Amtrak Train 30 Cab Ride - Connellsville to Cumberland

This is an unpublished head end video dating from early 2004, taken aboard Amtrak Train 30, the Capitol Limited, as it makes it way from Connellsville, PA to Cumberland, MD. Due to the darkness of the winter morning, my friend never sold this video as a DVD and then left the business shortly thereafter.
Enjoy the remaining B&O CPL signals still in service between Connellsville and Rockwood.

[@RailroadFanatic-hr6pf]

The smooth blanket of snow is beautiful! we don't get snow like that in Texas lol

[@donaldellington1611]

Many many years ago(I'm now 81 years old) I used to work for Chicago north western railroad out of south Pekin Illinois as a break man this sure brings back many memories

[@chrismuller9289]

wow - thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful ride and greetings from ole Germany 🙂

[@ViewpointUnique]

Love this route! My first Amtrak trip by myself was, if I recall, in 2002 or 2003, including the full route on the Capitol Limited. Waking up just east of Pittsburg getting in the mountains in late summer was glorious.

[@yourfriend5886]

This is one of the most honest genuine cab rides ever

[@cwingate438]

We took this trip in the fall of 1998. The trip alongside the rivers in the morning was just gorgeous. Love seeing the CPLs in action.

[@markusdude1]

That K5LA is so harmonic and blissful, I just can never get enough of it!

[@fluxthelycanroc9603]

As they say nothing blows like a nathan

[@robertgambling502]

I noticed some comments on the slowness of the train. Because of the visual constrictions of the cab, the camera was in partial telephoto. That gives the illusion of going slow since the whole scene is compressed towards the camera. To solve this dilemma, go to your settings, hit "Playback Speed" then hit "2X" . That will double your speed and you get to see this video in half the time. This was a great effort by the videographer on this long ride. This video is in low res. since this was shot in 2004 and that was the best of cameras at the time.

[@jamielacourse7578]

To hell with the comments. This thing is great.

[@1stprinceoflite]

Well I put it on double speed except for the audio you really don't know the difference.

[@danielutinger1586]

extremely slow. for us europeans unbeleavable. only bycicles are that slow, and maybe even faster. lot of poooop, poooop, ???

[@capefeartrainsandsirens]

@@danielutinger1586Yeah, bicycles can definitely go as fast as a 70-150 mph Amtrak train.

[@alanwinn4141]

There's nothing wrong with the speed. Just sit back and enjoy the scenery

[@jimmylieb5225]

as a kid with my parents and brothers we used to visit my fathers parents in Uniontown PA. we would travel there via the Penna Turnpike. get off at New Stanton and take Route 119 down passing through Connellsville. I remember crossing the Yough River there near where Braddocks Road passed through. then after a few days there we would head off to eastern PA to visit my mother's parents by way of US 40 passing through Cumberland MD after passing through western MD towns like Grants and Frostburg. I well remember Cumberland because before entering the town we passed through a deep valley on US40 with high cliffs. on the one side was Lovers Leap. There was a gas station I remember with a sign with an arrow pointing up toward the cliff labeled "Lovers Leap".

[@PositionLight]

Oh cool!

[@derricktjernlund6384]

At a ripe old age over 65, I’ve been a dreaded “foamer” nearly all of my life, in fact long before certain railroaders invented to name, thinking they were somehow insulting people like me. Having lived in Western PA most of my life, I had the opportunity to ride Amtrak 30 several years ago, first from Pit to DC, then later from Chicago to Pit. I found these two videos incredibly entertaining and informative. Not sure if it’s the engineer or conductor talking, but you can clearly tell he is a “Burgh” guy from his accent, as some of yinz can tell. Other than wishing the audio would have been a little clearer, these are two of my favorite videos. My experience with my No. 30 trip was that it was enjoyable. No. 30 typically pulls out of the Burgh about 5:30-ish in the morning when running on schedule. On my trip, we pulled into DC only a few minutes off schedule. As the crew pointed out in the video, if they had been on time, daylight wouldn’t have come until shortly before Connellsville. As for the slow ride, keep in mind that Amtrak runs on host freight railroads and has no control over the quality of the ROW nor the priority the freight dispatcher gives to passenger service. Many of the nation’s freight ROWs are not designed for truly high speed traffic. Furthermore, any ROW that follows a river in mountainous terrain will invariably be infused with lots of curves requiring slower speeds. While riding No. 58 from NOLA to Chicago, our train was hitting 90 mph in places according to the reports from the defect detectors. That’s due to 1) well maintained ROW, 2) ROW reasonably level and straight with few sharp curves, and 3) the fact that CN appeared to give some priority to Amtrak. In contrast, our trip from DC to NOLA on the Crescent (NS ROW) was horrible in terms of the roughness of the ride. That was something Amtrak had no control over. As for Amtrak itself being a government entity; Amtrak exists purely because the private sector railroads wanted to wash their hands of passenger service.

[@Chasingrail]

Derrick Tjernlund in reality, Amtrak was formed so that the government would be able to end Passenger service one and for all quietly and under someone’s watch. Since 1971 they’ve been able to make just enough money to be able to survive from funding from places such as congress.

[@toddmickey9795]

Great Video. I worked at CSXI in Chambersburg, PA for Awhile. I'm glad I got to see the Territory that the Train came through on the way from Connellsville, PA.

[@Senor0Droolcup]

I love long cab ride videos like this. Thank you!

[@jameswede3277]

This awesome AMTRAK CAB RIDE VIDEO IS SO AWESOME ! YOU GET TO FEEL LIKE YOUR THERE ! A AWESOME FRONT ROE SEAT ! YES ! SAVE OUR ROADS ! MOVE IT BY RAIL & RIDE BY RAIL !

[@flashcar60]

The Amtrak train passed that first freight train on Sand Patch Grade, where the B&O ran its big, articulated helpers. That was what I was particularly interested in seeing, and I was not disappointed.

[@ChadQuick270W]

Picks up right where we left of. Nice to see there were still a few operators along the line. Thanks so much for uploading this.

[@jerryswink8812]

Known as the east end. My Dad made that trip more than a few times though he worked the west end out of Connellsville to New Castle more often.

[@davidshelow8869]

Nice footage of a wild and beautiful part of the country--the Youghiogheny River valley. even in the winter. I am so happy to live close enough (Pittsburgh) to bike the GAP trail, which is across the river on the old Western Maryland right-of-way. thanks for posting.

[@JJGeneral1]

it's only the youghigheny until confluence, then it's the casselman river

[@joydivisionisnotdead67]

Much appreciated and very captivating. I'm enjoying all the sounds and talk as well as the cool scenery. It's like I'm right there. Cheers for posting this.

[@troyboy304]

Awsome train cab ride.Love those trains.THANK YOU

[@slapyousilly1305]

Great video. Love trains. I grew up around them. DW&P. Thanks, Mike.

[@8bigbob]

This train is my mode of transportation when going out of the state of Ohio. I live in Galion, Ohio and we get on the Capitol Limited at Sandusky, Ohio. Hopefully someday I can travel on Amtrak getting on at Galion or Crestline, Ohio on the proposed 3/C Rail line. Hope fully that happens in my lifetime. I have been a advocating for this Amtrak route since I was 30 years old. That was 42 years ago. Sadly we are still "studying" this idea.

[@craigboldman6281]

Speakers were at top notch. I love this video!

[@vettebecker1]

Loved the ride, great job

[@Arpeggio2007]

I took this train a few months ago and it was late by 4 hours -- partially due to the winter weather, partially due to track problems (due to the heavy freight traffic), but mostly (we passengers were told) by the freight companies not allowing Amtrak to speed on through.

[@JJGeneral1]

amtrak used to have priority, but freight has gained that priority now. back in conrail days, before Norfolk Southern took over, amtrak had the right of way and freight waited.

[@sparkeydog01]

this is so cool been looking for videos like this

[@brental1]

Nice video. I didn't realize the B&O CPLs lasted this long; until 2004.

[@PositionLight]

They actually lasted until about 2012.

[@ElCapitan1718]

I enjoyed both videos, which showed the trip from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. I was surprised at the extended stretches of 30-35 mph running. I seriously doubt the B&O of the 1950's ran such a relaxed schedule. I suspect many of the curves were super-elevated to permit faster running speeds. It was also sad to see the rationalization of yards and facilities, and the abandonment of routes, which took place during Conrail and the subsequent breakup. I enjoyed the engineer's commentary. I bet a ride in early spring is beautiful, as the trees and flowers begin to emerge from winter. My Amtrak travels have all been on western long-distance routes, but I will now consider taking the Capitol Limited on a future trip. I truly appreciate Jersey Mike sharing both videos.

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

B&O's advertised time for the Cap over this stretch was 2:14 Cnnv. to Cumb, , about half an hour less and permitted speed was 65, but with lots of restrictions at 50, 45' and 30's. Ave speed was around 41 or 42. B&O trains made their best time in Ohio and Indiana where they could run 75 and 80. I dont know why the hell he was taking his time getting that train into Cumberland though. He had clear signals except for that limited approach at the Bud board, unless he had a slow order as well. .

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

In addition, B&O ran over P&LE tracks from MO at New Castle to MK tower at Braddock which was a more direct route along the Ohio and Youghioheny rivers around Pittsburgh rather than over their own tracks through Schenley.

[@dirkmunk1279]

@@Theoriginaltkg2902 Even 65 is slow for a passenger train. 80 mph would be more appropriate.

[@dianneklemmer9381]

There’s nothing better than traveling by train. Yes, the ride is long and it’s hard to sleep at times, but I’ll take the train over flying any day ❤

[@HighRail62]

Loved the ride!

[@Stormfest]

Nice ride! Love the horn sound! Thanks!

[@dirkmunk1279]

Big difference with European trains. They hardly ever use their horns.

[@robertkerr3059]

I dont imagine it ever gets on your nerves having the bell going the entire ride, it may even enhance the experience, cool "fly on the wall" insight. TX

[@WesternMDRailfan]

The snow makes this video beautiful

[@albertmonroe6830]

Loved the view from the front of the train. Wished it could have been filmed in late Spring or early Summer. :)

[@OldSchool-px1xk]

You find a lot of railfan videos on KZbin showing the horseshoe curve at Mance, PA, so I found it very nice to see how the tracks are looking from a cab perspective.

[@ebt12]

I found this very interesting and fun to watch, and just the right length when I first watched it last Fall while working on a gingerbread house for the big display in downtown Pittsburgh. I came back to it recently (and the Pittsburgh to Connellsville video) to see certain areas up close. I had to look closely to identify when the train passes through Ohiopyle. As I said in a comment in the first video, I like that it was done in Winter as a lot of stuff that would be covered with vegetation can be seen, so I like it was done in Winter.

[@markcinque2910]

hey,nice blowing the horn and sounding the Bell.

[@montanamornings8526]

It’s amazing. This run is identical to Amtrak’s 27 or 28 train, Empire Builder, between Libby Mt and Sandpoint Id. Along Kootenai River. Difference is it’s usually dark either way un less train is hours behind schedule. Which happens a lot in winter.

[@KutWrite]

Funny to see the old B&O signals. As they changed 'em all to Chessie (3-lights), they did away with Control Operator jobs, like mine at "V.I." (Connellsville). The dispatcher now controls the signals and switches that I used to.

[@PositionLight]

Where exactly was VI tower located? The old hump tower or another building? I assume it was a GRS NX or unit lever panel machine. Do you have any pictures of VI? Also the new signals are Seaboard signals, not C&O. Viaduct Junction first went to C&O aspects before being changed to Seaboard.

[@aldean2984]

Nice footage! Portion from Rockwood to Cumberland is nicely modeled in TSW: CSX Heavy Haul. Looks legit.

[@RichardinNC1]

I lived in Uniontown when little. we took many trips to Connellsville and Cumberland. Just not on a train. Although my grnadfather worked on the B&O and probably did that route many times.

[@jimmylieb5225]

my father is from Uniontown, PA. passed away 3 yrs ago. was a soldier in Germany in WWII. silver star. My grandfather always told a story about my father and his friends when kids getting lost in Delaney's Cave.

[@Theoriginaltkg2902]

Nice vid. Ive made this trip so many times, but at night on the old Cap, B&O 5 and 6 or its sister 19 and 20. Only once on the day time.

[@105C09]

Really neat cab ride. The Yough river through Ohiopyle and Confluence is picturesque and very historic. Bill

[@jerrysmith9271]

Love the trip

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

Back when Connellsville still had an operator (VI Office).

[@Rebel9668]

That guy is flipping horn happy. Blows it three times as much as necessary.

[@HybridHobby]

Awesome, thanks!

[@motorman2829]

Both of the defect detectors of the Baltimore division STC smartscan NG and Harmon cyberscan was replaced by the progress rail microHBD voice without STC smartscan NG² voice

[@Mrbeahz1]

It's the Cumberland to Pittsburgh part of the train trip that makes people want to fly DCA-CHI.

[@dalemoore5020]

I wonder what small animal is crossing the rail starting at 23:17 until 23:21. I've seen in the past where some grain leaks from hopper cars onto the ties. Perhaps this small critter was eating breakfast when the commotion caused him to abandon his repast.

[@daveporter8351]

You should see whats left of 2 tunnels and nyc....conrail..over the clarion river in clarion river secondary... High bridge....just rotting away.....built in 1907....I have walking video over bridge. In 91

[@vaos]

My god, even at 2x speed this is one hell of a slow train... nice ride though!

[@kennetbpatterson7050]

I know taking an Amtrak crew from Cincinnati to Detroit take them to the Holiday Inn Express I loved it I loved every bit of it I know all the crew members and hello boxcar I hope you doing well if you retired well that's good keep on driving to shut the strain keep on driving to Amtrak we love you Cruise and so long for now

[@boggy7665]

'Connellsville (PA) once served five railroads, including the Baltimore & Ohio, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh & West Virginia, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie and Western Maryland. The old B&O mainline is the only active railroad in town. Once the Western Maryland Railway was abandoned in 1975, the connections with the P&LE (Dickerson Run) and P&WV soon disappeared.' www.home.earthlink.net/~mrsfanatic/id13.html

[@georgesealy4706]

Thanks for posting this train ride. I am from the western PA area, so I liked seeing some of my old stomping grounds. The trip from Connellsville to Ohiopyle is uphill all the way. We can see the snow getting deeper and the Youghiogheny River (locally called "The Yawk") is frozen over in many places. I am thinking this was shot sometime in late December or January. The Yawk has some fast currents and is a favorite with white water enthusiasts. Too bad the angles were such that we can't see the Ohiopyle falls, which are just to the right of where the train enters the town at around 26:20.

[@stephenheath8465]

nice climb up in the Appalachian Mountains👍👍

[@kevinrizzo6478]

1:34:30 Salisbury Viaduct, 1:35:00 Bollman Bridge before relocation.

[@rogerhuber3133]

Very cool video! Wonder why he kept blowing the standard crossing signal all the time when there were no crossings?

[@anmolmehta7116]

Very nice video. At several place the train slowed down. I suppose it was due to heavy snow in some place

[@PositionLight]

Just because of curves or track condition.

[@Robbi496]

I Like it!

[@ADM_RR]

engineer must have corrected the poor kid 20 times, you think he'd quit talking and enjoy the ride

[@Train9632W]

adam roskowski, I agree he was asking too many questions, some of which were pretty silly. Nothing wrong with occasional conversation, but I would’ve mostly been enjoying the ride.

[@timwashington824]

if the train conductor only knew how close they were to D'atri Stake Subs. the real princess jewel

[@Tubewelder154]

At 2:08:00 that little town is Fairhope Pa..

[@pamsimonson5500]

The engine itself can run 80 mph but the tracks across America is in dangerous conditions. So they operate at very slow speeds to not flip off the rail

[@PositionLight]

It's a mountain railroad with speeds in the 40mph range.

[@JimsBarn]

I love the long ride alongs... can only find a a handful in the US here on KZbin, where can we see more hour plus cab rides?

[@Chasingrail]

For safety reasons, most railroads have made it very difficult to get cabride video. Since 9/11 it’s been illegal to let someone in the cab who is not part of the crew, and before that cameras were not very wide spread. As of now most railroads will fire you or permanently terminate you of on their cameras inside the cab they find out that you were on a personal device (camera, phone, camcorder etc.)

[@JJGeneral1]

wow, the shoo fly and pinkerton tunnels are gone, according to google maps. looks like they just dug them out.

[@PositionLight]

Yup! Like 7 years ago!

[@LelandRogers]

These GE Amtrak engines are very quiet in the cab compared to most freight engines.

[@thesuneversets]

Surprised the engineer didn't know the bridge outside meyersdale was wm not an old ns

[@davidc8518]

where is it? I only get youtube ads that dont end

[@latenightregretstv]

Thanks for uploading! Will you upload the rest of the trip?

[@PositionLight]

This is all there is from this trip.

[@daveporter8351]

My great grand.worked for the. Prr ....and uncle marv....erie lackawanna....in west pa

[@PositionLight]

Was just out that way myself.

[@robtman9199]

Just found this video, loved it. I have the VHS set from PIT to WAS taken from 1985 in the summer. Miss the CPLs. Any idea what the consist would have been with 56 axles?

[@cwingate438]

Power in those days would have been three F40s plus at least one baggage, a transition sleeper, a diner, and a lounge, so 3-4 coaches and three sleepers.

[@jameswede3277]

Too ! Take time & plant a tree or two !

[@WSchamps]

How do you go about getting a job with Amtrak? I would satisfied as a cook or waiter but I don't even know where to apply.

[@sweetmyth2537]

1979WSchamps fact

[@Catnip11147]

Call me crazy. But I really miss the trackside utility poles. They were emblematic of the American railroad.

[@jimmylieb5225]

50 yrs ago we - my brothers, my parents and grandparents stopped along an abandoned RR section near Yough Lake east of Uniontown PA and collected blue and turquoise colored glass insulators. I still have some of them!

[@daveporter8351]

Video...walking of wye. ..bridge in oil city...pa I have on vhs.. 93

[@robertcummings1971]

this video is cool! i only wish it was in HD though!

[@yamahonkawazuki]

2004. dont really think it was an option.

[@timothystark4475]

That was year 2004. There was no HD camera yet.

[@yamahonkawazuki]

@@timothystark4475 people complain when ww2 videos werent shot in 4k. Not saying he was but youd be surprised

[@timofeegraaay8165]

I absolutely love this cab ride but the one thing that makes me sick is to see an Amtrak passenger train going 30 mph, and at absolute best about 50-54 mph in short stretches. This is where I think about the Swedish and Norweigan passenger trains running quietly at about 91 mph thru snow, fjords, all kinds of sub freezing temps and you just wonder why would anyone ride this train, except us train lovers. Great video though, thank you. Since 9-11 a cab ride is almost never allowed by RR police/management.

[@PositionLight]

You should watch some of those "great rail journeys". All the traditional lines in the mountains are this slow or slower.

[@Clavichordist]

Timothy Gay It is too bad we don't have more faster stretches, but remember this was filmed in 2004. Since then there has been some track work done with some long track delays to accompany them. In 2012 I looked into taking Amtrak home from a visit to the Midwest instead of flying. This route was among them and being a rail enthusiast, I chose this route, however, this route was delayed for extensive track work and the replacement service was a bus. The alternative route was via the Lakeshore Limited which I didn't want to take. I flew instead. An interesting and sad side note. If I had taken the train, the total trip would have been 5 days from OKC because of lack of direct connections to anywhere except Fort Worth, TX via the Heartland Flyer for one day, and then it's the Texas Eagle North to Chicago, and then either the above two trains east at 2-days each!

[@PositionLight]

John Citron The track work you cite was to increase clearances for double stack trains, not speeds. The slow speeds are purely a function of the many curves.

[@Clavichordist]

Jersey Mike's Rail Videos That would make sense. We have a similar issue up here in eastern New England on the old B&M line to New York. There are some really, really tight curves west of Deerfield as the B&M cuts through the valley toward the Hoosac Mountain range where the famous tunnel is.

[@tropicalties3806]

What was the over blowing in Hyndman P.A for?

[@PositionLight]

I think he was trying to explain something along with short crossing spacing and a bridge locals might hang out on.

[@michaelcarlson1428]

Why do I think that one of the voices in the background sounds like Sheldon Cooper?

[@robertgift]

4:00 vicinity. Why grade crossing whistles for nonexistent crossings? Meaning of signal above *( : )* ?

[@PositionLight]

He's whistling for men working around the adjacent fright train.

[@frankfrank2582]

What was that bump at the switch just after 4:00?

[@PositionLight]

Rough track.

[@joehall9958]

Excellent! Might also be good with sound down and music on, for second viewing. No other way to see scenery like this.

[@daveporter8351]

😂id love to ride...Chicago to erie ..and also..wish there was a rr between. Clarion co pa ...to Hopwood to uniontown..rails. Are gone..obviously...us tiny town people love this stuff..thats why I drive ne ohio to torrance..Latrobe and westfield..ny to film it

[@granskare]

who owns the tracks? In Iowa it was a source of income for smaller divisions of gov't.

[@PositionLight]

+granskare CSX, originally the B&O.

[@granskare]

+Jersey Mike's Rail Videos thanks. gov't helps with highways and airports but railways get zilch...thanks again

[@Alcochaser]

So we will never know if the guy in Cumberland was in a good mood or not.

[@PositionLight]

He was not in a good mood.

[@daveporter8351]

It is very concerning ....how the kids and four walls cross and hang around track 1...2 in Conneaut ohio

[@scotabot7826]

Beautiful country, but boy what a slow slow ride through there!!!!!!!! What is the speed limit through there?

[@PositionLight]

Curves restrict the speeds to between 30 and 45mph.

[@paul-andrelarose3389]

So sad to see the primitive state of what was once a great railroad. 2017/03/30.

[@PositionLight]

In what way is it not great? Speeds are pretty much the same, just add more efficient signaling and heavier, welded rail.

[@markantony3875]

The B&O always had those speeds through the mountains.

[@haroldsmith45302]

Good video, thank you. Is 26:25 at Ohiopyle?

[@daveporter8351]

I clicked one...feathered brakes....and went across the clarion river Bridge into tunnels....north and south.......pushers ...twin s.d....50s. Wow ...no date ssssshh

[@LancasterRnabors]

Amtrak can't hold a candle to European trains for speed and comfort.

[@carlheadley9775]

Lancaster77 Rnabors71 but I think u get a more scenic ride with Amtrak

[@JPFalcononor]

Nice video though I could do without the mileage marker alerts...

[@daveporter8351]

😂what a ride..I always asked how people slept at nite innorth kingsville...and Conneaut ohio....they said....we don't mind it at all

[@davidlevine7596]

this should have been done in a latter time of the year in HD it would have looked much better even if there was no snow as

[@larrycaldwell261]

What happened to the run through Ohiopyle and Confluence? It seems your friend skipped some of the most scenic area of the Laurel Mountains!

[@trains4all697]

The train passes through Ohiopyle where it crosses PA 381 at 26:31 and through Confluence beginning at about 42:30. The engineer even mentions that the town is Confluence.

[@trains4all697]

Sorry passes through Confluence at 43:30

[@dannyhaley7610]

no it didnt champlaindivision.a person has to cough man.besides why did the amtrak sound like it was accelerating going down hill?

[@skeetjeffcitysub86]

What was the engine number u was in

[@trainwatcher116]

By watching the other Parts i think it was P42 #18 Am I right ?

[@consiglieredelegato5386]

Great speed, really, have you in USA.

[@OldSchool-px1xk]

+Consigliere delegato You're from Italy? Well, take the Brennero pass train through the Alps, or ride from Genova to Torino, you'll understand why this train is going that slow. If the US really would want to move passengers back to rail from the air and automobile they had to build massively new high-speed corridors allowing speeds of 125 or even 200 mph but that would cost billions of dollars. In California, by the way, they do now. If that will become a success other regions might follow. Also, in Europe gas costs about three times as much as in the US. If a gallon of gas would be 7 or 8 dollars people would ride the train much more.

[@mellowfellow4755]

In the US train travel is just for holidaymakers, mostly. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, blow the horn, wave at passers by, have a nice dinner, sort of thing

[@christopherdibble5872]

The engineers don't wave from the trains anymore, not like they did back in 1954 still get a tear in my eye when I hear an old train in the night.

[@thomasabramson100]

where is rthe Cumberland to Washington union Station video ??

[@PositionLight]

Management showed up.

[@mainlineproductions513]

How late was it running that day?

[@PositionLight]

I would bet it was on time. The Cap used to be the late train out of CHI instead of the Lakeshore.

[@fermincuervo8613]

BUENAS. VIAS. FERREAS....