Amtrak Northeast Corridor RFW Full Rear View Ride from New York City to Boston

[@chicagolandrailroader]

I liked seeing the changes in the catenary infrastructure between the sections of the route. Great vid!

[@rwboa22]

It's interesting in that we go from "robust" PRR infrastructure from the 1930s electrification expansion (Wilmington, DE to DC; North Philadelphia to NYC; Paoli to Harrisburg) to catenary infrastructure reminiscent of the PRR's 1915 and 1919 electrification of the Main Line between Philadelphia and Paoli and the NEC and Chestnut Hill Line (now SEPTA's Chestnut Hill West line) between Philadelphia and the city's Chestnut Hill neighborhood (which of course that change in catenary infrastructure occurs where the PRR/PC/Amtrak 12.5 kV/25 Hz AC grid gives way to the ConEd-supplied Metro-North 12.5 kV/60 Hz AC grid).

[@OregonRailfan83]

The difference between the Pennsy and New Haven catenary poles is interesting. Anyone know how far apart the Pennsy poles were?

[@alexandresanturian1513]

@@OregonRailfan83 Hello and greetings from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! According to a source, the PRR catenary poles were typically spaced about 250 feet apart (approx. 76.2 meters). PRR and New Haven Railroad are two of my favourite US railroads, have some books, videos and HO scale models. All the best!

[@choptanktuxent2]

I agree, verbatim. The catenary supports north of New Haven look like croquet wickets (some of them) or pennants on a skiing slalom course (others). Thanks Nathan for the ride. Between this vid and Walter Kebalo's 2-part vid of the rear view from the Carolinian from NYC to Wilmington and Wilmington to DC, I have now had a complete rear view of the 457-mile NEC. Nathan, thanks too for bringing back memories of my own NEC ride from Wilmington to Back Bay back in 2006.

[@alexandresanturian1513]

Hello and greetings from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! An excelent video, thank you. Nice to see that from New York (NY) to New Haven (CT) Amtrak has retained many of the old catenary poles from New Haven Railroad era, although of course the old triangular catenary wires were replaced by modern standards.

[@jimlasterni7310]

Nathan all I can say is spectacular you really not this out of the park I've been telling all my friends and posted it on Facebook to watch this video

[@jimlasterni7310]

Thanks for the great video in 1999 between Christmas and New Year's I took a train from St Louis to Chicago to Boston to New York City back to Chicago and back to St Louis I was on these tracks at night so I got to see what I missed thanks for the great video

[@fedupdomer5654]

those amfleet cars have aged very well. they do not look out of place on a modern line. a little spit shine and they are ready to go for another 20 yrs. all the track work and installation of concrete sleepers must make for a nice ride...

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

5:37 finally got the new switches in for the eastbound bypass! Looks like they still gotta install the switches leading up to it tho.

[@nolantherailfan5048]

I can se a lot of the new Catenary poles on the Amtrak Hellgate line have been activated.

[@nathanjiang100]

yep, they're doing a lot of work to bring Metro-North into Penn Station

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

40:39 To the left of the track your train is on, is that ... a buried piece of track? I ... didn't expect to see that, wonder if it is from more recent stuff, or if it's actually a leftover spur from the old Russell, Burdsall & Ward factory that used to be in Port Chester.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

1:26:26 - 1:26:27 You can watch the direction of the switch change back to allowing through traffic on track 1!

[@ViewpointUnique]

Awesome video! I love the rear view rides. Keep 'em coming!

[@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226]

Nice! I was trying to see where the new third track sections will be on the Hell Gate Line, but it was difficult. MP 97.6 is Fitter Interlocking. The track work was done last fall, but for some reason running the signals is taking a while. Hopefully it will be commissioned soon, before construction on the Conn River Bridge starts.

[@nathanjiang100]

good to know! yeah it’s hard to see where they’re gonna add the 3rd track on the Hell Gate Line

[@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226]

​@@nathanjiang100FY23 was also supposed to see the construction of VELTRI interlocking around MP 133 east of Mystic to break the distance between GROTON and HIGH, but it seems that hasn't happened.

[@nathanjiang100]

@@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226 yeah this was shot a few days ago so it’s pretty much the most up to date you can get

[@nathanjiang100]

any idea on the interlocking and milepost (NYS) at timestamp 17:39? it's currently under construction. seems like the 3rd track will be constructed between the fence and the catenary support posts but I don't know for sure.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

@@nathanjiang100that’s Leggett interlocking.

[@fredredmon5828]

I also learned about the Lakeshore railroad museum camera from watching your videos

[@nathanjiang100]

nice!

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thank you for that fine boose ride view..................I was born in 1951 ,,,,,,, at two years old my family had a house in brooklyn ny,,,,,As a two year old , my mom was curious at how excited i had become with all the noise , and smoke from trains passing the end of our street , that had energized her little boy......,,the NYC RR owned tracks across bklyn into queens ny and they connected to the tracks just outside sunnyside yard on to the hellgate bridge into the bronx..................I am a gifted machinist gearhead at 73 years here........................I thank GOD , for he provided me with great parents , and health........................ as I still build and ride my harleys today.....................................

[@bryant3825]

This is awesome to see its incredible how the engineering and structures are still there for the Northeast corridor from NYC to Boston granted the New Haven to Boston section being newer. Also curious on the New London Station in which is the third track going to be electrified since it was shown on an Amtrak official document of construction but nothing has happened there? Which is weird doesn't it disrupt service on the NEC Amtrak services and SLE?

[@nathanjiang100]

your guess is as good as mine

[@FFred-us9tw]

The third track in New London is in the process of being electrified right now.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

16:49 -17:23 & 17:25 - 17:29 To the right the RoW (with catenary bridges!) where the New York, Westchester & Boston traveled.

[@2235-j8l]

WOW, what a beautiful vid!

[@railsidelive]

Loved it!

[@fredredmon5828]

Good Monday afternoon Nathan. This was really a outstanding video when you got past Providence and said you couldn't fix the camera focus it was still pretty good no complaints I was wondering if you would show the train as it was going past the VRF cameras and you did Plus one I didn't know about railside live New London camera. Just last week retired rail fan did a video right there riding the ferry from Long Island over there that was a good video also. I always mention you to him when I send a message both of you guys are outstanding. I am a little confused right now watching railside live East Greenwich Rhode Island every time I hear a train pass nothing is there where the camera is and then later on here comes a train with no sound it's like video and audio are out of sync.

[@nathanjiang100]

when I synced the feeds based on timestamps for that camera it made no sense so that was the one cam that I kinda made an educated guess with as far as feed placement. yeah retired railfan was there the same day I went to Boston and he caught my return train #2193 so when that comes out you'll probably see his clip there.

[@3985uprr]

What train can I get a coach rear view south out of Albany. I may have to take a train down from Vermont in August.

[@nathanjiang100]

290, 1246, or 68. if they wye 290 or 1246 at Albany like they did when I attempted it you're out of luck but they only do that if they have to remove a P42. 68 leaves too late to see anything. they might also say it's a crash hazard and not let you stand back there which happened to me on this ride. I haven't done the empire corridor yet so I don't know how the crews are.

[@jayo1212]

@51:01 Why is there a gap there? Do the trains just lower the pantographs and coast across?

[@nathanjiang100]

so the bridge can move easier. note that the catenary is raised to allow the pantographs to spring to the highest setting without hitting anything and the train coasts across the power gap.

[@rwboa22]

​@@nathanjiang100 the Cos Cob Bridge (officially the Mianus River Railroad Bridge) is a double-leaf bascule drawbridge (similar to those used for road traffic); the catenary gaps being necessary to permit bridge openings. All of the other moveable bridges on the NEC in Connecticut (or elsewhere) are either swing or lift drawbridges, allowing for powered wires or rails.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

7:02 anyone know if that diamond is temporary? I’m only curious because it’s got wooden ties, and almost every other new crossover/switch/track component is all concrete with moveable frog points.

[@nathanjiang100]

your guess is as good as mine

[@OregonRailfan83]

Thanks much. Verry enjoyable.

[@broyofroyo1207]

You made a rear view NY- Boston, Alan Fisher made a rear view NY- Washington, now theirs a rear view of the whole NEC!!

[@EarlGough-i8h]

Have you considered the use of a scanner to pick up communication between the engineers and conductors, also messages from the defect detectors?

[@nathanjiang100]

i have one on order, should be coming soon!

[@fredredmon5828]

Yeah Nathan you even captured the video from the davisville Rhode Island camera that used to be a members only camera but now it's back up for everyone they really blow by that location blink and you miss them

[@nathanjiang100]

when you shoot a video it's all timestamped so I just pull up the timestamp of that spot and then find it on the livestream.

[@fredredmon5828]

@@nathanjiang100 yeah it wasn't on your video it was on the live camera today when I was watching it I commented on it in the chat just now turned it back on after a couple hours looks like they fixed it earlier today they had a black and white screen and it was all distorted Guess they were having problems with the internet or something but it's working well now. That's the Greenwich Rhode Island camera That's a pretty busy spot. I never knew about that camera until I saw it on your video thanks Nathan

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,awesome video......I had an uncle that owned a home just city blocks from the viaduct , and approaching the great bridge east into the NEC......,,,,as a kid upon visits to his house , I was always glued to the window chair in the kitchen [second story upstairs] , staring into time , dreaming as the child , waiting for a train to see.............Luckily on Sundays I seen freights,,,,can't remember passenger trains and gg ones ; I remember the bricks ; the red bricks , the GE electric powerhouses,,,,that were awesome engines.....I saw near my bklyn home.......as an adult , I did simple research and learned all the connections.............Thanks for this communication.............

[@Matthew-p2h]

This was a fast run. Many times, trains stop or creep along for long stretches.

[@NEC859]

Btw what editing app is that? I’ve been looking for it for a year

[@nathanjiang100]

it’s just imovie, I use it because it’s free

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

22:00 is that gonna be a section of triple track for Penn access?

[@nathanjiang100]

yeah

[@carolinebarnes2009]

Are the ramps that stick over the platforms at some of the stations be removed… Tony.

[@nathanjiang100]

at renovated stations yeah

[@fredredmon5828]

Oh yeah recently when you made a trip to Florida I had thoughts of going down to the Orlando Amtrak station maybe get a chance to say hello to you I know you usually get out and walk around and film the train I believe that's a smoke stop maybe a crew change. I am about 15 to 20 minutes from the Orlando Amtrak Depot

[@nathanjiang100]

I had to use the restroom then get right on the bus to Tampa, was not in a position to meet anyone with all my stuff as well lol. but I announced the Florida trip in my community posts.

[@fredredmon5828]

@@nathanjiang100 Yes Nathan that's where I saw it wanted to drive down to the station just to have the chance to meet you but I didn't go maybe sometime in the future You come back quite often

[@nathanjiang100]

probably once or twice a year, and if I'm going down with other people I won't be taking the train

[@cryorig_transit05]

4 hours is crazy... if only Metro North would give their ownership to Amtrak-

[@3985uprr]

Let me know where you Might be for Cannonball this week

[@nathanjiang100]

yeah sure, probably around Sayville or Patchogue bc it’s a similar longitude as stony brook. not sure if it’s possible to walk to Bayport from the two stations.

[@3985uprr]

@@nathanjiang100 it’s kinda far. Would go to whichever. You go to school at Stony Brook?

[@nathanjiang100]

@@3985uprr my mom went to school there so we go often.

[@Areyoutalkingtome-q1s]

T​@@nathanjiang100Stony Brook yes. The birthplace of Blue Oyster Cult.

[@rolloman667]

Nice video. 😊😊😊 Amtrak needs to upgrade the line between NYC and New Haven as soon as possible. 2 hrs to travel 80 miles is unacceptable and downright embarrassing for America.

[@nathanjiang100]

preaching to the choir here! MTA owns the trackage though and they’re super underfunded so there’s nothing Amtrak can do unfortunately.

[@rwboa22]

​@@nathanjiang100 simple solution: "NEW CONRAIL". Uncle Sam owns all of the Class I freight infrastructure and both the NEC and Keystone Corridor; Amtrak is the primary tenant (and has "first dibs" on movement), while the Class I freight companies and commuter rail agencies pay for trackage rights. The New Haven Line has enough tracks to allow for 110 to 125 mph service, and "New Conrail" would easily upgrade the tracks and infrastructure for future(?) 125+ mph service.

[@peter7936]

@@nathanjiang100 Connecticut owns the track and RoW from the New York border to New Haven. It's in excellent condition for the Metro North trains, with constant tension catenary. Metro North carries the vast majority of the passengers between New Haven and NYC. MTA/NYS owns from border to GCT, Amtrak owns from New Roc to Penn.

[@FFred-us9tw]

@@rwboa22 you would never be able to achieve speeds anywhere near that high on the New Haven line. Far too many curves and bridges to make that realistic. The track is in such poor condition that any given time all four tracks are never open. So because of that trains are constantly delayed making higher speeds impossible.

[@FFred-us9tw]

@@peter7936 the New Haven line from New Rochelle to New Haven is not “in excellent condition“. It is by far the worst track conditions between Boston and New York. The majority of the bridges are in desperate need of replacement which won’t happen for decades. There has never been a point where all four tracks have been opened in years and there is constant track work and dozens of speed restrictions. It’s a total mess and it’s incredibly congested between all the commuter rail and Amtrak trains, and the constant tracks out of service for maintenance.

[@kevinhoward9593]

I think its absurd that Metro North has so many restrictions for trains. Trains are limited to 90mph and Acela isn't allowed to use the tilt system. Why would people need to transfer to train #66 if they both go to Boston?

[@nathanjiang100]

MN refused to keep their upgraded safety system in place so now all trains on metro north territory are limited to 75 mph. train 66 was running over 2 hours late that day and was running behind us so some people probably got on the wrong train and since seats are reserved and the coaches were pretty full, you have to take the train that you booked.

[@kevinhoward9593]

@@nathanjiang100 Metro North sucks

[@railfan282]

Exactly why there is a New York to Boston dedicated high speed rail proposal. The one that requires tunneling under Long Island Sound. Hopefully it becomes a reality.

[@rwboa22]

​​​@@railfan282 the alternative solution would be to form a "New Conrail" under United States Government ownership (like that of the original Conrail, except that this "New Conrail" would solely focus on infrastructure and not infrastructure and rolling stock) and force Metro-North to ceed their portion of the New Haven Line, of which "New Conrail" and Amtrak (which would be the primary tenant of all Class I main lines throughout the US, with the freight and commuter railroads paying for trackage rights) could then bring the NEC between New York Penn/Moynihan Station and New Haven to at minimum, Higher-Speed Rail (110-125 mph) specifications. This is complete hogwash as NJT, SEPTA, and MARC, as tenants of Amtrak, regularly meet with Amtrak officials, of which NJT, MARC, and Amtrak has agreements in place to cross-honor tickets (there is discussions going on with SEPTA, primarily in regards to cross-honoring tickets on the Keystone Corridor between Paoli and 30th Street on certain SEPTA express trains), plus MARC has taken the initiative to start replacing their existing locomotives with SC-42 diesel-electric locomotives, which can run at the same track speeds (125 mph max.) as the ACS-64 electric locomotives.

[@rwboa22]

​@@railfan282 there should also be an alternative to the dedicated corridor through which the NEC, Keystone Corridor, and all Class I freight main line infrastructure, be placed under direct Federal control (as "New Conrail") and the NEC in the Metro-North territory be brought up to the same standards as the DC-New Rochelle and New Haven-Boston segments.

[@NEC859]

48:21 My dad recording on the other side 😂of the

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

1:06:23 A railfan spotted? 😅

[@louiszhang3050]

The age of the infrastructure is really showing. Meanwhile Japanese railways built in the mid-1800s look brand new

[@nathanjiang100]

Metro North can’t bother maintaining their trackage properly

[@rwboa22]

​@@nathanjiang100 let alone the State of Connecticut. Only if the entire NEC was owned by Amtrak or a "New Conrail".

[@JayTubeYT_The_3rd]

Okay but why are you complaining? Atleast these trains can still run the corridor!

[@h8GW]

I'm sure Japan has plenty of 19th-century narrow-guage that looks far worse than this.

[@louiszhang3050]

@@JayTubeYT_The_3rd that's a very low bar... besides, I'm grateful for the NEC (I use it quite often and it's so much better than driving when I am travelling solo or pairs). And I genuinely think it will be quite good considering how many improvements are coming to it soon. But it has its problems and I'm going to point it out, namely between NYC and New Haven. The part past New Haven actually look pretty good, though quite slow until it gets closer to Providence.

[@trainnadimamtrakthomasalle9037]

3:02:40 , Acela

[@nathanjiang100]

yep, overtake at 150 mph!

[@davidbashay6286]

Is this on the Acela?

[@nathanjiang100]

it’s on a Northeast Regional, you can’t do it on an Acela. the Acela was overtaking our train

[@jimlasterni7310]

4 starting at New Haven it's all brand new Rock Road bed ties and rails new electric lines and men do they haul ass

[@JaxB-po8ld]

Great video cabbing