New Amtrak Venture Cars on the Pere Marquette! Since September 15 Chicago - Grand Rapids

[@ck4426]

This was an awesome video!!! I really like the locking door on the bathroom and hope it stays clean. This train is awesome!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes the bathroom is a world of difference with the older trains. So far so good!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Wow, a big upgrade for this service! They're very familiar, yes different. You can definitely see the Railjet similarities though... And you confused me by being off the train half way through the video 😆 Excellent video tho mate! 🙏🏻

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha, I had to spend the day in St. Joe for work and Lindsey got on in Chicago. She took all the initial footage! Thanks for watching, looking forward to your video Friday!

[@Buckskin1290]

They should bring back to GR to Detroit train! I would really love to go to Clarksville on a train and Mulliken!

[@Thom-TRA]

GR - Detroit is one of the biggest missing links anywhere in the country. It’s absurd that it doesn’t exist and that there are no plans to build it.

[@Buckskin1290]

@@Thom-TRA They need to! We gotta start making amends and demands for more trains on the Plymouth sub!

[@alexanderzhou9058]

Great train journey!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@joshc2650]

Nice to see youre back in Grand Rapids!

[@Thom-TRA]

Yep, just spent the weekend there!

[@QuarioQuario54321]

@@Thom-TRA nice place isn’t it?

[@dangelohartley5977]

I have a mighty need to ride on this train!

[@Thom-TRA]

Hope you get a chance soon!

[@jakobpetrik72]

4:31 I saw this guy with the beard back in August when I went lmao. I was a minute away from missing the train.

[@christopherreiff3192]

I've heard the the venture cab cars will be used exclusively on the Hiawatha

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes that’s correct

[@Gosox449]

I like the Pere Marquette a lot because if you live in Michigan you can take it at 6am to Chicago, get in at 930 and leave back toward Michigan at 6pm, spending a full day in the city even if you live so far away. Pere Marquette is in the elite tier of Amtrak’s for me

[@Thom-TRA]

It is a nice train, I just wish there was a train that left GR in the evening and left Chicago in the morning as well.

[@alexanderzhou9058]

I have token the Amtrak Hiawatha that day to Milwaukee it was about 1 and a half hour train journey.

[@Thom-TRA]

I might take that one in the fall

[@user-nc5gt5ut2d]

@@Thom-TRA You really should. I have been on that one about ten times now. Take the hop while you are in Milwaukee while it is still free.

[@alexanderzhou9058]

@@Thom-TRA if you take it make a trip report and post it on KZbin so I can watch the video!

[@jonathanaina7754]

ABOUT TIME! Amtrak is finally giving the Siemens Ventures a chance!

[@Thom-TRA]

They’re pretty good trains, despite all the hate people give them

[@jameskooistra8878]

Awesome news! We are riding this route in 4 days, looking forward to our trip.

[@Thom-TRA]

Hope you enjoy the trip! The PM is one of my favorites, it was my first Amtrak trip ever

[@rafacarmona1]

Nice trains. Did you traveled on seat? I think that there are bed too.

[@Thom-TRA]

This one doesn’t have beds, it’s a daytime train

[@amfm889]

Interesting that even with the built-in fold-down steps they still need the yellow step-stool to reach the platform. And as someone else referred to the lighting, it does seem a bit intense. Assume they are LED. Hope they are dimmable.

[@Thom-TRA]

I believe the portable steps are a temporary issue, since the steps are under some scrutiny right now. Hopefully it’s resolved soon. I understand that 1 train a day doesn’t warrant construction of a high platform, but it still always feels strange boarding from what feels like a sidewalk! (Metra, on the other hand…) Superliners absolutely crush the competition when it comes to lighting at night. Unfortunately they seem to be the only trains actually dimmed. I remember when the cars were swapped out for Horizons a while back. The fluorescent lighting at 11PM was unbearable!

[@dennisforner6090]

Those Venture cars really look 'awesome' Thom both from the outside & inside. The new interiors with the large windows sure look more spacious. The toilets are also a major improvement - I especially like the 'motion sensors' automatic flushing (which can be a major issue on some Amtrak trains I've traveled on!). Good to see Amtrak move away from just stainless steel Overall a great improvement by Amtrak - would be great to eventually see the new Cafe & Business cars operating as Amtrak roll out the entire fleet of new cars. Well done Amtrak & thank you for sharing Thom.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m very happy to have an Amtrak train with some color! The new dark blue locomotives for the long distance trains also look really good. The cafes are all waiting around in the Chicago yard right now, hopefully they come out soon. If they do, I will of course post an update. It’s good to hear from you!

[@doorwaysofchicago]

They are horrible.

[@markschenher4559]

It is surprising the luggage racks are open like that One of the issues with rescue of survivors from the 1987 Colonial wreck was luggage strewn about and burying people Guess Amtrak didn't think wrecks happen that often to warrant a different design

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you very much for this interesting video. The Venture cars look very good, and having travelled many times on the OBB RailJets, I can say the seats are pretty good, but NOT in the same league as the refurbished Amfleet 1 cars in the North East corridor. They really are superbly comfortable, and the seats in both RailJets, and the new Venture cars are too firm for me ! I hope the series of Venture cars for the North East corridor have seats that match those now in Amfleet 1 cars, for some of the distances in the North East are very long - think Boston to Newport News ! Many thanks.

[@Thom-TRA]

I share your hopes that the new Intercity Trainsets will have more comfortable seats. They’re even going to be used on the Cascades/Palmetto/Carolinian, so they better be! I think with all the complaints, fair or not, Amtrak and Siemens will listen. You bring up the railjet, and that’s really what they remind me of. European train seats tend to have no recline, be narrower, and harder. I’d love to have an Amtrak seat on an NS train lol. So yes, it’s all about perspective and preference! I love the NER Amfleets by the way. And just that train in general. Feels so different from the rest of the country.

[@walker2120]

Thank you for the video. Do you know if this new train has space for fat tire ebikes?

[@Thom-TRA]

I believe you can put them there! You’ll just probably not be able to hang them up

[@jackslc01]

Waiting for the Ventures Siemens and Chargers debut for Empire and Northeast Corridors

[@Rndmstff737]

Just yesterday I rode on #370 and luckily rode with some business class ventures Edit: also one of the conductors on your train was the same as ours!

[@Thom-TRA]

The Pere Marquette conductors are so friendly

[@Rndmstff737]

@@Thom-TRA yes

[@jdmrc93]

At 3:01, ironically, you can see a glimpse of Amtrak Siemens ALC-42 Charger #301 "Day One" unit... behind the GE P42 #166.

[@BuilderJay]

Glad to see these in service and free up the Superliner for the LD train where they are needed. I have not ridden on these new cars, but for a trip that is not more than 6 hours, they serve it's need.

[@Thom-TRA]

There are now actually 2 superliners on the Illinois Zephyr between Chicago and Quincy too. I wish they could take some off the line to Galesburg IL, but I understand that the railroad there is being difficult about weight and axle counts. I agree! Wouldn’t want to do more than 6 hours, but for a short trip these trains are very decent.

[@CameronLandels]

Hi Thom. Thank you for the trip report! The Venture cars look a lot more modern than the Horizon cars. It's great to see investment in new rolling stock. I notice it has a 6.5 hours turn around after the train arrives into Grand Rapids. Where does it go to stable overnight? Is there a nearby depot?

[@Thom-TRA]

So the train has to be turned around so the locomotive faces the right direction. They do this very early in the morning, using a wye near the train station. If I had to guess it would stay overnight at the CSX Wyoming yard. Because although the Grand Elk RR Hughart yard is closer and a straight shot from the station, it makes little sense to me to involve another railroad just for a 4 hour overnight.

[@AndrewTheRadarMan]

Hopefully they'll get a venture cab car for sure, it'll save the hassle of backing into the station.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m excited to see the venture cab car eventually.

[@Mclag]

I just rode on this train to Holland. The seats were uncomfortable compared to the superliner I just transfered from . And the power outlet is in a horrible spot. I rode business class on the way back and while older it was much better

[@Thom-TRA]

The power outlets are in a much better spot, I don't know what you're talking about. Now if you're sitting in the aisle seat you can actually use them. Note that most trains in the world have their sockets where the ventures do.

[@GDJason]

Having been on the Austrian Rail Jet cars a number of times, I'm looking forward to riding these. Wonder if they plan on using these on the Hiawatha service to my home town, Milwaukee. Just found your channel and loving the content so far!

[@Thom-TRA]

They will be on the Hiawatha! In fact, they’ve ordered special cab cars for the Hiawatha Service

[@davidburrow5895]

A big advantage of using the Venture cars over the Superliners is that they are wifi equipped.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes, the wifi even worked decently! (worlds better than the greyhound I took on the way back) The Superliners will be missed but I am very content with the alternative. Plus, it’s Amtrak. They could swap it out at any moment…

[@epilleux]

Have the Venture Cafe cars been built yet?

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes, they are currently waiting in the Chicago yard until they enter service. I see them often.

[@pmkco]

@@Thom-TRA I wonder if they had the same lead in the plumbing issue the coaches had.

[@larryellisreed280]

Memo to Amtrak: I hope you're taking note of these videos and the commentary so offered, and taking such into due consideration. (Or are you?)

[@johnkolassa1645]

Nice video. New cars are impressive. Side doors seem very wide. Is that true, or an optical illusion?

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! The doors, as well as the aisles between the seats, have been made wider so that people in wheelchairs can pass through without difficulty.

[@alonzowinston5470]

I don't care what type passenger cars Amtrak get, they,re not go to make everybody happy!

[@PatrickLeFloch]

"Motion-activated flush. A nice touch." Punny!

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha, you were the first to catch it!

[@Disneyben90]

I cant wait until IL state trains have them in their fleet from chicago to carbondale.

[@danielonn2002]

I love the European Venture Cars!

[@nicklittle8780]

No longer on the Pere Marquette. One is on the Blue Water for cold weather testing of the door seals which can freeze-up! The conductors do not like these cars at all - too many things to go wrong! A single car was recently sent to the Canadian test center for cold weather testing and, wait for it, ... compression testing according to Railway Age!

[@Thom-TRA]

That must have been a strange sight in Canada, those Midwestern cars…

[@Robbi496]

Actually, I find the venture cars very comfy! Also I found that the seat default to recline and when you push the recline button, you use your body to push the seat into a non-reclined position, weird, but it works for me!

[@Thom-TRA]

I noticed that the first time too. I was like, where’s the redline? Oh wait it’s already there. Yeah, just like most new trains, people love to hate them. I do not understand it, but it’s “cool” to say you think they’re ugly and uncomfortable.

[@tylerkochman1007]

Are the cushions sufficient? Would they be enough for a significant delay on, say, the Wolverine? Curious

[@curtishammond1700]

new seats have no recline. No foot rests.

[@TrainSounds]

Which site did you get this music from?

[@Thom-TRA]

Just the KZbin audio library

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@weserman95]

I never rode the venture cars! But I find them very cool coming from someone who isnt a fan of modern trains! Isnt Grand Rapid the place the main character from Polar Express lives in?

[@Thom-TRA]

Yes, the Polar Express starts in GR!

[@jackchen7003]

Wow that’s rare, doesn’t Pere Marquette usually use superliners bi levels cars?

[@Thom-TRA]

They did. Don’t know how permanent this switch is but the intention was to transition to Ventures at some point, so we shall see.

[@maestromecanico597]

Very nice. One pet peeve: These cars (as well as the Chargers) were purchased and are owned by the states. They are NOT Amtrak property.

[@Thom-TRA]

It’s an interesting construction. Illinois and California are the parties that ordered the trains and at the end of the day, they are the legal owners. However, Amtrak had the responsibility over a lot of aspects of these cars, like testing, the paint scheme, allocation to routes, and maintenance.

[@maestromecanico597]

@@Thom-TRA "Interesting" is a good way to put it. When I was certifying the first Brightline set to leave the factory a who's who list of people from state and Federal operators were going over that set with a fine-tooth comb. It was a foregone conclusion that the next-gen bilevel project was dead and they needed a replacement, fast. It wasn't long before the contract for these cars was announced. Internally we called them the "CalIdot" cars. The states are 100% responsible for these cars. Amtrak is their contract operator/maintainer but the checks come from the states.

[@samtrak1204]

I was hoping the midwest corridor routes would be double deck "California Cars".

[@Thom-TRA]

The double deckers initially ordered by the Midwestern states failed a crash test, so these Siemens cars were picked instead

[@oxyht]

This look like new Vande Bharat trains in India. 🇮🇳

[@williamboorn2097]

This line needs2 go to mackinaw city to the island ferry tracks r already on the ground

[@Thom-TRA]

That would be so nice if it would go up north. Michigan would be a pretty good state for regional rail, there’s enough decently sized cities.

[@barroningram7286]

definitely for short trips

[@Thom-TRA]

I find them very doable for 4-6 hour trips. Passenger needs are very different than on long-distance or overnight journeys.

[@curtishammond1700]

viewing some of the passangers. We can see they are sitting almost stright up. Very uncomfortable after a while. Big fail in the seating. No reclining. No foot rest. No way to get into a resting position. Sitting straight up may be fine for working. But not for traveling. The new cars may be fine. But the seats make it unlikely that one would ride the train again.

[@Thom-TRA]

And yet these trains only grow in popularity by the day. So much for your “never again” nonsense.

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Finally my town shows up! What did you think of Grand Rapids?

[@Thom-TRA]

I mean I lived there for 4 years. I liked it, I still go back once a month or so. Eastown, Heritage Hill, Midtown, downtown, I enjoy those neighborhoods. Rip art prize. Some great local musicians. But I don’t think I’d ever move back. It was a good chapter, but the chapter has ended.

[@fransa27]

"The toilet flushes using a motion sensor, which is a nice touch." Haha. Pun intended or not?

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha when I first wrote it was unintended but then I heard myself say it and I was like, “that one’s a keeper!”

[@pmkco]

Being honest, these cars aren't that comfortable. The seat pitch wasn't awful but wasn't great. The seats themselves are uncomfortable and a bit narrow, by train standards. If one is a bit on the rotund side the fixed tables are a tight squeeze or even unusable. The wide aisles are nice and the lavatories are a great improvement. In summary I wouldn't want to try and sleep on one of these cars nor would I want to spend more than a few hours on them either.

[@Thom-TRA]

I appreciate you sharing your experience. In all honesty, train standards are super dependent on where you are and what type of train it is. Put these seats in any European train and you could market it as a high luxury product. Not to mention American commuter rail, aka sharing a park bench with a stranger…

[@Thom-TRA]

I think I’d rate my seat preferences from best to worst: 1. Superliner 2. Amfleet II 3. Amfleet | 4. Venture 5. Horizon

[@001kkwong]

The train looks much better than older Amtrak trains

[@Thom-TRA]

I agree, it’s nice to see something modern.

[@doorwaysofchicago]

It’s not it’s horrible.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@doorwaysofchicago go seek attention somewhere else. You’re so whiny.

[@MrRailroadrunner]

I'm going to reserve judgement until winter comes. The chargers are already unreliable in the snow. To only prove my point further, today's train is sitting in St. Joe with a dead charger. If the cars can handle the snow, I think they'll be good.

[@MrRailroadrunner]

@@TohaBgood2 We regularly blow them up on Amtrak 370 and 371. Feel free to lookup the failure rates. When the last Amtrak field report, something like 52% of the chargers were dead waiting for parts. Engineers up here tend to dislike them for how they deal with snow in general and their chance of failure

[@user-nc5gt5ut2d]

Venture cars are better than Amfleet but I far prefer the Horizon cars. The Venture seats are way too small for longer distances. I hopefully they don't replace the superliners with something similar.

[@Thom-TRA]

You are the first person I’ve ever heard say they like Horizons the best! They are my least favorite by far. It only goes to show, everyone’s preferences are different!

[@user-nc5gt5ut2d]

@@Thom-TRA It does. I think I like them because they have the better seats and big windows unlike the Amfleet with small windows. I think this is especially noticeable in the Amfleet vs Horizon lounges. I do agree with you that the Venture cars have the best bathrooms.

[@kevinhoward9593]

Meanwhile the Acela IIs are rusting away in a railyard.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yep, I keep meaning to head to the Northeast to ride the old ones before I’m gone, but as of right now I don’t feel much urgency lol…

[@lukeskywalker6338]

the polar express

[@doorwaysofchicago]

These are just horrible!! Terribly uncomfortable with tiny seats smaller than an airplane, severely upright seats that DON’T RECLINE!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

You sir, have either never been on an airplane, or never been on these cars. But thanks for giving me my daily laugh!

[@robo113603]

They look gr8, as i watch live @ Bangor with live chat, 🦘🇦🇺