emergency responders were trying to free the vehicle from the gate, but it would not raise or lower. The vehicle's engine was not starting, so many people were trying to push the vehicle off the tracks, but the gate was hung up with something on top of the vehicle.
I approached a police officer with my offer to try and trick the gates to raise and lower, by using my car's jumper cables to shunt the rails. He agreed that this was something he would like me to try.
I found that a brief shunt had no effect, but stunting for a longer period did trigger the gates to cycle (I don't remember exactly HOW they cycled), but I was able to get the gates to attempt lowering, followed by raising, and while the people rocked the vehicle, after a few cycles the gates got untangled with the power lines (it was very gusty/windy and the lines were swaying quite a lot) AND disengaged with the roof of the vehicle, and they pushed it off the tracks.
I tried to get the police to call the phone number on the crossing gate post, to advise the rail company of what we had done, in case our actions might have triggered something in their computer system or at a dispatcher's console. I don't know if they ever did.
@@youtuuba No damage was done other than a signal dropping to red in front of a train if a train was operating in the area. Must have been those old wood gates, think they were mahogany, some were steel I-beams, today they are all lightweight fiberglass and you can push them up with one hand, furthermore, they are made to swing away as well, and being spring loaded they snap back. I know a lot of people complain about coming up to a crossing with the gates down and no train around, they are build to "safety fail" in the down position, such as power outage, battery banks dead, bad relay. That is not my area of railroad expertise but over the years of talking with signal maintainers, who are the ones with that expertise, I always found it interesting on how and why that stuff works. Maybe it was because it was too much to learn or maybe they didn't want operating crews to know, I do distinctly remember a signal maintainer riding with us for about 75 miles to check on signal alignment and other issues. It was at that time, 6 years into my career, that I learned all those crossing gates, lights and trackside signals worked off of a 10 volt DC current in the rail, that when shunted, made from one to two dozen or lots more single and double throw relays make a signal appear, crossing gate lower or tell the dispatcher where we were at on his control board on a certain part of track. Here is something good to sink your teeth into, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) www.arema.org//files/pubs/pgre/PGChapter7.pdf
@ Edward Anderson: Thanks for clarifications! All are things my freight-rail-fan husband couldn't explain. Great fun to share your explanations with him.
If I had to pick just one thing I like about your Amtrak videos (compared to other creators), it's your narration. Like the porridge in Goldie Locks and the 3 bears, it's just right.
I loved hearing you were coming thru Phila….my hometown.....I am still planning my trip on the empire builder....not sure of the best time to travel up north
You were actually on the Boston bound portion of the train. Between Boston and Albany (pronounced All Bany) the train consists of the engine, baggage car, Sleeper and two coach cars. It arrives in Albany late in the afternoon and waits for the section coming from New York City. There the two portions are combined and continue on their way. Of course you were heading eastbound. I actually see the train every once and a while in Springfield, MA and have taken it to Chicago.
It was sad to see that they've taken away the full service dinner car. When I travelled on it a couple of years ago we had some nice meals in there while the country rolled by. I hope they bring that back!
I've been watching your channel for quite some time now and love how detailed and informative your videos are.
Thanks. Used to enjoy train travel, and always wondered about the sleeping quarters. Then I checked the price. Thanks for the ride along and info.
So enjoy traveling with you... Can you tell a little about your video gear. I've not had the best experience with my gear. Thank You sir.
Chicago must be a great place to live if you like traveling on trains.😊😊😊
loved that route. did from boston to chicago as part 1 of 5 on a 3 week trip around perimeter of the country
Again extremely informative and educational. Whenever travelling solo by AMTRAK, my preference is booking a roomette which provides enough room for me. Whenever I travel with my wife, I must purchase 2 adjoining Deluxe Bedrooms or suite. On Superliner Sleepers, the only rooms which can be ensuite are rooms B&C or D&E. When on a Viewliner Sleepers, there are only rooms A&B which could provide this feature since there are only 3 rooms of this type in this car, the 3rd being an accessible bedroom. I need to book 11 months before the trip to ensure this accommodation. Although the video is great, it's challenging for some individuals with claustrophobia, particularly when the beds are down. My wife cannot have the upper berth let down and there isn't enough room on the lower berth for the 2 of us. We also carry cleaning materials with us and wipe surfaces down with gloves since we don't know who we're coming behind. There's little evidence of rooms being cleaned whenever we travel AMTRAK. Too bad they don't provide cooked meals anymore on this route. At least meals are still complimentary. Watching these videos spares me the extra expense and planning. Thank you.
Since both of us aren't nimble enough to climb up to the upper berth, we book two across the aisle roomettes, which believe it or not is sometimes cheaper than booking a standard bedroom. We more or less use one during the day, but use both at night. The second roomette gets all the baggage during the day as we need all the space we can get. My wife packs too much into too many bags...
You have to remember that you're not dealing with a stateroom on the Pacific Princess. So, the idea of comfort is subjective. For me I might consider that full relatively comfortable - I'm used to having to do coach most of the time that I've traveled on Amtrak. So, for that long of a trip I might pay the extra money - if I could. The Lakeshore Limited splits at Albany with 1/2 continuing EB to Springfield/Boston and the other 1/2 turning south to New York. Your narration is pretty good
I'm from Syracuse originally and when you went by Onondaga lake all I could think of was the fact that it is the most polluted inland body of water in the US-and is on the Superfund clean up list-the bottom is full of mercury from Allied-Chemical when it was running its plant long ago....Thanks for the video!
Thanks for yet another excellent rail travelogue. Yeah, the scenery sucks, but this gives me an opportunity to compliment you on how you do your videos. After watching a couple of yours, I started watching others -- no narration, no GPS, no road atlas, usually in coach with all the attendant background noise. Fortunately I've traveled all my life and could usually figure out where we were, but there was no help from the video. Anyway, I enjoy your train stuff and look forward very much to each new installment.
That's exactly how I feel about youtuuba's train videos.
nothing wrong with coach.
That's where I agree completely! Unfortunately, i suspect that some viewers just aren't as interested in the geographic and technical aspects of "training" !
@@yamahonkawazuki except when you fly! lol
@@mikesgoodmann9349 I don't do the first class or no class coach works for me I save my money for the destination. I have however flown first. Traded a coach seat for it. I did enjoy that
I traveled on the California Zephyr and took the Lake Shore Limited as my connecting train. I loved the Lake Shore Limited and was surprised that the roomettes had toilets with sinks that fold down. I just felt the Lake Shore Limited had more room overall. The dining car was really nice and I liked the free drink. I also used the radio scanner with built in railroad frequencies. It came in handy when there was a broken rail and I could listen to them talk.
Your making me want to ride Amtrak I've rode the crescent several times from Greenville sc to Atlanta
Capital limited text the same route until Cleveland when it branches off and head to Pittsburgh. If you haven’t taken that route, it says really sweet route through Pennsylvania along the Potomac river.
I just watched the segment from Syracuse to Albany with the shots of the Erie Canal. The original 1817-25 canal ran in a narrow “ditch” because of the limitations of horse-drawn barges. Since the 1918 enlargement, it has run in the Mohawk River and other local rivers where possible because powered barges can overcome the current. There are still locks where the Mohawk is shallow or has falls.
Amazing video! Keep the train odysseys coming, I love everyone of them. I'm riding this going back from Chicago to visit my Aunt and Cousins for thanksgiving (they live in the Western Suburbs). I'm not a huge fan of this train because the prices are high and there's been no dining as of recently (thanks Anderson), but It's either this or the Capital Limited, on which both they took the dining service off of. I'm petitioning for Amtrak to bring it back, but so far no success. I watched your video on the Cardinal and that looks great. It just so happens that that was the same price as the Lake Shore and it ran on that day, but it got into New York too late since I have school the next day.
Count me among those who thoroughly enjoy your videos and appreciate the effort that goes into them. Note, though: if the town in Central New York is the one that gave its name to a US Navy aircraft carrier, then it's pronounced oh-RIS-kuh-nee.
Thank you for yet another great travelogue. Just like everyone here I enjoy your train videos and look forward to each new installment. Every time I see one it wants to make me board an Amtrak train and go some place. I haven't been on one in years. If I do, it'll be on the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles, CA. I like your narrations, GPS, road atlas, and scanner all necessary tools for a trip like this. Sometime I'd like to see Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania, that's a good train watching spot.
Used to love taking the Broadway Limited to either Harrisburg or Princeton Junction and going over the curve. Sadly Amtrak removed that route from existence.
Horseshoe Curve is really remarkable. One of my favorite Amtrak sights.
Love! Love! This video he do a really wonderful job never knew i could travel across the country without ever leaving my recliner!
I used to Metra in from the Grayslake station as well. Now I settled myself down in the Dells area of Wisconsin, so I can just jump on the Empire Builder there.
Well, at least you helped me make up my mind about whether or not I would ever get one of those foul bedrooms. I have occasionally done the smaller roomette, but for my running back-and-forth between Chicago to Minneapolis I just do coach. The seat are comfy and the dining not worth it any more.
Those of us who have taken the Lake Shore Express call it the LATE Shore Express!! The time you lost was spent on the siding while a CSX freight train had the right of way. Been there, done that! Grandson came from WI to visit in NY and train was 7 hours late arriving in Buffalo.
Yes!
I’m looking forward to taking the cardinal one of these days, but you really need to jump on the capital limited. Once you get to Pittsburgh and it’s like night time when you go through that pretty lit up burg, Pennsylvania , New York, and the rest of the way through the mountains and along the Potomac river and through the tunnels and such it’s really a pretty route and apparently you haven’t taken that yet, so I recommend it
The trees are one reason that’s a detriment for Rocky Mountaineer trip from Vancouver to Jasper. It’s very expensive for a lot of trees (with the occasional spectacular view).
I agree with the bedroom vs roomette,I’ll take the roomette any day,much cosier and better for sleep.
I like that these trips start out from Chicago.
I think I've heard it suggested elsewhere that one sit (on the toilet seat) while showering in the private showers in Amtrak sleeper cars (and use the shower head as a telephone shower), mainly to increase one's stability while showering on a moving train. (But if the shower/toilet is that narrow, it sounds like you could probably just brace yourself against the sides of the shower/toilet while standing, instead.)
Yes, I am one of those who would have liked to have seen what you chose to eat on the Empire Buiilder trip for example.
I thought the scenery was beautiful. Great trip. Reminded me of Indians coming down the Mohawk River in canoes. In parts of PA and OH it is really overgrown with trees and forest.
Not sure how I missed this 6 months ago, but, I suspect that extra rail you saw outside of Buffalo was a replacement rail. Some railroads, actually, bury the spare rails to keep them from being damaged by accidents.
L
Walking back thru all those cars to get dinner I'm surprised you didn't end up back in Chicago.
The extra rail you mentioned at Buffalo ( 2 hours 5 min into the video) is actually one of two things; New rail waiting for track crews to replace older rail on a track for a certain stretch or recently removed older rail recently replaced awaiting a rail train to pick up. Older rail can still have lots of life left and placed on lighter density lines.
Fyi: my rail-fan husband said rail track eventually has metal fatigue, but can be melted down and re-cast.
Fyi: I asked my train-fan husband what happens to used rail. He said rails eventually experience metal fatigue, but can be melted down and re-cast. Now I'm wondering how the companies determine rail fatigue. (Perhaps they track tracks? LOL.)
your sitting on the wrong side of the train Roomette on the right side of the train is better the scenery is better. The views on the right side from Albany to NYC are priceless.
My map shows the Amtrak route and in Utica for a while the Mohawk River is on the right as you head east and the Erie Canal on the left, but the canal is far wider than the river. The rail line then veers away from the river and crosses the canal. From there the canal is on the right and Highway 5 on the left.
At this point,we are only 1 hr into your trip.I have viewed most,if not all of your previous trips.I am surprised that you did not know that your train would be split in Albany(Awlbany) NY.Half going to NYC and half going to Boston.Superliners are not used in the east because the bridges and tunnels ate not high enough.We will never get them in the east.Our problem,for being too old.Please continue with your trip narrations and filming.You excel in both.I am not trying to ne a wise ass.I do enjoy your Odysseys.Thank you.
Did a little research on the locomotive change at Albany. Amtrak has some locomotives that are combo units. They run diesel until they get to the Northeast Corridor than they take power using the "3rd rail" system. This research was done because I was wondering why the locomotives leaving for New York did not have pantographs on top.
The line heading into Pennsylvania Station from Albany is third rail to the Harlem River I believe, not overhead. Amtrak shunts on a combination diesel/third rail locomotives at Albany for the train heading south, while the train heading east to Boston retains the diesel.
As of November 2018 the Sears Tower (no one in Chicago calls it by that other name) is still the tallest building in North America when measured from street level to it’s rooftop. It stands 1,450 ft and has 108 floors. Some say it has 110 floors but the top two are for mechanical purposes. The building will be overtaken by New York’s Nordstrom Tower which will rise over 1,500 ft to it’s roof when completed.
The new World Trade Center in NY is only taller than the Sears Tower because of the spire/mast/antenna they stuck on top of it. And Toronto’s CN Tower is not considered to be a true building at all. Sears is a skyscraper and CN is a Tower.
I think most of us outside of Chicago don't call the Sears Tower anything else either. Lol. It'll never be anything else. It's too ingrained in American memory xD ^_^
When driving I90 from the Cleveland area to Buffalo and beyond there were vineyards from east of Erie to south of Buffalo with signs for Welches. I never knew if Welches owned all those vineyards or if they were only contracted for the grapes. The last time I I drove that route was 1982 so I am not sure if this still exists. Made the train trip several times but never to Boston. Loved the views from Albany thru the Hudson River Valley.
@ Patti Stift: Btw: husband said that region was home for Welch's. And that Welch's grew only concord grapes.
Looks like you were in the new generation of cars being constructed for Amtrak. Regarding the "restart", I have heard that before here at the Longview Railyard (where I worked for 20 years 7 months). It apparently has to do with PTC or Positive Train Control. If the PTC loses track of the train, they have to do a restart. That may have been the reason for the "safe stop" which means they don't have to "dynamite" the brakes but just do a normal stop.
Love the route you've taken this time.
Youtuba: Just for the record, they HAD to raise the level of streets because they were sinking in the clay. THAT is why all buildings in the Loop are built on piles sunk to hid bedrock
Great video - as usual. I suspect that quarry with a bridge over it coming into the Rochester station was the gorge of the Genesee River. The tracks go right over High Falls, the first of three waterfalls on the way to Lake Ontario. And just to prove we are unique, Chili is locally pronounced “Chi lie” with both the “i”’s being long. Keep filming, I’m loving them.
They don't call it the Late For Sure Limited for nothing
If I were the Amtrak CEO, I would sue the NS Railroad until their books BLED red ink until they started giving my trains priority (Which is the law, BTW)
@@Robbi496 LOL.............Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson could care less. He wants to kill long distances trains.
@@milepost4846 Where's MP 484? lol
@@mikesgoodmann9349 Greenville, SC.......old Southern Railway main on Crescent route.
finally... your food looks great sir. Pulled pork... my favorite.
Having recently and finally going into full retirement, I plan on doing a lot of Amtrak travel for recreation. Took a day trip to Dallas and back on Texas Eagle so see what would work with camera and GPS. Took a fully independent tablet with me (no wi-fi needed) and used it for location with Google Maps using the satellite imagery. Works far better than an automotive GPS. You would have had a much better idea of how close to (or far from) the lake you were. With the large number of videos nicely documenting the Amtrak routes, my videos will be mostly brief and aimed towards family and friends. However, I plan to travel much the way you do with scanner and road atlas. Also, much appreciate the view outside the Chicago Union Station since I will probably have some long layovers there.
2:03:05 that wind noise starts up again... it's in a lot of the videos, not just in this Odyssey. Perhaps you've commented on already and I missed it: do you know what's happening?
I've never heard the term restart used. Since there was no mention made of a loco failure but mileposts were mentioned it might have something to do with the Positive Train Control that railroads are phasing in for safetpurposes.
Looks like most of the trip was 50-60 minutes late, although getting into Albany 30 minutes late. Not bad for Amtrak.
Just started watching your videos have stayed up half the nite looking at them I'm from n.w. Ohio we r taking a month long trip starting with being driven to Windsor On. Train to Toronto a dew days there then the canadian to Winnipeg with deluxe sleeper a,week there then on to Vancouver a few days there then bus to Seattle a few days there then sleeper to L.A. change trains to San Diego 5 days there then back to L.A. then eagle from L.A. to Chicago via San Antonio then backa q to toledo
Last time I road metra was long while ago still remember it
@youtuuba i think we just like to see every aspect of trips, including food. i personally like seeing the food. not sure why that seems so silly to you. overall i enjoy your videos immensely
My attitude to showing food might be a reaction to the very situation I observed on TH-cam that originally caused me to start making my own train videos....namely, the great number of superficial, inadequate, incomplete, and silly train videos that I saw when I went looking, the kind where the people making the videos spent half their time with the camera looking at themselves instead of at the train or at the scenery. The videos were 'about them', and not about the trip. But I noted that so many of those also seemed to spend a lot of time focusing on the food, as if it were a restaurant review show or something. I hated that kind of thing and decided to make my own videos about the kind of content that I found lacking elsewhere. But because of viewer feedback, I am at least trying to reintroduce a little food observation in my newer videos.....
@@youtuuba that's cool. I appreciate all your insight. I agree we dont need a full review of dinner on the train lol, just maybe a little description of the food and if it was any good. Anyway I've seen a lot of great ideas on your videos that hopefully I'll be able to use someday. ... Someday I hope once I get some $$$ issues taken care of, i can start taking more trips and actually be able to afford the roomettes instead of coach...im assuming the ceo Anderson wont destroy the national network first and amtrak will still exist west of the northeast corridor by the time I can afford it.
The current CEO of Amtrak is from the Airline industry so he's trying to turn Amtrak into an airline on the ground with packaged meals.
Packaged meals are courtesy of the local state governments who decided that helping Amtrak pay for real food was too much to ask for.
those assholes have been trying to make amtrak run like an asshole airline since the 70's.they even dress the conductors like asshole pilots.
Exactly, Richard Anderson hails from Delta airlines, one of the poorer airlines in my opinion based on accommodations and family opinions. I never flew delta for that reason. I went on the Auto train in late 2015 for the Christmas holiday with my family. We bought priority placement for our car on the train, but ironically, had to reserve our dinner for 9pm. At least the food was still cooked hot then. No point in spending lots of money for what seems to be nowadays as lower quality.
I would be totally lost by now and not know how to find my train room.
whoopie, another Amtrak trip. I'm loving these Odessey trips. Thanks ever so much. Have a question about the Metropelitan Lounge in Chicago: Is there a fireplace in the newer lounge? I spent many hours in front of that fireplace in the older lounge.
I don't recall there being a fireplace in either the old or new lounges in Chicago.....
oh there was, it is evident in this short video, at about mark 0.59 ... th-cam.com/video/uAJIpQ3uRi0/w-d-xo.html
It sounds like your dining car had a flat spot on a wheel. (About 1 hour and 28 minutes in). It’s very noticeable as you enter and exit.
Restart means they stopped and then had to move the train forward 5 cars. Any train movement requires permission from the dispatcher. The train was probably too long for the platform causing the move to allow passengers to board or leave those cars.
They did seem to be using the term restart and respot interchangeably. Anyone familiar with the Empire Builder, like Youtuuba, knows respotting is common and listening to his scanner usually only involves the engineer and a conductor. However this time, dispatch issued an EC-1 track warrant after the signal failure before the station. The warrant was still in effect at the station so now I assume the respot has to reported to dispatch. Normally this would be under signal control, but I assume the signal failure caused dispatch to declare it dark territory temporarily.
"Take 'em ahead about 5 cars" would be the standard RR lingo for respotting the train. Train movement requires the permission of the dispatcher only if it is straddling a signal while stopped or will pass a signal going ahead, or making a reverse move or if permission is needed to pass a signal displaying a stop indication. Passing a red signal is usually done when returning to a part of their train that is tied down on the other side of a signal or if moving into an occupied block while looking out for the train ahead. I think the "restart" had to do with the newly implemented PTC or Positive Train Control. I have heard that term several times here in Longview, TX, and it usually means the PTC lost track of the train and they have to do a restart (i.e. reboot of the train's PTC computer).
wow, with all the delays you are experiencing, it is no wonder that Amtrak is a losing proposition. AND it seems that 75% of the coach seats and 50% of the roomettes that you are showing us are empty. How the heck are they making ANY money??????? Anyway thanks for your efforts. I know taking videos is taking away from the relaxation and pleasure of your travel experiences. Listening to your narration, I can tell you are a very intelligent person, from one software engineer to another. Godspeed, Ren
You will notice when you travel a lot on Amtrak that some days are busier than others. These train routes are linear unlike airline routes with passengers getting on and off for the entire route. Sometimes the seats and sleeping accommodations are sold more than once on the same journey to the end of line. Sometimes not. But don't get the thought in your mind Amtrak isn't busy during the holidays... If the train was fully sold out from Chicago to New York City for the entire route, there wouldn't be a need to have any stops in-between. This isn't a airline flying directly non stop...
didn't expect to see the VRE train coach at 7:11, it is an older logo
The rooms alternate with mirrored layouts. If you were in rooms B or D, you could sit on the sofa and face forward.
It really shouldn't matter whether you are facing forward or backward...
Last thing, give audio sample to Disney, you have great dubb voice, really. Sure you have heard that though. Undiscovered Voiceover talent, love it!!
Did You Have a Choice for Breakfast and Lunch or Do They Just Hand You a Box?
Are you supposed to tip the various AMTRAK staff?
Did the train make up any of the lost time getting out of Chicago?
Your walk around Chicago was blotted out by the "Windy City" winds such that I couldn't make out what you were saying.
No choice for the boxed meals, everyone got the same (as I recall). There might have been a vegetarian option or something. Regarding tipping, you are not required to do it, any more than tipping anywhere else. It is common to leave a dollar or two for your server in the Dining Car. I think many people, maybe even most people, will tip their sleeping car attendant at the end of the trip; I usually tip $10 per day of the trip, so for a trip lasting three days I tip $30. But I would not feel guilty tipping a third of that if I was short on cash, or if the attendant did a so-so job.
The train was pretty much on schedule by the second day. AMTRAK builds delays into their long distance train schedules so that they can compensate for unexpected delays. If they leave one place late, or have a slow down, then at one of the planned longer stops, they might stop for a shorter period, and they might have some leeway with the dispatchers to help make up time where possible.
Just had a thought, Maybe you could carry a squeegee with a telescopic handle to clean AmTrak's dirty window. Send them a bill when you get home or get credit on your next Odyssey
William Christian, yeah, right.
@@youtuuba Just a thought, I love your oddysseys. Might just take a ride on the Cardinal with you in a few minute. You are doing the things I would love to do. It is so great for you to share your adventures with us. Thanks
My understanding is that you would have new videos this month
I might have said that I had some train travel planned for this month. It takes a lot of time to do the editing after a train trip, so any new train videos will not appear until some time in October.
At the end where you point out those 2 cars as though there being used for something, well out west on the Seattle to LA rough there are 2 cars that are either owned by someone or just cars as privet rentals like you renting the sleep room.
Thank you for these videos, I truly enjoy them as I am planning to take a cross country train trip this Christmas. One thing I am intrigued by that I cannot seem to figure out is what is that aluminum structure shown on the second deck of the metra cars you ride. It seems to have some sort of a cat-walk but it does not look like a luggage rack and I routinely pause your videos to try and figure it out. Thanks again for sharing!
It is for carry on items.
I would have thought the first class sleeper would directly connect with the first class dining car. I guess they ought to say they offer exercise facilities for their first class passengers.
Barbara Miller, on most trains, the Dining Car is shared by First Class and Coach passengers, and is positioned in the 'consist' in between the Sleeper and Coach cars. If the consist includes a Lounge/Observation car, it is usually located adjacent to the Dining Car. But on some trains, which will be combined or separated at some time during the route, the Dining Car might be located at a point that minimizes the amount of rearranging of cars.
If a First Class passenger does not want to walk far their car attendant will pick up their meals and bring them to the passenger's private room.
If anyone cares, I90 starts/finishes in Seattle (my Empire Builder trip) and I believe starts/finishes in Boston(?). An air trip and rented car. JMS
Hope to on it this summer.
to Syracuse N.Y. Will start on Empire Builder inSpokane WA.
Oh man dinner watching for next week!
part of your problem with shooting from observation cars is that they are considerably lower on trains running east from Chicago!
Mike S Goodman, did I "shoot from an observation car" on this video? I don't recall there being one.......
@@youtuuba No, I don't think you did, but I recall that you commented somehow on the problems of photography due to lower ceilings (which is a problem on trains in the East).
@@mikesgoodmann9349 , Or any AMTRAK trains that use Viewliner type cars. The City of New Orleans train is sort of a western train, but it uses the Viewliner cars....and I think that some of their shorter regional trains, regardless of where in the country, also use Viewliner, or some other single level cars.
used to live in west chicago. ( dupage co.) we used metra to hit chicago quite often
always loved riding upstairs for some reason. was a highlight of the commuter trips
53:00 sounds like you’ll follow the path of the South Shore Line
love watching
I was born in Ft. Wor th TX over 68 yeaRS ago buit lived in Schenectady from age 2 - 3 years old. But after that I p'ermanently moved back to Texas, with Dallas being the main place of residence all of these years.
I think that by far the scenery by far is the best on the right side of the train not the left that's my opinion I think
Is the extra levels of buildings in downtown Chicago due to the Chicago fire.