Chasing the Metro North Holiday Train. 11/28/23

We had a fun day chasing the Metro North Holiday Train capturing the scintillating New York Central Heritage P32 #211 plus the “Beach Ball” #208 at a number of locations. We capture the train at Grand Central, North White Plains, Brewster, and Fordham. A plethora of Metro North trains are also seen at these locations including the “Laser Train” and those Rodney Dangerfield trains, the NWP Locals. The video closes with a burst of rush hour activity at Fordham and a Holiday musical tribute to this special train.

[@davidfuller581]

That NYC heritage P32 looks so good! Wow.

[@ariesarethebest271]

Want to start out by saying happy belated birthday to your daughter! This video shows why Metro-North is the better MTA railroad. Love those heritage P32s. So far the New York Central one is my favorite. Also love those classic cars and the blue line on them. Just beautiful equipment. Thanks for another great railfan video, Tim. 👍 👍

[@TBF_1J]

Exactly! I agree 💯👍🏾

[@raycooney7632]

Tim, One of your best! I love the NYC heritage unit as I used to work for the great New York Central System.

[@davidgirard1398]

Another EXCELLENT video, your narration is flawless and well appreciated!!!

[@3985uprr]

Thank you very much. I try to be as articulate as I can, and throw a little humor in here and there.

[@PeterMigliorini-x4o]

Should have commented sooner, but true railfan bliss!!! Thank you for sharing this post!!!

[@m7express774]

This is fantastic. I absolutely love the holiday season 😌

[@thomaspagan4914]

WOW, what a find! I loved that New York Central scheme...THANK YOU!

[@utubewatcher806]

Thanks for the sights and scenery with NYC heritage P32; and the tour of Grand Central depot.

[@3985uprr]

Grand Central Terminal!!!😀😀

[@proudpirate1236]

I used to live in Brewster when I was a kid. I live in Texas now. Nice to see my old home.

[@spuds6423]

I grew up in Mahopac... Used to watch the yards and even remember when the Put was still operational.

[@docphillips5153]

My grandfather worked as a machinist for the old NY Central in the shops Brewster until reassigned to Croton. Many memories. Happy Holidays

[@Greatdome99]

Great narration, I must say. Thanks.

[@paulmatulavich7321]

REALLY enjoyed this video, ushering in the festive season with the Holiday Train. Love the special Christmas Wreath emblem on the holiday cars. Nice job on this one Tim.

[@ozz350]

Awesome vid and pics!

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for another great video of Metro North commuter trains. It was nice to see their holiday train several times in the video. It looks like they take good care of those old Erie-Lackawanna cars. Those final shots of grand Central Terminal made a festive Christmas feeling.

[@eottoe2001]

It makes you wonder what in an alternative universe would New York Central be like in 2023 if it hadn't merged with Pennsylvania and had no bankruptcy.

[@herbs4921]

I think it would look like CSX

[@michaelspraggins5419]

@@herbs4921 Lol.........yep!

[@spuds6423]

Southeast for years was known as "Brewster North"!!! 😄

[@Yo_Its_Matty_ice]

Really hoping the model rr manufacturers finally do a proper P32 run now that we got all of these heritage schemes!

[@ronheuer3286]

Read a news story that the NY Central train was vinyl wrapped in their Maintenance shop. Very cool…

[@scottyerkes1867]

Wow. Great Holiday Train plus a plethora of other trains. My White Plains trip was express. Scarsdale was the first stop. Thanks Tim💚💚👌

[@3985uprr]

Best kind of train to take to NWP

[@spuds6423]

Great video;;!Thanks!!!!

[@bradmcewen]

Holiday unit looks freshly wrapped or washed and wax ! The best part....no road salt.

[@TCX366]

Thanks for your excellent videologue of a chase of a beautiful ( I can't believe I'd ever say that about a Genesis ) locomotive, and by rail. Your sequence at Fordham Road was amazing: 4 track main and heavy heavy action. Wonderful.

[@carlossanchez-kz4wh]

It's always great to see your videos from Grand Central Station again Tim!

[@3985uprr]

Grand Central Terminal!!!

[@carlossanchez-kz4wh]

@@3985uprr I'm sorry I got it mixed up with Penn Station 😔

[@gjurczyc]

You sure know your trains! merry Christmas!

[@3985uprr]

Thanks, you too!

[@FlightAndTrack]

Absolutely awesome

[@lashendawest7509]

Great catches awesome chase and nice video

[@railfansammy4974]

Nice catching

[@georgejenista9487]

Apparently the Laser Train is a specially-equipped unit that removes leaves & debris buildup along the tracks with lasers.

[@HarrisonPeloso]

I’ve seen the laser train a bunch of times on the Harlem line, sometimes it’s a nice surprise if not using a tracker.

[@spuds6423]

I remember watching trains come in to Croton Falls before electrification with FL9's !!!

[@steveember8972]

If the frequent activity at Fordham wasn't satisfying enough, your enthusiastic commentary was really infectious as you rattled off all the train numbers and destinations without missing a beat. That New York Central legacy P32 proves, with the right livery, you can make a Genesis gorgeous. Well done, Metro North !!! Thanks, Tim, for one of your best, and Happy Holiday Season to you! P.S.: Do you know if the Holiday Train will be running closer to Christmas? If not, any idea of best line for catching that particular locomotive, or will it be luck of the draw as to where/when? Would love to do some still photography of that beautiful machine, ideally along the Hudson. Jeez, imagine a special consist with "Hickory Creek" Obs/Lounge and the Tavern Lounge car operating out of GCT with THAT locomotive on the point...

[@3985uprr]

I hear it runs on Tuesdays mainly. Not sure of the schedule and routes. I was just advised by some fans during that day.

[@steveember8972]

@@3985uprr Thanks, Tim - much appreciated, and fingers crossed for catching her!

[@jamesburnside3023]

Well done

[@buffaloarearailfan9928]

Great Video! Love that NYC Heritage P32!

[@Perseverance1987x]

I miss riding from fordham to white plains. Was my go to route when I didn't want to ride the beeline at pelham pkwy. I could swear the local bus to white plains(B20/21)was faster than the local from GCT to wherever it ended north of White Plains.

[@3985uprr]

I’m sure it was faster. That local run is ridiculous.

[@michaelscott7706]

Those North White Plains trains are glorified subway services to the suburbs lol. Love your videos and commentary.

[@philliplee980]

Very cool

[@anthonyhunt701]

Just joined & GREAT video!👍🏻❤️🚂( snail slow, but still beats driving lol) that a GE Genesis?

[@beefysreno1926]

Hello, I need your expertise please! What's the best way by train or subway from LaGuardia Airport to Penn Station at Madison Sq Garden? Thank you, and thank you for the great videos!

[@3985uprr]

I believe there’s a free bus that goes to Woodside station and then you can take the Long Island Railroad to Penn. Q70 bus to Woodside

[@mygins5820]

Tim even if you age another 50 years I think that you'll still be able to walk faster than those north white plains locals 😂 great video as always

[@3985uprr]

I’m sure I could. 😀😀

[@tlove3840]

Good morning real Horn Guy I see you finally caught up with that engine

[@tlove3840]

Those cars look better than the ones they have now inside and out

[@tlove3840]

Yeah the cars look different so we so used to seeing the old models it would be nice when they finally get all of them finally get the new cars that includes Long Island in New Jersey

[@3985uprr]

I was determined!!!

[@JustJamalNichols]

the longest metro north line in the system.

[@abgcapital4597]

Do you listen to railroad comms ? it would be interesting if you added radio traffic to some of your videos

[@System6VideoProductions]

I’m not sure metro north is too good with that because last time I had a scanner with me a conductor got mad at me

[@94montrose]

Christmas Train

[@jamesf.ryaniii7918]

NJ Transit uses 2 "Aqua Trains" to spray the leaves and oil off the track using water. Metro-North uses 1 "Laser Train" to burn the leaves and oil off the track using.....a laser.

[@davidpearlman8845]

Nice! How often do you see an engine on the southbound end in GCT?

[@3985uprr]

Not often

[@joesammartino847]

A NWP local is 'needlessly' an hour ish trip due to MNRR schedule padding. I'm almost positive some locals are given 12 to 15 minutes to go from White Plains to NWP. Southeast trains are given the proper 4ish minutes for the same distance. How can a railroad get away with that?!

[@mygins5820]

It's called timetable padding and they do it between old Greenwich and Stanford as well I think it's stupid and I would take there otp numbers with a couple grains of salt

[@joesammartino847]

It's like a student setting his own passing grade for a test.

[@greaternyrailfan]

great video tim! do we know a schedule for this holiday train?

[@3985uprr]

I don’t have a schedule I just get information from individuals like a day or two in advance. I do believe there will be a few more trips though.

[@greaternyrailfan]

@@3985uprr alright, if you happen to know any on the new haven line let me know.

[@mst3knislesfan1]

21:11... I thought the M7a's on Metro-North couldn't run trains longer than 8 cars on account of that they pulled too much electricity from the 3rd rail if they were more than 8 cars long.

[@bradfordtownley9363]

Not only are those commuter trains slow, they seem mostly empty!

[@3985uprr]

Well, I try to look on the bright side, but I won’t argue about those NWP dogs.

[@anthony3246]

How did you hear about the holiday train? Will it be running ahain?

[@3985uprr]

Tipped off by a fan. I think it will but I don’t know the schedule.

[@ghostengineer]

To infinity and beyond

[@ENYoriginal]

Train 1860 had 2 former West Of Hudson Comet IIs behind 223 😳

[@3985uprr]

Didn’t know that

[@ENYoriginal]

@@3985uprr when you see a blue striped Shoreline with NO NAME in the middle but a faded 4 digit number, it's one of the Black Striped Comet IIs from NJT/Metro North's West Of Hudson services. Yes, Hoboken cars.

[@brucegalbraith6029]

Beauties! Why are LIRR trains soooo dirty and MN so clean?

[@3985uprr]

Good question! I think it’s just that philosophy where we think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence

[@ariesarethebest271]

I personally think Metro-North invests more into the upkeep of their equipment. Just look at the M3A for example.

[@Videowatcher10p]

9:19 I'm pretty sure SEPTA has a worse distance/station ratio

[@3985uprr]

Seems like North White Plains local stands out more

[@overly7997]

when will the next run be?

[@3985uprr]

I hear rumors is that it’s usually on a Tuesday

[@ariesarethebest271]

9:09 M7A echo! 😊

[@3985uprr]

I was waiting for you to respond to that

[@ariesarethebest271]

@@3985uprr 😂

[@dmrr7739]

If you can legally paint all your rolling stock in NYC lightning stripes… why wouldn’t you?

[@ariesarethebest271]

That would be cool.