A Train Odyssey 3, Part 1, AMTRAK "Lake Shore Limited"

This is Part 1 of a planned 3 part series, "A Train Odyssey 3". This part is of the AMTRAK "Lake Shore Limited" between Chicago and
Albany, New York state. The dates are September 6 & 7, 2018.
The actual train journey begins about 1 hour into this video. Before that, I have a little of the METRA Rail commuter train from my home to
Chicago Union Station, and a bit of a walk-through of Union Station, as well as some walking around outside nearby the station, and the
Metropolitan Lounge.
Once the train trip begins, I start it with a detailed "Bedroom Tour" of the Viewliner Sleeper Car "bedroom", to compliment my earlier
Superliner & Viewliner "roomette" videos.

[@SchneiderGeorge]

I like the way you narrate the trip. I have seen too many of these train videos on KZbin that are silent, save for the train noise. I'd much rather hear your comments. Thank you!

[@KU84dh37]

The "background noise" sometimes is NOT in the background so George is 100% corect,

[@lawyercatluvr]

Wonderful adventure. My Father-in-law has dementia, but he seems to focus and understand when he watches these programs. Thank you!

[@deanw194]

Your are very fortunate to live in the greater Chicago area as Chicago seems to be a "superhub" for Amtrak for the entire country. This advantage makes it much easier to use the entire Amtrak system. Again, thank you so much for your great videos on Amtrak travel.

[@milepost4846]

LOL!!! At 1hr 31min in your video. Continental breakfast! All I can say is good job CEO Richard Anderson, good job!!! Brand new single level dining cars to serve your airline food. Some people just need to stick with airlines for their leadership or just retire and Richard Anderson is exactly one of those.

[@murgatroydsylvester]

Your films are both immensely educational and entertaining - a very difficult feat for even the best. Look forward to your future filming as I dig back and watch your previous work with enjoyment.

[@plutoprosciutto4842]

Your train adventures are so much fun! I really enjoy your perspective on things. Thank you kindly for making it possible for us to come along.

[@Celliott747]

Pluto Prosciutto I agree. I’m hooked!

[@spaulsen9888]

If I had to pick just one thing I like about your Amtrak videos (compared to other creators), it's your narration. Like the porridge in Goldie Locks and the 3 bears, it's just right.

[@orangecitrus_6705]

I love how in depth these videos are, props to you Sir. (:

[@1972mercurycougar]

We love seeing your meals, because it is something different, than we are experiencing. It really is good stuff!! Great video.

[@mikesgoodmann9349]

but they make me too hungry! lol

[@e020443]

Thanks for yet another excellent rail travelogue. Yeah, the scenery sucks, but this gives me an opportunity to compliment you on how you do your videos. After watching a couple of yours, I started watching others -- no narration, no GPS, no road atlas, usually in coach with all the attendant background noise. Fortunately I've traveled all my life and could usually figure out where we were, but there was no help from the video. Anyway, I enjoy your train stuff and look forward very much to each new installment.

[@sensitivewsm]

That's exactly how I feel about youtuuba's train videos.

[@yamahonkawazuki]

nothing wrong with coach.

[@mikesgoodmann9349]

That's where I agree completely! Unfortunately, i suspect that some viewers just aren't as interested in the geographic and technical aspects of "training" !

[@mikesgoodmann9349]

@@yamahonkawazuki except when you fly! lol

[@yamahonkawazuki]

@@mikesgoodmann9349 I don't do the first class or no class coach works for me I save my money for the destination. I have however flown first. Traded a coach seat for it. I did enjoy that

[@williamchristian8389]

glad u r letting me tagalong again, These Odysseys really are fun during these troubling times. Thanks for all your great rides, they mean a lot to me.

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

1:18:50 The bathroom setup is exactly the same for the majority of RV's and smaller boats. You have to turn sideways in the compartment wash one side, turn 180 degrees wash the other side, sit on the toilet lid to wash your legs and feet. Cramped, but at least you do not have to wait for it. The Mississippi River is the divide for U.S. trains. There is 5 Class I railroads operating today, over 14 when I started my railroad career, mergers are both a blessing and a curse. In the east, there are CSX 21,000 miles of track, which was formed in 1980 by the merger of the Chessie System and Seaboard lines, the "X" was just added to imply Xtra. The other is Norfolk Southern(NS) 21,500 miles of track which was the merger between Norfolk & Western Railway and Southern Railway in 1982. Some of the railroad lines on CSX and NS have been in continuous operations since the 1840's, namely CSX's Baltimore & Ohio railroad, the nations oldest. West of the Missippi River you have Union Pacific 32,100 miles of track, which is the nations largest railroad for tonnage hauled since they acquired Southern Pacific Lines in 1998. Then you have Burlington Northern Santa Fe(BNSF) 32,500 miles of track and my employer, that was formed when the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway when they merged in 1996. Last but not least is the Kansas City Southern Railway with 6,000 miles of tracks. Some shippers consider Canadian Pacific and Canadian National as Class I's, yes they do own operations in the U.S, such as The Soo Line and Illinois Central, which before restructuring was known as, and still to me, Illinois Central Gulf, more commonly known as the railroad Casey Jones worked for. And there are hundreds maybe thousands of Class II & III railroads Alaska Railroad (ARR), Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS), Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) and many more are considered Class II lines. Class III lines are mostly the port, switching and chemical plant lines. Railroad Class system is based on the money made in operations during the year. Class I operating revenue exceeding $457.9 million Class II operating revenues between $36.6 million and $457.9 million Class III operating revenues of $36.6 million or less There is not one single Class I that has operating revenues under $30 billion a year. Mergers, a blessing and a curse for the workforce. Due to the Class system applying to freight railroad operations, AMTRAK is not included in it, but many regional passenger trains are listed as Class II's. 1:57:32 The most common problem with short trains like AMTRAK is loosing the shunt with the rails and disappearing off of the dispatcher monitors. For the signal system to work the axles of the train create a very low resistance connection across the tracks, a shunt. This shunt trips relay's, located in the shiny silver boxes you see beside the track among other things, that signal the computer exactly where the train is at. The dispatcher's urgency to stop was due to today's computer dispatching systems when AMTRAK disappeared, the system does not look for it and the possibility of giving a clear signal to a waiting opposing, or lining track switches against the train is very real. These systems were designed and built for trains exceeding 5,000 feet in length. 2:03:11 Respotting, means they must pull the train forward two cars to"spot" the end two cars were they can be serviced on, boarded or detrained. 2:05:10 That "extra rail" is either new rail waiting to be installed or old rail ready to be removed. Most rails on lines with continuous welded rail is moved in lengths from 2,300 feet and up. I have seen it being laid down in 7,500 feet for one track! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIDRnK2DpN1rb6s 2:20:13 The Catskill Mountains of NY is the only senery in the state. Good video.

[@youtuuba]

Andrew Armstrong, thanks for clearing up those questions. Regarding the stunting, I was aware of the idea that the solid metal axle/wheels shorting out, or shunting, the rails, and this being detected by electrical circuitry. Probably 25 -30 years ago I encountered a freak accident at a railroad crossing where a vehicle was pinned under a partially lowered crossing gate, which was entangled in some power/phone lines that were overhead at a diagonal to the road AND the tracks. Emergency responders were trying to free the vehicle from the gate, but it would not raise or lower. The vehicle's engine was not starting, so many people were trying to push the vehicle off the tracks, but the gate was hung up with something on top of the vehicle. I approached a police officer with my offer to try and trick the gates to raise and lower, by using my car's jumper cables to shunt the rails. He agreed that this was something he would like me to try. I found that a brief shunt had no effect, but stunting for a longer period did trigger the gates to cycle (I don't remember exactly HOW they cycled), but I was able to get the gates to attempt lowering, followed by raising, and while the people rocked the vehicle, after a few cycles the gates got untangled with the power lines (it was very gusty/windy and the lines were swaying quite a lot) AND disengaged with the roof of the vehicle, and they pushed it off the tracks. I tried to get the police to call the phone number on the crossing gate post, to advise the rail company of what we had done, in case our actions might have triggered something in their computer system or at a dispatcher's console. I don't know if they ever did.

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

@@youtuuba No damage was done other than a signal dropping to red in front of a train if a train was operating in the area. Must have been those old wood gates, think they were mahogany, some were steel I-beams, today they are all lightweight fiberglass and you can push them up with one hand, furthermore, they are made to swing away as well, and being spring loaded they snap back. I know a lot of people complain about coming up to a crossing with the gates down and no train around, they are build to "safety fail" in the down position, such as power outage, battery banks dead, bad relay. That is not my area of railroad expertise but over the years of talking with signal maintainers, who are the ones with that expertise, I always found it interesting on how and why that stuff works. Maybe it was because it was too much to learn or maybe they didn't want operating crews to know, I do distinctly remember a signal maintainer riding with us for about 75 miles to check on signal alignment and other issues. It was at that time, 6 years into my career, that I learned all those crossing gates, lights and trackside signals worked off of a 10 volt DC current in the rail, that when shunted, made from one to two dozen or lots more single and double throw relays make a signal appear, crossing gate lower or tell the dispatcher where we were at on his control board on a certain part of track. Here is something good to sink your teeth into, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) www.arema.org//files/pubs/pgre/PGChapter7.pdf

[@marye.fox-grimm6541]

@ Edward Anderson: Thanks for clarifications! All are things my freight-rail-fan husband couldn't explain. Great fun to share your explanations with him.

[@rayunseitig6367]

That scanner is fun--- also, nice road map, atlas.

[@lwk4229]

Love the scanner and the road map

[@xqqqme]

Count me among those who thoroughly enjoy your videos and appreciate the effort that goes into them. Note, though: if the town in Central New York is the one that gave its name to a US Navy aircraft carrier, then it's pronounced oh-RIS-kuh-nee.

[@aarronvanburen8612]

THANK you for showing me the bedroom. I had thought about maybe buying one of those for strip, but now I realize the rommette is better!!

[@combatrailfanfilms848]

So enjoy traveling with you... Can you tell a little about your video gear. I've not had the best experience with my gear. Thank You sir.

[@joewlos5607]

I would take the lake shore limited home from college (Marquette) in mid 90s. Thanks for taking me back in time on your trip. Surprisingly most everything looks the same in union station. Cheers!

[@AmtrakEnthusiast]

Amazing video! Keep the train odysseys coming, I love everyone of them. I'm riding this going back from Chicago to visit my Aunt and Cousins for thanksgiving (they live in the Western Suburbs). I'm not a huge fan of this train because the prices are high and there's been no dining as of recently (thanks Anderson), but It's either this or the Capital Limited, on which both they took the dining service off of. I'm petitioning for Amtrak to bring it back, but so far no success. I watched your video on the Cardinal and that looks great. It just so happens that that was the same price as the Lake Shore and it ran on that day, but it got into New York too late since I have school the next day.

[@William_sJazzLoft]

You have to remember that you're not dealing with a stateroom on the Pacific Princess. So, the idea of comfort is subjective. For me I might consider that full relatively comfortable - I'm used to having to do coach most of the time that I've traveled on Amtrak. So, for that long of a trip I might pay the extra money - if I could. The Lakeshore Limited splits at Albany with 1/2 continuing EB to Springfield/Boston and the other 1/2 turning south to New York. Your narration is pretty good

[@jamesmark782]

They don't call it the Late For Sure Limited for nothing

[@Robbi496]

If I were the Amtrak CEO, I would sue the NS Railroad until their books BLED red ink until they started giving my trains priority (Which is the law, BTW)

[@milepost4846]

@@Robbi496 LOL.............Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson could care less. He wants to kill long distances trains.

[@mikesgoodmann9349]

@@milepost4846 Where's MP 484? lol

[@milepost4846]

@@mikesgoodmann9349 Greenville, SC.......old Southern Railway main on Crescent route.

[@orangepower1975]

@youtuuba i think we just like to see every aspect of trips, including food. i personally like seeing the food. not sure why that seems so silly to you. overall i enjoy your videos immensely

[@youtuuba]

My attitude to showing food might be a reaction to the very situation I observed on KZbin that originally caused me to start making my own train videos....namely, the great number of superficial, inadequate, incomplete, and silly train videos that I saw when I went looking, the kind where the people making the videos spent half their time with the camera looking at themselves instead of at the train or at the scenery. The videos were 'about them', and not about the trip. But I noted that so many of those also seemed to spend a lot of time focusing on the food, as if it were a restaurant review show or something. I hated that kind of thing and decided to make my own videos about the kind of content that I found lacking elsewhere. But because of viewer feedback, I am at least trying to reintroduce a little food observation in my newer videos.....

[@orangepower1975]

@@youtuuba that's cool. I appreciate all your insight. I agree we dont need a full review of dinner on the train lol, just maybe a little description of the food and if it was any good. Anyway I've seen a lot of great ideas on your videos that hopefully I'll be able to use someday. ... Someday I hope once I get some $$$ issues taken care of, i can start taking more trips and actually be able to afford the roomettes instead of coach...im assuming the ceo Anderson wont destroy the national network first and amtrak will still exist west of the northeast corridor by the time I can afford it.

[@dondacus6669]

Chicago must be a great place to live if you like traveling on trains.😊😊😊

[@LelandRogers]

The current CEO of Amtrak is from the Airline industry so he's trying to turn Amtrak into an airline on the ground with packaged meals.

[@TheSjuris]

Packaged meals are courtesy of the local state governments who decided that helping Amtrak pay for real food was too much to ask for.

[@leoross5777]

those assholes have been trying to make amtrak run like an asshole airline since the 70's.they even dress the conductors like asshole pilots.

[@PhotographerPhilosophy]

Exactly, Richard Anderson hails from Delta airlines, one of the poorer airlines in my opinion based on accommodations and family opinions. I never flew delta for that reason. I went on the Auto train in late 2015 for the Christmas holiday with my family. We bought priority placement for our car on the train, but ironically, had to reserve our dinner for 9pm. At least the food was still cooked hot then. No point in spending lots of money for what seems to be nowadays as lower quality.

[@richardgschwanke6071]

The long pieces of rail running along side are pieces of continuous welded rail awaiting installation or had been changed out with new rail. If you aren't hearing the clickity clack of the wheels on the rail you are on welded rail. Also the rail through Northern Indiana for the most part is maintained by the N.S. rail road.

[@lindsaymoore7232]

Thank you for yet another great travelogue. Just like everyone here I enjoy your train videos and look forward to each new installment. Every time I see one it wants to make me board an Amtrak train and go some place. I haven't been on one in years. If I do, it'll be on the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles, CA. I like your narrations, GPS, road atlas, and scanner all necessary tools for a trip like this. Sometime I'd like to see Horseshoe Curve in Pennsylvania, that's a good train watching spot.

[@TheSjuris]

Used to love taking the Broadway Limited to either Harrisburg or Princeton Junction and going over the curve. Sadly Amtrak removed that route from existence.

[@marye.fox-grimm6541]

Horseshoe Curve is really remarkable. One of my favorite Amtrak sights.

[@michaelbateman7621]

Hello! I really enjoy your rail adventure videos! I am an engineer for Amtrak currently working on the Auto Train out of Sanford. Per CSX operating rules, operating crew must get permission from the section foreman to restart the train, each time the train stops inside the section foreman's working authority. They also must get the authority to enter the section of track, that is controlled by the section foreman Thank you for sharing your videos!

[@marye.fox-grimm6541]

??: 🚂 Shared your info with freight-rail-fan who said to ask you: how come CSX passenger trains aren't signal controlled, like CSX freight trains? I'm thinking it might be a safety/liability issue? Thanks

[@Robbi496]

Youtuba: Just for the record, they HAD to raise the level of streets because they were sinking in the clay. THAT is why all buildings in the Loop are built on piles sunk to hid bedrock

[@vtbiker7246]

Thanks for posting this video. You do a really amazing job. I am scheduled to take this train in a few months. I have been struggling with whether or not to upgrade my roomette to a bedroom. You have definitely convinced me to stick with the roomette.

[@josephmaruca838]

At this point,we are only 1 hr into your trip.I have viewed most,if not all of your previous trips.I am surprised that you did not know that your train would be split in Albany(Awlbany) NY.Half going to NYC and half going to Boston.Superliners are not used in the east because the bridges and tunnels ate not high enough.We will never get them in the east.Our problem,for being too old.Please continue with your trip narrations and filming.You excel in both.I am not trying to ne a wise ass.I do enjoy your Odysseys.Thank you.

[@BeholdtheArchangel]

Thanks for the video of a bedroom I was considering getting a bedroom on my next overnight trip but after seeing the actual size of it I will stick with the roomette. It should be big enough for the hubby and me. Your video was very helpful making this decision keep it up.

[@CRtrain]

I've been watching your channel for quite some time now and love how detailed and informative your videos are.

[@mvlmeco1]

whoopie, another Amtrak trip. I'm loving these Odessey trips. Thanks ever so much. Have a question about the Metropelitan Lounge in Chicago: Is there a fireplace in the newer lounge? I spent many hours in front of that fireplace in the older lounge.

[@youtuuba]

I don't recall there being a fireplace in either the old or new lounges in Chicago.....

[@mvlmeco1]

oh there was, it is evident in this short video, at about mark 0.59 ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3KteqOHaNqFn5I

[@balsamwoods]

You were actually on the Boston bound portion of the train. Between Boston and Albany (pronounced All Bany) the train consists of the engine, baggage car, Sleeper and two coach cars. It arrives in Albany late in the afternoon and waits for the section coming from New York City. There the two portions are combined and continue on their way. Of course you were heading eastbound. I actually see the train every once and a while in Springfield, MA and have taken it to Chicago. It was sad to see that they've taken away the full service dinner car. When I travelled on it a couple of years ago we had some nice meals in there while the country rolled by. I hope they bring that back!

[@rmsydiaha]

2:03:05 that wind noise starts up again... it's in a lot of the videos, not just in this Odyssey. Perhaps you've commented on already and I missed it: do you know what's happening?

[@UnBoxItwithMaureen]

I loved hearing you were coming thru Phila….my hometown.....I am still planning my trip on the empire builder....not sure of the best time to travel up north

[@yourroyalhighness7662]

As of November 2018 the Sears Tower (no one in Chicago calls it by that other name) is still the tallest building in North America when measured from street level to it’s rooftop. It stands 1,450 ft and has 108 floors. Some say it has 110 floors but the top two are for mechanical purposes. The building will be overtaken by New York’s Nordstrom Tower which will rise over 1,500 ft to it’s roof when completed. The new World Trade Center in NY is only taller than the Sears Tower because of the spire/mast/antenna they stuck on top of it. And Toronto’s CN Tower is not considered to be a true building at all. Sears is a skyscraper and CN is a Tower.

[@keandric2765]

I think most of us outside of Chicago don't call the Sears Tower anything else either. Lol. It'll never be anything else. It's too ingrained in American memory xD ^_^

[@daviddowling9830]

I agree with the bedroom vs roomette,I’ll take the roomette any day,much cosier and better for sleep.

[@squalli1297]

Again extremely informative and educational. Whenever travelling solo by AMTRAK, my preference is booking a roomette which provides enough room for me. Whenever I travel with my wife, I must purchase 2 adjoining Deluxe Bedrooms or suite. On Superliner Sleepers, the only rooms which can be ensuite are rooms B&C or D&E. When on a Viewliner Sleepers, there are only rooms A&B which could provide this feature since there are only 3 rooms of this type in this car, the 3rd being an accessible bedroom. I need to book 11 months before the trip to ensure this accommodation. Although the video is great, it's challenging for some individuals with claustrophobia, particularly when the beds are down. My wife cannot have the upper berth let down and there isn't enough room on the lower berth for the 2 of us. We also carry cleaning materials with us and wipe surfaces down with gloves since we don't know who we're coming behind. There's little evidence of rooms being cleaned whenever we travel AMTRAK. Too bad they don't provide cooked meals anymore on this route. At least meals are still complimentary. Watching these videos spares me the extra expense and planning. Thank you.

[@ronclark9724]

Since both of us aren't nimble enough to climb up to the upper berth, we book two across the aisle roomettes, which believe it or not is sometimes cheaper than booking a standard bedroom. We more or less use one during the day, but use both at night. The second roomette gets all the baggage during the day as we need all the space we can get. My wife packs too much into too many bags...

[@retiredatlast1976]

Did You Have a Choice for Breakfast and Lunch or Do They Just Hand You a Box? Are you supposed to tip the various AMTRAK staff? Did the train make up any of the lost time getting out of Chicago? Your walk around Chicago was blotted out by the "Windy City" winds such that I couldn't make out what you were saying.

[@youtuuba]

No choice for the boxed meals, everyone got the same (as I recall). There might have been a vegetarian option or something. Regarding tipping, you are not required to do it, any more than tipping anywhere else. It is common to leave a dollar or two for your server in the Dining Car. I think many people, maybe even most people, will tip their sleeping car attendant at the end of the trip; I usually tip $10 per day of the trip, so for a trip lasting three days I tip $30. But I would not feel guilty tipping a third of that if I was short on cash, or if the attendant did a so-so job. The train was pretty much on schedule by the second day. AMTRAK builds delays into their long distance train schedules so that they can compensate for unexpected delays. If they leave one place late, or have a slow down, then at one of the planned longer stops, they might stop for a shorter period, and they might have some leeway with the dispatchers to help make up time where possible.

[@ninawade3055]

Thank You for the video! I have watched your train videos over and over, so entertaining!

[@rayunseitig6367]

What great fun to ride along on these trips -- That's a swell road map. Nice to know ones where abouts.

[@carolfolger-brown6340]

Those of us who have taken the Lake Shore Express call it the LATE Shore Express!! The time you lost was spent on the siding while a CSX freight train had the right of way. Been there, done that! Grandson came from WI to visit in NY and train was 7 hours late arriving in Buffalo.

[@marye.fox-grimm6541]

Yes!

[@jamesfuire9017]

Just started watching your videos have stayed up half the nite looking at them I'm from n.w. Ohio we r taking a month long trip starting with being driven to Windsor On. Train to Toronto a dew days there then the canadian to Winnipeg with deluxe sleeper a,week there then on to Vancouver a few days there then bus to Seattle a few days there then sleeper to L.A. change trains to San Diego 5 days there then back to L.A. then eagle from L.A. to Chicago via San Antonio then backa q to toledo

[@Bogieking78]

I'm from Syracuse originally and when you went by Onondaga lake all I could think of was the fact that it is the most polluted inland body of water in the US-and is on the Superfund clean up list-the bottom is full of mercury from Allied-Chemical when it was running its plant long ago....Thanks for the video!

[@renardfranse]

wow, with all the delays you are experiencing, it is no wonder that Amtrak is a losing proposition. AND it seems that 75% of the coach seats and 50% of the roomettes that you are showing us are empty. How the heck are they making ANY money??????? Anyway thanks for your efforts. I know taking videos is taking away from the relaxation and pleasure of your travel experiences. Listening to your narration, I can tell you are a very intelligent person, from one software engineer to another. Godspeed, Ren

[@ronclark9724]

You will notice when you travel a lot on Amtrak that some days are busier than others. These train routes are linear unlike airline routes with passengers getting on and off for the entire route. Sometimes the seats and sleeping accommodations are sold more than once on the same journey to the end of line. Sometimes not. But don't get the thought in your mind Amtrak isn't busy during the holidays... If the train was fully sold out from Chicago to New York City for the entire route, there wouldn't be a need to have any stops in-between. This isn't a airline flying directly non stop...

[@DOSBoxMom]

I think I've heard it suggested elsewhere that one sit (on the toilet seat) while showering in the private showers in Amtrak sleeper cars (and use the shower head as a telephone shower), mainly to increase one's stability while showering on a moving train. (But if the shower/toilet is that narrow, it sounds like you could probably just brace yourself against the sides of the shower/toilet while standing, instead.)

[@jeffthanson]

Thank you for these videos, I truly enjoy them as I am planning to take a cross country train trip this Christmas. One thing I am intrigued by that I cannot seem to figure out is what is that aluminum structure shown on the second deck of the metra cars you ride. It seems to have some sort of a cat-walk but it does not look like a luggage rack and I routinely pause your videos to try and figure it out. Thanks again for sharing!

[@chrisholschbach6168]

It is for carry on items.

[@clffliese26]

Not sure how I missed this 6 months ago, but, I suspect that extra rail you saw outside of Buffalo was a replacement rail. Some railroads, actually, bury the spare rails to keep them from being damaged by accidents.

[@deliacaban1239]

L

[@JessicaTG2008]

Walking back thru all those cars to get dinner I'm surprised you didn't end up back in Chicago.

[@nickgreenwich8649]

I love all the tree tunnels along the Eastern Seaboard. Little different than the SW Chief.

[@KU84dh37]

At the 2:00:00 mark, the crackling noise blocked out the Commentator's speaking, At the 29-minute mark, the loud crackling continues. It seems to be louder in this video than in the other 'Train Odyssey" I've watched (?). JMS

[@renardfranse]

btw it is pronounced ALLbany not ALbany LOL

[@benfletcher7100]

I'm jealous

[@KU84dh37]

If anyone cares, I90 starts/finishes in Seattle (my Empire Builder trip) and I believe starts/finishes in Boston(?). An air trip and rented car. JMS

[@lmc958]

Aww... I always get when his train odysseys end, but I look forward to watching all of his other wonderful train odysseys! I have a few favorites I watch over and over! ❤️

[@benfletcher7100]

Your making me want to ride Amtrak I've rode the crescent several times from Greenville sc to Atlanta

[@JR-playlists]

2:56:30 Next time you blink through Aurora, mention the CB&Q Pullman shops and the still existing roundhouse thats part of the Burlington Route (BNSF) history

[@kevinmilcarek8202]

In 1918 the NY State Barge Canal opened as the third version of the original Erie system. Much of the old canal was abandoned and lakes and rivers were used with locks to deepen and widen the canal. Now there’s almost no commercial traffic on it.

[@johnallen2771]

I thought the scenery was beautiful. Great trip. Reminded me of Indians coming down the Mohawk River in canoes. In parts of PA and OH it is really overgrown with trees and forest.

[@billhauck5196]

Well, at least you helped me make up my mind about whether or not I would ever get one of those foul bedrooms. I have occasionally done the smaller roomette, but for my running back-and-forth between Chicago to Minneapolis I just do coach. The seat are comfy and the dining not worth it any more.

[@deanw194]

A friend of mine in New York City does a vlog and does quite a bit of filming in public on walking tours. He receives a lot of feedback from passerby's that they do not want to be filmed. Do you get that feedback? We never hear that in your videos.

[@billhauck5196]

Capital limited text the same route until Cleveland when it branches off and head to Pittsburgh. If you haven’t taken that route, it says really sweet route through Pennsylvania along the Potomac river.

[@billhauck5196]

I used to Metra in from the Grayslake station as well. Now I settled myself down in the Dells area of Wisconsin, so I can just jump on the Empire Builder there.

[@billhauck5196]

I’m looking forward to taking the cardinal one of these days, but you really need to jump on the capital limited. Once you get to Pittsburgh and it’s like night time when you go through that pretty lit up burg, Pennsylvania , New York, and the rest of the way through the mountains and along the Potomac river and through the tunnels and such it’s really a pretty route and apparently you haven’t taken that yet, so I recommend it

[@maggie0285]

I traveled on the California Zephyr and took the Lake Shore Limited as my connecting train. I loved the Lake Shore Limited and was surprised that the roomettes had toilets with sinks that fold down. I just felt the Lake Shore Limited had more room overall. The dining car was really nice and I liked the free drink. I also used the radio scanner with built in railroad frequencies. It came in handy when there was a broken rail and I could listen to them talk.

[@billhauck5196]

All things considered, I would go with the cheaper cost of coach. There’s really no benefit from being crammed into that uncomfortable little room when you can just go up and sit in the sightseeing lounge.

[@KenHayward]

Nice video, however, I would need to bring a disinfectant and my black light, lolol, like staying at motels, lolol

[@lonewolfette]

Great video... but it's pronounced ALLbany. :)

[@jimbrett7424]

The trees are one reason that’s a detriment for Rocky Mountaineer trip from Vancouver to Jasper. It’s very expensive for a lot of trees (with the occasional spectacular view).

[@RD2564]

No hot meal on Amtrak through Erie PA, too bad so sad, your entitlement comes through on these videos but not as bad as the dude below who thinks the Amtrak attendant should clean the bathroom after every use. You boomers crack me up, too funny.

[@bogthing1]

Thanks. Used to enjoy train travel, and always wondered about the sleeping quarters. Then I checked the price. Thanks for the ride along and info.

[@cynthiafeagin5185]

Is the extra levels of buildings in downtown Chicago due to the Chicago fire.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

finally... your food looks great sir. Pulled pork... my favorite.

[@dashcan8479]

Restart is a Buffalo Thing. They waste $1b on it yearly. Ask Carl Paladino

[@johnanderson2432]

Since it was a box meal, could you have it delivered to your room rather than hiking the whole train?

[@youtuuba]

Yes, the sleeper car attendant will get meals and bring them to the rooms if the passenger(s) asks.

[@monktridge3268]

I'm curious -- How do other passengers feel when you're taping the interior? Have you had any complaints?

[@youtuuba]

I try to avoid having other passengers, or crew, in my videos at all, and when I can't avoid it I try to not dwell on any one person, at least not including their face. But most reasonable people understand that they are in a place where others have a reasonable expectation to use their cameras.

[@macdunlap6257]

loved that route. did from boston to chicago as part 1 of 5 on a 3 week trip around perimeter of the country

[@jim874]

What's with the irritating wind noise from inside your room?

[@youtuuba]

I noticed that as well in the video. I don't recall being that aware of it when I was there in person. I chalk this up to psychoacoustics. There was no noticeable breeze in my room, so I don't think the sound is from air blowing around near the camera. Probably it is an amalgam of other ambient noises (exterior wind noise, track noise, etc).

[@brendawei7356]

Yes, I am one of those who would have liked to have seen what you chose to eat on the Empire Buiilder trip for example.

[@mikesgoodmann9349]

Just wanted to suggest that you concentrate more on the scenery, maps, technical stuff, etc. than on dining and walking through the cars!

[@youtuuba]

Mike S Goodman, you seem to be suggesting that I am showing a lot of walking around in the train, and a lot of time showing food. It is true that I often show the walk, because that is part of the ambiance that a lot of my viewers say they appreciate, so you seem to be in the minority there. As for the food, I never used to show it because I thought it was not interesting, but I got so many comments asking that I show the food, that I gave in and now I try to show the meals. So again, I am sorry that you don't like it, but the majority of viewers want it, so it stays.

[@aarronvanburen8612]

Mike what he's doing is fine

[@mikesgoodmann9349]

@@aarronvanburen8612 Yes, but seeing the food makes me hungry! LOL

[@Beargizmo3]

Youtuuba's videos are, in my opinion, perfect. They cover every aspect of a trip that I'd like to see

[@billhauck5196]

This is a badly designed consist. I really prefer the capital limited set up and the route too, it’s prettier

[@larrygillespie8749]

I truly enjoy your train videos but would like to know who you are and or what your name is if you are willing to share that information.

[@billhauck5196]

Nice, you get the burn off all those calories jogging to and from your meal.

[@lwk4229]

53:00 sounds like you’ll follow the path of the South Shore Line

[@GLICKMIRE]

Looks like you were in the new generation of cars being constructed for Amtrak. Regarding the "restart", I have heard that before here at the Longview Railyard (where I worked for 20 years 7 months). It apparently has to do with PTC or Positive Train Control. If the PTC loses track of the train, they have to do a restart. That may have been the reason for the "safe stop" which means they don't have to "dynamite" the brakes but just do a normal stop.

[@jimbob7613]

Do you ever check a large suit case or put one in the car rack on your longer trips?

[@youtuuba]

I have never checked anything in the baggage car of an AMTRAK long distance train. My small 'carry on size' suitcase, along with my backpack, holds enough clothing and supplies for a trip lasting a week and a half. If I need to be away for a longer period, I schedule some down time to either visit a laundromat or use a hotel's self-serve washing machine and clothes dryer, and it is a simple matter to pack more medications and/or toiletry supplies without needing a larger suitcase. I think too many people don't know how to pack lightly. However, I do sympathize with folks who need to take along extra devices due to health issues. While I don't check my bags in the baggage car (don't need to), I have had items stowed in the AMTRAK Superliner sleeper car downstairs luggage storage area...this was on a couple trips where I was travelling for work and train actually went closer to my destination, and was less expensive (even with sleeper accommodation) than the airlines could offer. In those instances, I needed to carry some tools, a hard hat, steel toes work boots, a warm 'work jacket' and so on that required an additional suitcase that would not have fit well into my roomette. Since where I was getting off/on the train near my work site was NOT a baggage stop, I could not have checked the extra bag anyway.

[@jimbob7613]

@@youtuuba Were you comfortable leaving work gear in the sleeper car luggage area?

[@youtuuba]

@@jimbob7613 , yes. Those luggage areas are pretty darn secure. They are not in a secluded part of the car, so anyone wishing to mess with what's there would be deterred due to lack of privacy. And when the train is stopped at stations, while the luggage are is just off the vestibule, the car attendant stands just by the door the whole time, so nobody who does not belong there would be able to grab anything. There is no guarantee of course, but having anything messed with or stolen from the luggage area would be difficult and rare. Having said that, I DO make sure that any luggage or equipment cases left there are locked.

[@bobweaver1089]

I appreciate your efforts at providing the viewer a demonstration of what he/she can expect ,especially, if it will be their first Amtrak experience. However, both my wife and I found that the camera work was in a word “unwatchable.” The rapid panning and jerkiness made both of us queasy!

[@youtuuba]

Bob Weaver, sorry you did not like the video on account of the motion. But be advised that you are in a rather extreme minority, as most viewers have no problem with this.

[@judithsmith3705]

Interesting, although whiny and repetitive at times

[@davidchisenhall5001]

You want us to pay how much for that? Amtrak hasn't changed much since the 70's

[@youtuuba]

Your comment makes no sense without some context. What are you referring to?

[@aarronvanburen8612]

@@youtuuba how your room got so condensed by the bed, along with the shower

[@ChamplainDivision]

The Capitol of The State of New York is pronounced "All-ban-ee".

[@youtuuba]

ChamplainDivision, except for the many people who pronounce it differently...... When visiting places, I try and pick up cues about pronunciation of places from the locals I hear talking. You would be amazed by the wide variety of place name pronunciations I hear in my travels. Perhaps you should have written, "The Capitol of The State of New York SHOULD BE pronounced "All-ban-ee".

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

we wonder why Sears went out of business. Hmmm.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

I would never made it past Dunkin Donuts. lol

[@schizoozy]

I would have thought the first class sleeper would directly connect with the first class dining car. I guess they ought to say they offer exercise facilities for their first class passengers.

[@youtuuba]

Barbara Miller, on most trains, the Dining Car is shared by First Class and Coach passengers, and is positioned in the 'consist' in between the Sleeper and Coach cars. If the consist includes a Lounge/Observation car, it is usually located adjacent to the Dining Car. But on some trains, which will be combined or separated at some time during the route, the Dining Car might be located at a point that minimizes the amount of rearranging of cars. If a First Class passenger does not want to walk far their car attendant will pick up their meals and bring them to the passenger's private room.

[@bjpeterdelacruz7091]

1:06:30 That sounds like a great book. 📖

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

I would be totally lost by now and not know how to find my train room.

[@tobyradabaugh5033]

Last time I road metra was long while ago still remember it

[@steveburrus9347]

I was born in Ft. Wor th TX over 68 yeaRS ago buit lived in Schenectady from age 2 - 3 years old. But after that I p'ermanently moved back to Texas, with Dallas being the main place of residence all of these years.

[@Howoldareweanywayyipes]

Did you ever find your real restaurant to eat dinner at?

[@APizzaDriver]

2:25:44 Oriskany is pronounced “Or-risk-un-ee”. I’m from Utica originally but cheers from Buenos Aires! Great videos!

[@shsav2012]

27:28 Amtrak still can't update the map and show that a throughway bus route has been converted to rail between Lynchburg and Roanoke VA