Amtrak's Northeast Corridor is busy, old and falling apart
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- Опубликовано: 11 июн 2021
- Amtrak's Northeast Corridor stretches between Washington and Boston. It's a busy stretch of railroad, with parts that date back almost 150 years. Amtrak wants to run more trains, faster, but it's hindered because the railroad is literally falling apart. Read more: wapo.st/3zkJPmM. Subscribe to The Washington Post on RUclips: wapo.st/2QOdcqK
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Imagine USA put people on the moon, but can´t keep a decent railway system..
That was 50 years ago. Feels like US hasn’t spent any meaningful amount of money on infrastructure for that length of time, too.
China is laughing at us
Going to the moon was given a blank check and was not expected to be profitable.
The US actually _does_ have a decent railway system, just not a decent _passenger_ rail system.
@@johannmyers493 I stand corrected
Reminder that even with the state of the NEC today, more people take the trains than do fly between Washington and New York
Now imagine what the numbers would be if the trains were better and faster...
I think people take the train more because of the scenery
No most people take the train in the northeast because it’s literally cheaper, far less hassle (no security or checks) and delays are not on the level of planes that can cancel a flight all together and leave stranded
@@No-le9qf Nah, that route is 70% business travelers, and 80% of them take the train. You go to the airport, you have to spend half an hour getting there, an hour and a half there, and a half an hour getting from the airport on the other end, for a 30 minute flight. For the train, you go to the station which takes like ten minutes tops, get on the train, spend 2.5 hours on the train getting work done, and get off on the other end, and you're there. It's faster, more comfortable, more convenient, and cheaper. Taking the plane only makes sense if your origin and/or destination are near the airport, or if you are connecting from another flight.
Probably the only comparable railway corridor across the globe. Better than Australia for example.
When I went to Europe, I was blown away , even small towns and rural areas had tiny train stations 🚆 .
Tamar 4272 - It used to be that way here.
@@jdm1039 I remember my granny could take a train to shop in the nearest small city (in Pennsylvania . ) I hear you .
Jeffery Mead It still is on some systems.
Switzerland is probably the best example, and it's heavy use of intermodal trains for cargo (all under overhead wire similar to the 25 Hz AC traction system Amtrak inherited from the PRR/Penn Central) allows for Switzerland, which requires all vehicles to have a vignette (similar to an annual registration), but covers the entire country as opposed to the individual cantons to help subsidized it's rail system. In addition, Switzerland also uses the the performance-related heavy vehicle charge for larger vehicles, thus the heavy use of rail transport for cargo with larger trucks being used for local runs. An adoption of an annual vignette for all vehicles in the U.S., along with with higher state registration fees, plus a performance-related heavy vehicle charge for larger vehicles, and the reestablishment of the Consolidated Rail Corporation as a Federal corporation owning and overseeing the upgrade and maintenance of all Class I mainline routes (to enable overhead power traction at the standard 25 kV/60 Hz AC for both long-distance passenger and freight rail movements, in which Amtrak and the Class I railroads would become tenents).
Yeah, same thing when I went to Japan. I got a rail pass for the national system, and basically rode trains everywhere. The only time I really felt like I could have got around more easily by car was when I was in a beach town with only a few train stations and not many trains a day. Even the buses didn't run that often, and I was seriously wishing I'd looked into renting a car. The station near my hotel was seriously cute though. At night there was no staff at all. They would just leave the doors open and the handful of passengers were all on the honour system.
I know the U.S. isn't as dense generally, but certainly there are large areas of it that do have high populations densities where passenger rail could be equally ubiquitous, if it had been maintained and upgraded over the last century instead of ripped up and thrown away. It's a similar situation where I am, sadly.
Things people need to remember about Amtrak upgrades such as tunnels. The real impact isn't even just the new speeds Amtrak gets but rather the massive improvements to all the CR services that utilize the tracks and the alphabet soup of state and regional transit agencies that will benefit: MARC, NJ Transit, MBTA, VRE, LIRR, Metro North, CT Rail, & SEPTA plus all the other agencies that might connect to stations on the system.
I just want the MBTA to have electric locomotives.
As someone from CT who takes MTR I couldn't agree more. The northeast is easily the best place for improvements and high speed rail
Nothing shocking here, even highways are falling apart.
@HF Trust they suck for the most part. Weren’t designed to carry as much traffic as they do now.
@@MikeJones-bl6lu Yeah, NCDOT is playing catch-up when it comes to accommodating traffic.
@@souvikrc4499 the Midwest is 20 years behind.
no theyre arent theyre being repaved every other day and being funded almost a infinite amount of money
And that’s partially because we DONT have good trains. More people off the road, means less wear, tear, and upkeep.
I know “Amtrak Joe” loves his trains but this Infrastructure Bill needs to happen, the NEC is crumbling badly!
Yes let's add more to our debts and inflation.
@@itchynscratchynutz3699 Yeah, let’s let Republicans bail out the “profitable” airlines with 700 billion for the 87th time.
@@MarioYoshi4723 who runs the Congress and Senate you donut? Stop blaming republicans for your party’s idiotic policies.
@@MarioYoshi4723 what is the difference between biden Infrastructure Bill and Republicans bail out the “profitable” airlines with 700 billion, do you only believe things because they have better names, please explain why no democrats and republicans get any infrastructure done last 30 to 50 years
My point is: The Trumpy-Temper-Tantrum administration wanted to keep making excuses to not give Amtrak any money for upgrading themselves, and then give Airlines 10 times as much as what Amtrak’s asking for. 5% of the Military Budget would cover all of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor upgrades and then some. I know Democrats aren’t much different with their policies (Foreign Aid), but a proper developed country runs on socialism; of which is not a crime despite what Mr. Temper Tantrum will spout.
A lot is made of the age of the infrastructure, but here in the UK there is plenty as old and even older. It's just maintained better!
Yes and no. One of the fundamental differences between US and UK railroad was how they were built. You guys were overbuilding your first lines of the 1840s, prioritizing straight routes, gentle grades and masonry construction. America spent the first 40 years of railroading laying light, slap-dash track with tight curves, through tough expansive terrain. Even after we started building quality infrastructure in the 1890s, the size and expansion rate were working against system integrity.
@@Hammerandhearth Actually, there really arent many "straight routes" in the UK at all.
@@soundseeker63 They are straight relative to what was being built in the US prior to the 1860s
@@Hammerandhearth If you are comparing only the major intercity routes, possibly. But most local routes and routes in the north of the UK are extremely bendy, by virtue of the terrain in which they exist. High speeds were not envisioned back then so it was of little consequence and the followed the natural contours of the land, only tunnelling where absolutely necessary.
@@Hammerandhearth I don't have any reason to contradict you generally, but that's not relevant to Boston-DC. That's easily comparable to London-Edinburgh, which is almost exactly the same length and similar terrain. Boston-DC is 6 hours 50 minutes; London-Edinburgh is 4 hours 20 minutes.
And that's pretty rubbish by European standards.
I think it's a little ironic they're complaining about a bridge that can do 90mph but meanwhile in connecticut and new york we have 45 mph restrictions
Bridge near the Berlin station is from the late 1800's as well. Too many grade crossings like in Mystic.
You guys are also northeast corridor. And belive me 90mph is not what we are complaining about but rather 30mph is the problem in some areas
its NY-CT where a lot of the slowing down happens and that's because of the bridges and infrastructure. I live near Westport and Norwalk and those are the main bridges that cause trains to slow down
Europe and developed Asian countries all been doing 300KM while the US is worried about 90 Lmao
@@mattlandry8742 New York to Washington is more heavily used than New York to Boston. New Haven to Boston got a lot of work done when electrified in the 90s. The biggest issue in Connecticut is the moving bridges that have to open for the giant yachts. Meanwhile in New York 6 tunnels at capacity into Penn Station, all 4 from the east and both from New Jersey, flooded with sea water from Hurricane Sandy and have yet to be overhauled.
Correction: Amtrak actually owns 730 miles of track on the NEC and in Michigan, but that's a small amount of track compared with the 21,000 miles of track it operates.
@3:27
"Outside of the Northeast Corridor and some track in Michigan, Amtrack owns none of its network."
It's directly stated in the video.
Amtrak doesn't "operate" 21,000 miles of track. They use tracks owned by others.
Those are not owned by Amtrak bro. CSX and other freight train companies own those
He literally said that in the video
Compared to Europe and Asia, its crazy that the USA just let these infrastructures go so bad
Our government is corrupt and cannot manage money at all. They think short term and not about the future
@@alek488 spot on
All the money that should be going towards maintaining our country ends up lining the pockets of the ones destroying it. Our own government is going to be our nation’s downfall.
That cause when Black Lives Matter nothing else does.
After World War II the government sought to strip the railroads of subsidies and spend money on highways and airports. When the government pulled the mail contracts in the mid-1960s the railroads gave up on passenger trains. The “Big Business” mentality led to the neglect of the railroads, and everything else. There is a need for businesses to operate ethically and for government to regulate appropriately.
Amtrak just needs the money and time to repair the infrastructure
Exactly
We used to be a first-world country.
that was a long time ago
Blame the myth of self-reliance and individual responsibility
Only someone who has no idea of true hardship would think that. You have it good do stop bitching.
@@mrmustangman You have no idea what you are talking about
@@itchynscratchynutz3699 you don't....
4:21 they slowed down the footage to make the train seem slower, the avelia goes 160 MPH (around 120 for the first part)
Lmao you can see the individual frames
@@YEETMAN-dt9mb ye it looks like when i play a video game on an apple lap top
Top Speed for any train on the NEC is 125 MPH
@@peytonboyd8829 Current Acela fleet can hit 135-150 mph in parts of RI/MA and NJ/PA/MD. Amtrak, NJ Transit and MARC all have conventional (non-tilting) locomotives rated for 135 mph on straightway sections, but the cars are limited to 125 mph.
Unsurprising. The media lies and contorts the truth to fit their narrative all the time now.
I’ve lived in France several times and their railway system is one of the absolute best in the world. This country’s excuse for a railway system is humiliating! 😡
Compare the size of france and the usa. It's easier when you have a small country
@@itchynscratchynutz3699 Compare France’s GDP with America’s, and then you’ll find that your excuse is completely BS.
And France is the size of Texas.
@@banksrail Of there is a demand for it then the market will grow. Most train lines in the world are receive gov subsidies. GDP means nothing if there is no market for it
@@itchynscratchynutz3699 There’s a huge market for rail in America. That’s the only reason why Amtrak has lasted as long as it has without the sufficient funding needed to expand. That’s why California is spending billions on a rail project. That’s why New York is spending billions on rail projects. That’s why private investors are betting billions on Brightline and Texas Central Railway. Open your eyes and you’ll clearly see the trend that there is a market.
The trainhaven of America, really deserves the overhaul it deserves.
I'm no expert, but my guess is that the general problem with infrastructure is that things get built without securing infinite guaranteed future funding for maintenance (assuming the future is infinite).
@HF Trust you mean the lack of taxes.....
You're right mainly. For roads the gas tax Is suppsed to be their funding but with more efficient cars and inflation it means it should be raised more more it is.
@@erikkrauss8481 Good point Erik. As an EV owner, I'm currently not supporting maintenance of roads (AFAIK) since I don't buy gasoline. Gas tax is/was a convenient measure of road usage. But I charge my EV off my solar panels, so there's no way to measure my actual usage. I suppose an average usage could be calculated (maybe on a per region basis, or based on age, or some combination?). As a remote worker, my usage is very low. So capturing this accurately would be important, for me at least.
EDIT: A more obvious measure would be odometer reading. Perhaps taken during vehicle inspection...
@@quantumonions maybe a tire tax would work
@@erikkrauss8481 Good idea. 👍 I think you've solved it!
EDIT: Though, if you travel pothole-ridden roads, and they aren't getting fixed, that might be cause for frustration.
Meanwhile, the dinky regional trains in Germany travels at average speeds of 62 mph up to 100 mph. The ICE express train goes up to 300 kmh; that is 186 mph. If the US invested in infrastructure instead of war and a wall in Mexico that is easily bested by a $30 ladder, perhaps Americans could enjoy such comfortable, modern trains with big picture windows, big bucket seats, food service, free wifi, etc.
Hi dear..... How are you doing
Tabitha you are absolutely correct. I’m an American Railbuff but I have high respect for Germany’s Passenger Rail System, their Trains are no joke, they are really good Trains. Their Freight System isn’t bad either. As far as America’s Railroad System goes, there is good in it, the US does have the best Freight Train System in the world. Passenger Railroads aren’t all bad either, they have good Trains, Locomotives and they do the best they can to get through it. But because the US cares more about War, Highways and Fast Food Restaurants, US Railroads will always get screwed over. The Government has always found ways to screw over Railroads in the US. The Railroad System here should have definitely evolved generations ago along with the rest of the world and it needs to happen soon. The Northeast Corridor itself is a good high speed line, the issues with the NEC are the old Baltimore Tunnel, the old Hudson River Tunnel, Susquehanna Bridge needs to be replaced and the NY-CT section just east of NY, it’s what really hold the Northeast Corridor back, that part of the NEC is embarrassingly too slow. But still a really great point you brought up
The northeast corridor goes 165 mph
@@tc3693 that’s only planned to happen in one 30 mile stretch in NJ. The average speed for the system is only like 80 mph between DC and NY
@@codyross233 It hasn’t been planned it already exists most of the acela line goes 150 miles an hour
They need to put in composite ties and concrete ties.
But, they REALLY need to build new tunnels
Japan high speed trains go 320 mph
They are working on a train that will go 410 mph opening in 2023
Our airlines will NEVER allow a high speed rail system that goes 300 mph, because it will put them out of business
Japan and Europe had the special opportunity to completely start over at the end of ww2. Everything was destroyed so rebuilding meant they had the chance to do HSR right. The US is the overgrown forest with undergrowth so thick you can't get anything done and no cleansing fire to start fresh. Just building on top of the last decade forever and ever.
@@s0nnyburnett The HSR lines in Japan and Europe were entirely new builds and built many years after their rail networks were rebuilt.
I agree with everything said here except that the trains go 300+ mph which isn’t correct. The trains go a max of 200 mph (320 kph) and you’re probably talking about the maglev that they’re trying to open that will go 400kph, but yeah the entire system needs a massive upgrade and really they need dedicated tracks
The Japanese trains go up to 320 KILOMETERS per hour, or about 200 mph, which is still super fast and enough to make them quicker than air travel for most trips. The new maglev will go 500 km/h or about 310 mph.
I don't know why airlines are so worried tbh. Like, yeah domestic flights will lose profits, but intercontinental flights will remain unchanged.
10 to 12 years to complete?! Meanwhile Switzerland can pump out 30 mile tunnels in like 6.
In fairness, the proposed Baltimore (it was that city, yes?) tunnel runs under a city, and there’s probably things like sewage systems, telephony, water and other infrastructure to take into account, while the Swiss tunnels may be simply through a mountain. Different challenges.
@@exsandgrounder that's true. Better comparison may be the London Underground then
The neglect of our infrastructure has taken its course. The richest country in the world cannot get things right. It's a total disgrace.
It would have to be privately owned...
@@Chris85PL Sorry, am I missing some sarcasm? It seems like this problem started when private companies withdrew because of decreasing profits.
@@dkniberg It could very well be it will never be profitable or just takes the right private company.. Just an opinion keep in mind..
@@dkniberg you should look at Florida’s brightline.
The USA is only the richest country in the world because there are a lot of people in it. When you look at wealth per person - which is what really matters - it is nowhere near the richest countries.
One of the reason it has fallen such a long way is because of a lack of investment in infrastructure.
I am from the UK, I always use the trains when I come to America, but the system is so neglected. Amtrak Joe has a job to do, I hope he can give America a rail network like we have in the UK and Europe.
We need Maglev trains and infrastructure. Amtrak should be entirely separate.
Nice, commenting on the first day! Either way I love old, rustic appeal of many of these bridges as much as the next but about high time some of these got the boot from a replacement. On a high note the Susquehanna River Bridge in CT, one of the older but more critical ones has finally been confirmed as been slated for replacement.
The Susquehanna river bridge is in Maryland!!!
There not giving the whole picture if you only talk about the north east corridor there’s improvements like expansion please research this item
@@hiltontheodoredriver5563 true, but this needs to be remedied first, before expansion. the NEC is the only trackage that makes money for amtrak, and is over 100 years old in most sections.
The Pennsylvania Railroad built a marvel of transportation technology in the 1920s and 1930s, paving the way for the Shin Kansen and Trains a Grand Vitesse. However, it wasn't built with the expectation that it would last forever or that Americans would completely forget it in just twenty years.
Here in California the Amtrak is amazing. I've ridden it from Oregon to California and thru the Central Valley. Great service and great views going an average of 70 mph with no delays. Some areas tracks were rougher than others but not so bad it would tip a drink!
This seems designed to convey the idea that it's infrastructure is beyond repair, perhaps laying the groundwork for pleas to invest in other rail plans.
IMO, Amtrak is vital to American freedom of movement and should be protected as such.
TY @Amtrak
Have you been on a bullet train anywhere else in the world? I recently took the Amtrak in Oregon and will never do it again. It seriously scared me! It felt many times like the train was coming off of the tracks. It also sped through cities at high speed then slowed down when it got to the farmland and rural areas. It was so weird and very, very old and dated.
mrbear1302 I’ve been on the old Acela Express trains and I’d probably do it again if I had the money. The service was very fast (at least compared to the Northeast Regional and possibly traveling by car) and reliable, though we did get a delay at our origin station. If you stray anywhere west of the Mississippi or at least away from large population centers, Amtrak may be less reliable in terms of scheduling.
70mph is ridiculously slow for a long distance train in many countries...
I don't doubt that it's a great experience if the journey itself is your travel reason and not getting from A to B.
michaausleipzig It would obviously be ideal if the high-speed rail network were expanded nationwide, but I’m not sure how profitable that would be. In my opinion, the best we can hope for is a patchwork of high-speed rail networks in the most populated areas. There are going to be others in Texas and Florida, with speculation as to one in California.
@@aycc-nbh7289 yeah ... I know. Been following what Brightline and others do for a while. At least Florida doesn't really count as HSR imo. It's diesel and runs on older tracks. At least the part that's already in operation...
I used to drive amtrak and marc trains and going through those baltimore tunnels is shady af…
just rode it from CT to VA. The cars are very old, badly in need of repair, extremely dirty, and the track was like being on a ship in a storm. It sounds like something is being dragged under the cars during one section. I was wondering why we were going sooooooooo slow though sections, now I understand. At least the crew are good people. All in all it's way cheaper than flying and less hassle. No TSA and cattle herding lines to deal with. It will still be my first option.
BTW, much of Pacific Surfliner runs on tracks owned by commuter train services, or in the case of the Coast Line, freight trains are so infrequent they don't interfere with operations. Metrolink, in particular, has laid a lot of extra track in SoCal to keep passenger and freight trains from conflicting.
They need to stop with all the red tape and get the damn job done 💯🚅🚆🚄
The NEC isn't falling apart, but there are some big projects coming up. The tunnels and bridges you mentioned. It took years to upgrade the Portal Bridge but that eventually happened.
Japan is working on a high-speed train that goes 320 MPH
Not kmh, MPH
WE CAN DO THE SAME, IF WE WANT TO
Trouble is, the people who matter don't want to. Or at least, not enough of them do want to.
Politicians: No
They’re the reason why it’s not happening. The US is fully capable of even surpassing Japan and China’s rail tech. However greed is what’s holding it back
@@Racko. The car and fossil fuel lobby needs their money somehow...
Doesn’t go that fast it’s 200 but nice try
@@mattk9644 The maglev one they’re working on can.
And don’t act like 200mph isn’t good.
Very interesting. Thanks for posting this. Have a nice day now.
The Hudson River Tunnels and the East River tunnels have ALWAYS been electrified, ever since they were built in 1910. They were originally built with 3rd rail DC electric power and the PIRR STILL uses 3rd rail DC electric power today. Originally trains from the West and the South changed from steam to electric at a place in the Jersey Meadows called Manhattan Transfer. Yes, the place where they changed from steam to electric precedes the singing group of the same name. You should have had Bob Johnston fact check this entire video.
They're talking about the B&P Tunnel, not the North River or East River Tunnels. The B&P Tunnel operated for decades pre-electrification with steam locomotives.
"iTs A wAsTe Of MoNeY!" is whats stopping the upgrades from happening
"AmErIcAnS lIkE uSiNg CaRs MoRe" .... meanwhile they've kept trains running through a tunnel since 1873.
Whoever says that must be a npc whos driving their "american" sized SUV or pickup truck
Im a european and i can't beleive a rich country like america has a third world rail system.
How many of your European rail systems are privately owned?
How many are expected to be profitable?
How much of your tax money goes to supporting them?
I'm an American, and even I must admit that is is strange that the world's only superpower is also the one with a not-so-great rail system! Most European countries make sure there is a passenger train for most regions of the country. And the US? It's passenger trains bypass the states of South Dakota and Wyoming entirely!
America has decent freight rail systems, maybe, but terrible passenger rail. In WWII, the rail lines were temporarily nationalized, and were run to death with minimal maintenance, this gave passenger rail a bad name. When the war was over, the lines in a state of disrepair went back to the private railroads. When the business traveler started flying, the railroads wanted out of passenger service. (Most passenger service was always unprofitable, but it was used as advertising for this freight service. When the people making freight decisions started flying, the jig was up.) Then the government started an obsession with building free truck infrastructure, and approved the worst corporate merger of all time (Penn Central). The 1970s is when everything collapsed. The northeastern railroads fell into government hands, and Amtrak got most of the Northeast corridor. (The rest is owned by states.)
@@JugSouthgate even if a rail network is subsidized it still serves also all the people not using it and which still want to drive their own car - a circumstance Americans often don't understand. Guess what: large cities in Europe don't face daily rush hour traffic jams as there are masses of people taking public transit instead, also as it might be faster, cheaper, less walking distance etc compared to driving a car.
Looking at the commuter rail system in my state's capital, there's a track where they run trains on a 2 minute schedule during rush hour, means 30 trains per hour, with up to 1,632 passengers per train that equals close to 49k passengers per hour per direction on only that one track, not counting all the other tracks, other trains, other modes of transportation like bus, tram or subway; Imagine the traffic if all those people were driving their car ...
I remember when I first moved to Philadelphia from Texas I was excited for Amtrak but god the state of the rails was just awful it was almost (almost) preferable to be like Texas and have none at all. Our metropolitan areas need far better transit systems. The economic might of the northeast is amazing when you account that it’s limping on ancient infrastructure.
The Acela is kind of neat. I've used it two times in my life (once from Boston Back Bay to NY and once from Philadelphia to DC) and it only broke down once ;-)
A 50% success rate is nothing to be proud of lol
@@ProfessorPancakes420 Indeed. It was fine when it was running; clean and comfortable. But the breakdown, somewhere in the Maryland suburbs of DC, wasn't great. The train eventually was able to limp to a nearby station, where I could transfer onto a commuter train into DC Union Station, but I had at least an hour-and-a-half delay upon arrival. Still, I got there 🙂
great video hope the northeast corridor gets fix up
They forgot to tell about how West Baltimore tunnel are prone to fires and how it operates under and around the worse neighborhoods that Baltimore has. Also the number of accidents through out the corridor. The corridor has to be the worse section of tracks that Amtrak operates on.
This what happens when we fund everyone else but ourselves
Foreign aid constitutes less than 1% of our budget...
@@SnownelVEVO who do you think our military protects? 600 billion a year is expensive, and NATO and other European countries don’t pay their fair share, where do you think Europe gets the money for the trains? Trump pulled funding from NATO, but the left and democrats freaked out because “orange man bad” no matter if he’s actually right.
@@tylerkriesel8590 This is such an absolutely bullshit argument.
The US spends more on defence than the next 10 countries combined, 8 of whom are allies. They don't spend this money to defend themselves and they sure as hell don't spend it to defend Slovenia. They spend it because its a transfer of funds from the public sector to the private. It's what Eisenhower called the military-industrial complex.
As a proportion of its income the US spends half on foreign aid that Malta does, less than a quarter of the UK and less than a fifth of Norway.
The USA used to be great but those days have long gone. Now it's a shite country and a growing stain on the face of the planet.
Exactly, The same poor countries that we funded decades ago have better real systems than us. Japan was poor asf post-WW2 and we gave them shitloads money, today their infrastructure is light years past us
Compared to Europe, Japan, China, etc., our rail network is in the stone age, when it's running. Pathetic and embarrassing.
I still love trains 🥺
How much remains of the old New Haven and Pennsylvania Railroads’ electrification remains?
"Falling apart" is the perfect euphemism for a lot more than just the railways today. It is a reflection of western society as a whole, i.e. once powerful and proud but long neglected and now in terminal decline. Kinda sad really.
Don't confuse the USA with the rest of western society, which is rapidly leaving it behind. All over Europe (plus China, Japan, South Korea and elsewhere) there are enormous public infrastructure projects underway. The rail tunnel under the Brenner Pass, the tunnel between Germany and Copenhagen, HS2 and Crossrail in the UK, massive growth in rail under Paris and in cycling & public realm on top...
The USA is no longer a developed country on any measure except national income - and that's misleading because so much of it is in the hands of a tiny number of people. The average "westerner" lives a lifestyle well above that of the average American.
Terminal decline? Being overly dramatic aren't we?
@@joeldavis5815 No not really it’s time to face the facts that the US ain’t what it used to be. The infrastructure is crumbling all around us and nothing is being done about it. We’re too busy fighting each other politically while other nations like China are steaming ahead.
@@Wangan_W I don't deny what you're saying but "terminal decline"? Let's be realistic here. There are many issues to work on but I hardly see the United States collapsing anytime soon like all of the doomsayers on the internet are predicting these days. And of course the foreign community is getting a distorted view on this country as our media only seems to highlight the negatives. Sells more of their product I suppose.
@@joeldavis5815 No. We're talking about a country in which a state has just banned vaccine outreach to children. We're watching a civilisation fall in real time.
Amtrak should open more profitable corridor routes and build them with updated technology. Chicago-Detroit-Toronto will generate some money, especially due to snowy winters in Michigan & Ontario and pathetic road conditions when it snows.
The thing is, with current track there, the trains would only be able to travel at a 60 mph *top* speed, making even Greyhound faster. Amtrak needs to buy the track there and upgrade it to 120 mph.
@@tealmer3528 CSX and NS will never let that happen.
@@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45 I said buy the track, like what they did in VA.
@@tealmer3528 can’t CSX and NS need it to move stuff too.
@@MikeJones-bl6lu They can lease rights from Amtrak, like on the NEC
Ticking time bomb before one of those bridges are tunnel fails and causes a serious accident. 🛤
Unless Elon Musk and the Boring Company rebuilt it...
Exactly, and only then will something be done.
None of that matters because money is always the priority here😂 this needs to change and provide much better and SAFER public transportation, not just rail
I am from China. I think the regional railway such as SEPTA is amazingly useful. But Amtrak is obsoleted just because it is not that useful. Unlike China where populations are densely distributed among big cities. There are too few passengers in US.
I am also a Chinese living in the United States. Some of Amtrak's trains are short-distance commuter trains. Some rural residents who work in the center of a large city rely entirely by Amtrak train . For example, many residents who living in west Virginia, Pennsylvania are totally dependent on Amtrak trains when they go to work in Washington D.C.
There are few passengers because the service is so crummy. In places where the service is better, the trains get a lot more use.
@@huiouyang2003 same with the west coast, I use the surfliner a couple times a month
Meanwhile, the GQP is concerned with the disgraced former guy being booted from Twitter
You must live a sad unhappy life. You got some issues with politics.
@@aaron3705 You must live a sad unhappy life. You got some issues with people who have issues with politics. And, before you say it... I must lead a sad unhappy life because I have issues with people who have issues with people who have issues with politics.
@@aaron3705 Call what the initial poster said whatever you want. I call it the unfortunate truth. Sounds to me that you, like so many with your apparent mindset, are projecting. I'll wait for the "yeah but..." response.
@@aaron3705 You will be trump's sad unhappy cell mate. You live in a pillow fort in your mother's basement. Sad little troll.
@@jdm1039 I'll respond. First, the initial poster is full of baloney. Nowhere in the US Constitution is the federal government charged with running a railroad or maintaining a railroad or repairing a railroad. The original PRR and NYNH&H Railroads funded construction on their own; they didn't go hat in hand to the public begging for funds. If the NEC is such a busy and profitable operation, sell it to one of the private railroads in the area and let business and the market place determine the future. Get the federal government (AMTRAK) out of the railroad business.
The bridges have to be replaced. Train tracks have to replaced without any steep turns so the train can continue it’s current speed.
If Amtrak would have a speed train all the way down the northeast corridor all the way from Maine to Florida that would be a great revenue maker. But it has to be speed . Remember we live in a fast paced world most people want speed.
If my contry sweden ca build a 8 km tunnel for comuter rail under the most dense parts of Stockholm, why cant the us? Like whats wrong just do it you are the greater nation on earth acording to your self
Wow finally approved in 2024 for the Baltimore tunnel!
The end scene of Final destination 3 could still happen.
"END OF THE LINE"
Amtrack need money badly. There a video here of a guy who live by the tracks across mid states. And he show you how bad the track are he stand on one part and show the track lift up where he left the camera. He show rail nails that has pop out and area that are missing lot of nail. He show track that are warping and not stright.
They aren't Amtrak track but. Many aren't there tracks they are paying another company to use that tracks that build it. Beside that thousand of miles who going to walk the tracks? You ride over it you can't see the missing rail pegs.
100mph? In the UK we had all these same issues and a modernisation plan was undertaken over the last 21 years. In September we launch a modernised standard rail system between all major cities. 125mph is standard on much of the routes and 225mph will be coming on new high speed rail lines in 2030. WHY would you build a new section of track with just 100mph standard?! The Acela has one small section capable of 160mph, but 125mph is easily done for these trains. 100mph will limit timetable capacity quite substantially and timetables. Oh and those railways with 125mph standard capability (and used to run higher in the 1980's and early 90's unofficially) run over some bridges from the 1850's and tunnels from the 1840's too. It can be done America! Ask our Network Rail team to come over and start the process of collaboration. Even with high speed rail, you need a vast and comprehensive rail network not high speed to make everything work together in one system that is joined up, efficient, without timetables being needed, with good coverage. That's where we are in England at least from later this year. The trade off - time and MAJOR disruption for many years. We have suffered during this period, but it is worth it. The longer you leave, the longer the pain is delayed.
p.s With 125mph well managed line, you can achieve 105-112mph average speeds as here with no upgraded system - just using colour light signals and modern hard infrastructure.
I think that in Baltimore they should use highway 40, build a new downtown station, and build a new tunnel to the NEC alignment on the east side of the city.
All that track needs to be changed. Cement needs to replace work.🚂🚞🚞🚞🚞🚞
They’re lucky the old infrastructure was build the way it was. I doubt anything built today will last that long.
That's a common concern with Chinese builds. Even in Africa the locals are noticing how little rebar and concrete seem to go into constructing the projects. Right now they're impressive mostly because they're new, and they have plenty of people to throw at maintenance tasks for now.
I don’t personally support Joe Biden, but it’s nice to have a president that supports Amtrak.
The amount of investment in passenger rail, in the NEC and elsewhere, since this video came out is really promising.
can you try to support them a little
I really don’t think Amtrak should’ve spent $2.4 billion for the Avelia Liberty. The current Acela is well enough wait a couple more years for a replacement. They definitely should’ve used the money for infrastructure improvements/replacements. That’s what is needed to improve the Northeast Corridor
^ And those new train sets are hideous too.
I did think that too. What's the point in spending on newer and faster trains when the existing ones are still handicapped by the crumbling infrastructure? It seems totally illogical. Replacment work on those tunnels should have started 10 years ago.
I'm fixing the Baltimore and Potonac tunnel by myself if I have to. I already got me a DANG EXCAVATOR!!!
If you want to have a rail line that’s efficient and runs at full tilt you don’t put your full effort into to trains first. You start from the bottom up. The tracks have to be redone without any steep turns. Those old bridges have to be replaced. Then you’ll have a good running rail line
It doesn't matter how good your trains and rolling stock is if your track's rubbish!
China would’ve had these tunnels and bridges replaced in four years!
But they may not have very good longevity... and they would have been built upon expropriated private land without just compensation.
They would have also used slave labor and organ harvesting for "health insurance"
We will have the same labor force in a few years thanks to you know who.
How many people would be killed in workplace accidents in the process?
Correction: At a cost of at least $4 billion, but most certainly $40 billion by the time it gets completed in two or three decades.
The Hellgate Bridge is cool. Grand Central is cool. Penn Station Philli is cool. But they are all over 100 years old or nearing it. You can't run modern high speed trains on tunnels, bridges, and stations designed for steam locomotives. It's nice having things like the Hellgate bridge but then it severely limits how fast trains can run. These tunnels needed to be replaced decades ago but much like America's attitude towards infrastructure, patch and patch it until patching it won't fix it.
if the station designed for steam locomotives are large and open enough you sure can run modern electric trains, high speed rail etc there as well
@@EnjoyFirefighting yes you can operate modern trains on old stations. But there is a lot that modern trains need that were not thought of. It’s the fact that our infrastructure is horrifically out dated.
@@Cilla0415 sure there's a lot on modern trains and operations no-one thought about a century ago, obviously ... sure it needs constant updates to stay modern according to the current standards
That bridge I go over from time to time is 115 years old!?! Oh my gosh, I didn't think it was that old
Much of the infrastructure here in Maryland is before the WWI. You'd think we were trekking barrels of hay & wheat on horse-drawn carts everyday
@@MJofLakelandX Yup, like the Thomas Viaduct which was built in 1835! But that beauty is an engineering marvel. It could last another 100 plus years. But the ole B and P tunnel is way past its prime.
Northwest is too!!
What an American symbol this is...
Now I'm worried that the northeast corridor is going to derail trains or be out of service for a very long time
Part of the NEC problems are it also hosts local freight service. There are some customers that can only be reached from the NEC. People like to talk about the Japanese Bullet Trains, but those are special trains that run on a dedicated right-of-way. They have one purpose - move a lot of people fast, just like an airport shuttle. There is no freight service on those lines. The NEC managed to eliminate all their highway and road crossings nearly 40 years ago and they rebuilt the roadbed and tracks for 125mph and above but those tunnels have always been a sticking point. The question becomes how many billions of dollars are "we" willing to spend to save ten or fifteen minutes of transit time between DC and Boston.
Neoliberalism & the oligarchy.
When you exclude the entire northeast corridor and only talk about the tunnel
It doesn't make any difference, still sucks compared to other countries, too slow and ineffective.
@@denjo3131 how is it too slow?
The Hudson tunnels were built between 1905 and 1911 making it over 100 years old yet Amtrak still uses this route and is deteriorating.
The age of the tunnels doesn't matter, they just should have been better maintained.
many tunnels and railroad lines in Europe are more than a century old as well and they maintain them and keep them updated
@1:00
"...all the water causes the railroad tracks and the ties to fail prematurely here..."
Ok, so, silly question, but...then why the frak are they using WOODEN TIES there?
Bureaucracy and America make a bad combination. We get some things right but the things we get wrong are things that other countries get right.
All the money that was for the useless border wall and for airlines should be given to Amtrak so we can have the best rail system in america and compete with other countries who's train are better than ours. Let's hope Amtrak get the money it needs.
So ur telling me the Amtrak Acela21 will have been out for 12 years by the time they’re done 😀
I'm planning to go there to the Northeast quarter to record RUclips videos there
pitiful......
70 years ago we had literal steam breathing giants on the world's best rail-network in the world.
Now it's just boring electric things that go buzz and all the tunnels are crumbling and filling with water.
Sad.
better not call the GG1 a boring electric thing...
I'm from Europe, and it's just bizarre to see the state of the railroad infrastructure in the US. They should invest much more in their railroads.
So these haven't been replaced since the PRR? Wow, of course their conditions are like this, the Pennsy built it. Also, New Acela looks to French. (Lmao) But I understand all of these old equipment and structures. Nothing lasts forever for sure..
Invest in this instead of a useless wall
Amtrak Joe is already on it! The US federal government has already stopped funding the border wall, which people would have just bypassed by smuggling tunnel or overstayed visa anyways. Now, all that's left is for Amtrak to get the needed funding... and it _is_ needed!
Guess they haven’t discovered concrete ties in america yet
concrete ties do even worse than wood on a wet subgrade, because the moisture and dissolved minerals cause them to corrode and disintegrate. road salt is even worse, and concrete ties cannot be used at or around level crossings for this reason.
>450 miles of Northeast Corridor: "Am I a joke to you?"
Walt Disney World is using synthetic ties for the Walt Disney World Railroad in Magic Kingdom, I wonder if those are just as effective as concrete ties.
@@bobsmith2637 Since when has water or salt ever been a problem for concrete? Apart from all the concrete roads, kerbs and pavements we have in the UK (a very wet and salty country) we also use concrete sleepers extensively including in very wet tunnels and I have literally never heard of the "corroding"...
@@soundseeker63 he/she don’t know what they are talking about.
In Europe, thousands of miles of new high speed railroads have been built in recent years, with trains running at speeds between 170 and 200 mph.
Except for very long distances, it's faster to travel by high speed train which dont' need commuting to airports.
Looks like it's impossible to do the same in the USA...
Problem is, most travel in the US does cover very long distances. Anything less and people will just drive.
@@thejackbox
May be it's because there is not an offer good enough by train...
@@thejackbox most people in the US drive as there's not really an alternative option for most areas; Looking at places in Europe which have like half the population density than the US, they still have public transportation everywhere - even in the most rural parts of the country; With most trains routes electrified, some HSR, and an infrastructure in a far better condition despite having more and longer tunnels and bridges
Me (sees tittle of video)
Me; tell me something I don't know
That railway is on a par with your political and judicial systems.
Cmon Murica! I still see you as a world leading country in many ways, except train travel. Invest invest invest!
Privately owned would fix that...
10 to 12 years for a short tunnel?! you could build a whole tunnel under the a mountain
Definitely the lack of consistent / ongoing / reliable funding is the key issue. Give Amtrak that and it will stand a chance. We shouldn't need a slew of politicians selling us on some grand new appropriations plan every few years.
😔😔😔
Hi dear..... How are you doing
You good
Don't get me wrong, I like this video...But you're a little late to the party on this one.
For me as someone from the Netherlands, I am astonished by the state of the American infrastructure. Even car infrastructure with all the potholes is just horrible. But this train infrastructure is just at the top of the list. 115 years old train tunnels? What the hell America? How can a country that has such a high GDP/capita not be able to pay for the upkeep of this? You could have the worlds best train system in the world. Instead, you are surpassed by third world countries. It's just incredible to me.
Thats one hell of a fast train. America is truly the best in the world when it comes to train technology.
Lmao you're joking, right?
In the 1900s yes but not anymore
give the guy a break, he just time traveled from the GG1 speed test.
Why we need infrastructure investment. Biden👍.
bidens infrastructure plan is a flaming joke just like him and the entire administration .
@@QuantumMechanic_88 you are the joke!!
Absolutely, we need a jobs program similar to FDR's run thru the unemployment office to repair our roads,bridges and rails. Not only would it make NEW jobs instead of just refilling old ones, it would employ many unskilled workers who would benefit from skills learned.
Seems like a win-win prospect giving many of those currently unemployed a road to a lifetime of gainful employment.
@@dilenaking4746 absolutely.
In ancient societies the people recognized the power of the group.
When one offended the group so badly that their presence was dangerously disruptive, they were ostracized or expelled as if dead.
Not only was it physically dangerous to be alone in the cold finding food alone, the group would refuse to see you or hear your cries for help or even your curses.
It was a living death really, to be unseen by those you seek to be noticed by...
Our society must do the same here in this RUclips cave.
Sure let's add trillions more to the debt along with inflation
If people actually cared enough about trains, we wouldn't have this problem, and stop hiring people to lead Amtrak that work for airline companies
You are absolutely correct bro, that’s the sad truth of it, the higher ups of Amtrak as well as the US don’t care nearly enough about Trains as they should. Most Passenger Railroads are far behind and Freight Railroads should be better progressed forward. Also another truth people need to come to is, if we want high speed rail and better Passenger Rail in America, we have to realize Amtrak can’t do everything. They are limited to what the government allows them to do and we both know the Government doesn’t care enough at all about Railroads. If the Railroad System in America is going to grow, we need more Railroads to connect the rest of the Country, Amtrak can’t do it all, that’s exactly why Brightline is expanding to the West Coast to give this a start.
Wow. They need to fix that!
Jeez inside of that tunnel is literally deteriorating Amtrak need to fix that soon
The US should move highway funding to the trains as they are gonna be the future of travel (if the US does so)
Not only but especially the US and some European Countries should do that.
Future of travel? all trains are is a cost efficient method of helping people who cant afford a car. Tf you mean future. No one wants to ditch their car freedom for what europe has.
@@honkhonk8009 dude, Europe is clearly ahead of the USA when it comes to freedom of travel (whether by car, plane, train or on foot).
@@honkhonk8009 yes right now because amerca's trains are snail's but if they were faster than cars then peopel will ditch there car freedom
@@onorebakasama one day america will be a country will extreme poverty if it remains the same bc: zoning laws. lucky me im in a country with good public transport