Former Grade Crossings of the Northeast Corridor (1981-1984)

The Northeast Corridor is a 457-mile (735 km) high-speed railway line, in the United States, running from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. It is mostly-owned and used by Amtrak, however many other regional-rail services operated by other companies also use the corridor.
As of 2018, there are only 11 at-grade crossings remaining on the entire route, all of which are located in the southeastern-area in the State of Connecticut. Currently, the entire line from New York City to Washington is grade-separated, with no crossings.
However, before Amtrak upgraded the Northeast Corridor as part of its upgrade program in the mid to late 1980s, there were still several grade crossings from New York to Washington, specifically in the States of Delaware and Maryland. Seen in this video, are a few of those crossings when they were once still active. Many Amtrak trains fly through them while sounding their horn sequence.
Here is a list of the former grade-crossings between New York and Washington (listed from North to South):
-Red Mill Road, Newark, DE
-Sandy Brae Road, Newark, DE
-Michaelsville Road, Aberdeen, MD
-Knecht Avenue, Baltimore, MD
-Hillmead Road, Glendale Heights, MD
-Glendale Road, Glendale Heights, MD
-Seabrook Road, Seabrook, MD
Glendale Road's former crossing, is the crossing featured the most in this video, while Seabrook Road makes a very brief appearance.
Disclaimer: The Video Clips Seen in this video are not owned by me, and are property of Railhead Video Productions. These clips were from a DVD composed by him, and can be purchased on his website for personal use. All original crediting belongs to him.

[@captainace6083]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to say thank you all so much for helping this video hit over 900 likes and over 50,000 views! This is easily the most-watched video on my channel and has helped it grow significantly over the past few years! I have more clips from this DVD and hope to share them with you all soon!

[@TrippaMazing87]

1981 and this quality is still better than modern bank security cameras

[@nancyhernandez7833]

I love those AEM7 horns!!!! Beautiful!

[@CruzEd1tz]

AGREED.

[@CruzEd1tz]

COULDN'T AGREE MORE

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

Same its louder than the car beep beep

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

Because the AEM-7 and E60 Horn is too loud that will bleed your ears

[@alvit123]

​@@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80the only difference between the horns on the aem-7s and e60s is the the aem-7s had nathan k5la air horns and the e60s had nathan p01235 air horns

[@TheChachLINY]

6:07 That doppler effect sounded amazing

[@TrinityCourtStudios]

You gotta start at 5:55 for the whole sequence bro! ;D that’s the stuff!

[@Neillan]

*This camera really captures the weight and speed of the trains in a way that has been rarely seen since.* Feels like you're actually standing there, absolutely love the doppler on the horns and bells. Great stuff Captain!

[@acdcking1234]

Aem7s are one of favorite electric locomotives after the gg1 and ac64

[@nancyhernandez7833]

I rode the old aem7 to trenton once but i was little so i didn't know.

[@republicoftajikistan4532]

Same P.S. Forgot the "S" there buddy

[@republicoftajikistan4532]

@KenTheAustisticAmtrakGuy03 No I mean it's not AC-64 its ACS-64

[@republicoftajikistan4532]

@KenTheAustisticAmtrakGuy03 also I was not talking to you

[@emperorpalpatine2531]

My favorite is the Death Star 2. To bad it got destroyed again

[@DavidSalie-vp7mq]

2:04 is my favorite GE E-60 Horn of all

[@FPHFan]

When the AEM-7 had wonderful horns and loud horns

[@user-mn5zg4bi8h]

Yes

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

Yeah and definetly with my oc of american electric engines like hilary

[@user-mn5zg4bi8h]

What horns did they use back then?

[@thealmightydoge5653]

@@user-mn5zg4bi8h They mounted mainly 1976 Nathan Big Bore K5LAs on the AEM-7s, and Nathan P01235s (a P5 variant) on the E60s.

[@user-mn5zg4bi8h]

@@thealmightydoge5653 thx

[@tomy6917]

Very nice video, thank you :) I had started my Amtrak career in their Signals Dept in June 1979 & my 1st headquarters was in Bowie, Md 3 miles north of this crossing. The bridge that can be seen under construction was the start of the closing down of all of the railroad crossings. At the time of this video in 1981 & 1982 the trains were running at 110 mph & they didn't slow down for crossings. At this crossing, we once had an accident in the daytime, nice weather & dry roads when a car had gone thru the activated crossing while the train was already going thru. The driver had hit the middle of the Amtrak train & was dragged 1/4 mile down the track. No injuries, but accidents like these is what had prompted the closing of the crossings.

[@metronorthfoamer4085]

Ahh yes, the big bore K5LAs, back when horns were of the upmost quality. They were so loud they slighty break the mic of the camera lol. I love those horns.

[@josefolsson5343]

Greetings from Sweden! Amazing to see the Swedish long distance engine lit. RC in its American shape! My grandfather Per-Erik Olsson was "over there" trying to market the ASEA-built RC-engine in 1976. It quickly got the nickname "The Mighty Mouse" due to it's ability as a four axle engine to pull as heavy consists as the six axle GE-built counterpart. He was using a special, purposebuilt car that could measure the horizontal and lateral forces. With this data, he could compute whether or not the RC-engine, being built with four wheels/boogie could win against the larger competing GE-built engine using six wheels/bogie. On trial day, both engines had to pass a curve at a speed of 124 miles per hour. The condition of the track was poor and so there was no way to predict the outcome. As the RC-engine entered the curve, it went up on one side, but kept driving and managed to remain on the track. No engineer were harmed, although the test car got totalled. No one in the car survived. Next up it was time for the GE-engine to run the gauntlet, but it was too much train for the track to handle and so it derailed as the rails broke. Don't remember what happened to the other crew, though I assume that they survived. If anyone's interested, I could send a copy of the original RC in Amtrak livery as it crosses the Hudson River. Or at least I think it's the Hudson. Oh, and thanks for your captures!

[@atomsmash100]

The AEM-7s were very much loved by Amtrak and Amtrak's customers. They were an excellent locomotive and really helped Amtrak to become reliable on the Northeast corridor.

[@christopherjohnson5236]

Beautiful! I even have Amtrak AEM-7 #901 in my model layout in the same paint scheme

[@FPHFan]

1:17 I like that loud K5LA horn

[@JessicaKasumi1990]

That engineer is horn happy.

[@UTTPRamranch]

I like 3:50

[@moogusboogus3680]

0:08 I love that horn

[@kashaigolliday8438]

1:06 train meet

[@thealmightydoge5653]

3:49 now That's a shot from 125+ mph! Awesome!

[@ROTE]

Not even close to 100 lol

[@beeftacosss]

Yeah at that time they had a slowdown requirement for grade crossings so anything close to 100+ is at the start. More like 60-80.

[@_SP64_]

110mph is the maximum they can go at crossings and some of those AEM-7s are clearly pushing those speeds

[@TrinityCourtStudios]

The FRA allows trains to go as fast as 125 thru grade crossings, but in order to allow a train above 110 mph thru a conventional crossing, the crossing would need upgraded gates that withstand a 40 mph impact from a box truck before the speed limit can be increased to 125. Considering the risks already in place at crossings with much slower speeds, throwing that much money to upgrade infrastructure just isn’t worth it. Better to either keep it at 110 mph or get a federal or state grant to eliminate the crossing altogether.

[@TrinityCourtStudios]

It’s likely around 110 mph.

[@Routeofthe400productions]

2:02 964 sounds so good

[@greenlooky9137]

5:58 was the best one i seen with the aem-7 and even the e60 right after the clip

[@nancyhernandez7833]

4:42 What?

[@aaron7671]

At first I thought it said "Burrito" on the side. LOL.

[@republicoftajikistan4532]

Oh wow

[@aaron7671]

I know that, I was making an assumption that the piece of equipment was called a “Burrito” but it actually said “Burro”

[@republicoftajikistan4532]

@@aaron7671 same

[@GARails]

Drift the god it’s actually called the Northeast corridor not Northeastern

[@Boypogikami132]

These were the days of the E60, Metroliner and the AEM7, such good times

[@altchannel6120]

6:00 quilling is amazing

[@MainlineSouth]

I agree. The best one

[@theark-la-missrailfan]

I’ll miss the sound of P01235’s

[@andrewdutton3831]

This brings back great memories. I went to many of these grade crossings with my dad in order to hear and see many northeast corridor trains. Especially the two just outside of Washington, DC near Bowie, MD. We went on many occasions between about 1977 and 1984. Thanks for posting!

[@trainsdestinations3960]

This is a really high quality camera for the day.

[@YaboyMX595]

2:55, 3:29, and 3:42 somehow has the exact some point of horn of the somewhere near the exact same spot. I’m not kidding

[@LexAveExp]

Loved them AEM7

[@f46trainspotters8]

Vintage Amtrak clips are amazing this is some amazing footage !

[@captainace6083]

Glad you like them!

[@PositionLight]

Boy, those P01235's back then. Awesome Video! ;-)

[@captainace6083]

Jersey Mike's Rail Videos Thanks! Yeah, it sucks I never really got a chance to hear them ;(

[@nancyhernandez7833]

What is a P01235?

[@amtrak706]

Nancy Hernandez Amtrak’s E60 electrics had Nathan P01235 horns, which were five-chime horns containing each of the bells listed in the model designation. They were special as they included some of the only “0” bells produced, which were the unique deep note in the chime.

[@trirail809]

And M5 horns too!

[@AviationMushy737]

This video is a wonderful relic of the past! Not only seeing the crossings on the corridor but Amtrak’s iconic northeast corridor beasts running in their prime! Wonderful Video!

[@glendenig9962]

Great video! Thank you!!

[@atomsmash100]

Really great video. Love seeing the old AEM-7 and E60 locomotives.

[@JoshuaTheTransitProdigy]

I love the days where Amtrak had 8-18 cars. Now it's 7-10 on average.

[@notarotomwithhair5637]

I’d say probably 5-9

[@TrinityCourtStudios]

Only the long distance trains had upwards of 20 cars. Otherwise the other trains were generally 3 to 9 cars depending on the service

[@Joethaboss66]

4:42 even the maintenance equipment on the Northeast Corridor is high speed...

[@dfw_railfanner]

Fun fact seabrook road still has its wrrs poles for the crossing, I saw it in person and I can assure that was a crossing and is still there, both poles on each side of the tracks all rusty and weathered

[@SailorMoonRailfan]

On 0:08 and 0:39 you can hear Amtrak’s E60 horn that came off one of the EMD F40PH locomotives. BTW, My dad and his sisters and brother was in High school in the Los Angeles County as well my mom was in elementary/middle school at the time.

[@CCBP1216]

The E60 came before the F40PH. The F40s came out in 76, whilst the Es came in 74. I know the horns sound the same, but the Fs weren't around before the Es. Therefore, the horns didn't come off of the F40s

[@oliviawhite8833]

No that's an original horn

[@FPHfan-pz3th]

Choo Choo Ben 6 The F40s came in 1975 not 1976

[@CCBP1216]

@@FPHfan-pz3th Google it. Early 1976

[@FPHfan-pz3th]

No it late 1975

[@chrish3329]

It looks like they didn’t care which pan they used on the E60’s lmao. Great video though

[@tacoblend3246]

My god I hope you have more shots of these I would love to hear more

[@muhammadfadhiil5992]

Trains in the 80s were far more Colorful than today

[@lamborginiandbuses]

True

[@aaronberns8485]

Everything was.

[@navi_exl]

E60 I love the most with the horn. It’s unique

[@oskarsrode2167]

Grew up in Sweden, been on many trains hauled by different types of RC units. Very reliable in cold weather. Afaik there are still some more modern ones in use today.

[@chrisotto6421]

The RC units actually inspired the creation of both the AEM-7 & the ALP-44 locomotives btw ;)

[@redtrainproductions]

So many great train horns in this video

[@FPHfan-pz3th]

0:01 love that horn!

[@PrimeMoverRailfanProductions]

I see that most of these AEM-7's front pantograph's are up rather than the pantograph on the back. Was this common back in the 1980's? Nice Video

[@metronorthfoamer4085]

I guess the old PRR catenary worked better with the front panto, I have honestly no idea.

[@beeftacosss]

I think it used to depend on what track it was on, I think AEM-7s on express would go front and local would go back. It also may just be the decision of the driver.

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

Man i didnt know what aem 7 panto in front similar to european locomotives

[@johnwireman2660]

Good observation. When SEPTA was using toasters, they preferred to use the front pantographs too.

[@TRRailfan]

I can see why they got rid of the crossings!

[@tonethetrainman5254]

I love the horns on the AEM7s and e60 like there horns are amazing and they sound like they should be and great video

[@charlesmorschauser5258]

For some reason I have a soft spot for E 60s I can remember going to the crossing and seeing gg1s pass

[@alexpaumen3937]

3:49 I've never heard a classic K5LA that high pitched before.

[@westernpacificrr]

Probably just going faster than the othera

[@BlazeWynd]

Nice dude, I love it👍

[@millzym3381]

This is so cool!!!

[@superbaddy4]

This is exactly what things should be like today. Every single horn is 100% flawless. The AEM-7s and E60s have a magic charm to them that those engine-shaped dirt lumps (yes, I know they're called ACS-64s) we see today can't even come remotely close to.

[@floppaeditz123]

Stop being mean to the ACS-64s. They're like AEM-7 2.0

[@superbaddy4]

I don't like the ACS-64s. And this is coming from someone who formerly lived right near the NEC.

[@floppaeditz123]

@@superbaddy4 I currently live next to the northeast corridor, and I don't see what's wrong with them.

[@superbaddy4]

Probably bias on my part, because the time I lived next to the NEC was from my birth until 2012. AEM-7s and HHP-8s were always there for me. My massive appreciation for them has caused me a dislike for the ACS-64s. I think the Sprinters are ugly, anyway.

[@floppaeditz123]

@@superbaddy4 How are they ugly? I love the AEM-7, but it looks like a toaster with a Pantograph.

[@RaisedLetter]

6:04 looks like the bridge that replaces the Glenn Dale crossing.

[@JoshJFit]

Yup you’re correct. Glenn Dale Blvd

[@BAS19.6]

Those aem7 horns are beautiful

[@saskatchewanrailfan8149]

Now watching this video i like these vintage locomotives now

[@seoklaylee5275]

1:52 AEM-7 K5LA Horn.

[@thesclrailfan]

It's a p01235 horn

[@republicoftajikistan4532]

5:24 If you wanted to see an Amtrak freight train here ya go

[@ROTE]

It’s not a freight train, it’s a work train

[@necjerseyrailfan7500]

Thats not freight its an MOW train

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

MOW Train dude not freight train

[@KaciCooperations]

maintenance of way is more like freight train worker Not so much…

[@LDTV22OfficialChannel]

I really love the AEM7's first horn

[@literallyhenry380]

Tbh the mic quality just mad the sound crisp 🥶

[@Ashley_.can._gachaTiktok]

I love the aem-7 there my favorite locomotive and e60s

[@lordshen9036]

2:03 The E60CH Is Running 12 Cars!

[@amtrak706]

That K5 at 4:02 is heavenly!

[@piegon8063]

And 0:01

[@altchannel6120]

​@@piegon8063 6:00 quilling is amazing

[@CommuterRailProductions]

It’s nice that you could have just went up to a railroad crossing on the NEC and see a train fly past you.

[@PGHammer21A]

The Seabrook crossing is near the MARC Seabrook station; the same applies to another ex-grade crossing near the MARC College Park station. Both were killed by their respective towns; not AMTRAK.

[@PGHammer21A]

In fact, the MARC College Park/University of Maryland station is ITSELF a former grade crossing; I call it the quick-and-dirty approach for commuter and light-rail alike, as SEPTA, NJ Transit, MARC, and Metro North have all used it (in MARC's case, they have used it for both light AND heavy rail).

[@ryanakatrainlover]

idk why but 0:47 is by far my favorite horn

[@vientheimpostorandtrainfan8508]

I like the 2 ditch lights on top of the cab of the E60

[@FFred-us9tw]

They are called Strobe Lights.

[@vientheimpostorandtrainfan8508]

@@FFred-us9tw Yes.. but they flash

[@FFred-us9tw]

@@vientheimpostorandtrainfan8508 yes. But they aren’t Ditch Lights. Two totally different things.

[@user-mn5zg4bi8h]

You must admit those horns sound better than they do now. They have a higher pitch than they do now.

[@FPHFan]

Wow I like the horns

[@ChimmyAnimate]

0:02 that train passed so fast that it broke the sound barrier and making the Camera low quality💀

[@cjrexh875]

I love the AEM-7s and E60s

[@b3j8]

My Sister lived for about a yr not far from that crossing in Aberdeen MD in the early 1970's She saw a couple nasty, and very fatal, accidents at that crossing!

[@Powermetaldaddy1974]

Me as well as a young boy. Loved that crossing so much. My grandparents lived off Old Post Road back in the trailer park.

[@b3j8]

@@Powermetaldaddy1974 I envy you. I'd love to be that close to Corridor trains! My Sister's husband was in the Army at that time working at Aberdeen Proving Ground. She would send me photos of trains from time to time. That was 50 yrs back believe it or not!

[@RaisedLetter]

2:46 noticed the emergency strobe

[@oldsamsungphone_ch]

You might think the other engine was an AEM7, NOPE ITS AN E60

[@stephensejda5213]

What road # E60CH is shown at 6:11 ? Phase 3 paint, AEM-7 pantograph, white number boards and a single road number inside the striping on each side. Very unusual for 1984!

[@ZynoxTheGreat]

It either says 605 or 604

[@bobbybrisk643]

975

[@bobbybrisk643]

604 was the only 600s unit to be in Phase 2 ofcourse for 6 months.

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

In January 4 1987 there was a train collection at that day

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

The AME-7 had a collection with a conrail that had stoped on the wrong track

[@ejdsndnj]

@@TrainLover-wt9ix collection?

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

@@ejdsndnj ye

[@ejdsndnj]

@@TrainLover-wt9ix k

[@ZynoxTheGreat]

I Love Those E60's .

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

Amtrak E60 still painted into phase ii until 1986

[@JoshJFit]

There were a few other former grade crossings that I can add to that list in your video description. Old Jericho Park Rd. (Bowie,MD next to the MARC station), Stoney Run Rd. (South of the BWI station), Patapsco Ave (Rosedale, Md) Ebenezer Rd (Chase,MD) E Belair Ave (Aberdeen,MD).

[@captainace6083]

Joshua Jones Which ones?

[@JoshJFit]

Captain Ace Old Jericho Park Rd. (Bowie,MD next to the MARC station), Stoney Run Rd. (South of the BWI station), Patapsco Ave (Rosedale, Md) Ebenezer Rd (Chase,MD) E Belair Ave (Aberdeen,MD)

[@tomy6917]

And Seabrook Rd crossing 1 mile south of the Glendale Rd crossing :)

[@dfw_railfanner]

Also Old Harmony Rd

[@dfw_railfanner]

I was on google maps at the old seabrook road crossing when I saw something interesting on both sides of the crossing you can find old poles of the crossing only with the rusty pole and round guard rail at the bottom.

[@CapitalProductions-zv5bo]

At 2:22 its the most nice sounding horn I’ve heard

[@user-tc9th9rz5f]

What’s sad is that today Amtrak goes slower

[@SuperWorldRailFanProductions]

Those oscitrol lights on the E60s 👍

[@FFred-us9tw]

Not Oscitrol's actually. These loco's were fitted with Pyle Gyralites.

[@rxttwxler]

The aem7 horn is #1

[@tylerkochman1007]

Odds are, Joe Biden might have been on at least one of these trains

[@gabielviniciusdesouzadasil7594]

k5la 😢💜💖👍

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

Beautifully seeing the E60s and AEM-7s in the 80s but ain't there GG1s in '81 and '83?

[@upking9080]

Wish there were more vids of the Bel Air Ave crossing in Aberdeen.

[@socalledfreethinker]

same

[@Powermetaldaddy1974]

Same. Used to ride my bike on the crosswalk they built and the bridge as well on APG Road

[@LaurenEveCreates]

Gee, I wish those crossings were still around. We can see the MARC and NJTransit Holiday Extras as well as the Acela and ACS-64s go through if they were still there! Signed, Jessica Milton and Caiden Smith

[@TomHoffman-uw7pf]

What in the world was that train at about 0:25? I counted 17 cars, and not one Amfleet among them. I used to hang out at Seabrook, although it was about an hour from home. I also saw the RFK funeral train in 1968 at the crossing about where the Bowie State College station is now. At the time, the crossing was rural and out-of-the-way. I figured there'd be no one else there. WRONG!! There were cops directing traffic, and finding a safe place to park was hard,

[@danielc7964]

How fast were the trains going over crossings in Maryland/ South of Philadelphia?

[@tomy6917]

Back when this video was made it was 110 mph max speed & eventually went to 125 mph. I can't remember if the crossing were phased out yet when we had gone to 125 mph.

[@TheRailwayDrone]

I never knew the NEC south of NYC had grade crossings. Thank goodness they're gone.

[@sophornnmun3479]

Good luck 👍

[@rxttwxler]

5:31 GP7

[@driftsenpai]

この画質と音質、たまらんなぁ…

[@MainlineSouth]

@ 5:55 that was the best one.

[@ilovebusesandtrains7777]

Nah I think 2:03 is better

[@arandomcommenter8568]

That last e60 was in phase 3 but the number board wasnt on top?? Were e60cp's and e60ch's in phase 3?

[@captainace6083]

a random commenter I think so at some point in time.

[@amtrakpilots8947]

Yes!. That unit would be #975, The first with the Ph.3 scheme. In '86-88 is when 600-610 and 620-621 got Ph.3 striping

[@oliviawhite8833]

And turned into e60ma's↑↑

[@kakarotobr3]

0:08 Gg1 buzine

[@THEFINALHAZARD]

Wonder why the train at 2:48 was in emergency braking. Note the red strobe

[@flexmann2148]

The flying silver toasters on the northeast corridor.

[@raymondrivera5444]

i think that was AEM-7AC 916's horn my favorite! 5:53

[@ROTE]

Yeah same. It sounds like a GE Genesis K5LA

[@raymondrivera5444]

@@ROTE actually 916 is at 4:30!

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

1:05 Amtrak E60 Southbound

[@dfw_railfanner]

Northbound actually

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

@@dfw_railfanner late reply but okay

[@dfw_railfanner]

Lol

[@HOTRAILProductions]

Is that train at 0:26 The Silver Star?

[@aidantherailfan2175]

2:23 I think that’s a roblox horn audio for rails unlimited or something like that

[@rixxroxxk1620]

That E-60 consist at :30 looks ROUGH