Ride on Metro North

[@tomwarger7209]

I lived in Woodlawn from 1954-1957 (ages 2-5). I still remember, like it was yesterday, standing on the platform at Woodlawn watching the trains go by. My mother was very generous and patient to take me there often. It was like standing in the middle of a Lionel layout: an NYC or NH train every few minutes, four tracks, express and local...

[@3985uprr]

Was the motel there back then?

[@byronthomas4733]

very well done sir...and your a wealth of information..I wish a lot more people took more pride in their work...

[@3985uprr]

It’s easy to take pride when your are interested in what you are doing!!!

[@kingofnothing8668]

Appreciate the trip down memory lane! Grew up in Dopey Plains (as some of us would call it as kids) on the opposite side from what you videoed. Spend many a day next to the tracks as my granfather had a house a whopping 75 ft from rail to the front door. That area is as rural as it gets, but it is a pretty ride in the spring/summer/fall; would be worth a return. That old little coal power plant in Wingdale was what powered the Psychiatric Hospital back in the day. You also travel through what's known as The Great Swamp on the entirety of the Upper Harlem. Comes in from Connecticut at Ten Mile River and travels down through Dover, Pawling, etc to Westchester to the Croton River. I think its about 97 square miles total. If I remember correctly, max speed on the upper end is 70mph.

[@mattheweastman2060]

Hi Retired railfan. I like how you explain what we seeing as you move along. Keep up the good work.

[@jaytalks8091]

Great ride! I once rode an M-7 to Southeast, but I haven't yet gone to Wassaic. All the Connecticut plates were cool; it's like the rail line for Litchfield county as well. Enjoyed your narration as usual.

[@yo31414]

Thank you for this video, I used to travel a lot to Wassaic, back in 2006-2008 when I spent months working in summer camp up in Copake. Nice memories 🙂

[@johncantatore7986]

I grew up taking this line but later moved towards the hudson line. I will always remember me and my dad trying to find the last stop on this line one day driving north along the tracks, and just being astonished that it went so far north when we finally made it to wassaic station!

[@gandlar5489]

The Hudson line up to Poughkeepsie is a great trip as well.Very scenic.

[@distar97]

I spotted many familiar places going back over 50 years. As a kid we played in the Mott Haven yards. Of interest is a track that connects the Hudson line to the northbound Harlem line. About a half mile north there was a spur line (Port Morris branch) off of track 1 that cut across the south Bronx to what is now the Amtrak line and local industry. It was fun to watch the old freight trains traverse all four tracks which effectively stopped all other traffic on the Harlem line. They eventually abandoned it saying it was problematic to block all four tracks at one time. Frankly, it died a slow death due to the decline in industry. Further north I can see many day-to-day familiar places including my apartment building near the Fleetwood station. Thanks for the video and credit for maintaining such steady filming the whole time.

[@robloxboy5712]

The tunnel that runs under park Ave used to be owned by the new york central water line route to Chicago which is run by amtrak

[@deanchapman1824]

The stretch from Wassaic to Chatham would probably be among the most scenic in the nation. I bet they wish they could have it back.

[@ryansheehan9462]

I used to work in Pawling and would often go down to that little park by the station just to watch the trains

[@jimpern]

I've never taken any Metro North line, and the only ones I'd seen videos on were the Hudson and New Haven, due to their Amtrak use. The Harlem line was always a bit mysterious; thanks for showing it! I doubt if more than a handful of commuters go all the way from Wassic to NYC; I suspect that most get off at or before White Plains. And if Chatham is ever part of another commuter rail line, it should be to Albany, not NYC!

[@BRL492]

It just amazes me that the scenery changes so much from the beginning to the end… 82 miles..

[@markmaiello9180]

Nice ride. Those M8s on the Hudson Line are more frequent in the summer as they serve as Trains to the Game at Yankee Stadium from CT. There’s also a train wash & the Highbridge Yard nearby where M8s are occasionally serviced. I grew up on the Harlem Line living in Crestwood for many years. I rode old Pullman MU cars to White Plains everyday for 4 years going to high school. Saw the building of the high level platforms and the 1st M1 cars: what a difference! I actually remember the old NY Central engines, the blue/yellow Penn Central & sometimes all black FL-9 engines (also in NH livery). PC consists were a scattershot of cars from everywhere. But, you know all that! NYS doesn’t get enough credit for the modernization of all 3 MN lines. It’s amazing (but of course, we still complain they can do better). One complaint: all the graffiti! It’s everywhere. Sad. Enjoyed the ride north of White Plains...I drive up north all the time but never ride the train so it was a new view for me. The country up there is very beautiful-even underrated. Keep up the good work.

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

9:41 Reminds me of once where got on a train at Rye years ago, and either the announcement was fast, muffled, or completely absent, but I found out the hard way it was skipping Harrison, Mamaroneck, and Larchmont. 😂

[@fabianakaizen5647]

3:35 Grand Central Terminal 8:13 Harlem - 125th Street 32:37 White Plains 35:16 North White Plains 47:40 Chappaqua 1:02:17 Goldens Bridge 1:06:04 Purdy's 1:09:04 Croton Falls 1:14:56 Brewster 1:18:49 Southeast 1:26:35 Patterson 1:31:31 Pawling 1:37:36 Harlem Valley - Wingdale 1:45:40 Dover Plains 1:48:29 Tenmile River 1:54:09 Wassaic

[@sergeykuzmichev8064]

Thank you for the full trip up to Wassaic! Brought me back to when I used this railroad past Southeast. You narration is stellar too, sent me on a few railway history rabbit holes. Would love to see service extended back up to Millerton some time in the future. I personally see a potential in a branch to Danbury as the right of way is there and all the bridges are still intact, but I imagine it would take quite a lot of capital to prepare the ridebed, lay the track and reconfigure tracks at Southeast to connect up to the Beacon branch (anything is possible if you throw enough money at it).

[@zacharyelder349]

Well if it does happen Metro North will add additional 10.7 miles of railroad to get there.

[@davidhopson729]

I can only imagine what it must have been like to ride all the way to Chatham NY on this line.

[@CTrail1711]

Or Pittsfield

[@Ken_in_Wisconsin]

Harlem trains most certainly did run to Pittsfield - and on to North Adams. The state of Massachusetts is in the process of upgrading the Berk and they are installing CWR. There is a big push to restore service north of Danbury, and I think it will happen eventually.

[@CTrail1711]

​@@Ken_in_Wisconsin ConnDOT has a short term plan for Metro-North service to New Milford. I do agree that service to Pittsfield will be restored someday in the not that distant future, mid-late 2030s. With the huge nation-wide push for better rail service it might be at the end of the decade if all goes well with service to New Milford. I wonder if Metro-North would do the service or if Amtrak will run down the Danbury Branch.

[@CTrail1711]

​@@cats0182 I went to Danbury Railway Museum a few weeks back and according to the schedule they did have direct service when the line was electrified. They would do an engine at Danbury.

[@CTrail1711]

​@@cats0182 The biggest issue is that if they extend the Wassaic Branch the MTA would have to add the MTA tax in Columbia County because they are not currently part of the MTA's current counties of service. I think it is worth it but people would probably not want to do it. Sadly, the MTA has not even tried.

[@nathanjiang100]

Would love to see you do a ride out to Hackettstown on NJT's Morristown/Montclair Lines some day. A lot of scenic areas on the line west of Dover.

[@sethtriggs]

I have never ridden Metro-North. Sounds very fun, and always love to see your style! When the East Side Access is done that ought to be quite a nice ride too! Hope to do that one day.

[@Bklynkid52]

I did a trip on the Wassaic direct last week, and I really enjoyed it. The scenery makes it good too! 😃

[@lauracoons865]

Another great train video! I am not familiar with the Harlem Line as the Hudson Line. Great video but nothing can beat the view of the Hudson River from the train window.

[@Robbi496]

Worth mentioning is that the line to Chatham was supposedly the line that got Commodore Vanderbilt into the railroad business

[@williamralph5442]

The Housatonic RR is still active and runs along the HousatonicRiver. It goes thru Kent, which is very scenic. Thanks for your.

[@deanchapman1824]

Metro North probably has the most scenic commuter railroad lines in the nation. Or among the most scenic.

[@davidkuebler4675]

Hi retired rail fan love your videos like the way you narrate your videos and I think you should try amtrak keystone 42 from new York to Pittsburgh pa or Pittsburgh pa to new york

[@jameshennighan8193]

SCENIC STUFF Just a thought on a third -rail........ A third-rail is not as ugly or unsightly as the dreaded overhead catenary wires and support posts......all of which spoil the environment. Whilst overhead is usually rated at 25kV and is AC, its use tends to be for much faster trains. Perhaps we have to ask ourselves just what is an appropriate fast speed for some lines, especially when we consider the distances involved. We don't necessarily need the fast speeds that many people think that we do. Whilst third-rail, being DC, does require additional booster stations along the way, these tend to be small in scale and can be modelled very attractively, if the will is there, for very little extra cost. Third-rail installation is substantially cheaper than overhead by a factor of thousands, if not millions, for a large scheme. Once installed, overhead is an ugliness that is always with us...... James Hennighan Yorkshire, England P.S. Here in the UK we seem to be currently in thrall to more and more overhead electrification, having, with the exception of the Southern Region, (London area and Kent etc), abandoned some of third-rail systems that we had. Since much of Europe electrified by the overhead catenary method, for a variety of reasons, in the 1960's and 70's, (with some of it as far back as the 1920's and 30's), we seem to be trying to play 'catch-up' at a time when we should be looking at other advancements instead. Much of what we are currently doing in the UK is all a part of our pushing and promoting the Climate Change / Green Agenda, but without thinking through, or being prepared to tackle the issues of electricity generation. It is our policy, following on from the madness of the UN, and the Rio and Paris shindigs, to leave our coal in the ground, in the mistaken belief that solar panels and windmills will cut it........ An obvious nonsense...! Battery and Hydrogen Cell Technology is galloping ahead at quite a pace, and offers a far more attractive and environmentally appropriate future than does the overhead catenary.

[@anthonyglenum4790]

I never expected to feel such enjoyment by railfaning. Keep up the good works.

[@docphillips5153]

If its sparking the GE is pulling hard on the 3rd rail and there is probably wear. Also they have been told to use DC to conserve diesel fuel.

[@arthurerickson5162]

Thanks for bringing us along on another great ride. Now have to add this to my bucket list! The last time I was on this line was in the summer of ‘69 (as the song says) working as a counselor at a summer camp in the Brewster/Pawling area. We met at GCT because owners chartered a train for the entire camp! We stopped nr Brewster and got on busses that took us to the camp. Don’t remember much about the summer, but do remember that train ride!

[@josephpadula2283]

Brewster! Did you stop at Anne Marie’s Father’s restaurant ? Apologies to That Girl!

[@ronbirdman]

Can you do a fanning from Sunnyside yards ? Would be great.

[@edkammerman2533]

When I was a kid I lived between Thornwood and Pleasantville in the early 60s. I used take the NYC to GCT. If I remember correctly the stops between were Hawthorne, White Plains , MT. Kisco and Mt. Vernon , for change to electric

[@kirkzevola5004]

The day you went to Wassaic is the day MN swapped P32 sets. MN #943 to Wassaic the day you went was supposed to have New Haven P32 230 - Shoreliner 4 Cab Car 6312. Your MN set was originally scheduled to operate as MN #843 but they decided to swap 3 P32 sets that day.

[@MattyC62185]

gate of heaven cemetary. That cemetary that has that small platform on this line. That cemetery is the final resting place of the Bambino. George Herman (Babe) Ruth is laid to rest here

[@matthewhernandez8342]

Wow

[@MattyC62185]

@@matthewhernandez8342 it’s actually gate of heaven cemetary which is the tiny platform Tim mentions along this line. That cemetery is the final resting place of George Herman (Babe) Ruth. And also has many famous people in it as well Valhalla also

[@tlove3840]

Real Horn Guy I'm just catching up with some old ones if I'm not mistaken I think they run those Connecticut trains to 8 models during Yankee game one time I was at the station and I saw one of those red trains 8 models park by the station station

[@ozgirl45]

What an incredible station and a great ride. Thank you.

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

Nice to get to know the MNR since I’m not from around here. Thanks for the awesome narration to teach me more about the line!

[@flashcar60]

I hope you ride the Danbury and Waterbury lines soon. I've seen videos of those lines by others, but they don't have the RRF touch, with such knowledgeable commentary. When in Danbury, I'm sure you would visit the RR museum there. When I was there about 15 years ago, I was able to sit in the cab of an FL9.

[@deanchapman1824]

GREAT VIDEO!!! Notice that our suburbs don't sprawl like those in the sunbelt.

[@mmanisr22]

Me and my son walked 20 miles of that rail trail at the end of Wassaic as part of his scouting requirement. Got caught in the rain on the way back. Nevertheless it was a fun day

[@ngoziebinum7931]

Hi Retired , actually both Harlem and New Haven Bypass My House like between Melrose and Tremont towards their destination

[@deanchapman1824]

If this was the sunbelt, we'd still be in sprawl at Brewster.

[@JG347Tv]

I enjoyed your videos and I will definitely ride some of these lines because I love all the scenic views on the metro north lines

[@scottyerkes1867]

Awesone ride. I've only been as far as White Plains. That was an express run...GCT. Harlem 125th, Scarsdale, White Plains. Thanks for posting this review😀😀💙

[@gandlar5489]

I liked the Harlem line back before they electrified the line above North White Plains.I remember the FL9s.Great locomotive with the Hancock air whistle.Would hear them when they passed by.Great memories.

[@westwasbest]

This line should continue into Albany for commuters traveling down state, Amtrak is not frequent enough and not as reliable with times

[@gandlar5489]

I have to ride the Harlem line train all the way to Wassaic one day. I've ridden the Hudson and New Haven lines to the end.

[@americangiant1003]

Just heads up Gand Lar and anyone traveling from NYC that the Wassaic Line only runs a few times a day between GCT and Wassaic during the Monday-Friday "Peak" aka Rush Hour period. Rest of the time it is a "shuttle" between Southeast/Brewster North and Wassaic connecting with trains to/from GCT. Shuttle runs 7 days a week during Non Rush Hour Monday to Friday and all day Weekends and Major Holidays. No doubt a schedule is a must have.

[@gandlar5489]

@@americangiant1003 Thanks for that info.I almost forgot that from Southeast and up to Wassaic is the shuttle.

[@KofCFrank06511]

Thanks for the ride sir

[@CTrail1711]

The Bethel is in my HO scale collection

[@mmanisr22]

That M8 could of been coming from Highbridge Yard as well. Great video as always

[@kevinhoward9593]

sounds like they got a flat wheel. i couldnt even imagine being the engineer if he has to use the bathroom.

[@loocpoc]

I love your videos. Would love to see you do the lines of Metra and the South Shore

[@3985uprr]

You will!!!!

[@unclesticky3201]

You’re surprisingly knowledgeable about areas along local train routes, but you made no mention of the legendary Oniontown as the train passed through (beginning at 1:30:55), about a mile south of the Dover Plains station and immediately west of the track. About 25 years ago, I rode an FL-9 from Brewster to Dover Plains and the train crew mentioned that at one time some of the Oniontown residents used to shoot at the trains. Supposedly in retaliation for one for their kids killed on the tracks. Not sure if that’s true, but there are a lot of stories about the place. It's no longer anything like it was when I first saw the place in the 70's, but it's still pretty strange. Look it up.

[@3985uprr]

Oh well I can’t remember everything 😀😀

[@kingofnothing8668]

Oniontown gets a lot of flack, when in reality the people there just want to be left alone. We used to poke fun of that area as kids not knowing any better, but growing up puts a much different perspective on things.

[@robertcantore330]

Can't wait until East Side Access is Complete!!! Hopefully the M3s make a comeback!!!

[@davidkuebler4302]

How about doing a video from new York to Pittsburgh on the Amtrak keystone line and from Pittsburgh PA back to new York on the Amtrak keystone line and well made video by the way I enjoy it alot I do

[@christophercancel934]

They should bring back the Putnam line. Wouldn't you agree?

[@NYCSKYSCRAPERS-hp6pm]

Thank you my friend for another great ride, love coming with you on these rides!

[@xaviergaming2206]

Omg LIRR is coming to grabd central soon

[@grommit700]

Looks like you did make a video to Wassiac! Time for me to watch.

[@gardenstaterailfan]

You should railfan the Wassaic Branch. A lot of scenic spots. I made a visit to it last summer.

[@RailsByBilly]

Believe it or not, the New Haven Line is actually longer… taking an hour an 57 minutes (for exact time). Just a 2 minute difference, but when technically speaking, NH is the longest line

[@3985uprr]

I’m going by distance.

[@RailsByBilly]

@@3985uprrOh, that makes sense then.

[@jameshennighan8193]

OUTSTANDING FOOTAGE Outstanding footage and very informative comments for those of us unfamiliar with these routes. Well done. Unfortunately, the disfiguring idiocy of Graffiti to be seen everywhere by the line-side. This is a cancer of and on modern society, which seems to be increasingly tolerated by officialdom at so many levels. It is seen in Europe, where it is a blight across the suburbs of Paris......and has spread across once pristine line-sides throughout Austria and Switzerland. Parts of the railway infrastructure and line-side in the UK are similarly blighted. Many years ago the authorities in New York decided to tackle graffiti on subway trains by withdrawing them from service to clean them, and more security when trains are parked out of use, or for servicing, has tended to keep trains away from the half-wits who spray the ugliness onto things. One has to wonder why the railroads, together with city and municipal authorities, neglect the infrastructure along the track-side, where they seem to 'tolerate' graffiti, instead of tackling what is clearly a major problem. This journey shows the extent to which this 'toleration' has exacerbated the problem, where everything from line-side signalling cabinets to concrete bridge supports are quite literally covered in the stuff. This same 'toleration' goes a good deal of the way towards encouraging this anti-social idiocy, leaving it as arguably the single most anti-social action that is not dealt with effectively; if it is dealt with at all...! There is much that can be done about this scourge across our society.......... But there has to be the will, follow through and consistency to tackle the issue..... James Hennighan Yorkshire, England P.S. Here in the UK we now have simpletons and idiots in the Model Railway Fraternity, applying graffiti to their layouts. Where in doing so for the sake of what they interpret to be the reality of the scene, they singularly fail to understand the message that it sends out to the idiots.... Madness......!

[@letsplaybaseball3072]

Do direct Danbury next

[@juliewarrington4238]

I find these train rides very interesting 🤨

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,Correct me if i'm wrong,,,,,,,The old EMD's had DC traction motors driven from the DC generator spun by the diesel engine ; DC current from the generator to the traction motors is near instant.......Modern Diesels use DC traction motors ; with an AC generator ; which requires an Inverter to change AC to DC at the traction motors,,,,,,That could be where the lag time is..... Modern Diesels may use AC traction motors with a DC generator spun by the prime mover.......Hell , I'm not sure.....

[@3985uprr]

Most of the newest locomotive use AC traction.

[@juliewarrington4238]

That’s the train I take to Grand Central

[@TheHighRiseElevatorLover]

I’m curious about the LIRR, particularly the order of lines from longest to shortest, only including the sections that run MUs as the M7s and the M9s are the ones I like. I’ve been on a couple M7s but not a M9 yet.

[@3985uprr]

Ronkonkoma, Babylon, Huntington, Long Beach, Far Rockaway, Port Washington, Hempstead, West Hempstead. Those are the branches which are roughly longest to the shortest

[@TheHighRiseElevatorLover]

@@3985uprr Thank you. I’ll be in Washington DC again in May and haven’t decided if I’m going to take a day trip to Philadelphia or a two day trip to New York. Your tips on catching silver liner fives in Philadelphia was extremely helpful. Manage to make good use of that my last trip there.

[@JanetBlake2010]

What are the chances ? This popped up today, 22 March 2024!

[@bflewis9713]

Sweet!! You did it. Thank you.👍. Bf needs to re-familiarize himself with the territory. Lol

[@njtrailfan4508]

Cool nice video

[@dennisthebrony2022]

One Question, why do the P32AC-DM push pull trains only enter through the upper level of GCT? Why not also the lower level?

[@americangiant1003]

Thanks for the great video Railfan. Ps any word on if/when Metro North would resume a connecting weekend bus service that ran to Millerton, NY and then the Lower Berkshire border towns of say Great Barrington, Mass? It was around for a bit before it got cut around the Mid to late 2010's (Don't remember exact year.) Thanks

[@zacharyelder349]

So i do have a question for the MTA Metro North Harlem Line. If the Harlem line expands farther north than Wassaic New York, could they have a chance to restore Union Station in Chatham New York could that happen?

[@3985uprr]

Doubtful that will happen because a lot of that portion is a hiking trail now

[@sambrookes4497]

Why do they switch to diesel at Harlem when the electrification stops at Southeast?

[@3985uprr]

The locomotives operate better in diesel mode than in electrical mode

[@bossf51]

What is the rule on masks at GCT? I see most people aren't wearing them. I thought you had to wear the mask on the train and in the stations. I'm heading down there tomorrow so just curious. I will be wearing mine inside regardless of the rule.

[@3985uprr]

Technically inside of any metro north station you have to wear a mask but they really aren’t enforcing it too much. People know this so they try to take advantage. Legally you should wear a mask but you won’t get ostracized if you don’t. I personally wear them indoors at all times just to provide an extra layer of protection for me since I’m not a spring chicken anymore

[@Thedecider1984]

The masks do not work.

[@3985uprr]

@@Thedecider1984 They work if you wear the proper one KN95

[@TheRandomBolt]

Stupid question if I answer my question did you switch trains diesel train ls

[@3985uprr]

????

[@TheRandomBolt]

@@3985uprr never mind I just wondering Harlem line switch diesel trains i forgot to watch the whole video sorry about that a error I answer my own question I don’t live in nyc that why

[@letsplaybaseball3072]

That’s what I was thinking

[@Jeff-uj8xi]

Hey Tim, It's arcing, not sparking....lol... I know you pride yourself in being accurate and knowledgeable. With the price of diesel fuel these days {even with their contract} they should stay in the electric mode as long as possible.....all the way to the end of the third rail. Engineers who do otherwise are wasteful and should be reprimanded . It's no laughing matter. Furthermore, we need to get off of oil where ever and when ever possible.