Yeah, in the old days one could go from here in Cincinnati to Cleveland on the interurban lines and trolleys with a pocket full of dimes. This made me chuckle.
Those are not an alternative to Amtrak they are simply local trains they feed small towns in suburbia to major stations on Amtrak which is basically de facto express service for NJT, SEPTA and MARC
How can this be Amtrak Acela Alternative when you USED Acela between Wilmington DE and Baltimore MD???? Had you booked Amtrak Northeast Regional to travel between Wilmington DE and Baltimore MD and then transferred to MARC train service between Baltimore and DC, then the title would actually make sense.
It does seem odd to me that you chose Acela for this leg, when you could have waited half an hour and taken the Northeast Regional for less than half the cost. You could have also done even more commuter trains by taking Amtrak only to Aberdeen, rather than Baltimore. The whole trip is cool, though.
Hopefully the gap between MARC and SEPTA will be closed soon. Maryland's General Assembly is planning to, at some point in the future (I forget exactly when) to run MARC trains to Newark, DE, and from there you'll be able to skip Amtrak entirely. My hope is that when MARC trains do run all the way to DE, they'll increase speed by perhaps skipping all stops south of Baltimore. If they end up adding a couple of extra trains to the schedule, that might not be an issue with riders. Whether they do or don't run solely express trains up there, if you really want an alternative to the Acela, don't get on one of those "super local" NJ Transit trains that make all the stops, including that one at North Elizabeth. Those trains are so slow. The "super express" one that stops at Secaucus and the two stops in Newark and doesn't stop again until Princeton Junction -- that train is a good addition to an Acela alternative. Same price as the locals, but much faster.
Hello; the *gap* between regional rail systems is entirely due to political thinking - it is why SEPTA and NJT does not have one! (SEPTA has the West Trenton line - which is where it and NJT bridge; NY Penn Station is where NJT and Metro North - in addition to NYC MTA - bridge.) In MARC's case, it is the Penn Line - which overlays the NEC - and hence can run to Newark using the same trains. I even pointed out that there are sandwich shops that are served by SEPTA - but NOT by AMTRAK - DiCostanza's - my personal favorite - is a two block walk from the SEPTA Marcus Hook station on the Wilmington/Newark, DE line.)
Never thought I'd spent an hour watching a man riding on local public transport for the better part of the day, but it was unexpectedly fun to watch. I appreciate the style of the video, with the little background info pieces and the mix between narration and subtitles. And the Acela part surely was nice too ;) So thanks for the vid.
Even during the nighttime, Jersey Avenue is just not New Jersey Transit's favorite Station. I'm surprised the train even stopped at North Elizabeth! Great video!
I’ve done the exact same just for the price (Amtrak wanted $120), except I went from Washington DC to Phila. I covered the gap between Perryville and Newark using Cecil County Transit (public buses), particularly route 2 to Elkton MD, then route 4 to Newark DE Total was about $30 end to end.
I did something similar when I was station in Groton CT, I wanted to do a NYC day trip and could've caught Amtrak out of Mystic CT or New London, but someone told me it was cheaper to catch the commuter rail line out of New Haven CT so I drove down there and caught the commuter line which had the added benefit of bringing me into Grand Central instead of Penn station
I understand what you did and why, but I will take Amtrak from NYC to DC any day of the week, month, or year. Obviously with inflation in 2022 the prices have significantly risen, but either Acela or Northeast Corridor lines, Amtrak is the way to go. Just my thoughts.
@@AshmewStudios Thanks, I went to Boston for my 29th birthday and I had fun. It was great to take the 2150 Acela train from D.C. to Boston, I hope to do this again for my 30th birthday next year.
I've done the exact same trip except I taken Acela to Wilmington. When I got to Philadelphia I taken the Market Street subway to Patco and connected with NJT Riverline to Camden xfer for Trenton (next time I'll take the Atlantic City Line to connect to the Riverline). At Trenton taken Path to Manhattan to the NY Subway To LIRR Atlantic Terminal to finish my trip at Patchogue NY. There are good alternatives especially during peak holiday season when Amtrak and air fairs are so ridiculously high! Yes it will take you a good bit of the day but I'd rather do that than Greyhound or Mega bus(tried them too)! Its basically highway robbery! I wish MARC would at least go to Wilmington or Newark Del!
A few Acela trips do stop at Trenton. It was a Washington-bound trip in the morning and a NYC-bound trip in the evening that made the stops there (the idea being that NJ legislators or staff would use it for business trips to/from DC). They had added another round trip stopping at Trenton not long before the lockdowns last year.
By involving Acela (of all Amtrak trains!) you made your adventure less fascinating. Why bother riding all these commuter trains if you could take Acela (or a cheaper, regular Amtrak train) all the way from NYC to DC? Instead, I would suggest exploring some sorts of local transit options (most likely, obviously, buses) to get from Wilmington (or, even better, Newark DE) to Baltimore (or, even better, Perryville) to market your trip as truly low-cost.
1:20 thats just erie to see it so empty. Wish they stop saying wearing a mask is required by federal laws. Biden already said he would not sign anything regarding that. Forcing someone to wear a mask violates Freedom of Expression laws. I totally love the new train hall. so beautiful.
Until the pandemic, there was a local transit bus (Cecil County route 5) that closed the gap between Newark, DE (Septa) and Perryville, MD (MARC), and was timed with the trains (so one would never have to wait more than 10-20 mins at either side)...sadly service remains suspended. Here's an article about it: ggwash.org/view/75344/theres-no-regional-rail-between-dc-and-philly-so-i-tried-the-bus-and-van-service-that-fills-the-gap
Yeah, in the old days one could go from here in Cincinnati to Cleveland on the interurban lines and trolleys with a pocket full of dimes. This made me chuckle.
Those are not an alternative to Amtrak they are simply local trains they feed small towns in suburbia to major stations on Amtrak which is basically de facto express service for NJT, SEPTA and MARC
How can this be Amtrak Acela Alternative when you USED Acela between Wilmington DE and Baltimore MD???? Had you booked Amtrak Northeast Regional to travel between Wilmington DE and Baltimore MD and then transferred to MARC train service between Baltimore and DC, then the title would actually make sense.
It does seem odd to me that you chose Acela for this leg, when you could have waited half an hour and taken the Northeast Regional for less than half the cost. You could have also done even more commuter trains by taking Amtrak only to Aberdeen, rather than Baltimore. The whole trip is cool, though.
Hopefully the gap between MARC and SEPTA will be closed soon. Maryland's General Assembly is planning to, at some point in the future (I forget exactly when) to run MARC trains to Newark, DE, and from there you'll be able to skip Amtrak entirely.
My hope is that when MARC trains do run all the way to DE, they'll increase speed by perhaps skipping all stops south of Baltimore. If they end up adding a couple of extra trains to the schedule, that might not be an issue with riders.
Whether they do or don't run solely express trains up there, if you really want an alternative to the Acela, don't get on one of those "super local" NJ Transit trains that make all the stops, including that one at North Elizabeth. Those trains are so slow. The "super express" one that stops at Secaucus and the two stops in Newark and doesn't stop again until Princeton Junction -- that train is a good addition to an Acela alternative. Same price as the locals, but much faster.
Hello; the *gap* between regional rail systems is entirely due to political thinking - it is why SEPTA and NJT does not have one! (SEPTA has the West Trenton line - which is where it and NJT bridge; NY Penn Station is where NJT and Metro North - in addition to NYC MTA - bridge.) In MARC's case, it is the Penn Line - which overlays the NEC - and hence can run to Newark using the same trains. I even pointed out that there are sandwich shops that are served by SEPTA - but NOT by AMTRAK - DiCostanza's - my personal favorite - is a two block walk from the SEPTA Marcus Hook station on the Wilmington/Newark, DE line.)
Want to skip stops south of Baltimore just switch to Amtrak MARC is local service
@@PGHammer21A fortunately most trains no longer truncate at Marcus hook and go all the way to Wilmington
Never thought I'd spent an hour watching a man riding on local public transport for the better part of the day, but it was unexpectedly fun to watch. I appreciate the style of the video, with the little background info pieces and the mix between narration and subtitles. And the Acela part surely was nice too ;) So thanks for the vid.
Even during the nighttime, Jersey Avenue is just not New Jersey Transit's favorite Station. I'm surprised the train even stopped at North Elizabeth! Great video!
Has the train driver ever gotten mugged there?
I’ve done the exact same just for the price (Amtrak wanted $120), except I went from Washington DC to Phila. I covered the gap between Perryville and Newark using Cecil County Transit (public buses), particularly route 2 to Elkton MD, then route 4 to Newark DE Total was about $30 end to end.
I did something similar when I was station in Groton CT, I wanted to do a NYC day trip and could've caught Amtrak out of Mystic CT or New London, but someone told me it was cheaper to catch the commuter rail line out of New Haven CT so I drove down there and caught the commuter line which had the added benefit of bringing me into Grand Central instead of Penn station
I understand what you did and why, but I will take Amtrak from NYC to DC any day of the week, month, or year. Obviously with inflation in 2022 the prices have significantly risen, but either Acela or Northeast Corridor lines, Amtrak is the way to go. Just my thoughts.
Tommorrow I hope to go on the Acela for my 29th birthday from D.C. to Boston this year.
happy birthday
@@AshmewStudios Thanks, I went to Boston for my 29th birthday and I had fun. It was great to take the 2150 Acela train from D.C. to Boston, I hope to do this again for my 30th birthday next year.
@@josephmccrmck77 nice
@@AshmewStudios Indeed. I will ride Amtrak until the end of time.
Most people don't know that the gold in the ceiling of Washington Union station is 14k gold leaf and yes it's all real
I may have to get some of those timetables when I go to NYC!
0:29 those stairs and railings are from the original Penn station
I've done the exact same trip except I taken Acela to Wilmington. When I got to Philadelphia I taken the Market Street subway to Patco and connected with NJT Riverline to Camden xfer for Trenton (next time I'll take the Atlantic City Line to connect to the Riverline). At Trenton taken Path to Manhattan to the NY Subway To LIRR Atlantic Terminal to finish my trip at Patchogue NY. There are good alternatives especially during peak holiday season when Amtrak and air fairs are so ridiculously high! Yes it will take you a good bit of the day but I'd rather do that than Greyhound or Mega bus(tried them too)! Its basically highway robbery! I wish MARC would at least go to Wilmington or Newark Del!
Funny to me how the Acela stops at the Baltimore airport but not Trenton
A few Acela trips do stop at Trenton. It was a Washington-bound trip in the morning and a NYC-bound trip in the evening that made the stops there (the idea being that NJ legislators or staff would use it for business trips to/from DC). They had added another round trip stopping at Trenton not long before the lockdowns last year.
Im pretty sure it does. It stops at Wilmington and BWI and EWR as well not just the big cities. Maybe Northeast regional doesn't stop Trenton
What about the rest of the country? West coast haven't rotted away yet!
Add real service as in upgrade 90% of California Amtrak service to 150 mph service
Why isn't there any seating in the main areas of DC's Union Station?
Boy those old Comet IIs have seen better days. =/
39:23 where was this located at?
By involving Acela (of all Amtrak trains!) you made your adventure less fascinating. Why bother riding all these commuter trains if you could take Acela (or a cheaper, regular Amtrak train) all the way from NYC to DC? Instead, I would suggest exploring some sorts of local transit options (most likely, obviously, buses) to get from Wilmington (or, even better, Newark DE) to Baltimore (or, even better, Perryville) to market your trip as truly low-cost.
I Am In Love With You Amtrak Acela Express Trains ♥
Did those two guys @ 6:30 own those scooters?
No. You'll see lots of people in north jersey in scooters ok pretty sure they're the city's
U could of took the Marc from Martin airport
Or you could take a Northeast regional like a regular person that doesn’t want to spend seven hours on the train just to get to New York.
This was a great video however it would have benefitted without your editorializing about " storming the capitol ".
Yes, we didn't need a reminder that many people acted stupidly that day.
Can't eat and drink with mask on 😭
furious pete
1:20 thats just erie to see it so empty. Wish they stop saying wearing a mask is required by federal laws. Biden already said he would not sign anything regarding that. Forcing someone to wear a mask violates Freedom of Expression laws. I totally love the new train hall. so beautiful.
W
Until the pandemic, there was a local transit bus (Cecil County route 5) that closed the gap between Newark, DE (Septa) and Perryville, MD (MARC), and was timed with the trains (so one would never have to wait more than 10-20 mins at either side)...sadly service remains suspended. Here's an article about it: ggwash.org/view/75344/theres-no-regional-rail-between-dc-and-philly-so-i-tried-the-bus-and-van-service-that-fills-the-gap