Connecting Counties with Commuter Rail: Metrolink's San Bernardino Line!

Hello and Welcome Back to Los Angeles Union Station! Today we’re headed east on Metrolink out to San Bernardino’s Santa Fe Depot.
Trip Information
Train: Metrolink San Bernardino Line 308
Locomotive: EMD F59PH 852
Consist: 2 Bombardier, 3 Hyundai Rotem Bi-Levels
Departure Time: 9:38am
Arrival Time: 11:16am
Journey Time: 1 hr 38 min
Ticket Price: $10.00
Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed!
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First Class:
Jonas Jonson
Caleb
Joshua Bedel
Eli Taubman
Devin Clancy
Kevin Lippes
Henry Skrivanek
Arlington Public Transit
Cameron Buongiorno
Business Class:
James Schock
TheGeoPolitical
Jason D.
Coach Class:
Marlo Fairhurst
Arthur Sievers
Stephen Keever
Sam Jennings
Michael Cronin
Vinnie
Claudio Bickle
MattySlav
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Chapters
0:00 Hello and Welcome to Los Angeles Union Station!
Equipment:
Camera: iPhone 12 Pro Max
Gimbal: DJI OM5
Camera: GoPro Hero 9 Black
Camera: Sony AX-43
Mic: Rode Videomic Pro+
Tripod: Coman DF06 + Manfrotto 502 Head
#Metrolink #LosAngeles #tripreport
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[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Rancho Cucamonga is one of my favorite place names! It comes from a Tongva word meaning "sandy place." When this line opened on October 26, 1992, service extended only as far as Pomona. It was incrementally extended to Claremont that December, Montclair the following February, then to San Bernardino in May 1993. Saturday service was added in 1997 and Sunday service in 1998. The depot in San Bernardino was restored in 2004 for the service and its waiting area reopened in 2008. The line has two event-only stations: Auto Club Speedway for race days, and Fairplex for the LA County Fair. Hyundai Rotem has built tons of rolling stock all around the world, like the KTX-I and HEMU-430X for South Korea's high-speed network, SkyTrain's Canada Line, Hyderabad Metro, Sahel Metro in Tunisia, Jakarta LRT, Silverliner Vs for SEPTA and RTD, K-trains and R-trains for Hong Kong's MTR, and the Incheon Airport Maglev to name a few. For push-pull coaches, they've built push-pull bilevels for two other systems besides Metrolink: MBTA and Tri-Rail.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

The reason the San Bernardino Depot is so nice is because after the 1886 building was destroyed in a fire, local politicians requested Santa Fe to build a new station on a much larger scale than the previous. The new station, designed by architect W.A. Mohr, cost $800,000 (over 16 million in 2023 dollars) to build. At that time, it was the largest railway station west of the Mississippi River. It even had a Harvey House which was a restaurant and hotel chain that served different railroads like the Santa Fe. The historic depot is built in the Mission Revival Style with Moorish Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival features. Mission Revival style drew inspiration from the late 18th and early 19th century Spanish missions built in California. Native Americans used all-natural materials, such as stone, timber, mud brick, adobe and tile to build mission structures. Typically, buildings had large courtyards with tall adobe walls. Missions were built around patios that contained fountains and a garden. The New Spain religious buildings the founding Franciscan saw and emulated were of the Spanish Colonial style, which in turn was derived from Renaissance and Baroque examples in Spain.

[@constitutionloversue]

What happened to it they quit using it? Know they had train stations around where I live but they all shut down.

[@Patchestheguineapig]

Lonestar you should take the metrolink to oceanside to get great beach views. Right now its open.

[@LonestarTrips]

We've taken the Pacific Surfliner down to San Diego in the past, and I agree it's got some fantastic beach views!

[@sunnyguan716]

The line actually goes down right down the I-10!

[@stephenkeever6029]

I of course always enjoy your shots of the train stations at both ends of the trip. I think this is the first time I got to see what the tracks are like at LA Union Station. Thanks for that!

[@LonestarTrips]

I always find it weird that content creators don't include the stations, as it's such a big part of travel, so I'm doing my best to change that.

[@Ohkayy_yy]

I use this train, it’s very comfy for reading

[@LonestarTrips]

It is quite comfortable!

[@diannehortonpong1388]

Boy, does this bring back some memories! I rode the SB Line from '92 to '98, before moving to Northern California. Rode out of Claremont and Montclair stations...the good 'ol days!

[@erik_griswold]

6:24 there is also a dedicated bicycle car on nearly every train. Your train’s was just before the cab car with a yellow decal. Those strap areas serve as extra capacity.

[@normbroel4633]

Claremont has a beautiful old station and is a great stopping point

[@nascarnational]

a nascar reference as a fan of both it & metrolink, and as a southern californian no less, is quite awesome to see. nice to see my favorite sport out in the wild these days. as for metrolink, i really hope the f59s stay in service for longer, i haven't been on a train with one since they were pulled back out of storage. i grew up with these things as their primary locomotives before the newer ones took over so i'd like to ride behind them one more time before they're gone for good. great video!

[@marciaharder1647]

Hey I'm so excited

[@LonestarTrips]

Wonderful! I hope to see you at the premiere!

[@trainmancorey]

My favorite Metrolink Journey is the Antelope Valley Line to Lancaster. Most trips are RT and the desert views are amazing.

[@ZapFlashD]

I've taken this train a few times and i love it! Haven't gone the full route but hopefully i will soon.

[@snoopyloopy]

Note that all Metrolink trains have an entire bike car in addition to the bike spots on each car-it should be the car right behind the cab car. The bike cars have at least half the seats on the lower level removed and in their place are corrals for bikes, surfboards, etc. Also, not sure when you were in town but they have a $15 day pass promotion for summer that's good for the entire system so something to keep in mind for checking out other lines.

[@ryankiser294]

It's also cheaper on weekends, $10 all-day pass!

[@mrxman581]

Metrolink needs to do better community outreach to better inform the public about their services.

[@Lorre982]

Here in italy all the new regional train have rechargable station for e-bike in each wagons

[@nglo5]

real good stuff, keep it up! :)

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks, will do!

[@BoeingAvation8490]

Lonestar i missed your video I'll be going to Orlando soon 😢😢 I'll miss you

[@edeinhorn6016]

I always enjoy your videos but where did you come up with the route you show at around 2:38? Unless the route has changed in the last 3 months, the train rides right down the middle of I-10 from shortly after leaving Cal State Station until just after Baldwin Ave. where the tracks jog northeast to the El Monte station. You can easily see this on Google Maps satellite view.

[@LonestarTrips]

Ha, yeah the map is totally wrong. I animated it/did a lot of the editing for this video while I was on the Empire Builder, so I didn't have any cell signal to cross references maps with. Good catch though!

[@edeinhorn6016]

@@LonestarTrips The Empire Builder. My wife and I took it from Chicago to Seattle in May, 2022. Loved every minute of that trip!

[@vini_cano_35]

I’m taking the inland empire orange county to San bBernardino starting from Oceanside

[@LonestarTrips]

Awesome! Safe travels!

[@Theofficaltransitpenguin]

so cool

[@LonestarTrips]

Glad you think so!

[@GeoSae]

Taking it tomorrow from Riverside..

[@LonestarTrips]

Awesome! Enjoy the ride!

[@nyrmetros]

Hello and welcome! 🎉

[@LonestarTrips]

😄

[@brianweber4154]

The map at the beginning confuses me. Isnt the cal st la to el monte. In the median of the 10 freeway not a few miles north on the freight track??

[@NicholasNormand]

I live in Louisiana I’ve never been to LA and never taken metro link before I’ve been to San Diego in 2018 to c 2 Padres games and haven’t been back since the only passenger train I’ve taken is Amtrak on sunset limited from Lafayette Louisiana to Houston Texas and back on coach in upper level since the cars r the bi level superliner cars and we still have the old ge genesis P42 engines

[@LACMTA_Metrolink]

I was on metrolinks Orange County line 660 and 665 on Saturday June 15 2024

[@IronHorsefan1869]

Just to let you know only the old unrefurbished bombardiers don't have outlets but the rotem cars have them every few seats and the refurbished Bombardiers have both USB and Regular outlets on every row, thats why I avoid the old cars and ride the newer ones

[@michlo3393]

9:16 Yeah, that's what we call a commuter stop. If the brakes ain't smoking, then you're coming into the stations too damn slow. 😂 Those F59s are worn out and their blended brakes aren't great anymore. So the brake cylinder is slower to empty when braking starts at high speed and it fills back up to replace the weak dynamics at lower speeds. Do that enough times and it gets smokey. Like I said, this is commuter service so you stand the train up on those brakes HARD for every stop.

[@daniellewis1789]

Are the groups of 3 seats for handicapped riders in wheelchairs?

[@LonestarTrips]

I think they're setup like that because of the stairwell at the end of the coach. It makes it easier for people to get up and down if there isn't a second seat on the inner row.

[@malcolmmccaskill2311]

I wonder if Brightline will sponsor a first class carriage for the services connecting Brightline West. The current seats seem to have an "economy" feel with inadequate legroom, half the seats facing backwards and no space for luggage. A first class carriage could have 2+1 seating, and seats that can be turned to face the direction of travel.

[@brianweber4154]

Commuter rail is not really geared toward suitcases/luggage

[@AndreiTupolev]

9:10Looks like an overheating traction motor ... 🤔

[@tuyetvo4353]

Where is train stop in Pomona? I like to take a ride …. some day .

[@LonestarTrips]

There's technically two. The one we stopped at is the north station, which is near the intersection of Arrow Hwy and N Garey Ave. The downtown Pomona station, is, as the name suggests, in downtown, at the intersection of West 1st street and South Garey Ave.

[@erik_griswold]

@@LonestarTripsThe Downtown Pomona station gets much less service. Only 4 trains a day due to that line being still owned by Union Pacific.

[@Cryous]

Just a note, SB usually refers to Santa Barbara and most Californians (except maybe inland empire folks) would think the same

[@LonestarTrips]

Metrolink refers to the San Bernardino line as "SB," hence why I referred to it as such.

[@danielleporter1829]

The SB for a minute did come to mind Santa Barbara for me , until I saw the title of the video. Nice video, love seeing Union station.😊

[@shreychaudhary4477]

I thought it was an extension of the ventura line LOL

[@kevinhoward9593]

Technically LA is LA Union Passenger Terminal. not station.

[@mrxman581]

Good video. I really like that look back at the train track platforms as you were leaving Union Station. You usually don't see that perspective. I've lived in LA all my life and have never taken Metrolink. I always assumed it catered to workweek commuters. I need to do some research on the various lines. BTW, I don't think im alone in this. I feel a majority of Angelenos are ignorant of what Metrolink service offers. I have taken Amtrak out of Union Station and it was great.

[@jessicaburdell7779]

Seems like Metra now is sadly one of the few mainstream commuter roads that refurbish their old power for continued use along their rails than selling or retiring it.

[@brianweber4154]

Metra is Chicago. This is metrolink

[@Lorre982]

Why they use a carpet on a train?

[@marciaharder1647]

Id love if you will fo amtrak heartland flyer but you can decide that

[@marciaharder1647]

They also have new seats

[@LonestarTrips]

We’ve actually done a couple rides on the Heartland Flyer!

[@marciaharder1647]

Oh really well back to the search bar

[@marciaharder1647]

Oh by the way what are you doing next week

[@LonestarTrips]

@@marciaharder1647 Haha no worries!

[@mrxman581]

Metrolink needs to do better community outreach to better inform the public about their services. For example, I attended the grand opening of the new LA Metro Regional Connector. They had a bunch of information to hand out on LA Metro services. It would have been a perfect opportunity for Metrolink representatives to be there too handing out information and answering questions about their services.

[@arthurdebacker4797]

A couple of things that Metrolink could do to improve service: -shorter wait times in Union station -DMU (ideally EMU’s but nothing is electrified atm) -express running and allstop running service -more links between metrolink and LA metro services -ticket integratin between LA metro and metrolink -a western beltlin from Santa Monica (or thereabout) towards Santa Ana

[@AndreiTupolev]

Why would DMUs (noisy and vibration) be an improvement over loco hauled trains?

[@arthurdebacker4797]

@@AndreiTupolev ideally EMU’s which are quiet and have fast acceleration/deceleration but DMU’s have faster acceleration generally than hauled trains, plus they tend to be not as long as loco hauled trains as you lose a carriage making it possible for station lenghts to be more compact.

[@commentorsilensor3734]

It doesn't connect countries because lack of public transportation even in downtown LA. American is so unique. Spending so much money on rail n non car drivers have difficulty using. The nicer riders said who care. Most riders said non car drivers deserve this.

[@davidjackson7281]

How many miles is the 1:38 trip? 60. That's an average speed of only 39 mph. Way too slow. Really needs to average double that to be successful.

[@LonestarTrips]

It's a commuter service, it's not meant to be fast, just efficient. With frequent stops, grade crossings, and freight owned right of way, there's no real way to double the average speed without building a dedicated high speed line. And even with a high speed line, the frequent stops mean there's a limit to how fast you can really go before having to slow down for another stop.

[@davidjackson7281]

@@LonestarTrips As a comparison sounds not too much different than the current 70 mile ROW route Brightline uses and the average speed with four stops is 53 mph (:80) and 59 mph (:72) with two stops per wikipedia.

[@wjekat]

The train was eerily empty. Selling Californians on actually using public transit seems to be a losing proposition.

[@crazoatmeal1854]

Yeah, I'm shocked to see that a commuter-oriented service, that only runs every 1-2 hours most of the day, *leaving* the city on a weekday after the morning rush, is mostly empty. Clearly we should give up on trying to improve it.

[@LonestarTrips]

This may have been during rush hour, but it was in the opposite direction of the usual rush traffic. Passengers use the commuter service to get into LA in the mornings, and back to the suburbs in the evenings.

[@mrxman581]

Metrolink needs to do better community outreach to better inform the public about their services.

[@bhuddy1832]

Bad Map ML SBD Line goes from CSULA down the center of I-10 to El Monte.

[@LonestarTrips]

Ok