Informative complete ride from NY to Fredericksburg, Va. on Amtrak #79, the Carolinian. 11/15/22

Very fast ride from NY-DC, only 3 hours and 14 minutes. Quick engine change in Washington and we were off on the old RF&P. Crowded train but otherwise pleasant and ON TIME!!! A little sun to start thence clouding up. Engineer out of NY really laid on the horn.

[@tomsun6123]

I enjoy your full-length ride-along videos. Coupled with your omniscient narration it makes for a soothing environment. I legitimately sometimes study with these in the background.

[@3985uprr]

I hope you get A pluses as a result

[@scottyerkes1867]

Nice speedy ride. Great commentary. Thanks Tim😀💚

[@scott5055]

Awesome video as always. Love how you get these videos out almost everyday! Favorite train vlogger hands down. Been watching since you started

[@poppakev1]

I want to take a ride the way you do. Philly on Septa. I'm retired from NYC TRANSIT, train operator. And I also love trains... that's why I enjoy your videos..

[@jimpern]

A number of years ago, I was at Washington Union Station waiting for the northbound Carolinian for a trip to Philadelphia. Because it was running 2-1/2 hours late (!), we were told to go to the adjacent gate and take the Metroliner instead (without a fare increase!). It was the only time I ever got to ride a Metroliner.

[@3985uprr]

Nice break!!

[@patformicola6574]

I’m from Florida. I’m going to Long Island before Christmas to see family and friends. My days r December 21-29. Im flying up than I’m taking the train back down to Florida from Penn Station NY to West Palm Beach Florida. That’s 29 hours and 55 minutes on the train. I love trains like u. On December 29 I’m going to be in heaven.

[@loocpoc]

The church by the Bridesburg station was a Super Fresh supermarket. Before that it was an A&P supermarket

[@robertcantore330]

Awesome content!!! Love the Amtrak rides!!!

[@jimpern]

The Pennsylvanian is a pretty long day train trip, but I think you're right that the Carolinian is probably longer.

[@3985uprr]

Palmetto is longest

[@jimpern]

@@3985uprr Yeah, I think you're right. Of course, if you ride the Crescent from ATL to NOL, that's a day train too!

[@3985uprr]

@@jimpern I’m referring to runs that start and finish on the same day

[@markhayes6407]

Enjoyed the ride, narration and the railroad history lesson.

[@philliplee980]

M415 is from Cumberland to Rocky Mount I see him on the met sub all the time awesome video

[@3985uprr]

Yep. Faux pas with Philadelphia

[@DCRailfanner]

@@3985uprr The intermodal block on the head end is for the new CCX (Carolina Connector) intermodal terminal just north of Rocky Mount. It opened almost a year to the day before this video was shot (1/18/2021).

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

I really enjoyed this one, Tim. It brought back so many nice memories for me. I wish I had a dime for every time I deadheaded on the Carolinian from N.Y. Penn to 30th Street in Philly. Always a very friendly and pleasant crew. Also, the section of the NE Corridor, going south towards Wilmington, paralleling the Delaware River, holds some great memories for me. By the way, we called that electric locomotive shop back then the Wilmington Shops. A great place. Years ago, I loved to ride on the old, electric MP-54 MU cars with the open windows on a hot summer late afternoon rush hour. The southbound cars coming down enroute from Philly along the Delaware River heading towards Wilmington were running 'flat-out' at top speed, with the traction motors and gears literally screaming !! The view of the river through the wide open windows was spectacular. I'll remember that thrilling whine sound until the day I die. I can almost still hear it in my mind...lol.... Back then, that high pitched whine sound sent chills up and down my spine, similar to what certain horn sounds do to you, for example. So you know exactly what I mean. You mentioned that wreck in Chase, Maryland. I had to go down to Washington the day after the wreck. The train I was on went very slowly past the wreck and I got to see the wreckage. A horrible, sickening sight never to be forgotten. Thank you for the correct pronunciation of Newark, Delaware. And thanks for correcting yourself on Bowie, Maryland. Yes, it's pronounced boo-ey. Another tricky one is Towson. Maryland. Do you know the correct pronunciation?

[@3985uprr]

I think it’s Tow like pow.

[@philholt2242]

Thanks for the ride

[@laurenperkins5088]

I’m binge watching these videos!! I love them. I hope you cover a Amtrak train to Florida!!

[@nathanjiang100]

my fastest ever run up from DC to NY on a non-Acela was actually on the northbound counterpart to this train. I was actually coming up from Charlotte but we did the corridor section in 2 hrs 59 mins and arrived 50 minutes early to NYP because the train doesn’t have to meet a schedule after Alexandria so we just stopped for a little bit at each stop! my fastest SB run not on an Acela was also on 79. the Carolinian is the only train that can travel 125 mph while only making big stops

[@3985uprr]

2hr 59minutes?? Wow. Makes me believe Acela could meet a faster schedule. On 2168 yesterday he did it in 2 hour 53 minutes. He was flying but was a little late at each stop. Thankfully not the heat restricted slow trip on same train in August. I think all if the southern trains make only big stops.

[@nathanjiang100]

@@3985uprr While all long-distance trains make big stops only except 89 and 90, only 79 and 80 are also not limited to 110 mph because they don’t have Viewliner sleepers, which is why they can have such fast schedules. Actually the Acela can’t really save much time compared to the Carolinian besides from padding at stations because they make about the same number of stops, and the few sections that are rated for over 125 mph only save about 5 minutes total (150 mph is only about 20% faster and it’s for such a comparatively short distance).

[@nathanjiang100]

but yeah I was shocked when I checked the time at NY that day and found out that we did it in under 3 hours. I think the fastest possible run time for a non-Acela would be around 2 hrs 45 mins with short stops and ideal traffic conditions (not getting stuck behind a commuter train on double track sections)

[@3985uprr]

@@nathanjiang100 When the nonstop Acela was running and I hope they put that back again, I checked it most days and it routinely ran on schedule. 2 and 1/2 hours

[@nathanjiang100]

@@3985uprr would love to see them bring that back. average speed of 92 mph or better is quite good, especially for North America. if they can cut the schedule to 2 hours, that would average 115 mph, which can legitimately compete with Europe and Asia.

[@robertweinmann9408]

I traveled between Quantico and Penn Station via Amtrak quite a few times while stationed there in '79. The "station" at that time was just a ground level wooden platform. Not even a roof. The train would stop only if there were people waiting. it was a 5 minute walk from my barracks. Always enjoyed the trips. That was a C-17 btw.

[@aprilhilliard3302]

Thank you for your service, sir! God bless

[@de-fault_de-fault]

The outbound Carolinian passes through Newark right around the time I arrive there every day via NJ Transit and continue my trip on PATH, so it's possible I'm on that PATH train at 7:23

[@newarkmuslim]

Great video, I really enjoyed the engine swap

[@gregoryedwards8781]

Caught a great P42 whoop during the engine change!

[@Anthonyant917]

I took this train to Burlington, NC on 10/19/22. It was a great ride.

[@jimpern]

That was an unusually fast train for a non-Acela! Shows what can be done when Amtrak owns the rails. Thanks for the commentary. I heard a rumor that MARC might be extending the Penn Line north to Elkton or maybe even Newark. (If that happens, you'd be able tor travel totally on commuter trains between Fredericksburg and New London!) Have you heard anything about that?

[@USArailfan2000]

Cool NJT double-header @ 8:42!

[@tomcurley6965]

We really enjoy you videos, plus you sound like one of my uncles who was an engineer on the railroad he was from Hempstead Long Island it’s almost like he is still here. I’m not sure which railroad he worked for.

[@jimpern]

That was a C-17 you saw at Quantico (3:27:30). In the background could briefly be seen a few V-22 Osprey tiltrotors, with their rotor blades folded. There used to be a museum on the other side of the tracks, but it was moved to a much larger (and off-base) facility right off of I-95.

[@poppakev1]

Wave 👋🏿 when you pass NORTH ELIZABETH station

[@USArailfan2000]

Wheel replacement badly needed on Amfleet I Cafe car. (3:44:00)

[@295g295]

3:02:55 - Sometimes both the train tracks have a train going in the same direction.

[@steveember8972]

Enjoyed the detail you captured of the power change at WAS - including the big GE "Whooop!" as the compressor kicked in after coupling up! I assume battery power kicks in when no HEP available, so cars' lights, power remain on? As a frequent Amtrak rider, can you actually feel any difference between getting underway behind a Sprinter or behind a P42?

[@jayydarailfaner549]

I did from NY to Richmond and back to NY

[@toy4x4nj]

Also had a great ride on The Carolinian on Oct 18th. Stayed overnight. Great Pizza at Benny Vitali's. Also check out James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library and Fredericksburg Area Museum. Stayed overnight at the Courtyard only a few block from the Station.

[@3985uprr]

Where I stayed

[@johnconnolly6011]

I wish you would have mentioned Chop and HUP. Two great teaching hospitals in the country. That south street location has some of best world wide known Universities.

[@295g295]

2:57:13 - Intermodal containers labeled Walmart.

[@clarkpj1]

I guess New Haven used to be the engine change champion but alas, no more.

[@ghostengineer]

Amtrak still does engine changes in new haven but only with trains 55-56 and 141-148 I believe. I don't think there's any other thru trains coming up from NYP to the Springfield line. All the rest are shuttles......I believe

[@christophercancel934]

I just notice in the middle of your video, Someone was snoring.

[@3985uprr]

Wasn’t me

[@christophercancel934]

@@3985uprr oh I know that. You were the one narrating. So of course it wasn’t you.

[@3985uprr]

@@christophercancel934 Just joking 😀😀

[@danielwaitzman2118]

Can you identify the site of Manhattan Transfer?

[@3985uprr]

It’s right before the Harrison Path Station

[@danielwaitzman2118]

@@3985uprr Thank you; and merry Christmas and happy New Year!

[@mattk9644]

Wow if this ride was on Friday the 18th I would’ve caught your train. Nvm what time did your train get to Trenton was it in the morning ?

[@Transporter_Not_Statham]

No more baggage cars for the Carolinian huh?

[@mattheww2797]

Amtrak is running into some equipment shortages so they've pulled the baggage cars off a lot of trains

[@295g295]

2:57:51 - CSX.. no. I think VRE has contracted to have Amtrak employees crew the trains.

[@3985uprr]

Keolis

[@Jackyliu009]

58:05 "Save Amtrak, Fire Anderson"

[@mattheww2797]

Nice video, that plane was a C-17 not a C-130 or C-141

[@3985uprr]

I knew it wasn’t a c130.