NEW Amtrak Borealis Passenger Train

[@joneau261]

Amtrak Borealis? At this time of year, in this part of the country, localized entirely within old Milwaukee Road trackage?

[@CoasterFan2105]

Yes!

[@MSP_aviation]

May I see it?

[@knkjchannel55]

​@@MSP_aviationLook no further

[@warriorstar2517]

But do they steam a good ham?

[@theowilliams360]

Very pleased to see this cromulent comment as the top comment!

[@SPRailfan4449]

Wow! Seeing an Amtrak dash 8 pulling a passenger train in 2024 is simply awesome! I thought they were put in switching duty in Amtrak yards. I am so happy you were able to catch one Mike. ❤️👍😎

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks! It's always neat to see the Dash-8s!

[@SPRailfan4449]

@@CoasterFan2105 No problem! And I agree with you. 👍

[@jackchen7003]

lately, the dash-8s have been doing service on the Surfliner, hiawatha, and Borealis, because of the crappy equipment that keeps breaking down

[@ng28]

@@jackchen7003 One had me held up at LA Union Station for 2 hours because its power connect was bad.

[@johnmadsen3888]

I rode the Empire over 20 years ago, I still remember how beautiful the trip along the Mississippi was.

[@TheFunnyDictator]

What's the Empire?

[@Dr.Disney]

@@TheFunnyDictatorThe Empire Builder is a train that goes from Chicago to Seattle/Portland and back.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

If I go to the Midwest I absolutely plan to see this train! Very cool video!!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! It has some of the best scenery of all the Amtrak Midwest routes!

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

And some of the best locomotive lineups for sure

[@TLT_Productions]

awesome video mike! welcome to amtrak, borealis!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate it!

[@TLT_Productions]

@@CoasterFan2105no problem! always been a big fan and i want to support the channel!

[@ericsundell9978]

Ridden and love having the Borealis as an option now rather than just the Builder. I'll certainly be making use of this train a lot more in the future.

[@jameskoryta7197]

Thanks for posting. Who would have thunk a train route from Chicago to St. Paul would ever work! Nice to see the Milwaukee Stations still standing and being used for something.

[@Amtrakfinalboss]

5:26 I like the storm clouds in the background

[@T-rick]

What an amazing success story for passenger rail.

[@NYC563]

I said it once and i will say it again, Mike, You make the best railfanning videos there are!

[@leinoj06playz58]

I really love Amtrak so much thanks Mike this is a great vid

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! Glad you like it.

[@railfan104]

The Borealis was a Great idea! (Connecting the twin cities to chicago)

[@CoasterFan2105]

Indeed it was!

[@railfan104]

@@CoasterFan2105 thanks

[@jre617]

The cities were always "connected," via the Empire Builder.

[@gamerdude13258]

I’m surprised that Amtrak is now using their dash 8s again

[@CoasterFan2105]

Me too, but I'm happy to see it!

[@coolleo149]

I’ve never heard of that new Amtrak passenger service before! I should plan on taking the Borealis sometime this year or the next year

[@CoasterFan2105]

It's a brand new train! Great to see more passenger rail in the Midwest!

[@TomahTrains-261-75]

Great videos caught in multiple locations! We have ridden along a part of the route. It was very enjoyable. Ridership increased its second month as well.

[@EagleCreekRailRoad]

Awesome video, thanks for uploading. Love seeing the dash 8's out & about again.

[@AMTK317Productions]

Awesome video on the Amtrak Borealis train. To be honest with, I am looking forward to go on a ride on that train sometime soon. *And that was the reason* that train is my #1 favorite, and I set my channel theme _"The Aurora Borealis Themed Channel"._ I am keeping eyes on the skies for the upcoming Aurora Borealis shows!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. It's a neat train!

[@jre617]

Train #1 is the Sunset Limited.

[@alpharailroadproductions]

Awesome video Mike! Glad you were able to capture many of the borealis runs! Also nice to see more videos from the midwest including some parts of Wisconsin where i usually go to.

[@AlexTrain5249]

I was SO HAPPY to see Dash 8s on the Borealis. I chased 517 as much as I could. Goodness it was a HARD train to chase.

[@TheTrainEnthusiasts]

Wow! Great video! Cool to see some new Amtrak train in 2024. And have you also heard of the supposed new home for 8 comet-1B cars and Amcal NPCUs in LA? They made 2 runs yesterday on the Surfline on A572 and A587.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Many thanks! I heard about the comet 1Bs moving to the Surfliner. I'll have to see if I can catch them at some point!

[@PrincessAmtrakMinamoto]

Cool catches. 👍🏻

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@sherrcon]

i always enjoy your videos!!!...thank you...

[@SoCalOCRailfan]

Awesome video! Great shots of the new Amtrak services.

[@MidwestMiniaturelines]

I live right in the route and for one day I was watching outside and I saw a dash 8 pulling a Amtrak it was pretty sweet since I don’t see dash 8s that often

[@kptrains]

Cool captures of the Borealis!

[@JTran0217]

I have great requests for you for next month. Will you come to New Jersey to film New York Susquehanna & Western (NYSW), and will you do a three-part series of train talk on all freight railroads in the east, central, and west all around the United States?

[@CoasterFan2105]

I probably won't be able to do that next month, but it is an option in the future!

[@ManjitKaur-hx8rf]

Let’s get this channel to 50 million subscribers

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Awesome content and enjoyed the video. Have a great upcoming weekend. Steve

[@TealGuy]

Amazing video! Its nice to see fast passenger trains.

[@Cab_Productions]

We're getting a new Amtrak train service with this one! 🗣️🗣️🗣️🔥🔥🔥

[@MohammedHasanRaheem]

Great Work Of Amtrak Trains!

[@TYR-RailFan]

Awesome video

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks!

[@RandomRailfan828]

Great shots Mike, I’m gonna have to give that train a ride sometime!

[@trains_worldwide]

Nice! When did you film these clips? I rode the train in both directions in mid-June, and filmed the whole journey both ways! The scenery along the Mississippi was beautiful, and I was surprised to find a tunnel (and the aptly-named Tunnel City nearby) in the middle of Wisconsin.

[@dwkcamman611]

Nice work as always!

[@rossstone2610]

Great coverage of the new Borealis Service. I’ve enjoyed catching them on the old MILW near my home in Portage, WI. The use of heritage units, phase 7 P42s, phase 5 P42s, and dash-8s have certainly made them more interesting than the phase 7 charger powered Empire Builder

[@BigHairyCrank]

Good fall leaf changing route.

[@Kirathatgirl2024]

Nice Video Mike!😊😊😊

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@Kirathatgirl2024]

@@CoasterFan2105 no problem 😊

[@VHSVM1]

Anyway. I think this is my 8th year being into your videos

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you for following along all these years!

[@VHSVM1]

@@CoasterFan2105 Ur welcome!

[@ginostella7927]

Why did you edit in so many trees in Glenview? Great video!

[@canadianrailfanproductions7630]

Love the new Video Mike, also Great Narration!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fritzfam5]

This service is also by far one of the most successful

[@PALANGPINTUKERETAAPI]

Greetings from Indonesian Railways, cool video

[@jbran7817]

I’m mostly impressed that Amtrak found ten extra coaches to string together

[@Luke_Starkenburg]

Nice overview. I’d like to ride this! I wonder if there is a cafe car, because I think the Chicago to Milwaukee train didn’t have one.

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you! Yes, one cafe car and four coaches.

[@derrickwong5337]

Cool! Welcome Amtrak Borealis for 53 years!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thanks! Welcome indeed!

[@derrickwong5337]

@@CoasterFan2105 My pleasure

[@urkenik1281]

Awesome of u(you)!

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

Amazing name for a train

[@ざるそば曹長]

Amtrak is very cool!

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

🟢 Highball on the Baby Builder! 🔴

[@iDTrains]

amazing....trains good content

[@r.a.mancillas812]

Very interesting, thanks

[@edilee5909]

When you said that the train is stored overnight, I immediately went "that's a perfect second service opportunity." You might even be able to do 3 runs/day with just 2 trains since it's a 7.5 hour trip!

[@paulcastillo1310]

Great video on amtrak

[@TheFunnyDictator]

Those Amtrak Dash-8s make me feel a certain way. Am I the only one? Anyone else?

[@XavierTheRailfanner_]

I might go see this train soon.

[@Alan_Daniel_Jack_Davidson]

Epic!!!

[@CoasterFan2105]

Thank you!

[@MBTAFAN879]

Great video!!!!!

[@SpoorenTreinspotterKoopafan99]

Love Amtrak trains so much! What’s your favorite train?

[@CoasterFan2105]

That's a tough one. Probably either the Coast Starlight or the Empire Builder.

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

Hey coasterfan2105. I’ve been a long time fan, and the first ever video I’ve saw from you was AT&SF 3751, and I’ve always been wanting to see that locomotive. And now, I might have a chance this September. 3751 is gonna be go on September 21-22, even turntable photo tickets. I just wanted to ask if you’re gonna be there (I’m from New York).

[@rockguitarist931]

This is great news, maybe the success of the Borealis will spur Amtrak to add more trains to their roster, such as the Atlanta-Nashville-Memphis connection that's been a rumor since the 90's lol.

[@Wawa111_Mainline]

The resturant in oconomowoc is train themed they got an ho scale layout and rr banners on the ceiling

[@angelhuerta1626]

Best train services ever is Amtrak is a passenger service my favorite train service super awesome trains including the class 8

[@theaustinleeytchanneltalytc]

Nice video!

[@mdnsubdiv]

3:40 hey that’s my local metra stop!

[@teddyc.newton4874]

Interesting 👍

[@TrueVe-eee]

Wow, I wanted to go from Chicago to San Francisco

[@ModMokkaMatti]

8:54 Alive with *PLEASURE!*

[@MikasRealm]

YAY

[@jre617]

It ain't pretty, but always glad to see new service. Thanks for the report. (Wonder what speeds it hits?)

[@ABTrainsYT]

I think the Milwaukee/St Paul route should run on an hourly basis, one hour for the Milwaukee service and the other hour for the St Paul service and repeat. So basically the frequency beyond Milwaukee is around 2 every 2 hours (one to St Paul and one to Chicago)

[@trainz675]

Just curious if any of these scenes were on 8/6, I had 519/44 as a my pair going west on that day, I remember a handful of people out following us. Thanks!

[@Dr.Disney]

Leaves from Chicago at 11:05 everyday. Be there before 11 or you’ll miss it. All trains close 5 minutes prior to the departure time!

[@pacificostudios]

The real advantage of the Borealis -- which doesn't have a dining car or a lounge/observation car -- is that it leave St. Paul on time more often because it doesn't start its run in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. The westbound Empire Builder (Train 8/28) is usually late because it has been on the road for a day and a half by the time it reaches St. Paul.

[@TexasSoCalRailfan9021]

Why don’t use a F40PH NPCU for the other end?

[@Johnnynbk]

Glenview is now an unmanned station, used to be an Amtrak ticket agent.

[@RailPoints]

I think most trains pull one Amfleet configured as a café / business class car. The business class seating is 2x1, which is nice. I found the car a bit dated, but otherwise it was clean and very comfortable. I suppose at some point these trains will receive all Venture equipment. Many people have commented that the Venture cars aren’t as comfortable, so I’m fine with the Amfleet business class hanging around a little longer. I know the states - especially Wisconsin - subsidize these trains and, therefore, have a say in where they stop. I think service would be much more competitive if it could drop two-three stops. Right now, the end-to-end service is still a bit too slow.

[@templar1694]

Nice

[@jmream2618]

I wonder why Amtrak is using 2 locomotives instead of a NPCU at one end

[@mkmcclure]

Metra and/or Amtrak should run some trains down the old CNW North Line to Lake Forest and cut to the New Line to terminate at a new ORD station in remote parking lot E.

[@indiantrainofficial]

nice

[@LINDAMOERING]

The new train does stop in Milwaukee, right?

[@MrRailfanner206]

Yes

[@TrainGamer851]

Wonder when is the next opening of a new Amtrak route.

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

What happened to the Hiawatha passenger train?

[@renegadetenor]

I know it makes me old, but I've never seen it, in its single-track condition. What 's the most likely way to do a day trip, up to somewhere and back?

[@darrylnelson6264]

I got a thing for those Amtrak Dash 8's.

[@nusantararail]

Wow dash 8s

[@SouthernCtRailfan]

I’m surprised that this is the only amtrak service where you can amtrak dash 8’s operate

[@cherwolf7154]

Daughter, 8 year old and 9 year old took the Borealis from Milwaukee to St. Paul and back last weekend. She declared, “We are not train people.” Getting in line early did not result in the three sitting together, so it took other passengers to intervene. Food on board was “gas station” fare, and a 5-hour rail trip to St. Paul morphed into ten hours because of delays (broken tracks and waiting for freight trains to pass). Staff was not helpful nor pleasant, neither at the stations nor inside the trains. This video of scenery looks dreamy, but think about suffering the trip in reality. Ugh.

[@theleastofpilgrims3379]

Out of curiosity why is this train using predominantly Horizon cars rather than Amfleets? Back when the Pacific Surfliner was called the San Diegan (and for a few years after, when there was usually at least one, and sometimes two, legacy consists with Amfleet and Horizon cars; in the summer shortly after the new California Cars were introduced around the year 2000 they had one consist that had a full length Heritage dome, Amfleets and a Metroliner cab car which I think is probably the most beautiful consist that has ever operated on the San Diegan or Surfliner in its entire history, due to the gleaming stainless steel and the vintage full length dome, I always found the Amfleets to be more comfortable, and for a journey this long, one would think Amfleet II equipment with its panoramic windows be more desirable if they could spare any… Although perhaps that’s the reason, they wanted the larger windows on the Horizon cars?

[@garyolafson8303]

Good news; I live in MPLS and take public transit (road & Rail) so I don't have to drive my car in Dense Traffic. I'd Luv another option to get to Chicago w/o a Plane ride

[@Укрзалізницяфан]

I like to Amtrak locomotives writing 1971-2011

[@hirampriggott1689]

The old Milwaukee Road/Hiawatha route.

[@Silvercat2343]

Will Siemens SC-44 locomotives serve Borealis?

[@benwalter1221]

It’s annoying they didn’t take it into Target Field Station in Minneapolis

[@micha3615]

Here to stop people from saying first

[@coolleo149]

Good for you! Yeah cause I hate when people say that all the time

[@VHSVM1]

Yall there are 2 of the same bots in here…

[@amtrakdude432]

bro

[@VHSVM1]

@@amtrakdude432 bro

[@NYC563]

Good for you, man! I gotta say, there are a bunch of annoying people who do that

[@Hashtaganimationfillms]

Do my question can you do amt trains they are in Canada 🇨🇦

[@MB_MN_19]

They desperately need at least one car on each train that can accommodate bicycles. There are some great cycling options along this route.

[@coleallen3895]

I wonder if the Amtrak CEO (or whoever came up with the name for this route) is a fan of The Simpsons

[@k4productions]

I don’t know what a Borealis is but I heard Amtrak