CTrail Hartford Line HD 60fps: Riding Train 4406 Engineer POV (New Haven to Springfield)

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Driver's eye view of the entire Hartford / Springfield Line from New Haven to Springfield, courtesy of the friendly train crew. We were even lucky enough to get a set with SLE Mafersa cars, with cab car 1703 sporting a fine sounding raised letter K5LA. Maximum operating speed for CTrail is 80 MPH. Enjoy the ride =)
Time-lapse version: • CTrail Hartford Line F...

[@KML0224]

The 34:37 mark is a mile before the Berlin, CT station. This train was heading north from New Haven. The 1:16:50 mark seems to show the state line marker (right of the track) entering Longmeadow, MA.

[@gregorygrice]

Did the conductor say "Hartford" at Springfield? Wow...

[@FanRailer]

Big OOF

[@HarrisonPeloso]

Talk about a fail

[@gsgXXX12]

Nice video with many memories, 40 years ago. As a student to University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport CT, I used to ride this line, in order to visit my relatives in Pittsfield Mass. At winter time, Route 8 North was dangerous foe driving due to snowfall, so i used to get the train from Bridgeport to New Haven, switching to the New Haven-Springfield line and from Springfield either getting Greyhound Bus or Lake Shore Limited train, I arrived to Pittsfield Mass. safely. These events happened between 1978-1982, during my studies in the U.S.A.. Thank you again for the video. George, a Railway fan from Greece.-

[@foreverbrod]

TIMESTAMPS: Connecticut: 0:00 New Haven 1:35 State Street 16:58 Wallingford 25:46 Meriden 35:42 Berlin 50:26 Hartford 59:02 Windsor 1:06:04 Windsor Locks Massachusetts: 1:29:27 Springfield

[@Train538]

Another superb video, my good man!

[@metrorailfan2334]

7:22 this is the sound some R160 make when they are hauling down the tracks between Myrtle Broadway and Flushing Ave (J,M)

[@vsizzle]

I didn't even know this line existed. Just thought it was metro and shore line east. Nice vid

[@Liamflynnphoto]

vsizzle the Hartford Line opened in June 2018, so it’s still fairly new

[@EntertainmentWorldz]

Fantastic video dear Friend love it

[@kevinhoward9593]

Been trying to find a video of the line. thanks fan railer. Didnt know that Springfield changed its name to Hartford. lol.

[@emccloud70]

Thanks a very interesting video. Seat belts must be worn?? I wonder why not required on Amtrak?

[@3985uprr]

I may try to shoot this but I will zoom it out slightly to get rid of the sides as much as possible.

[@CGRLCDR]

Interesting gauntlet track pulling into the station.I think that allow wide freight trains to pul lover and not hit the platform.

[@Spaceshotx7]

How come at both New Haven stations, the horn is sounded when approaching the station, while at the other stations, the train horn is sounded 2 short blasts on departure?

[@rodhard688]

They are supposed to be getting new cars and locos. They rented it all from MBTA. They have to put it back to MBTA livery when it is returned. They said 5 years, it's been that now. They are cutting back service for Summer 2022 to do work on the line.

[@moishglukovsky]

At 25:27, as the train enters Meriden station, there is a switch and a set of parallel tracks, offset from the main tracks by maybe a foot, maybe less. What's the purpose of that?

[@RailsAcrossNewEngland]

They are used for freight so it doesn’t hit the platform I think

[@moviewatcher1239]

I would love to try something like this but the only question is how can they tell when they're coming closer to a Crossing

[@russellrobinson6404]

What's the point of the double rails at the stations? Is it for freight trains to pass on?

[@Robbi496]

Was there ever a State St Station in years gone by, or was this a ConnDot idea?

[@massrailfan8117]

26:03 is there a reason for the 2 sets of tracks

[@gregorygrice]

For freight trains that have high and wide loads.

[@Wingnutcaseman]

I’m kinda surprised to see that. The Hudson Line has significant freight also yet they have no gauntlets for their high level platforms.

[@TheWhoFan4]

It's specifically for trains that service the sub base in Groton. Some submarine parts are too wide to pass the platform

[@lauradtomlinson]

Trains 🚊 are my favorite

[@moviewatcher1239]

Mine too

[@jamescleveland6575]

What type of camera did you use? How was it mounted? Thanks

[@FanRailer]

iPhone 6. My hand.

[@jamescleveland6575]

My complements to you. The video was excellent.

[@grotonrailfanner1635]

16:09 love this part and did he did a toot toot?

[@radanju3]

No (at least not the intention). FRA in US and Canada require a specific horn sequence for every (non-quiet zone) RR crossing of two longs, one short, and one long (usually blown shortly before until the end of the crossing itself). In that part of the video those two crossings are densely close to each other hence making the engineer do the sequence in a more paced manner that would make it sound like a "toot toot". I've seen some scenarios where higher speed trains go through two crossings that are so close to each other that since there is no time to do the whole sequence fast again, they get away with just doing another short then a long.

[@mrdiamondguy3043]

Make one just like this but going to new haven :D

[@Tyler380]

1:06 Entering Windsor Locks ..Canal on right..

[@Spaceshotx7]

I never rode CT rail. Which cars and doors do they open? When is the cab car open for passengers?

[@americangiant1003]

Because Space the CT Rail's New Have-Hartford-Springfield line only opened around 2017-2018.(someone can confirm the exact date of opening)

[@HarrisonPeloso]

hartford is not springfield mass. thats a derp moment for CTRAIL

[@Robbi496]

2nd post: I trust they are planning to put another track through Hartford? It would seem like a bottleneck to me?

[@Wingnutcaseman]

They would like to but the viaduct isn’t currently strong enough to support two tracks. Upgrading or replacing it will be a complex task as it has to be coordinated with future work on I-84.

[@Robbi496]

Sorry for the double post, but why don't they stop at Thompsonville anymore?

[@EastCoastRailfan]

Because the train station there was torn down a long time ago. There are plans to build a new station around that area soon.

[@Liamflynnphoto]

The station no longer exists

[@notsure6187]

maybe it's like that twilight zone episode that takes place in Connecticut "Next Stop, Willoghby"

[@Robbi496]

But they ey DID stop there until sometime in the late 70's, as i recall?

[@ABMP4D3]

@@Robbi496 1986 was the last year they stopped in Thompsonville, it was removed from the timetable around the same time as North Haven.

[@garciaone45]

Grate conducter good engineer.

[@ashtonmoore5650]

What conrail train are we even driving

[@66kprdwd]

Great footage, but I hope you posting this won't get the crew in trouble.

[@FanRailer]

As do I.

[@66kprdwd]

@@FanRailer Maybe you shouldn't identify the train #.

[@FanRailer]

Doesn't matter; conductor announces the train number at state street lol.

[@66kprdwd]

@@FanRailer I know. :)

[@3985uprr]

Anyway you are not in the cab.It’s like shooting out the front window of an M3

[@thomasgascoigne6624]

Thank you for a marvelous ride. One has to wonder though about the single track through Hartford. Surely the state capitol deserves a better rail presence than this - and the "station" at Windsor Locks is "pathetic" in the extreme. Are there any plans to "reinstall" the second-track where it is presently missing? Thank you again for your effort - most enjoyable!

[@ABMP4D3]

The single track section in Hartford will remain due to the condition of the viaduct at Hartford station, and realignment of I84. The current I-84 realignment plans will divert the current row to the former westbound alignment of 84 with the second track being reinstalled, and a new underground Hartford station will be built . The row will be relocated around the Albany Ave. tunnels, and divert it more west of the current row, it will rejoin the current row around Parkville. You can find this info if you google I84 realignment, it has the plans with some great pictures. The CT River bridge from Suffield to Enfield I was told will be undergoing a major rehab, the plan is to re install track two from CP Hayden to CP Field making it double track once again.

[@GenesisSanctuary]

Nice footage of the ride. It really sucks to see that quiet zones are already being set up, and it looks like they're all using those atrocious wayside horns.

[@AaronJrBrundidge]

You should really come to New Haven and try this to Hartford, it's so cool I've been on since day one

[@apr859]

I swear I lost hearing from that crap on pent rd in wallingdord

[@mrdiamondguy3043]

13:10 double train

[@samtrak1204]

Only one track upgraded with concrete ties and welded rail?

[@ABMP4D3]

Both have welded rail, track 2 in the areas it was filled in between the old passing sidings has concrete ties and the space between track 1 and 2 was widened.

[@apr859]

The concrete track is new. Like only a few years old.

[@AaronJrBrundidge]

41:30 adjacent to CTfastrak

[@trainmancorey]

If I was to not film, would they let me look out the front like you did here.

[@FanRailer]

Depends on the crew

[@Robbi496]

Kewl!

[@trainmancorey]

Did you have to go through TSA at Springfield. Lol

[@FanRailer]

lmfao I never went to the station concourse on this trip. The last trip I did, and the answer was no =P

[@mrdiamondguy3043]

16:04 my home :D

[@NickyD]

springfield MA is the last stop or is in still in CT?

[@FanRailer]

springfield is in mass, yes.

[@AaronJrBrundidge]

Apparently the only one in Massachusetts, no shot at Longmeadow at the state line

[@Liamflynnphoto]

Most trains terminate in Hartford, some continue on to Springnfield

[@NickyD]

@@FanRailer good to know ill be doing this in the future

[@israelpadilla9044]

there is another CTrail on 3 miles 13:10

[@grotonrailfanner1635]

Conductor was playing around lol he did that on purpose

[@dongshuowu3454]

What is the max speed of the trip?

[@FanRailer]

80 mph with CTrail trains, 110 mph with Amtrak trains.

[@AaronJrBrundidge]

Basically, 79 mph, CTrail, 80 possibly, 110 mph, Amtrak

[@captainace6083]

If your coaches are Mafersa ones, I think you can hit up to 90 MPH

[@FanRailer]

Overspeed is still 82 mph.

[@dongshuowu3454]

it looks to me it rarely goes over 50 mph

[@davidng2336]

Do the MBB coaches offer a view like this?

[@FanRailer]

Yes

[@grotonrailfanner1635]

56:18 what was that??

[@radanju3]

That's the Amtrak Springfield shuttle, which usually consist of between 1-3 cars. Difference between those vs CTRail is they skip several stations and go up to 110 MPH whereas CTRail does 79 MPH.

[@LANG671]

It’s time for Boston commuter rail go further to new haven ct

[@israelpadilla9044]

in union station for new haven 0:00

[@clifftonflores3131]

Hartford 50:31

[@fusoyaff2]

Lame, conductor had to walk in front of the camera right as it was passing the flood gates

[@FanRailer]

lmao

[@gregorygrice]

Sorry :(

[@FanRailer]

RIP. Guess I have to go back and reshoot that section lol.

[@gregorygrice]

Lmaoooo

[@robertclere9081]

The conductor is all screwed up!

[@trainlvr7]

What a stupid announcement coming into SPG 😒

[@gregorygrice]

😂

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

1:26:24 lmao