LIRR Cannonball gorgeous evening ride Penn Station to Montauk. 6/28/24

[@coleshill100]

I'm 1 hour into this video and have to stop to go to bed. I want to thank you for what I have seen so far. Your knowledge and explanation is first class. I look forward to watching the rest of this journey.

[@3985uprr]

Wow, thank you!

[@iweezy2020]

Just got off of work, was hoping for one of your new videos and a long one...and you are gonna make my night. Thank You!!!

[@iweezy2020]

Back in the 90s, I used to see the Cannonball go past my old workplace on Orinoco drive in Brighwaters...pulled by 2 GP38-2s with at least 10 regular coaches and 3 parlor cars with a MP15AC on the rear. Loved seeing all of those engines. Miss those days.

[@robertcantore330]

Awesome video!!! I rode the Port Washington Branch Going to the Mets Astros game Friday and Saturday!!!

[@jimpern]

Thanks for the trip that puts the LONG in Long Island! I've never taken a train east of Babylon, so this was interesting. Maybe I'll have to do that the next time I visit L.I.

[@billclements3879]

Wonderful video, and ride…..thanks for sharing this 😊😊😊😊

[@3985uprr]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@aspentree1433]

Nice video. Crazy how fast the train goes. Penn Station to Massapequa in just 43 minutes. Amazing..

[@nathanjiang100]

nice meeting you today! I had a meeting at 8:00 so I had to leave after 77 and unfortunately 22 was running late but still had a great 3-ish hours there.

[@3985uprr]

You too! Spaghetti put on great performance at Bayport

[@steve-o5600]

Makes me feel like I'm going on vacation. Good therapy LOL. Fun and interesting vid as always.

[@javierreyes4803]

Sauerkraut always put on a good horn show especially when I can hear him blaring from my house 🚂

[@iyishacummings8358]

I love the LIRR

[@evangouldtransit]

Sauerkraut must've loved running this.!

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

My Uncle Harry used to love to fish for Bluefish at the Shinnecock Inlet near Southhampton. That was a long way from where they lived in Rockville Centre, back in the 50's and 60's. I spent many wonderful times in their gorgeous home in those years. I did some great rail fanning on the LIRR back then. My Uncle used to go deep sea fishing for Marlin off the Florida Keys. I knew the late Ray Kenny well when he was the head of our rail operations at NJT. He sadly and tragically died of Covid. We lost others at NJT. Thankfully, I survived Covid twice.

[@laurenperkins5088]

I love watching these videos

[@arcingcat]

I was recording at the East end of Bay Shore station and since moving here in 2019, this was the best engineer I have heard do the horn on the cannonball. That is the proper way to do the horn.

[@3985uprr]

Indeed.

[@scottyerkes1867]

Great ride on the famous Cannonball to Montauk. Thanks Tim💚👌👍😀

[@tokugawa12able]

Great info on dual mode issues, AMTRAK P32’s(?), third rail gapping and effects.

[@trevorthetrainrailfanner1047]

33:34 caught this train at Lynbrook

[@Lirrfilmer2004]

36:45 haha you caught me and my friends in Baldwin.

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

7:53 great to see the progress on the Harold rebuild! Didn’t realize they were going to install a crossover there. Looks like it’s to allow westbound trains into the eastbound bypass.

[@robloxboy5712]

Im heading out to the jersey coast next mouth or the following to enjoy the beach and watch trains

[@Nurvington]

Really great video!

[@Larry_P]

Great video!

[@jimpern]

Didn't there used to be a station at the Shinnecock Hills Country Club that was only open during major golf tournaments there?

[@3985uprr]

Yes. I believe it was called golf grounds.

[@davidhopson729]

Can't believe how the Sunrise Mall has really no stores left. Couldn't move in that place in the 1980s around Christmas.

[@edmondparkins1861]

You should try riding the Advanced Cannonball from Hunterspoint Avenue to Montauk. I've never seen you railfan that train.

[@3985uprr]

I’ve gotten it trackside a few times

[@iweezy2020]

One last comment... Used to commute out Penn and take the 4:19 to Port Jefferson(that train was on track 18)the Cannonball would be on track 19...if the Cannonball's equipment had trouble and couldn't run, they would steal our train and we would have to wait for spare equipment. Happened to me once.

[@3985uprr]

That likely made for crowded conditions

[@iweezy2020]

@@3985uprr crowded and pissed off commuters. I would say, "To Hell to those snobby East Enders!" Although that 4:19 was a pretty good priority train as well.

[@iweezy2020]

@@3985uprralso probably why those 2 trains were on the 18 & 19 tracks' platform...I believe the widest(maybe 20 & 21 rivals it) at Penn Station

[@iweezy2020]

Also, they wouldn't let us board the 4:19 until the Cannonball left the platform just as an extra measure.

[@iweezy2020]

Talking about riding in vestibules... Mid 90s on a Saturday morning Boarded a train at Babylon headed to Jamaica(Montauk origin? Most likely) Pulled by 3 MP15ACs Packed to the gills. Where we boarded was west end. Vestibule right behind the engines I'll tell you it was fantastic & exhilarating!

[@iweezy2020]

Btw Incredibly fast

[@3985uprr]

Would have loved a tape recorder there

[@iweezy2020]

@@3985uprr I have various old pics... From MP15ACs being stationed at New Highway(freight) to a solo GP38-2 facing west on an ride back at Montauk. Would love to share with you

[@nathanjiang100]

I might be riding this train on July 3rd. fingers crossed that it works out! if not I'll probably catch it near Islip or Patchogue update: they don't run an eastbound until 10:04 so probably no shot of riding unfortunately. I'll probably catch it near the aforementioned stations.

[@3985uprr]

I want to catch them on 7/3 and 7/5 somewhere

[@nathanjiang100]

​@@3985uprr I'll be on Long Island the 3rd and 4th in the Stony Brook/Port Jeff area but I'm able to be picked up from the Montauk Branch at a similar longitude as long as it's a reasonable hour (11:53pm arriving Patchogue and midnight at Sayville is most definitely not). the plan as of now is to take 76 out there and stay until 16 blasts through.

[@nathanjiang100]

@@3985uprr I'm currently on 76, we just left Hillside with a dinky but packed 3-car set and 418 leading.

[@FortCraft9914]

I was one of the railfanners in Baldwin lol.

[@3985uprr]

One of 4 I think

[@Lirrfilmer2004]

@@3985uprryes there were 4 of us I’m second

[@johnchaisson7482]

When can we expect more RFW rides?

[@3985uprr]

One never knows.

[@paulhodges9740]

I recall once hearing that the Penn Station to Montauk direct Cannonball train (or whatever it was called in the past) was considered a long-distance train officially in terms of federal rail classifications because it was more than 100 miles long. Can anyone confirm this?

[@brenrob7403]

Any thoughts on good railfanning spots in the 5 boroughs? I want to take my son to a spot with just a lot of action. I'm thinking Botanical Gardens or somewhere else in the Bronx. Thanks!

[@3985uprr]

Virtually anywhere on the Harlem line in the Bronx is good. The Long Island Railroad in Woodside Forest Hills, Kew, Gardens, and Jamaica sees tons of action.

[@brenrob7403]

@@3985uprr Thank you!

[@Darkflower071482]

I've always wanted to ride the cannonball but I have no way on getting back until the next day.

[@3985uprr]

Do what I did. I got back that evening.

[@kamiljay2697]

@@3985uprr what time di go in and get back?

[@Leonard_Wilson]

The Cannonball is scheduled to arrive in Montauk at 6:48. The next train out of Montauk is 10:04. That’s a long wait.

[@3985uprr]

@@Leonard_Wilson just enough time for me to walk into town have a leisurely dinner and walk back. I had about 45 minutes to spare. It was chilly out there

[@Darkflower071482]

Hmm I must try that.

[@kevinb8881]

Tim, I guess LIRR DM30ACs are losing their capabilities to switch back and forth between electric and diesel mode just like both MNRR's and Amtrak's P32AC-DM, everyone is screaming for those SC-42DMs to start arriving!!!

[@jimpern]

I presume all those cars have toilets? And considering the length of the trip, is there any food service on the train?

[@3985uprr]

No food service and not all of the cars have toilets. None of the Montauk trains have food service.

[@Fantech0104]

Great video as always! That Cannonball is always an impressive train to see. It doesn't seem terribly crowded sometimes. Though I bet on holiday weekends, it fills up. Especially with this holiday weekend coming up. I'm going to try to catch the Cannonball soon. I've seen your videos on the Montauk Branch, but any particular spots on the Montauk Branch you recommend catching it at?

[@3985uprr]

Any station east of Babylon is good. Bay Shore and Islip are good because there are a lot of crossings and they blow the horns pretty good through those towns.

[@Fantech0104]

@@3985uprr Thanks for the recommendations!

[@dutchvanderlinde154]

Did it take a long time for you to get home

[@3985uprr]

From Babylon, just about 10 minutes

[@dutchvanderlinde154]

@@3985uprr Oh nice I meant from Montauk. I did the ride from Cold Spring Harbor it took me till 1 to get home was worth it though

[@Amtrakirby]

Why did they have diesels on in Penn

[@3985uprr]

The one diesel could not transition to electric mode

[@Trackman80]

They still run diesel into gct

[@3985uprr]

On MN, yes when e mode isn’t working

[@edmondparkins1861]

Also, I don't understand why that train doesn't stop at Hampton Bays. Isn't that the purpose of the Cannonball, to make all the Hampton stops?

[@3985uprr]

Too many double stops slows the train down apparently.

[@emirmutluhighways]

1:33:49

[@broyofroyo1207]

34:07

[@iweezy2020]

Yaphank - Riverhead longer

[@3985uprr]

There used to be stations between them but they were closed. Between Amagamsett snd Montauk there were no stations.

[@iweezy2020]

@@3985uprr I don't know why I disputed you in the 1st place. You are a living database of railroad knowledge!