New York to Albany: An EPIC Journey Along the Hudson on Amtrak EMPIRE!

[@zuixianwangyue]

I've been living in Albany for 6 years. Going to NYC via Amtrak is a luxurious means while the scenery is much more gorgeous than taking a cheaper bus as the Hudson River can be seen. Moreover, the Amtrak between Albany and Boston gives an alternative scene, and a train from Albany to Vermont on the northeast or Montreal on the north is also worth taking.

[@CellPhonzRockEnterprises]

I’ve lived in Albany (Guilderland, to be exact) all my life (24 years) and I now live about two miles from the high speed line connecting Albany and Schenectady. Every now and then, I can hear the sounds of the passing Maple Leaf, Lake Shore Limited, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, etc.

[@pokemonred2005]

Loved the video! I will note that the rail line north of Poughkeepsie, while owned by CSX, is actually leased by Amtrak; who dispatches and maintains the line from Poughkeepsie up to Schenectady. Most CSX service runs along the west side of the Hudson River, which they retain control of.

[@michaelhurley3171]

Not talking, just giving subtitles really adds to your videos. Great job and will watch more.

[@cats0182]

Lived in Albany for 20+ years. Used Empire Service periodically for business trips to NYC. Wonderful way to get pre- and post-business work done. Thanks for the ride and the memories.

[@paulgracey4697]

One reason Albany exists is that it is at the full extent of the tidal bore of the Hudson river. Any further in the days of sailing ships, and you would be fighting against the flow of the river, but since the tides will stop or slow that flow below Albany sailing is made easier during those periods. The development of steamships could double the speed of the journey or better since tying up at the shore to wait for the favorable tides was no longer necessary.

[@georgecarlson1460]

What I like best about your videos is that you have broad (not just Amtrak, not just US) rail experience, and it shows. There are a few You Tubers who just make videos to criticize Amtrak against some hypothetical European or Japanese trains they have apparently never ridden , just heard were wonderful. You aren't afraid to say when you think a fare is on the "high" side or when it's a relative bargain. Loved your "This isn't Walmart" comment on the cafe car food prices. They strike me as chea[per than most airport prices! Good video.

[@scottyerkes1867]

I've ridden Metro North commuter trains on this route. Peekskill to Grand Central with a change at Croton to EMU. The beautiful Hudson in view almost all the day. Thank you Thibault.😀😀💚💚

[@deanchapman1824]

I've commuted to GCT from Poughkeepsie for years. August 25, 2023 was the first time I took the train north of Poughkeepsie. It was foggy because of the rain, but beautiful.

[@garykuipers2696]

These were the former New York Central Lines. Before dual mode locomotives there was a locomotive change at Croton-Harmon.

[@nyrmetros]

I wonder why the New York Central did not electrify the line all the way.

[@AK84-24]

Thank You!

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

You should do the entirety of the route. While I've only ever ridden it from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, I've been to the locations the trains pass, and they are amazing. Once you get into Buffalo, you follow the Niagara River the remainder of the way to Niagara Falls, and the views are really nice.

[@soinfinite]

Hi! I'm going to take train from Bufflao to Albany, which side of seat you would recommend? Thank you.

[@stevelknievel4183]

Looking at the description, I was surprised to find that Amtrak now run between Athens and Thessaloniki.

[@jeanmariebalaes1137]

Toujours un grand plaisir de voyager en train avec vous sur ces lignes que je n'aurai jamais la possibilité de connaître. Merci

[@kevinb8881]

I very well remember Amtrak trains running into Grand Central Station until 1991!!!

[@quanbrooklynkid7776]

I ain't know that...

[@kevinb8881]

@@quanbrooklynkid7776 Yeah I definitely remember seeing them running up and down the Park Avenue Viaduct by way of MNRR Hudson Line, that was a hell of a sight to see, mostly Turboliners, Empires, Ethan Allens, and Lake Shore Limiteds!!!

[@01cthompson]

Poughkeepsie - the town that sounds like an illness. 😄 The station there is very nice. I believe it was designed by the same architect that designed GCT. Also, the walk over the old bridge on the river is really neat.

[@karmesindryade]

Ahh, yes. The May in Greece is always so beautiful 😁. Nevertheless - another interesting video 👍

[@josephr9551]

I've risen that route a few times. One of my favorites. I think you should have pointed out that the Albany station is not actually in Albany but across the river. Next time try taking Amtrak to Montreal, a truly beautiful route next to the Adirondack Mountains.

[@franklinbaez71]

The route to Montreal (Adirondack) is still not in service due to covid

[@kenwbrenner]

Nicely filmed and produced (as always). Thank you for your fine channel, I always enjoy watching...

[@Southern_California_Railfanner]

Fun fact a little north of Albany is where the track is known to have trains up to 110mph including the lakeshore limited, Empire Service, maple leaf, and many more

[@charlesbaran1106]

Hey, if you looked across the river from Rhinecliff, you would see Kingston, where I now live! Commenter Chris Thompson mentioned the old bridge just north of the Poughkeepsie station. It's called Walkway Over the Hudson. It was a train bridge until fire damaged it in 1974, and the railroad did not repair it. After a few decades, it was fixed up and opened to pedestrians and bicyclists. Well worth a visit, especially since it's part of a larger rail trail network on both sides of the river.

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for a most enjoyable video. I really like the refurbished Amfleet coaches, and the new leather seats are excellent. It won’t be too long before the new Siemens coaches arrive either !

[@philipnasadowski1060]

People bag on the Amfleet, but it was the only thing they could buy back in the 70’s on short notice. It’s really a Metroliner body riding on Pioneer trucks. So, late 50’s tech. But Budd had the design ready to go, Amtrak needed coaches badly. Not the best solution, but they sure have stuck around. And they’re better than the Horizons 🤢🤮

[@cinemagirl4907]

I love this train! Also, there's great parking at the Albany station so it's easy to get in and out of the city if you live near Albany and The Berkshires in Massachusetts. By the way, there's a quiet car on every train :)

[@alekseyromanov9593]

Judging by the video, it should be "not that loud car" because here it's a nightmare

[@Ostermond]

No less, they just started running a train to the Berkshires!

[@cinemagirl4907]

@@Ostermond Yes, but it's just for weekenders to come in and out (trains only Friday and Sunday) and only in the summer. Living in the Berkshires, your options are better driving to Albany or get the Metro North in Wassaic. The Amtrak out of Northampton is also an option, not not frequent

[@mstrmren]

Oh wow, the Amtrak from Athens to Thessaloniki!

[@opathe2nd973]

Thanks for this video. We made this trip on our boat a long time ago and I appreciate the view. You did miss the Tappen Zee Bridge (or whatever politician they named it after!) that I take going to New England occasionally. You do good work!

[@hamlet7959]

Merci Thibault et BONNE FËTE 🍾!!

[@deanchapman1824]

We were on the Maple Leaf. The ride along the Mohawk River/Erie Canal is beautiful!!!

[@patrickhundley1203]

I was literally just wondering yesterday if you were going to review the Empire Service and lo and behold, here we are. Great video as always!

[@francisdoss8642]

Liked it of course...High point would be lone Hill enroute...Cheers mate...Danke...🚂

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip, where this trip running between the largest city in that state (even in the country) and the state Capital. CMIIW, beside Empire Service, there's also a train who also running to Niagara falls, but the route is extended to Canada, the train called Amtrak Mapple Leaf (I don't know this train is still operating or not). Finally I can sleep peacefully because the legendary video about Amtrak passing station with fully heavy snow.

[@gregwhitney8820]

Maple Leaf service to Toronto resumed on June 27, 2022.

[@amaan-aliladak]

You should ride the Amtrak Maple Leaf Service too. It follows the same route as the Empire Builder except it crosses over the Nexus Whirlpool Bridge into Niagara Falls Ontario all the way to Toronto Ontario Canada. Sometimes the Amtrak Maple Leaf Service goes as far as Oshowa connecting passengers from Niagra Falls Ontario

[@ThomasJM]

When it crosses the boarder at Niagara falls it actually becomes a VIA train which is Canada's national passenger rail service as it's taken over by VIA personal

[@gregwhitney8820]

Maple Leaf service resumed on June 27, 2022.

[@amaan-aliladak]

@@gregwhitney8820 It started actually a bit earlier

[@amaan-aliladak]

@@ThomasJM When I took the service pre-pandemic the crew in Toronto were Amtrak Personell. And it was an Amtrak Engine with Amfleet Coach Cars and it was Amtrak 64 Maple Leaf Service instead of 97 New York. Now when you look it up it says you have to transfer at the U.S Border to an Amtrak train. Why I don't know

[@amaan-aliladak]

@@ThomasJM But what I don't understand is why CBSA officers in Canada require us to take the bags off the train and CBP officers don't require us to remove the bags?

[@CanalConcourse1196]

Thanks man I love the Hudson River and the train you rode

[@chromebomb]

ive taken this many times and i love it so much

[@drecksaukerl]

Same here.

[@blarol21]

Can't wait for the Athens to Thessalonka video. 😎

[@denizalgazi]

The Egg and the Empire State Plaza are worth exploring in Albany and so lovely at night! I hope they would eventually have sleeper cars added. It's a long journey to Buffalo-Niagara by train from Penn Station and it would be nice to have a private compartment. Thank you for sharing your Hudson River experience on Amtrak!

[@ellenfalls1330]

I ride this train frequently. Great review!

[@Zambi75]

Really great video! I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and it is so exciting to see you ride Empire Service. Albany is my home station and I’ve easily rode that train 20 times. An interesting note is that in 2018 the Empire Service was arriving in Grand Central while track work was being done near Penn Station.

[@williammerry4746]

Great video...this is a train that I have actually been on and enjoyed the trip as much as I enjoyed your video. A great report. Good on you, Thibault.

[@eddieflxible379]

The train blasting through the snow was the beat I’ve seen. And this is why locomotives have mini plows on the front for instances like this when a snow plow isnt available. To the lady standing on the edge of the platform, I hope she learned her lesson to stand the hell back

[@davidburrow5895]

This is one of my favorite routes. The routes west and north of Albany are also beautiful. You can continue on the Empire Service or the Lake Shore Limited out to Rochester and Buffalo, running along the Erie Canal and past the Finger Lakes. Also, once it's operating again, the Adirondack train up to Montreal is truly gorgeous.

[@amaan-aliladak]

Amtrak Adirondack will not be resuming any time soon as they said maybe in September it will resume according to Amtrak

[@John572d4]

I took Amtrak Adirondack from Albany to Montreal in January ‘86, currency exchange favored the US dollar.

[@Red_Ryan_Red]

I can't believe I used to live there 22 years ago @11:48 I really need to get back up on the Hudson to experience it as an adult and veteran; preferably by rail.

[@BDavinci06]

I took the Maple Leaf to Toronto in 2017 in October. There is some wonderful views of the Hudson River in the fall. I spent most of the train ride to Canada just looking out of the window in amazement!! But if you don't want to go that far, Metro-North's Hudson Line will give you the same views of going up the Hudson River and still be in amazement. Great video!! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

Love your channel I hope sometime you take the lakeshore line through Rochester NY where I live and on the way to Buffalo and Niagara Falls! And it follows the historical Erie Canal!

[@guillaumedarbin2433]

Nice views on the Hudson!!

[@theotheronethere4391]

@6:00. Quick trivia, the same line bringing Amtrak trains to Penn used to run further south into the meatpacking district. That section has been decommissioned for trains and has been repurposed as the High Line

[@jeremyquiros5483]

Thank you for the trip! I'm not a huge railfan, but I always enjoy the sights and sounds from your videos.

[@Andrewjg_89]

Must be amazing going over the River Hudson. Wonderful journey.

[@awdrifter3394]

It's so funny listening to the web developer talk about stuff in the background.

[@mr.conductorfromsts4204]

I like how they have a restaurant at Moynihan Train Hall. It’s really incredible.

[@harbar7398]

Wow, a train I’ve actually been on. The Hudson River valley is beautiful.

[@timnewman1172]

Thanks Thibault for a interesting ride! The Amfleet certainly look dated and remind me of the "disco era" when they were introduced, I hope the new equipment is brought into service soon!

[@ronclark9724]

the Amfleet I coaches are approaching 50 years in age, if not already... They will replaced in the next few years, new Siemens coaches have been ordered... Likewise new Siemens locomotives will soon replace the Genesis locomotives... Unfortunately the Amfleet II coaches on the longer distance and Viewlliner sleeper trains will have to soldier on with a refurbishment...

[@jonathanleonard1152]

Trains are now (2022) running to Montreal and Toronto.

[@joemeyers3127]

Another wonderful video - I’ve taken this trip and it is beautiful. I also recommend visiting West Point - scenic and fascinating place.

[@OllieRamone]

Snacky snack cracked me up. I used to take the train sometimes from NY to Plattsburgh when I was an undergraduate there in the early 2000s.

[@geassrailfantitan3414]

So next year I'm going to Switzerland for the Grand Train Tour there for my college graduation present. I intend to ride the Luzern-Interlaken Express, Golden Pass Line, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gotthard Panorama Express, Voralpen Express, Thurbo lake line, and Eurocity trans alpin from Zurich to Graz in Austria. I highly recommend riding them and reviewing them all.

[@amtrakharry]

Excellent Sir...:):):)

[@barbaraurban9824]

Good review. Loved comment about food prices! Don't know significance of the 1991 date but trains heading upstate leaving from GCS for at least 100 yr before. Also if your trains ends in Albany,several do, there is no cafe service.

[@wendellwhite5797]

Nice shot of Hudson High.

[@chrismv102]

TRIP INFORMATION - RECORDED IN MAY 2022 Railroad company: Amrtak Train type : P32 DC #714 From : Athens Central station to Thessaloniki Time : 2h30 Price : $35 - 34€

[@TBF_1J]

3:46 Diesel engines aren't actually banned in NYP, they're just really rare because the tracks are located in underground, and all that smoke in the tunnels. Say for instance l, 108 is traveling on the Empire Service to NYP, pretty rare. They'll shut the engine down until it's time to go again, to reduce smoke. That's why engines have Dual Mode, third rail and diesel (Like the P32AC-DM here) or Catenary/Pantograph and diesel (NJT's ALP-45)

[@hirampriggott1689]

Definitely on my list to ride. I do Northeast Corridor Service all the time, and also took the Silver Star to Orlando last year.

[@njtrailfan4508]

Very cool

[@notsonicefenu]

Might want to check the description - Amtrak is misspelled and I'm fairly certain that you were not in Greece lol great video tho

[@Robbi496]

CSX leases the track north of Poughkeepsie to Amtrak, it is getting upgraded, but takes time!

[@mikequayle4000]

I really enjoy your channel! At some time I would like to see you review "The Canadian", VIA Toronto to Vancouver.

[@Wangan_W]

I can't wait until they update these trains.

[@daRealB-Rex]

Nice vid! Always wanted to the Empire Service line but we live in the South so it’ll be a while before that happens.

[@maxpowr90]

The Ethan Allen is being extended all the way to Burlington, VT. I hope it one day makes its way to Montréal but Canada is a bit slow.

[@dennisud]

It's the same model of coach I rode on last weekend from Miami to Winter Haven when I went to a class Reunion! As you said the seats are great! The Cafe car is almost identical to the on the Silver Meteor! BTW will you take this all the way to Niagra falls in the future?

[@linesided]

I hope it's running to Montreal again soon. I wanna take that trip :)

[@97nelsn]

I took this train round trip earlier this year when I had to go to Lake George via Albany. I enjoyed the train ride on top of the Ice Castles, the river encased in ice and snow. EDIT: I took the 10:20 to Albany in February of this year. I see you took the 10:20 as well.

[@joermnyc]

Much longer ride, but the Adirondack from NYC to Montreal runs along Lake Champlain (sometimes right on the edge of it), though you’ll need to sit on the right side heading north.

[@Da__goat]

I never knew it was possible for trains to move up the west side of Manhattan, I had always just assumed they were constrained to run out the east. That west side is actually really convenient, and could perhaps be an area for improved service.

[@banksrail]

They are planning to run Metro North Service along the West Side Line from the Hudson Line into Penn Station in the future as a part of the Penn Access project.

[@michaelmoore2202]

What do you do after your rides? As an example, where did you go after reaching Albany?

[@grannycee8280]

❤ your videos as always Thibault. I wish you would voice over them rather than the subtitles as it takes away from admiring the videography. Alas, I'm still a top fan and glad you like our Amtrak trains.

[@mirutanable]

was a fun video to watch and the views were stunning... i think that station info in the description for the trip information needs to be changed though...

[@cyberi4a]

Nice view, but you sat in the 'people who like to talk a lot' section of the train.....LOL 😃

[@pgsells]

It's too bad you didn't have a chance to close the video with a shot of the Albany skyline across the river. I forget if there's a real view from the train station in Rensselaer at this point. I would think there is - before it was renovated, there was no chance of such a treat. The renovated station is still small, but much nicer than it used to be - the old one was like a tiny old post office. :)

[@hainam8614]

Nice my friend!

[@casey6556]

On the topic of the Empire Service, I’d love to see you do a review of the Maple Leaf someday. It runs between Toronto and New York along the Empire Corridor, but north of the border it has VIA Rail crew and food and runs as if it’s an entirely VIA Rail train, except on Amtrak equipment.

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Boa dia simply lindo trem 🚆 amtrak gostei 👍 gostei boa viagem ai estação lindo simply caramba jogou neve ❄ ❄ ❄ na pessoas kkkkkkk

[@Northstander]

Another great video...all I can say is that either your microphone is really sensitive or you were unlucky to be travelling with people who seemed to shout at each other rather than talk!

[@peter59fg]

A 13:05 : la loco porte les couleurs et le logo de la défunte compagnie NY-NH & H RailRoad (New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad)

[@OregonRailfan83]

If the train was continuing to Niagara Falls, NY, the dual-mode locomotive was cut off to return to NYC and a single mode, diesel only, for the remained of the trip to Chicago, Niagara Falls, etc.. I attended high school in the Hudson Valley and found it to be a wonderful place for growing up as a teenager. The Twentieth Century Limited passing Garrison, across from West Point, about 7:02 or 7:03 each evening on its way to Chicago.

[@soinfinite]

HELLO! I really appreciate your video which is really helpful for me to plan my family trip. I'm going to take train from Bufflao to Albany, which side of seats you would recommend? right or left? Thank you so much!!

[@michael7191]

Great report as always, but man, there were some loud talkers in that car. It actually distracted from the scenery and your commentary. This is one time I was wishing for a musical soundtrack 😉

[@barroningram7286]

this empire corridor is a good example of how to extend the nec from washington dc to richmond va without electrifying the line , 125 mph is better than 80 mph

[@dck578]

When attending school in Albany in the 197os I took this route to NYC roughly 8-10 times a year. Even back then it was always dependable and far more comfotable and scenic than the bus. Glad you pointed out then when going to Albany sit on the left, and to NYC on the right for the views. One comment: I believe the trains remain on third rail power all the way to Croton-Harmon and not when they exit the tunnels in northern Manhattan. Before dual power locomotives, steam and then diesel engines would be switched to electric at that station.

[@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226]

The current dual modes have limited power under third rail and aren't reliable. As soon as they're out of the Park Ave tunnel, they switch it to diesel only.

[@banksrail]

@@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226 Park Av is for Grand Central Terminal not Penn Station but yeah you’re right.

[@banksrail]

The Metro North uses under running third rail and the LIRR uses over running third rail in Penn Station. Between Penn Station and the Hudson Line on the West Side Line, there is a gap in third rail. The Third rail actually ends as soon as it’s off Penn Station property. Therefore, the train switches to diesel in the Freedom tunnel.

[@gustman9048]

The metro north comet coaches with the double door in the middle I noticed got the seats redone so those I would think are cleaner

[@CanuckJim]

The people sitting around you are the reason they invented noise-cancelling headphones.

[@samtrak1204]

From : Athens Central station to Thessaloniki?

[@Alexrocksdude_]

It sucks the Empire Service decided not to have bike roll on :( was looking forward to taking this route this summer but decided against it because of that.

[@mrsvoyage]

Its on my list thing to do. Drive from Montréal and take the train to ny

[@jfmezei]

Interesting they didn't change engines at Rensselear to continue on P42 to /From Buffalo as they do for trains to Chicago, Montréal, Toronto and Burlington VT. BTW, while CSX owns Ppoughkeepsie-Rensselear-Albany, but Amtrak has a special lease between Poughkeepsie to Rensselear and between Rensselear across Livingston ave bridge and some distance west of Albany. Amtrak is responsible for upgrades to tracks and signaling along the way, but CSX and CP Rail (Formerly Delaware and Hudson) still have trackage rights. Part of Amtrak's deal grast it priority use during the day. CSX has its Alfred H Smith bridge further south at Castkleton On Hudson which bypasses Albany and more efficient route to Chicago but still uses the Livingston Ave bridge to serve local clients. CP only has access to Livingston Ave from what I gather. If you look closely, the westernmost track bypasses the high level platforms at Rensselear station to allow freight trains to pass. And until the early 1960s, trains still terminated in Albany. The station building still stands, east side of Broadway betwene Steuben and Columbia and there was another rail bridge south of there (where Dunn Memorial car briudge now stands). The SUNy massive building was the Delaware and Hudson headquarters and land between that and river were the raiil yards. Tracks were replaced with highway + wasteland and in recent years park opened betwene highway and shore ad bike path along old rail right of way and bridges north of it. Amtrak has special deal for priority use and Amtrak pays for track/signal upgrades. So would have expected tracks to be in good condition.

[@parigino48]

Magnifique parcours, mais que les autres voyageurs sont bruyants !!! 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒚 !!!

[@jeremywilliams5675]

I herd you went on the City of New Orleans from Chicago to New Orleans and you got the videos made and everything when will you have that video out?

[@sandrafaucha8387]

nice 👍👏

[@phronsiekeys]

it is competitive with a car ride, plus many New Yorkers do not drive or own cars

[@markdavid7013]

Looks like that NY needs to invest more into upgrading the CSX track infrastructure.

[@Viewsfromwheels]

I can hear a guy talking in Hindi. I am excited to travel on this route in June 2024.

[@AMT1345]

When will you try Metro-North P32s and shoreliners