Are Amtrak trains any good? Find out on this return journey between New York and Mystic Connecticut!

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Here I take my first ever American rail journey, between New York Penn Station and Mystic Connecticut in economy class. This trip was end Feb/start March, and takes in a spectacular departure from New York City. I've heard very mixed reports about Amtrak, especially their ability to stick to schedule - so join me and see how I found them on this 3 hour each way trip.
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Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on KZbin. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do my best to respond to every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Thanks for watching!
#SteveMarsh

[@SurfDetector]

I would have been interested to see some footage of the Pod Hotel. I enjoyed the video, Thanks for sharing.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

That “rear view window” the best seat …….. opps ……. The best standing position on the train. Thank you Steve for a super video. 👏👏👍😎

[@bostonrailfan2427]

two years later Penn station is expanded across the street so it’s not as it was, the lower level where the LIRR and NJT trains board is less cramped when the commuters aren’t crowding it. hope you got the opportunity to visit Grand Central, the Victoria Station of the US the ticket above your seat is actually a signal to conductors(guards to you) telling them the seat is occupied and you’ve paid your ticket but also what stop you’re getting off at. everyone has one, regardless of platform length. from my travels if they don’t punch route papers or write the station stop on the paper then how it’s arranged is key as different stations have different arrangements in the ticket slot

[@user-qf1vx2wn2w]

Interesting Newyork journey 🤔

[@jgroneng]

Another great video! 👍

[@christinehodge3608]

Good video, enjoyed this,

[@adamwhite648]

Hi Steve! I'm a newcomer to your channel (yes, I've subscribed LOL) and have been making my way through your videos - love them! I'm Canadian born and raised (just outside of Toronto) and I had a good laugh with your comment about our love of Tim Horton's and their coffee! It's so true! I absolutely ENJOY train travel! Your journey on Amtrak is pretty similar to what you'll get here in Canada with VIA Rail reserved economy. But the food and drink choices aren't as good as the menu you showed. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@steve-marsh]

Hey Adam welcome aboard! Thanks so much for supporting the channel with some binge watching :) Really appreciate it and hope you'll stick around, aw the best from Scotland!

[@RoadCone411]

The Moynihan Train station in New York is so much better than the old Penn Station - however the platform experience is about the same and the Amtrak rolling stock is still a few years away from being ‘upgraded.’

[@vm6418]

Canadian here hello. I was pleasantly surprised to see a Tim Hortons inside the Malaga airport happy days and travels.

[@Wrtp.]

Great video again Steve.🍺🍺👍.cheers.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Derek!

[@alicja4139]

1:04 Lots of beeping cars on this train station!🤔😂Great video (as always!) the view from the back window was the beeeest!

[@steve-marsh]

Alicja Swoboda #@%&# at the stoopid tourist probably 🤣 Fanks 😊

[@virginiatolles1664]

And now for some background information on the rolling stock. The passenger cars are Budd Company Amfleet 1s. Budd also built the Viewliner 1s. They were the last passenger cars Budd built before leaving the rail car business. BUT . . . The Amfleet 2s and Viewliner 2s were built using Budd's designs. You will note the scalloped roof and sides. They began with the Budd streamliner passenger cars of the 1940s through 1960s. Take a look at them via Google. They have a wonderful history all their own. Many thanks, Steve, for your travel videos. I'm learning things about Scotland that never seemed to make their way to this side of the pond. And, of course, your ferry trips to the mainland. Your ride through Norway remains on my mind. Simply gorgeous!

[@steve-marsh]

Hey thanks so much for this!

[@estiefranks6468]

It’s very strange to see you on a train ride that I’ve taken often. I lived in Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia, so the Northeast Corridor is so easy to use.

[@gypsyskyy9451]

Since i just discovered your channel, Ive been looking at your old videos and love this one. I love trains and Amtrack is pretty good. I live in Delaware and always wanted to go to Mystic. Looks like a great train ride! Thanks for sharing. Oh, how did you and Alicja meet?

[@danielheathcote5625]

Great vlog. Only travelled by train once in america - funnily from grand central to south Norwalk Connecticut. Reminds me - must explore more by rail in states.

[@steve-marsh]

Me too Daniel! I fancy doing the west coast next :)

[@DrRchannel71]

nice post

[@steve-marsh]

Dr Riff Thanks! :)

[@kudzumoose3861]

Three days in Mystic and no video of the ships! I am guessing it was a business trip not a You Tube visit to the town. I used to love to go see the old ships. Enjoyed your train rides.

[@flyer1658]

Great video, you may cover it on another video but theres a great aquarium in mystic, well worth a visit

[@steve-marsh]

flyer 1 thanks very much! Oh no I missed the aquarium 🤦🏼‍♂️🤣 I’ll need to go back!!! Working on a Mystic video now :)

[@flyer1658]

@@steve-marsh it's a beautiful place isnt it, I'm looking forward to your video of it. I have family who live about an hour away in CT so have visited a few times. Yep if your there again the aquariums excellent. Take care

[@steve-marsh]

flyer 1 thanks! You’ve motivated me to sit in front of the computer today :)

[@mstrdiver]

@@steve-marsh - IMHO, the US passenger train system is in serious decline and doesn't compare to European trains.

[@steve-marsh]

@@mstrdiver such a shame as you have some of the most epic routes in the whole world!

[@lindao1327]

We stayed a week in Mystic back in August 2011. Fantastic time there. We had a midweek overnight trip to New York by train. Someone told us it was cheaper to drive to New Haven and get the train from there which we did. It was a trip of a lifetime. Second week we stayed in Bar Harbor. I’ll never forget it. Thanks for this, brought back memories.

[@steve-marsh]

Thanks so much Linda! Ohhh - I need to give Bar Harbor a look next time :)

[@paullarcher4300]

Hey Steve. You have to come to Canada to have more of Tim's coffee!

[@steve-marsh]

Paul Larcher I love an original blend! Cheers for watching! 😊

[@metropolisubway47]

Nice video! :)

[@steve-marsh]

metropoliSubway47 thanks very much watching :) a very enjoyable trip that one, can’t wait to get back to the States!

[@metropolisubway47]

@@steve-marsh I like amtrak. Sadly I can't go anywhere because of coronavirus, but I mostly travel on amtrak between NYC and Syracuse, it aways gets delayed outside of SYR because of csx :(

[@steve-marsh]

metropoliSubway47 I’ve heard some horror stories about delays and was a bit worried on this trip as I had to get through Manhattan and out to JFK, but it thankfully ran on time.

[@metropolisubway47]

SteveMarsh I got delayed on Amtrak for about 6 hrs in 2015 because of a matenece issue and csx

[@steve-marsh]

metropoliSubway47 they sound like a problem that won’t go away!!!

[@michaelbruchas6663]

A tip on that route - “bump up” on-board to Business Class if a longer Northeastern Corridor trip. Used to be more space in Business Class and free beverages - quieter. About $20 more. When they electrified the line all the way to Boston - speeds increased 20 years ago. Sadly most Cafe Car attendants no longer ask loungers without food to give up table seating. I hate that. Americans on trains some times lose their manners OR have no idea on ridin’ “protocol”... Usually one table IS dedicated to the train crew to do paperwork. I have always hated Penn Station. 😱 Though it is a LOT cleaner now. Still Crazyland..

[@mickeyluv74]

Another great video. Also, Tim Hortons is now open in the UK.

[@steve-marsh]

Michael Gregory it’s so exciting (yes I’m that easily pleased) 🤣 thanks 👍🏼

[@KahuKimo]

I am a train lover, and have always tried to ride a train in whatever country I visited. If a train wasn’t possible, I would take a subway, a tram or a streetcar.

[@steve-marsh]

A man after my own heart! Totally with you on that one!

[@noahcount7132]

Unlike you, Steve, I've never ridden an Amtrak train. Thank you for the demo. 👍 The Amtrak menu prices you showed us are telling me, "Bring your own snacks and beverages!" 🥪🥨🧃

[@steve-marsh]

Haha yes - always better to have your own wee stash :) Thanks for coming along!

[@willgibson9718]

Hey Steve Can you please make a video about Amtrak Vermonter? Nice view

[@happysporran]

Like the St Pauli t-shirt 👍

[@Cal1gula666]

I had such a good time in Hamburg.

[@5217tuber]

Steve, I’m enjoying your videos, and I’m impressed with the video and sound quality. Would you mind sharing what camera you are using? And do you have a supplemental microphone? Thank you.

[@steve-marsh]

Hi there, thanks so much! I use a GoPro11 with he mediaMod. nothing else apart from the odd iPhone shot when a bit of zoom is required. I certainly don't LOVE the GoPro, but I still find it has more pros than cons!

[@5217tuber]

Thank you for the reply! I ordered the same GoPro as yours but no Media Mod yet.

[@jerryolcsvary5039]

Ahhh Penn Station, i can smell the urine already LOL.

[@steve-marsh]

😂

[@stephenpegum9776]

Another great video Steve - cheers 👍👍 Way back in 1981 whilst on a business trip to NY I took a train out to New Caanan CT from Grand Central station. I travelled with an English friend who was working for the NY branch of a British bank. I must confess that we did sample the drink supplies from the bar car !! 😱

[@steve-marsh]

Stephen Pegum Quite right too :) I have regrets not doing likewise so made up for it in the airport lounge 😂 I would have much preferred to travel from Grand Central that’s for sure!

[@monicalifornia_]

It's no ferry to Lerwick but at least it gets you to your destination. 😬

[@steve-marsh]

Single Mom RV Life 🤣🤣🤣

[@hughrainbird43]

The original lofty and magnificent Penn Station was a "Beaux Arts" landmark in New York City, but swept away by 1960's architectural vandalism (Think Euston in London!).

[@steve-marsh]

Oh yes, very good comparison! Despite this, I loved my first Amtrak experience and as missing North America so much!!!!

[@travelvideos]

I went to similar trip New York to Springfield to Boston and back to NYC. Amtrak one way and back by bus.

[@steve-marsh]

Oh I'd love to try the bus too!

[@Jim-nt7xy]

Would love he hear some color on differences between your experience on Amtrak and European trains.

[@sueelphick9060]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊 Catch up 2023.x

[@scottballantine1329]

But Steve, was their breakfast roll as good as a well fired morning roll wi’ square slice?

[@narabdela]

Nothing on this earth is as good as a well fired morning roll wi' square slice Scott.

[@willgibson9718]

Hey Steve can you make a video about mystic to Boston ma

[@steve-marsh]

Absolutely! As soon as we can go back there, would be a pleasure! :)

[@willgibson9718]

Can you please make a video about amtak again?

[@steve-marsh]

As soon as I can get back over, I'm DESPERATE to do it!

[@AzKarma2010]

CASEY NEISTAT? I know I'm late to the game but I only know him from the snowboard in NYC video

[@steve-marsh]

His old videos were what got me into watching KZbin, my first was ‘bike lanes’. So in a strange way he influenced me to start making stuff on here, but obviously very differently 🤣

[@typhoon5445]

Your style was different there steve .Were you in the states a while as it sounds at times an american twang 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@Bentcypress]

I don't know about the northeast corridor but in the rest of the country most people avoid Amtrak like the plague. It is slow, NEVER on time and the employees are extremely rude. You are much better off driving even if you are going across the country. A couple of years ago I took Amtrak from Chicago to the west coast. The trip was so bad that when it came time to return to Chicago I rented a car and drove back. Never again on Amtrak.

[@steve-marsh]

I’ve heard similar horror stories and had actually planned an alternative way back to JFK for my flight in case of delays! But everything went well thankfully and didn’t miss my flight home. I much prefer to hire a car and really only did this for the channel - especially at destination, it was tough to get to the places I really wanted to visit without a car.

[@notyhbynorthwest]

@@steve-marsh The trouble with Amtrak outside of the northeast corridor is that it shares the tracks with the freight trains. Yes, those lumbering mile plus long trains with 3-4 engines and a gazillion freight cars. The trouble is that the tracks are owned by the freight railways, so Amtrak trains are at the mercy of being stuck behind the freight trains. My few train journeys in the USA have all been affected like this, and you may find long distance trips arriving at their destination hours late because of the cumulative delays. This is a problem that may never get fixed. So yes, car or plane are the only practical ways to get anywhere unfortunately. Cheers, Ian

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@notyhbynorthwest that’s if you ignore it taking days to travel what you could travel in hours…and they don’t have issues in California and the Cascades just the plains where the folks are against Amtrak because it’s government owned

[@cascinagianni]

What took you to Mystic? The pizza?

[@steve-marsh]

cascinagianni Not gonna lie, I had a couple of slices 🍕 🤣 but really went there because it’s a beautiful historic town - video coming soon! Thanks for watching 👍🏼

[@RoadCone411]

The best Connecticut pizza is actually in New Haven (and surrounding towns)

[@woohoo5473]

What??? No tour of Mystic???

[@marshallviliesis]

Love the Pod Hotels but not as special as The Jane.

[@steve-marsh]

Could do a whole video on The Jane to be honest!

[@willgibson9718]

What train number is that?

[@steve-marsh]

I found my reservation on gmail - Train 170 north and then 93 back :)

[@theBusManiac]

Casey neistat is the famous you tuber, probably where you know the seafood restaurant from too. He made good videos before he moved to LA but he's back in NY now making better content. Still, you Steve have the potential to be the Scottish casey I think your videos are fantastic 👌

[@jadelovesteenwolf]

Casey Neistat?! 😁

[@steve-marsh]

Jade Maclean top marks to you Miss! Your prize is (lost) in the mail 😆

[@sgttc15]

Went to school with him.

[@Hoovie9596]

Up your bagpipes

[@dadoprso1115]

Steve, seems strange you went to Seville when Rangers were in the EL final but have a St Pauli top on in this video? Enjoy your content but a shame you don't feel like you can show your 'true colours'.

[@brackalack1]

Shut up, why didn't I know you went to the US? Binge central here I come 🙂🙂🙂

[@steve-marsh]

Ah Kerry, I need to get back there so bad! Cheers :)

[@alleycatvietnam]

Muddy Waters aka Casey Neistat