Ride on Metro North Super Express

This exciting ride to Beacon is on board probably Metro North’s hottest train. #853 will entertain us with a gorgeous ride up the Hudson nonstop from GCT.  I have taken many rides up to Hudson line, but this is probably the most enjoyable one I’ve ever had. We started with cloudy skies, but then the sun emerged as it glistened off the calm waters of the Hudson.  The impressive mountains in the Hudson Highlands provided magical silhouettes against the changing skies. All stations, interlockings, and passing trains are identified plus additional items of interest. CSX even added to the interest with numerous freight trains seen in the distance on the River Line. Special thanks goes to Ian “In the drink” Tasch for assistance. This train is the longest nonstop commuter train out of New York City that runs 5 days a week.

[@puppypowerboutque9737]

Thanks so much for this video. It brought back many fond memories of the years I lived in Peekskill and rode Metro North. The Hudson Valley was a wonderful place to live.

[@roncohen7497]

glad you retained THE TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE name and gave it its due keep up your great work of cataloging your travels I don't know what force and why there is such magnetic attraction that people derive such enjoyment gazing at trains

[@3985uprr]

Well, I am definitely thankful for that gazing

[@AlexanderPerez-hv4nu]

Funny enough I call it the GMC bridge now because GMC stands for Governor Mario Cuomo, so at least it has a similar sounding with 3 syllables as Tappan Zee even though this bridge has absolutely nothing to do with General Motors😂

[@scottyerkes1867]

Interesting express run. Thanks Tim for your excellent commentary. 💚👍

[@danielwaitzman2118]

Thank you for the wonderful ride and commentary.

[@docphillips5153]

Welcome to Beacon. Back in the NYC days, my maternal grand mother was a clerk in the shops there. I remember the station and ferry terminal very well. I still in Beacon.

[@3985uprr]

I was only there about a half an hour

[@jimpern]

I've never taken a train up the Hudson. I need to do that sometime; maybe stop at Cold Spring for lunch.

[@GaryGP40]

Great ride! Thank you for sharing!

[@petewenk]

Just think back to the NYC varnish that used to run in sections on this line. It certainly was another day,

[@jimlasterni7310]

You give great shots of New York City me being from the Midwest it's cool the CDs locations I really enjoy your videos

[@Leonard_Wilson]

“It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s Super Express.”

[@aprilhilliard3302]

Golly! We love your vids...wish we had some passenger trains in CO. Amtrak only out here, and sketchy service. It's beautiful out here, but miss that aspect of the northeast. Be safe, God bless!

[@trainrover]

love NY: such premium on space that a chord courses either along with or against the waterflow underneath..!

[@ProfessorPancakes420]

Beautiful ride!

[@KofCFrank06511]

As far as the Cross Bx, I like your analogy of eating liver with Cinnamon on the previous post 😁😅🤣

[@jimlasterni7310]

I enjoy your narration and especially your comedy

[@3985uprr]

You have to have some sort of a sense of humor these days

[@chaddallesandro2057]

Thanks man, great ride!!

[@rodhard688]

Someday they will finish all the tunnel and platform work at Penn Station, (and GCT too).

[@NS1221Productions]

I was at riverdale on this very day I left earlier though then I usually do when I go down there Great Spot Anyway Nice video

[@Jake_MHF_Videos]

1:10:47 - This is 851's equipment deadheading back south. However, it does not run to Croton. Instead, it deadheads all the way to GCT before heading back north as train 881.

[@3985uprr]

Good to know

[@Jake_MHF_Videos]

ID 2852

[@warrengibson7898]

Why are they in such a hurry to switch to diesel when clean electric power is available all the way to Harmon?

[@3985uprr]

Those locomotives don’t run very well in electric mode. They are much more efficient in diesel mode. Smoother riding.

[@SteveRoberts5330]

I wish both MNR and LIRR would develop Locos that could utilize the environmentally-friendly third rail at all times when it is available as opposed to just the underground stations and tunnels. 💯

[@mygins5820]

​@@SteveRoberts5330 it's called the Siemens charger and it's already in the works apparently

[@SteveRoberts5330]

@@mygins5820 I'm very familiar with the Chargers and the dual Amtrak/NYSDOT order for both Metro North/LIRR as well as Empire Line Service. What remains to be seen though is if they will still have the drop in efficiency that plagued the GE Genesis Units on 3rd Rail (Electric) Mode or if they can remain on Third Rail all the way to Croton/Southeast and mitigate exhaust emissions. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@101MTA]

I might be mistaken but P32AC-DM's cannot exceed 60 mph while in third rail mode.

[@SteveRoberts5330]

You can still see evidence of the 5th and 6th track freight bypass lanes in Riverdale, Ludlow and Yonkers near the stations and the bridges with crossings for more than 4/5 tracks in that area. It's too bad industry lost it's freight access in that area post-NYCR days.

[@Perseverance1987x]

I was wondering what those tracks were. Thank you!

[@carlossanchez-kz4wh]

Thank you Tim I was having a very bad day and your video made me very relaxed and I want to apologize if I was a little annoying about conductor Paul I was just relaying a message from him I hope I didn't upset you....anyway perfect video thank you I appreciate your help

[@3985uprr]

No, that didn’t bother me. I’m pretty used to his sense of humor.😂

[@adriano6k]

Btw where can one see a full list of nicknames and routes? So far I’ve seen: Redball Express, Cannonball Express and Flying Yankee.

[@kevinb8881]

Tim, it's only a matter of time MNRR GE P32AC-DMs will be replaced by MNRR Siemens Charger SC-42DMs, both dual mode locomotives have fixed underrunning third rail shoes just the MNRR GM FL9s did back in the day, I miss those monsters!!!

[@afcgeo882]

Honestly, I’d rather they’d electrify this line as their cars are INCREDIBLY old and worn down.

[@dapamilya]

we will passing sing sing shortly, but wont be stopping there lol!!!

[@3985uprr]

Well, I meant Ossining. Inadvertently I guess it might’ve sounded a little funny.

[@johnallen8368]

Awesome will be making my debut US visit in June am I right in thinking all trains with 8 xx are locomotive s ?

[@RABSTRAINS]

Outstanding Trip. Would You be willing to take a trip up the Harlem Line to Mt Kisco. Maybe even above MT Kisco to Somers or Yorktown Hts? I spent a lot of time there as a child. Cousins, Grand Parents, Aunts and Uncles all from Mt Kisco. Grandparents lived at 1 Barker Street when they were older. Used to watch the trains from their second floor window in their Kitchen. Penn Central in tje 1970’s I think.

[@trainrover]

would trestle imply there being no siding along that avenue's viaduct that would muffle the train clatter somewhat thereabouts?

[@USArailfan2000]

[11:28] "CP 5" Interlocking at MOTT HAVEN JUNCTION: MNRR's Hudson Line merges with the Harlem and New Haven Lines south back towards 125th Street Station. [19:13] "CP 12" Interlocking: Amtrak's Empire Connection merges with MNRR's Hudson Line, forming the Empire Corridor north up towards Riverdale Station.

[@SteveRoberts5330]

Your "A" Interlocking is Penn Station, not Grand Central - Where this video was filmed.

[@3985uprr]

There is an A interlocking just off the platforms at Grand Central on the upper level. I looked at schematics of the terminal.

[@SteveRoberts5330]

@@3985uprr No, Tim - yours was correct - plenty of history of the towers on both levels @ GCT (A, B, U) and the consolidation into the RCC in the late 80's / Early 90's. I was replying to the comment-poster, who is referencing interlockings on the west side of Penn Station where tracks 6/7 @ Penn split from the main trunk to allow for North (Albany) Access via the Empire Connection.

[@E-man5375]

What about that NJT super express that runs nonstop from Secaucus-Harriman?

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

Nah, the Silverliner IV horns are beautiful in comparison to the Avelia Liberty horns - and that's not saying much!

[@bobrech3661]

Are there any commuter trains that run the West side of the river? Or just freight?

[@3985uprr]

Freight only on the River Line

[@MetroMenTransitProductions]

I have a question for you, did you like Silverliner 2’s and 3’s?

[@3985uprr]

Yes I did. I wish they had preserved some of those. I grew up riding on those cars.

[@vipraalbudhram2235]

Metro North seems so efficient and quick compared to the LIRR. Most branches on the LIRR have so many speed restrictions and then of course there is Jamaica, but this ride up the Hudson was a breeze!

[@afcgeo882]

That’s because LIRR is far more congested, with far more trains, stops and riders.

[@vipraalbudhram2235]

@@afcgeo882 Metro North operates about 15 more trains on average than LIRR during rush hour and they deal with Amtrak service on two lines. Off peak service on both railroads has almost no congestion regardless of train service. However congestion is far more prevalent on LIRR during rush hours instead of Metro North due to LIRR speed restrictions, especially around Jamaica, where service can get pretty slow. Ridership has nothing to do with speed and efficiency either. The Hudson and New Haven lines also have the luxury of 4 tracks throughout, reducing congestion.

[@afcgeo882]

@@vipraalbudhram2235 MetroNorth covers a MUCH larger area that includes 2 states, many of the trains it operates are branch shuttles. Congestion is not due to speed restrictions. The complete opposite is true. There are safety parameters that require spacing between trains and due to the limited space at Jamaica, which is a choke point for the system, the trains have to operate very slowly to maintain that separation. If you think that ridership has nothing to do with speed of trains then this conversation is over. I’ll let you speak to my neighbor’s cat instead.

[@vipraalbudhram2235]

@@afcgeo882 The only branch shuttles registered on radar during rush hour are Waterbury shuttles. Which are highly infrequent and counter peak direction Wassaic Shuttles. If we include these outlying trains, we can also include Greenport Shuttles, and Atlantic Terminal Shuttles on the LIRR. Therefore, Metro North still operates more trains in and out of Grand Central than Penn and Grand Central Madison combined for the LIRR. Speed restrictions are a product of limited space at Jamaica which you just stated yourself. So I don’t know what the argument is there. LIRR has slightly greater ridership than Metro North. However, LIRR trains tend to be more congested due to a lower frequency of services. A greater number of trains usually implies more congestion, but this isn’t the case. However, due to speed restrictions at Jamaica, long stops cause trains to pile up. Furthermore, less tracks after Jamaica on the main line and montauk branch lead to congestion related to express services.

[@afcgeo882]

@@vipraalbudhram2235 Yes, but Grand Central is MUCH larger and 125th isn’t the choke point for MetroNorth. It has just 4 branches with only 3 running through 125th. By the way, MN has three branches in CT and one in NJ that it operates aside from Wassaic. LIRR runs 8 lines via Jamaica, which causes MUCH more congestion. You don’t grasp that it’s not GCT or Penn that are the problem, it’s the trains per hour, per track at Jamaica vs. MetroNorth. That’s the issue. Jamaica has very old infrastructure and despite having 10 tracks, again, runs 8 lines through it. 125th may have only 4 tracks, but again, just 3 lines. Then there’s the terminus issue, with Penn having just 9 tracks versus MN having 34. That adds empty train movement back and forth to Sunnyside.The added 8 tracks at Grand Central help a lot, but the added frequency again jams up Jamaica, slowing everything down. Long Island is long and narrow. It can only have so many branches running its length. That will never change. It’s also FAR more densely populated and has more riders per mile of track. That adds train frequency, frequency of stops, added grade crossings, and lengthens time at each stop, despite your denials. All of that contributes to congestion and speed.

[@trainrover]

is that engine actually firing away on its diesel underground there @ GCT?

[@3985uprr]

Not until he comes out of the tunnel

[@KofCFrank06511]

Tim, why are the locomotives on these shoreliners always facing North (or east) & are shoving into GCT?

[@3985uprr]

Easier to break the engines away for servicing

[@KofCFrank06511]

@@3985uprr Thank You,,,,Tim, let me know where you will be standing on June 2 so I can give you a shout out as we pass by

[@adriano6k]

After Beacon does it continue on to Poughkeepsie does it terminate in Beacon?

[@3985uprr]

Goes to Poughkeepsie

[@afcgeo882]

Local to Pough.

[@3985uprr]

It’s not as far. That’s only about 43 miles. Only the Long Island Railroad Cannon Ball and its winter equivalent number 14 is longer. That only runs once a week.

[@trainrover]

queer: the els get to cruise loftily there while the mainline's run over pipsqueak trestling

[@railfannerjs6308]

2062 is an interesting train number considering most Harlem and Hudson stays in 7-800+. What a LIRR copycat.

[@Cutufia22]

It was great seeing you! A kind man with a good heart ! 🤍 Rafia-west Babylon

[@3985uprr]

Thanks much 😀😀😀