I was a lead mechanic at CAF during this contract. I was involved in the final stage of the production line. I'm glad that people like these cars. A lot of hard work went into them.
Hi Dylan, I am a retired Amtrak employee and have taken many long distance Amtrak trains out west and have always found the showers to be in good working order. And when it comes to a good nights SLEEP, one cannot beat a roomette or bedroom for the peace of mind. Have encountered many nice onboard service employees as well in my travels.
I am a dedicated railfan and love how all Amtrak employees take great pride in their jobs. Thank you for making my many short and cross country trips so memorable. The food and hot water for showers has always been great. The new changes limited dining service with real flowers,tablecloth, and cooked to order food is now gone.Those chefs were amazing! On one of my cross country trips the engineer blew the horn to scatter herds of animals for us to see,we were all ecstatic at the sights. I met a retired employee who wept because the service as he knew it had diminished. Who cries about a job they once had because they loved it so much? AMTRAK employees! Enjoy your retirement and continue to ride Amtrak.
Thank you!!! People trash the US Rail Network but don't know what it's actually like. Over here the freight networks control the majority of the rails, leaving Amtrak in the dust.
Took the Lakeshore Limited from Boston some years ago. Being in January not much daylight viewing. After a couple of days in Chicago I then took the California Zephyr to San Francisco, and that WAS an experience. Great trip.
A small tip! If you are getting a regular Amtrak train on the NE Regional line and you are in standard class, it’s often better to board in the old nasty MSG train hall instead of the new Moynihan hall. You can access the platforms from both and, annoyingly, most of the trains are parked up closer to the MSG Penn Station, so when the scrum to board starts, you will get on faster and have a better choice of seats of you get on at MSG Penn. sadly I see this hellhole of a station several times a week.! Great content on this channel!
Cheers for this video, Mate! My brother had to take an Amtrak after having an accident and didn't feel comfortable being on the road. Your video helped me informed him on what he had included in his ticket, including the fact that he got complimentary food which he didn't know about funny enough you got the breakfast he wanted. We were all worried he was going to suffer for the X amount of hours he was gonna be on the train but it was quite the opposite, he really enjoyed his roomette and found it to be quite an experience. Seeing your video put me at ease that he wasn't going to be quietly suffering the whole trip back to NYC and that he was actually gonna be fed which was one of our biggest concern since he had to used up all the money he had to buy the ticket. You got yourself a new subscriber, thanks again for putting a whole family at ease!🙏🏽💗💞
I am excited to go on my first Amtrak trip. When I was a little girl my mom used to takes us to see her mom from Veracruz to Juchitan Chiapas in Mexico, we enjoyed the trip through the rivers, mountains and small village along the way, the natives getting on the train for a quick ten mins to sell their food. Best memories ever 🥰
In the 1970s I traveled through Mexico on trains and I remember people coming on the train to sell food and snacks. I was quite saddened at the demise of most of Mexico's passenger rail system, which came about some time later.
Just want to give a *slight* correction. What you see around 27:35 is actually the South Shore Line, operated by Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), which is *technically* not part of Metra. They do share a lot of track and stations, but they have separate ticketing systems and rolling stock, among other things.
For most of us every night sleeping on Amtrak is one LESS night sleeping at a hotel. One should factor hotel costs as well. Even if you are flying you will most likely spend more time sleeping at a hotel at your destination before having to return back home to work. With Amtrak sleeper accommodations the diner food is included in the fare, usually a hotel might provide only a continental breakfast.
If you’re taking a long trip on a train you are better off getting a room or roomette for sleeping. Sleeping in a coach seat will never work out well for a good rest. I also recommend you get a room in the center of a sleeping car as opposed to the ends of the the car over the Wheels. I remember getting a room at the end of the the sleeper and the wheels had a flat spot on them and the clatter was horrible. Take foam earplugs on any train trip!!!
Who needs an overnight hotel when the airport is free... But Amtrak sleeper cars are just as expensive as long-distance flight + hotel, but adds a lot of travel time that most people don't have.
@@AssBlasster Sleeping in an airport, train station or the like just sucks. It turns any trip into drudgery and walking around with sleep deprivation will ruin any trip.
@@michaelrief4424 When sharing a roomette or a bedroom on a sleeper train may not be cheaper, you will see the countryside you wouldn't flying over clouds...
Glad to see vents that work. When I travel in an Amtrak sleeper, I always carry a roll of gaffer's tape in case I need to cover vents. Or silence rattling doors.
A brilliant review Dylan! American train journeys are such a unique experience - perfectly captured in the video. Brings back some great memories - thank you!
Very cool. I'm gonna ride Amtrak next week from New York to Chicago Lakeshore Limited, can't wait. This new station is beautiful. Thanks for a great overview now I know what to expect.👍
I love riding the Amtrak! I’ve taken the train a few times between Detroit to Chicago. Their seats are spacious and comfortable. I’m glad to see updates to the sleeping cars. Thanks for sharing!
Great video...might take a trip somewhere and try a roomette. I don't know why the doors aren't solid but for me it would be of some relief to pull back a curtain if I started to feel claustrophobic.
It's cool to see you doing a trip I've done many times (albeit I have typically done Boston to Chicago)! As for Viewliner I showers, I've had great luck with hot water every time, in all seasons.
My wife and I traveled in a Roomette from Santa Fe to Chicago and then in a Room from there to Pittsburgh. The Roomette was sufficient, but it did feel incredible to have not only your own bathroom (with shower!) but just a few feet to walk around in. We sprang for the Room on the second leg so that we could get dressed and roll straight into work on a Monday morning. Amtrak being Amtrak, we were 2.5 hours late anyways.
One travels by Amtrak not only for the experience but also the comfort. Despite how slow it is, riding on Amtrak is far more comfy (and less hassle) than flying on US air carriers.
You absolutely made my day. I am an avid fan of current American and British 1950s railways. One of my pleasures is spending hours on RUclipss Virtual Railfan and one of my favourite locations is indeed Elkhart...it is quite possible I actually saw the train you were on. That was a great trip but I think I would like to have seen it in the summer. For me now travel is a no go due to my health but I once had the option of a business trip to Palo Alto or Japan, and stupidly I rejected both opportunities. I don't think in honesty I regretted not going to the US but I have always regretted Japan in the Spring. Now I can't even get to the end of our road!!! Enjoy travel while you can as it broadens the mind and leaves wonderful memories. I remember a holiday we had in Bavaria vividly and that was 60 years ago. Thanks for the video Dylan. Nice to see and your young lady enjoying life. Cheers, Bob
I really like the look of the roomettes. I really wish long distance trains in the UK offered something similar. Having something of this style on the Caledonian sleeper or even on Cross Country routes from Scotland/Northeast to the Southwest would be fantastic.
@@tonymcdonnly6492 More like bedroom has its own shower. So does Amtrak standard bedrooms similar in size to the Caledonian sleepers bedrooms. European couchettes are designed for 4 to 6 passengers whereas Amtrak bedrooms and roomettes are designed for 2.
@@ronclark9724 Oh wow. Good to know. Thanks for clarifying. I'll check these things out before I book. I want my own shower. I hate sharing with the public.
@@tonymcdonnly6492 I believe the Viewliners have 3 bedrooms, 2 of which have a door which can be unlocked for a suite for 4. The third bedroom is the accessible bedroom designed for wheelchairs. The Viewliner I and II models are slightly different with the roomettes. There are two more roomettes on the model I with a toile eacht, and 2 less roomettes on the model II to fit in 2 communal restrooms.Both the model I and II have a communal shower. The larger Superliners have 5 bedrooms, 4 of which can be converted into 2 suites for 4, but not the fifth. 14 roomettes, 10 upstairs and 4 downstairs as well as one accessible bedroom designed for wheelchairs and one family bedroom suitable for 2 six foot adults and 2 five foot children... Note all of the standard bedrooms on both fleets have ensuite shower/toilet. But the Superliner family bedroom and accessible bedroom are downstairs with the communal shower, there is one communal shower with the Superliners...
I took the Zepher from Salinas, CA to Portland, ORE and back. I got a roomette. It was fabulous! Cars were very clean and comfortable. Service and food were 5 star! Train is quiet and it rocks you to sleep. There were 4 showers in my car. Plenty of towels and soap, water was hot and area clean. I had hoped to go again the next year to Seattle, WA. Train was cancelled. There was a major blizzard and the tracks were blocked. People were stuck on the train for 3 days. They almost ran out of food. Next year Covid hit. So that was that. Roomette is perfect for one. One con, my train had no WiFi in either direction! Luckily I could use the one from my phone plan. Met many nice people on the train! Scenery was fantastic. You can't see this if you travel by automobile. Cost might have been slightly more than by plane. I don't fly. No one tells me what I can or can't take. I'll drive instead. In this case, because of the distance, train was a better option and I could rent a car.
I found your story of the broken escolator to be very funny. 10 minutes to decide to walk down? reminded me of a time I was a a WalMart and one of the entrance doors wasn't working. People standing there trying to figure out how to get out. Right on the door it says "in case of emergency, push to open." So I just walked up to the door and pushed the doors sideways and walked out.
27:30 The electrified line is actually the South Shore Line operated by Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, not Metra. It does use Metra tracks within Chicago.
I've seen several videos of the old lounge atnPenn Station, but WOW is right, first time seeing a good tour, thank you. The views along the Hudson are well worth the trip. Once out of NYC metro-area New York is stunning.
Great job to my knowledge that was your first vocally narrated Amtrak Roomette video! Thank you for helping us escape the boredom of the everyday routine and taking us on the road with you
All I can say dylan the past of trains of usa which you vlogged is quite different to now. I can see considerable amount of change in amtrak train. Thank you for the vlogs dylan. Memories bring back thanks to you. Keep up the good work. The train feeling is no less than a elite hotel.
Thank you for your review! I remember riding trains in the '50s and '60s, an entirely different experience from the Amtrak era. Then the trains kept to schedule and the train companies took pride in so doing. In particular, I remember the Twentieth Century Limited, linen table clothes, the silver service, finger bowls, attentive waiters, etc. My favorite dishes were Lobster Rockefeller and prime roast rib of beef, comparable in quality to the best restaurants in Chicago. The men wore coats and ties and women wore dresses. If I remember correctly, it left Grand Central at about 4 p.m. and arrived at 9 a.m. at LaSalle Street station.
You are so lucky, the locomotive leading was 100, the super rare 50th Anniversary locomotive. You are EXTREMELY lucky to have seen that! Also, I live on this route, in Rochester NY. Didnt know you were there!
You are incredibly fortunate that the train was more or less on time. It is vital to mental health to be relaxed about your arrival and subsequent activities. I remember a trip from Cleveland to NY when we had to change to a commuter train at Albany so that the crew would have time to muck out our train for the trip out again. The passengers waiting in NY had to use our commuter train to get to Albany. Astounding
I'm impressed with this train. Thanks for the tour. I live in Ontario Canada and I've often wanted to travel on the VIA rail service, but I heard that the Rocky Mountaineer train out west is spectacular with the domed car giving that panoramic view.
I love traveling via Amtrak - i have taken the Lake Shore Limited from Boston to Chicago and back several times and have always had one of the older roomettes....but i don't mind - i enjoy the trip just the same. I don't know what it is but its so relaxing to me. I enjoy the Texas Eagle train as well. Nice video !!
Awesome video!! I'm sure to get my next train trip in this year! Though to correct one little thing in the description. The locomotive leading the Lakeshore Limited is a GE P32AC-DM
Oh that's so sweet bro, not to mention you had a heritage unit on the front of your train, midnight blue P42 as it's called, also you ran right through my city, Elyria Ohio I believe on the Chicago line, 🙏👍
I rode the Lakeshore Limited back in October, one of three trains I took on my Amtrak journey from Connecticut to Palm Springs, California. I was in one of the older Viewliners. The roomette was pretty threadbare, but everything functioned. It did have a hot water shower, thankfully. I'm glad to learn Amtrak is obtaining new Viewliners.
The older Viewliners and Superliners are getting a refurbishment too... Frankly, considering their age, Amtrak has done a good job just keeping them running. Soon some of the Superliners will be 50 years old, some of the Viewliners will be 30 years old, and the Amfleet II coaches will be 40 years old.
Glad you posted this. I'm travelling on the Cardinal on May 28th, in a Viewliner Roomette, but nine is a 6:45am departure, and I will be changing at Chicago to join the Southwest Chief to LAX.. Great information video.
A very well presented overview of this train...plus the introductory piece on Penn Station. Well done, many thanks.... I travelled Coach overnight down to Savannah, GA and can confirm the seats are generous and spacious. Might do it in a Roomette next time. Restaurant (Dining Car) service was very good with an excellent menu. Orders taken for one of two sittings after leaving Baltimore. Checked in Bags via the Baggage Car, speedily and safely delivered to me upon arrival in Savannah. James Hennighan Yorkshire, England
I have to say Amtrak appears to have improved standards on the East Coast since my travels last century. The updated Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall is quite a revelation. Pity about the escalator down to the train failing though. You picked a great service for checking out the Viewliner 2 sleeper. Hope you managed a good connection with the California Zephyr. Hopefully any on going connection at San Francisco to where ever worked out. Looking forward to your Zephyr experience. Great to see Eli again and wish you both well on life's journey as well as your travels. Now I wonder what you will have for us to view this Friday as you obviously have some editing to do on the Zephyr trip going by your final comments. Have finally caught up with two weeks back log of viewing (comments posted on all back to the Class 745 experience). Now I must get onto DownieLive and see what he's been up to with his cross - Canada tour on Via Rail. Cheers for now.
Thanks for the great narration. You should have your own cable show. Your tours of the train are so appreciated. My train experience is limited to a short trip on the Coast Starlight, Bay Area to Salinas ~1980 to visit my DJ brother in his first job after getting his B.A. Definitely going to do more train travel.
I have traveled dozens of nights in the Amtrak sleeping cars and love showering on the train. I feel like the hot water works about 80% of the time across all the different car types.
I remember reading something as child and it stuck with me through life. The line was, "Life is about the journey not the destination." While I haven't been able to practice that as much as I would like as a working adult I've never forgotten it. Train travel seems to epitomize that concept.
Taking this in a week - looking forward to it - have done this a few times now - my only tip is to bring your own pillow as sleeping in a train takes some use to it. The more you can make comfortable the better. Thanks for the video!
Love the trains....The system is so Americana. Some years ago I took the train from Central California To Austin Tx and it was an unforgettable experience!
Very enjoyable and well done. One comment - the views along the Hudson River are not "rather pleasant", they are Magnificent!! Some of the finest in America!
Great video! I've wondered what the new Viewliner II cars were like. I took the original version of the roomette from Boston to Florida in the early 90's, it was a great way to travel. Sounds like they've made some good improvements. Looking forward to your California trip report!
I remember taking the Lake Shore Ltd several years back and between NYC and Albany we were in a snow blizzard. When we arrived in Albany the Conductor came through our car and when he pushed the door open button at the vestibule when the door opened the entire vestibule was packed solid with snow. This poor young guy didn’t know what to do so he turned to me and asked me what I did to cause this. I felt sorry for him so I told him I was also put out about it since I couldn’t get up to the Lounge Car to get an Adult beverage. Him and I had a nice trip to Chicago that trip. We sat further back in the train and swapped stores into the late hours. We ran late on that train because at every stop he has to get Off the train and open up the car doors by walking outside and working his way back through the train. Just another example of the adventure of traveling.
Excellent review!! Nothing like the train experience. Worth it to do it at least once. I travel between CHI and NOL, and sometimes go west from CHI. Thanks!
Great review. The new roomettes are nicely done. The added sockets for 110V is very welcome. The only complaint I have is that the lower berth mattress is smaller in width than in the old roomettes. The car attendant was unhappy by the fact that he has to use a roomette for the materials he needs for the trip such as sheets, towels and water bottles. Hopefully Amtrak is working on these ‘mistakes’, as the attendant said, and correct them in the next version.
12:20 indeed that lounge car is very nice :) Disappointed they're still doing the precooked meals from the covid lockdown era (disappointed in Amtrak, not Dylan). But this is from April, maybe they switched back to onboard cooking by now. I read somewhere that all their east coast trains are like that though
Especially in a roomette, it is a good idea to learn the dimensions of where you can put luggage and take things that will fit or can be squashed to fit (like a duffel bag for under a seat). A little planning means you can have plenty of space for you. You will notice that some, who didn't plan so carefully, seem to be living in an annoying pile of clutter. It doesn't have to be that way. For example, for a Superliner roomette, I found that a medium size roll-along type suit case sat vertically very nice on the broad step to the upper berth. And a sports duffel bag squashed nicely to fit under a seat after taking out a few things and hanging them up (only about 8 inches depth under the seats, but extremely deep). I could slide things like a computer and other objects under the other seat when not using them. NOTHING cluttering up the space. Of course, they have general storage down below for luggage, but not everyone will feel that approach is very secure.
To be honest I have never had issues with my luggage being in the downstairs common areas of a sleeper car. Access to the cars is pretty tightly restricted even in station, and if the outside door is open there's an attendant watching it. What I do is put my main luggage downstairs on the shelf, then carry a small backpack with laptop, valuables, and a change of clothes up to the roomette. Gives me plenty of space, and a very high degree of security.
I pack very lightly with two of the clothing I am wearing, plus a shoe and a coat I am wearing. Along with a money belt, smart phone, and tablet. Everything fits within my backpack. There is a luggage rack on all of the sleepers, the Viewliners have a chubby hole above the aisle for a bag, the Superliners don't have that gem, and there is room to slide a briefcase under the seats. I have seen many store a suitcase on the Viewliner I toilet or step on the Viewliner It that replaced it. Ditto with the Superliners...
Love your videos and glad you enjoyed your visit here in NYC. Moynihan is gorgeous and along with the newly renovated LaGuardia Airport, shows that NY really can do impressive infrastructure when they put some effort in. Happy travels!
Lots of memories with Amtrak's Lakeshore Limited. From visiting my grandparents as a kid to taking me to and from Sandusky, Ohio for work, I have quite a few stories. My son is also beginning to explore solo train travel, and this is our train.
It’s true that the ‘experience’ is worth the extra time. In my opinion the price is very fair for the convenience of boarding your transportation in midtown without the cost of the trip to an airport, the stress of dealing with the airport experience; the checking in, TSA, waiting to board, long lines, uncomfortable seats, and grumpy people. There is tremendous value in the convenience and comfort of the Roomette! I hope to ride some day!
Another great video Dylan 👍. I was in Moynihan station on the morning of your trip just for a look around - my first time back in NYC since start of pandemic- and was really impressed. I look forward to using the lounge later this year. Looking forward to seeing your Zephyr trip report. Keep up the work 👍👍
I use to live on Long Island traveled to Penn Station which is now looking like a WWII bombed out building with dirty walls and construction around. The Moynihan Station does not handle LIRR trains, just Amtrak and NJ Transit. The new Moynihan Station looks great although you need to have a roomettt.. or room for the fancy waiting area.... Post Script before being Moynihan Station it was a wonderful beautiful Post Office.
Love all your videos!! Really enjoyed this one. A bunch of years ago I ride the Lake Shore Limited Boston to Chicago and then changed trains to Denver. I have never ridden the NYC to Albany section but I am familiar with the area. Looking at this and other peoples videos I might consider doing some Amtrak trips this year! Thanks!!!!!
About 5 years ago, I rode Memphis to Chicago and Chicago to Seattle. My daughter rode LA to Seattle. We then went on an Alaska cruise. I didn't have any problem with cold showers! I had elected to return from Seattle via Portland, just to compare the two routes. (they merge in Spokane) . While my daughter and I were waiting to board in Seattle, we were notified that the train was cancelled. No advice on other travel options--just 'the train is cancelled'. We really didn't know what to do, so decided to rent a car and drive to Portland. It worked out fine and my daughter caught her Portland to LA ; and I caught my Portland-Chicago-Memphis. (I live in Birmingham, AL. It would have been a crazy route from Birmingham to Seattle. Either BHM-NOLA-Chicago-Seattle or BHM-NYC-Chicago-Seattle; so driving 3 hours to Memphis made much more sense.). I enjoyed the train; but after 3 days to Seattle, a 7 day cruise, and 3 days back to Birmingham, I was very happy to be in a stationary bed!
I took the LSL to NYC from my home town of Chicago twice back in the 90s. Very cool to see you covering this famous train. Also welcome back to the USA!
taken the lakeshore limited coach class myself three times now, the first train arrived in Boston ahead of schedule, second was on time, third was quite late, but the delay happened before I even left my dorm, giving me the opportunity to wait and relax in my reclining chair. It was also originally a 2 hour delay that they cut in half with some quicker stops and a little speeding. overall a great experience
Many years ago, when I was somewhere around 10-13 years old, my grandparents bough the family train tickets out to Colorado for my aunt and uncle's wedding, and my family took the Lake Shore Limited from Boston to Chicago, then took what must have been the California Zephyr Chicago to Denver, and we were in sleeper cars on both legs. I really hope I get another chance to at least travel Boston or New York to Chicago again sometime, and relive that experience; my memories of that trip are so hazy now, and I sure as hell can't remember how on earth my family of four managed to sleep, given that it was the heyday of the original viewliners. Maybe we had two rooms?
i love how it took the staff 10 minutes to figure out people could walk down the escalators. problem solving at its best! kudoos to good 'ol American ingenuity
Oooo, I’ve been there! About 15 years ago, my 3 daughters, MiddleDD’s DH, and I caught the train from High Bridge NJ to Penn Station. Our family had lived down the street from the station for several years when my children were very young. Oldest DD got up for school when the 7am incoming train would arrive.
Thanks for providing a pretty extensive look at Moynihan Hall; for me, the stations are almost as much fun as the trains themselves! I have a friend who lives in NYC who sent me phone camera photos, but this is the first video I've seen that really gives a nice look at the whole facility in some detail. All of my Amtrak travel to date has been on western US routes, but the Lakeshore, Cardinal, Crescent and Capital Limited, are all on my Amtrak bucket list. I agree that the roomette (Superliner is a little different but not that much) is plenty of room when travelling solo, the only way I've experienced it. I'm not small so I don't think I could share one. Overall, my feeling is as you say, the experience rather than the convenience is what I love about Amtrak travel. Regardless of laws, freight trains rarely if ever yield precedence to Amtrak trains, so you can count on being late, it's just a question of how late. There are also occasional mechanical problems and accidents that cause delays. In a nutshell, you NEVER want to assume Amtrak will arrive on time; allow, if possible, a day of flexibility for connections, appointments, meetings, etc. Thanks again, really enjoyed the video!
Very fascinated about the make over at Penn Station NY. I travelled with Amtrak last year November to Virginia, my first time and though in coach I love it. A nice experience.
This train has quite a history. Back in the 1960's there were 13 trains daily between New York City and Chicago. Penn Central's Twentieth Century Limited used to be five hours faster than today's Lakeshore Limited between NYC and Chicago with its own express track (the express track was removed just prior to Amtrak's establishment.)
@@edwardhogan1877 Unfortunately America is not a TINY nation like Germany or France one can drive across in a single day. For a single truck driver to drive across America legally from Los Angeles to Boston requires SIX days. Not half of one day. As for HIGH SPEED RAIL, even in Europe MOST everyone FLIES when the train journey is longer than THREE hours. Even if there was a HSR train from NYC to Chicago, the 900+ miles for a HSR train to double the average speed presently, up to 100 mph from the present 50 mph average speed, creates a NINE hour trip. SIX hours beyond the sweet spot of a THREE hour train trip to compete successfully against the airlines... Maybe why America's only HSR presently is Amtrak's northeast corridor... Its less than THREE hours for the DC to NYC journey, and less than FOUR hours for the NYC to Boston journey. Explains why less than FIVE percent ride Acela the entire nearly SEVEN hour journey DC to Boston. Europeans, please explain where that HSR train is from London to Istanbul? London to Moscow?
The trip up the Hudson is beautiful, in both directions. The Adirondack is a nice trip too, but it’s really slow as there’s a lot of single track running after Schenectady, (doesn’t require an overnight ride though). You never realize just how big New York State is until you try to cross it.
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I was a lead mechanic at CAF during this contract. I was involved in the final stage of the production line. I'm glad that people like these cars. A lot of hard work went into them.
I work for CAF and was involved with the viewliner 2. It's nice to see this project completed and people enjoying our trains.
Make better streetcars.
Hi Dylan, I am a retired Amtrak employee and have taken many long distance Amtrak trains out west and have always found the showers to be in good working order. And when it comes to a good nights SLEEP, one cannot beat a roomette or bedroom for the peace of mind. Have encountered many nice onboard service employees as well in my travels.
I am a dedicated railfan and love how all Amtrak employees take great pride in their jobs. Thank you for making my many short and cross country trips so memorable. The food and hot water for showers has always been great. The new changes limited dining service with real flowers,tablecloth, and cooked to order food is now gone.Those chefs were amazing!
On one of my cross country trips the engineer blew the horn to scatter herds of animals for us to see,we were all ecstatic at the sights. I met a retired employee who wept because the service as he knew it had diminished. Who cries about a job they once had because they loved it so much?
AMTRAK employees!
Enjoy your retirement and continue to ride Amtrak.
The US has good trains. It just doesn’t have a good network. I really hope people realize this. I love Amtrak’s new trains.
Thank you!!! People trash the US Rail Network but don't know what it's actually like. Over here the freight networks control the majority of the rails, leaving Amtrak in the dust.
There are probably a select few good ones and then the rest... uh..
@@robertbalazslorincz8218 The trains are good. The network is not
@@transitcaptain The network is great for frigate train. It has one of the best transport rail system in the world.
Sub 140mph category trains? Sure.
Took the Lakeshore Limited from Boston some years ago. Being in January not much daylight viewing. After a couple of days in Chicago I then took the California Zephyr to San Francisco, and that WAS an experience. Great trip.
How are you doing today.. handsome
@@wendyhanderson6781 he has a gf.....show respect!
@@tonymcdonnly6492 I greeted him ....You just behaving abnormal
@@wendyhanderson6781 No....you're disrespecting his gf. Show a little respect.
@@tonymcdonnly6492 she is a scammer mate. New profile , pretty picture. Honestly. Hope you’re just teasing her and not that naive.
A small tip! If you are getting a regular Amtrak train on the NE Regional line and you are in standard class, it’s often better to board in the old nasty MSG train hall instead of the new Moynihan hall. You can access the platforms from both and, annoyingly, most of the trains are parked up closer to the MSG Penn Station, so when the scrum to board starts, you will get on faster and have a better choice of seats of you get on at MSG Penn. sadly I see this hellhole of a station several times a week.!
Great content on this channel!
Thanks for the tip.
I don't know why, but When I'm not Traveling for work, I love watching other people on the move.
Cheers for this video, Mate! My brother had to take an Amtrak after having an accident and didn't feel comfortable being on the road. Your video helped me informed him on what he had included in his ticket, including the fact that he got complimentary food which he didn't know about funny enough you got the breakfast he wanted. We were all worried he was going to suffer for the X amount of hours he was gonna be on the train but it was quite the opposite, he really enjoyed his roomette and found it to be quite an experience.
Seeing your video put me at ease that he wasn't going to be quietly suffering the whole trip back to NYC and that he was actually gonna be fed which was one of our biggest concern since he had to used up all the money he had to buy the ticket.
You got yourself a new subscriber, thanks again for putting a whole family at ease!🙏🏽💗💞
Thank you. This video contained lots of useful history about Amtrac and the new Penn Station.
I am excited to go on my first Amtrak trip. When I was a little girl my mom used to takes us to see her mom from Veracruz to Juchitan Chiapas in Mexico, we enjoyed the trip through the rivers, mountains and small village along the way, the natives getting on the train for a quick ten mins to sell their food. Best memories ever 🥰
In the 1970s I traveled through Mexico on trains and I remember people coming on the train to sell food and snacks. I was quite saddened at the demise of most of Mexico's passenger rail system, which came about some time later.
Just want to give a *slight* correction. What you see around 27:35 is actually the South Shore Line, operated by Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), which is *technically* not part of Metra. They do share a lot of track and stations, but they have separate ticketing systems and rolling stock, among other things.
And unless something has changed in recent years, is far less likely to be running on time versus the Metra Electric Line from the south suburbs!
@@stephenjarzombek2903 NICTD (South Shore)is always on time for me. Haven’t rode it since last August but it is definitely a good reliable rail line.
@@courtneyhart8362 hello
I just added a similar comment and noted that the South Shore is one of the last of the original interurban railroads
Was about to comment the same..
I have been in many sleepers on Amtrak and have always had plenty of hot water.
never a problem.
For most of us every night sleeping on Amtrak is one LESS night sleeping at a hotel. One should factor hotel costs as well. Even if you are flying you will most likely spend more time sleeping at a hotel at your destination before having to return back home to work. With Amtrak sleeper accommodations the diner food is included in the fare, usually a hotel might provide only a continental breakfast.
Totally agree. However, 19h for 950 miles is quite long, but given the max speed of 110 mph is really slow
If you’re taking a long trip on a train you are better off getting a room or roomette for sleeping. Sleeping in a coach seat will never work out well for a good rest.
I also recommend you get a room in the center of a sleeping car as opposed to the ends of the the car over the Wheels.
I remember getting a room at the end of the the sleeper and the wheels had a flat spot on them and the clatter was horrible. Take foam earplugs on any train trip!!!
Who needs an overnight hotel when the airport is free... But Amtrak sleeper cars are just as expensive as long-distance flight + hotel, but adds a lot of travel time that most people don't have.
@@AssBlasster
Sleeping in an airport, train station or the like just sucks. It turns any trip into drudgery and walking around with sleep deprivation will ruin any trip.
@@michaelrief4424 When sharing a roomette or a bedroom on a sleeper train may not be cheaper, you will see the countryside you wouldn't flying over clouds...
Glad to see vents that work. When I travel in an Amtrak sleeper, I always carry a roll of gaffer's tape in case I need to cover vents. Or silence rattling doors.
A brilliant review Dylan! American train journeys are such a unique experience - perfectly captured in the video. Brings back some great memories - thank you!
Thanks!
You misspelled Tappan Zee Bridge, lol. Great video and I live in one of the towns you passed through. The Hudson line.
You definitely got the good side for going up the Hudson. 💜
The amount of improvement between the old and new lounge is phenomenal.
Very cool. I'm gonna ride Amtrak next week from New York to Chicago Lakeshore Limited, can't wait. This new station is beautiful. Thanks for a great overview now I know what to expect.👍
I love riding the Amtrak! I’ve taken the train a few times between Detroit to Chicago. Their seats are spacious and comfortable. I’m glad to see updates to the sleeping cars. Thanks for sharing!
Great video...might take a trip somewhere and try a roomette. I don't know why the doors aren't solid but for me it would be of some relief to pull back a curtain if I started to feel claustrophobic.
It's cool to see you doing a trip I've done many times (albeit I have typically done Boston to Chicago)! As for Viewliner I showers, I've had great luck with hot water every time, in all seasons.
My wife and I traveled in a Roomette from Santa Fe to Chicago and then in a Room from there to Pittsburgh. The Roomette was sufficient, but it did feel incredible to have not only your own bathroom (with shower!) but just a few feet to walk around in.
We sprang for the Room on the second leg so that we could get dressed and roll straight into work on a Monday morning. Amtrak being Amtrak, we were 2.5 hours late anyways.
I will travel to Chicago from NY in December, without a doubt, this is very helpful 👏🏾
I used to travel the Elcapatan from California to Chicago a great trip…
One travels by Amtrak not only for the experience but also the comfort. Despite how slow it is, riding on Amtrak is far more comfy (and less hassle) than flying on US air carriers.
Also they allow more baggage than airlines and even some airlines even charge for baggage now.
And it's MUCH quieter than a plane. You can actually carry on a quiet conversation.
Nice video, Amtrak is doing great things to upgrade it's rolling stock and stations .
I tell people that when you fly, your vacation starts when you get your baggage. On AMTRAK it begins when you get on the train!
I couldn't agree more!
Yes, I totally agree!
The Zephyr was one of the best experiences I've ever had, particularly from Denver to Emeryville.
You absolutely made my day. I am an avid fan of current American and British 1950s railways. One of my pleasures is spending hours on RUclipss Virtual Railfan and one of my favourite locations is indeed Elkhart...it is quite possible I actually saw the train you were on. That was a great trip but I think I would like to have seen it in the summer. For me now travel is a no go due to my health but I once had the option of a business trip to Palo Alto or Japan, and stupidly I rejected both opportunities. I don't think in honesty I regretted not going to the US but I have always regretted Japan in the Spring. Now I can't even get to the end of our road!!!
Enjoy travel while you can as it broadens the mind and leaves wonderful memories. I remember a holiday we had in Bavaria vividly and that was 60 years ago.
Thanks for the video Dylan. Nice to see and your young lady enjoying life.
Cheers, Bob
Thanks, Bob!
I really like the look of the roomettes. I really wish long distance trains in the UK offered something similar. Having something of this style on the Caledonian sleeper or even on Cross Country routes from Scotland/Northeast to the Southwest would be fantastic.
You find the Caledonian sleepers are very comfortable and fun to sleep in. Eavh roommette has its own shower.
@@tonymcdonnly6492 More like bedroom has its own shower. So does Amtrak standard bedrooms similar in size to the Caledonian sleepers bedrooms. European couchettes are designed for 4 to 6 passengers whereas Amtrak bedrooms and roomettes are designed for 2.
@@ronclark9724 Oh wow. Good to know. Thanks for clarifying. I'll check these things out before I book. I want my own shower. I hate sharing with the public.
@@tonymcdonnly6492 I believe the Viewliners have 3 bedrooms, 2 of which have a door which can be unlocked for a suite for 4. The third bedroom is the accessible bedroom designed for wheelchairs. The Viewliner I and II models are slightly different with the roomettes. There are two more roomettes on the model I with a toile eacht, and 2 less roomettes on the model II to fit in 2 communal restrooms.Both the model I and II have a communal shower. The larger Superliners have 5 bedrooms, 4 of which can be converted into 2 suites for 4, but not the fifth. 14 roomettes, 10 upstairs and 4 downstairs as well as one accessible bedroom designed for wheelchairs and one family bedroom suitable for 2 six foot adults and 2 five foot children... Note all of the standard bedrooms on both fleets have ensuite shower/toilet. But the Superliner family bedroom and accessible bedroom are downstairs with the communal shower, there is one communal shower with the Superliners...
NY to Albany has great scenery, I've taken Amtrak from Rochester to NYC a few times
Thanks for the info; nice video. It’s good you enjoyed the trip. We have traveled Amtrak and look forward to traveling with them again.
I took the Zepher from Salinas, CA to Portland, ORE and back. I got a roomette. It was fabulous! Cars were very clean and comfortable. Service and food were 5 star! Train is quiet and it rocks you to sleep. There were 4 showers in my car. Plenty of towels and soap, water was hot and area clean. I had hoped to go again the next year to Seattle, WA. Train was cancelled. There was a major blizzard and the tracks were blocked. People were stuck on the train for 3 days. They almost ran out of food. Next year Covid hit. So that was that.
Roomette is perfect for one. One con, my train had no WiFi in either direction! Luckily I could use the one from my phone plan. Met many nice people on the train! Scenery was fantastic. You can't see this if you travel by automobile. Cost might have been slightly more than by plane. I don't fly. No one tells me what I can or can't take. I'll drive instead. In this case, because of the distance, train was a better option and I could rent a car.
Great. Now you can go from one hellhole to another in style.
Lovely trip, and the new Viewliner roomettes look great! Fun fact, there's a rail cam in Elkhart, IN where you can watch Amtrak make it's stops
How are you doing today.. handsome how is your whether over
I too had a fantastic time as a viewer on this excellent presentation. thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
I found your story of the broken escolator to be very funny. 10 minutes to decide to walk down? reminded me of a time I was a a WalMart and one of the entrance doors wasn't working. People standing there trying to figure out how to get out. Right on the door it says "in case of emergency, push to open." So I just walked up to the door and pushed the doors sideways and walked out.
27:30 The electrified line is actually the South Shore Line operated by Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, not Metra. It does use Metra tracks within Chicago.
I've seen several videos of the old lounge atnPenn Station, but WOW is right, first time seeing a good tour, thank you. The views along the Hudson are well worth the trip. Once out of NYC metro-area New York is stunning.
Lovely video. Thanks for sharing 👍 😁
Awesome video thank you for sharing your trip!
My dad works for amtrak and I just want people to know that they haev such good trains!
Great job to my knowledge that was your first vocally narrated Amtrak Roomette video! Thank you for helping us escape the boredom of the everyday routine and taking us on the road with you
America needs more trains like that
All I can say dylan the past of trains of usa which you vlogged is quite different to now. I can see considerable amount of change in amtrak train. Thank you for the vlogs dylan. Memories bring back thanks to you. Keep up the good work. The train feeling is no less than a elite hotel.
Thank you for your review!
I remember riding trains in the '50s and '60s, an entirely different experience from the Amtrak era. Then the trains kept to schedule and the train companies took pride in so doing.
In particular, I remember the Twentieth Century Limited, linen table clothes, the silver service, finger bowls, attentive waiters, etc. My favorite dishes were Lobster Rockefeller and prime roast rib of beef, comparable in quality to the best restaurants in Chicago. The men wore coats and ties and women wore dresses. If I remember correctly, it left Grand Central at about 4 p.m. and arrived at 9 a.m. at LaSalle Street station.
You are so lucky, the locomotive leading was 100, the super rare 50th Anniversary locomotive. You are EXTREMELY lucky to have seen that! Also, I live on this route, in Rochester NY. Didnt know you were there!
Thanks!
Thank you 😁
You are incredibly fortunate that the train was more or less on time. It is vital to mental health to be relaxed about your arrival and subsequent activities. I remember a trip from Cleveland to NY when we had to change to a commuter train at Albany so that the crew would have time to muck out our train for the trip out again. The passengers waiting in NY had to use our commuter train to get to Albany. Astounding
I'm impressed with this train. Thanks for the tour. I live in Ontario Canada and I've often wanted to travel on the VIA rail service, but I heard that the Rocky Mountaineer train out west is spectacular with the domed car giving that panoramic view.
I love traveling via Amtrak - i have taken the Lake Shore Limited from Boston to Chicago and back several times and have always had one of the older roomettes....but i don't mind - i enjoy the trip just the same. I don't know what it is but its so relaxing to me. I enjoy the Texas Eagle train as well. Nice video !!
Awesome video!! I'm sure to get my next train trip in this year! Though to correct one little thing in the description. The locomotive leading the Lakeshore Limited is a GE P32AC-DM
Wonderful trip, Dylan, so very happy you are reviewing Amtrak in America! Can't wait for the California Zephyr!
The C.Z. is amazing.....
Oh that's so sweet bro, not to mention you had a heritage unit on the front of your train, midnight blue P42 as it's called, also you ran right through my city, Elyria Ohio I believe on the Chicago line, 🙏👍
what i really like about the trains in the US is that the connections are named, in Germany they only have boring numbers
I rode the Lakeshore Limited back in October, one of three trains I took on my Amtrak journey from Connecticut to Palm Springs, California. I was in one of the older Viewliners. The roomette was pretty threadbare, but everything functioned. It did have a hot water shower, thankfully. I'm glad to learn Amtrak is obtaining new Viewliners.
The older Viewliners and Superliners are getting a refurbishment too... Frankly, considering their age, Amtrak has done a good job just keeping them running. Soon some of the Superliners will be 50 years old, some of the Viewliners will be 30 years old, and the Amfleet II coaches will be 40 years old.
Glad the doors are plain glass, its nice to see whats on view both sides.
Glad you posted this. I'm travelling on the Cardinal on May 28th, in a Viewliner Roomette, but nine is a 6:45am departure, and I will be changing at Chicago to join the Southwest Chief to LAX.. Great information video.
These are the type of experiences i need to visit United States, Just Love It :)
A very well presented overview of this train...plus the introductory piece on Penn Station.
Well done, many thanks....
I travelled Coach overnight down to Savannah, GA and can confirm the seats are generous and spacious. Might do it in a Roomette next time. Restaurant (Dining Car) service was very good with an excellent menu. Orders taken for one of two sittings after leaving Baltimore.
Checked in Bags via the Baggage Car, speedily and safely delivered to me upon arrival in Savannah.
James Hennighan
Yorkshire, England
I have to say Amtrak appears to have improved standards on the East Coast since my travels last century. The updated Metropolitan Lounge at Moynihan Train Hall is quite a revelation. Pity about the escalator down to the train failing though. You picked a great service for checking out the Viewliner 2 sleeper. Hope you managed a good connection with the California Zephyr. Hopefully any on going connection at San Francisco to where ever worked out. Looking forward to your Zephyr experience. Great to see Eli again and wish you both well on life's journey as well as your travels. Now I wonder what you will have for us to view this Friday as you obviously have some editing to do on the Zephyr trip going by your final comments. Have finally caught up with two weeks back log of viewing (comments posted on all back to the Class 745 experience). Now I must get onto DownieLive and see what he's been up to with his cross - Canada tour on Via Rail. Cheers for now.
I have seen escalators out of order in malls and office buildings before usually undergoing maintenance.
Thanks for the great narration. You should have your own cable show. Your tours of the train are so appreciated. My train experience is limited to a short trip on the Coast Starlight, Bay Area to Salinas ~1980 to visit my DJ brother in his first job after getting his B.A. Definitely going to do more train travel.
Thanks!
I have traveled dozens of nights in the Amtrak sleeping cars and love showering on the train. I feel like the hot water works about 80% of the time across all the different car types.
I remember reading something as child and it stuck with me through life. The line was, "Life is about the journey not the destination." While I haven't been able to practice that as much as I would like as a working adult I've never forgotten it. Train travel seems to epitomize that concept.
Taking this in a week - looking forward to it - have done this a few times now - my only tip is to bring your own pillow as sleeping in a train takes some use to it. The more you can make comfortable the better. Thanks for the video!
Yor reviews are one of the more interesting, informative, and appealling.
Thanks!
Love the trains....The system is so Americana. Some years ago I took the train from Central California To Austin Tx and it was an unforgettable experience!
Very enjoyable and well done. One comment - the views along the Hudson River are not "rather pleasant", they are Magnificent!! Some of the finest in America!
An example of British understatement
@@archiebald4717 How very true.
Great video! I've wondered what the new Viewliner II cars were like. I took the original version of the roomette from Boston to Florida in the early 90's, it was a great way to travel. Sounds like they've made some good improvements. Looking forward to your California trip report!
I remember taking the Lake Shore Ltd several years back and between NYC and Albany we were in a snow blizzard. When we arrived in Albany the Conductor came through our car and when he pushed the door open button at the vestibule when the door opened the entire vestibule was packed solid with snow.
This poor young guy didn’t know what to do so he turned to me and asked me what I did to cause this.
I felt sorry for him so I told him I was also put out about it since I couldn’t get up to the Lounge Car to get an Adult beverage. Him and I had a nice trip to Chicago that trip. We sat further back in the train and swapped stores into the late hours.
We ran late on that train because at every stop he has to get Off the train and open up the car doors by walking outside and working his way back through the train.
Just another example of the adventure of traveling.
Glad you got to see Moynihan! I live right across the river in NJ and haven’t been yet, but I hope to get there soon. Great video, as always : )
Thanks!
Excellent review!! Nothing like the train experience. Worth it to do it at least once. I travel between CHI and NOL, and sometimes go west from CHI. Thanks!
Thanks!
I’ve never had cold water in the showers in the Viewliners…great video! Thank you!
Thanks! I'm gathering I just got unlucky😅
Great review. The new roomettes are nicely done. The added sockets for 110V is very welcome. The only complaint I have is that the lower berth mattress is smaller in width than in the old roomettes. The car attendant was unhappy by the fact that he has to use a roomette for the materials he needs for the trip such as sheets, towels and water bottles. Hopefully Amtrak is working on these ‘mistakes’, as the attendant said, and correct them in the next version.
12:20 indeed that lounge car is very nice :)
Disappointed they're still doing the precooked meals from the covid lockdown era (disappointed in Amtrak, not Dylan). But this is from April, maybe they switched back to onboard cooking by now. I read somewhere that all their east coast trains are like that though
Especially in a roomette, it is a good idea to learn the dimensions of where you can put luggage and take things that will fit or can be squashed to fit (like a duffel bag for under a seat). A little planning means you can have plenty of space for you. You will notice that some, who didn't plan so carefully, seem to be living in an annoying pile of clutter. It doesn't have to be that way. For example, for a Superliner roomette, I found that a medium size roll-along type suit case sat vertically very nice on the broad step to the upper berth. And a sports duffel bag squashed nicely to fit under a seat after taking out a few things and hanging them up (only about 8 inches depth under the seats, but extremely deep). I could slide things like a computer and other objects under the other seat when not using them. NOTHING cluttering up the space. Of course, they have general storage down below for luggage, but not everyone will feel that approach is very secure.
To be honest I have never had issues with my luggage being in the downstairs common areas of a sleeper car. Access to the cars is pretty tightly restricted even in station, and if the outside door is open there's an attendant watching it.
What I do is put my main luggage downstairs on the shelf, then carry a small backpack with laptop, valuables, and a change of clothes up to the roomette. Gives me plenty of space, and a very high degree of security.
I pack very lightly with two of the clothing I am wearing, plus a shoe and a coat I am wearing. Along with a money belt, smart phone, and tablet. Everything fits within my backpack. There is a luggage rack on all of the sleepers, the Viewliners have a chubby hole above the aisle for a bag, the Superliners don't have that gem, and there is room to slide a briefcase under the seats. I have seen many store a suitcase on the Viewliner I toilet or step on the Viewliner It that replaced it. Ditto with the Superliners...
Opaque windows would make the room feel even “closed-in”. That one big plus of being in Coach - the open feel during the entire trip.
A very interesting look at a system that needs our full, support for those who no longer want to fly longer distance,
I will be taking this route in October 2022 - looking forward to the experience. Then it's the Texas Eagle to Dallas.
Love your videos and glad you enjoyed your visit here in NYC. Moynihan is gorgeous and along with the newly renovated LaGuardia Airport, shows that NY really can do impressive infrastructure when they put some effort in. Happy travels!
Lots of memories with Amtrak's Lakeshore Limited. From visiting my grandparents as a kid to taking me to and from Sandusky, Ohio for work, I have quite a few stories. My son is also beginning to explore solo train travel, and this is our train.
It’s true that the ‘experience’ is worth the extra time. In my opinion the price is very fair for the convenience of boarding your transportation in midtown without the cost of the trip to an airport, the stress of dealing with the airport experience; the checking in, TSA, waiting to board, long lines, uncomfortable seats, and grumpy people. There is tremendous value in the convenience and comfort of the Roomette! I hope to ride some day!
Love this video, another great one and it’s so nice to watch with my family. Thank you for making them!
Thanks! Glad you like them!
Another great video Dylan 👍. I was in Moynihan station on the morning of your trip just for a look around - my first time back in NYC since start of pandemic- and was really impressed. I look forward to using the lounge later this year. Looking forward to seeing your Zephyr trip report. Keep up the work 👍👍
Thanks!
I use to live on Long Island traveled to Penn Station which is now looking like a WWII bombed out building with dirty walls and construction around. The Moynihan Station does not handle LIRR trains, just Amtrak and NJ Transit. The new Moynihan Station looks great although you need to have a roomettt.. or room for the fancy waiting area....
Post Script before being Moynihan Station it was a wonderful beautiful Post Office.
Great video, keep them coming!
Love all your videos!! Really enjoyed this one. A bunch of years ago I ride the Lake Shore Limited Boston to Chicago and then changed trains to Denver. I have never ridden the NYC to Albany section but I am familiar with the area. Looking at this and other peoples videos I might consider doing some Amtrak trips this year! Thanks!!!!!
About 5 years ago, I rode Memphis to Chicago and Chicago to Seattle. My daughter rode LA to Seattle. We then went on an Alaska cruise. I didn't have any problem with cold showers! I had elected to return from Seattle via Portland, just to compare the two routes. (they merge in Spokane) . While my daughter and I were waiting to board in Seattle, we were notified that the train was cancelled. No advice on other travel options--just 'the train is cancelled'. We really didn't know what to do, so decided to rent a car and drive to Portland. It worked out fine and my daughter caught her Portland to LA ; and I caught my Portland-Chicago-Memphis. (I live in Birmingham, AL. It would have been a crazy route from Birmingham to Seattle. Either BHM-NOLA-Chicago-Seattle or BHM-NYC-Chicago-Seattle; so driving 3 hours to Memphis made much more sense.). I enjoyed the train; but after 3 days to Seattle, a 7 day cruise, and 3 days back to Birmingham, I was very happy to be in a stationary bed!
I took the LSL to NYC from my home town of Chicago twice back in the 90s. Very cool to see you covering this famous train. Also welcome back to the USA!
taken the lakeshore limited coach class myself three times now, the first train arrived in Boston ahead of schedule, second was on time, third was quite late, but the delay happened before I even left my dorm, giving me the opportunity to wait and relax in my reclining chair. It was also originally a 2 hour delay that they cut in half with some quicker stops and a little speeding. overall a great experience
Gotta love the characters on the #1 line
Many years ago, when I was somewhere around 10-13 years old, my grandparents bough the family train tickets out to Colorado for my aunt and uncle's wedding, and my family took the Lake Shore Limited from Boston to Chicago, then took what must have been the California Zephyr Chicago to Denver, and we were in sleeper cars on both legs. I really hope I get another chance to at least travel Boston or New York to Chicago again sometime, and relive that experience; my memories of that trip are so hazy now, and I sure as hell can't remember how on earth my family of four managed to sleep, given that it was the heyday of the original viewliners. Maybe we had two rooms?
i love how it took the staff 10 minutes to figure out people could walk down the escalators. problem solving at its best! kudoos to good 'ol American ingenuity
Oooo, I’ve been there! About 15 years ago, my 3 daughters, MiddleDD’s DH, and I caught the train from High Bridge NJ to Penn Station.
Our family had lived down the street from the station for several years when my children were very young. Oldest DD got up for school when the 7am incoming train would arrive.
Thanks for providing a pretty extensive look at Moynihan Hall; for me, the stations are almost as much fun as the trains themselves! I have a friend who lives in NYC who sent me phone camera photos, but this is the first video I've seen that really gives a nice look at the whole facility in some detail. All of my Amtrak travel to date has been on western US routes, but the Lakeshore, Cardinal, Crescent and Capital Limited, are all on my Amtrak bucket list. I agree that the roomette (Superliner is a little different but not that much) is plenty of room when travelling solo, the only way I've experienced it. I'm not small so I don't think I could share one. Overall, my feeling is as you say, the experience rather than the convenience is what I love about Amtrak travel. Regardless of laws, freight trains rarely if ever yield precedence to Amtrak trains, so you can count on being late, it's just a question of how late. There are also occasional mechanical problems and accidents that cause delays. In a nutshell, you NEVER want to assume Amtrak will arrive on time; allow, if possible, a day of flexibility for connections, appointments, meetings, etc. Thanks again, really enjoyed the video!
Very fascinated about the make over at Penn Station NY. I travelled with Amtrak last year November to Virginia, my first time and though in coach I love it. A nice experience.
This train has quite a history. Back in the 1960's there were 13 trains daily between New York City and Chicago. Penn Central's Twentieth Century Limited used to be five hours faster than today's Lakeshore Limited between NYC and Chicago with its own express track (the express track was removed just prior to Amtrak's establishment.)
Extraordinary! Losing 5 hours .it should. be 12 hours maxis you wouldn't need a sleeper reservation.
@@edwardhogan1877 Unfortunately America is not a TINY nation like Germany or France one can drive across in a single day. For a single truck driver to drive across America legally from Los Angeles to Boston requires SIX days. Not half of one day. As for HIGH SPEED RAIL, even in Europe MOST everyone FLIES when the train journey is longer than THREE hours. Even if there was a HSR train from NYC to Chicago, the 900+ miles for a HSR train to double the average speed presently, up to 100 mph from the present 50 mph average speed, creates a NINE hour trip. SIX hours beyond the sweet spot of a THREE hour train trip to compete successfully against the airlines... Maybe why America's only HSR presently is Amtrak's northeast corridor... Its less than THREE hours for the DC to NYC journey, and less than FOUR hours for the NYC to Boston journey. Explains why less than FIVE percent ride Acela the entire nearly SEVEN hour journey DC to Boston. Europeans, please explain where that HSR train is from London to Istanbul? London to Moscow?
The Hudson is so underated, definately one of the coolest river's in the U.S
I have travelled on board the Lake Shore limited over several years. Very Nice!
The trip up the Hudson is beautiful, in both directions. The Adirondack is a nice trip too, but it’s really slow as there’s a lot of single track running after Schenectady, (doesn’t require an overnight ride though). You never realize just how big New York State is until you try to cross it.
or if you're in a traffic jam on the LIE