Rockville - Least Used Amtrak Station in Maryland

[@nathanielthrush5581]

Here is how I would describe Maryland: Baltimore has great bones for transit but has been mismanaged for so long that it’s transit is now pretty horrible, while the DC suburbs have terrible bones for transit but are some of the most connected suburbs in the country. I took the metrobus to school everyday growing up in silver spring.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

DC also has mismanaged it's system for a while, but it is clawing back things now, and had further to fall originally... the system being still pretty good in the 90s-early 2010s, however, the Metro did become rather badly dilapidated by 2015 or so, with a big push to revive it in the last couple of years.

[@hannahemartin1]

"DC" does not have a system, per se. WMATA is a quasi-governmental agency with leadership equally appointed by DC, Maryland, Virginia, and the federal government. Most of the train lines and many of the bus lines in the DC suburbs are run by WMATA.

[@DMVRailfan]

I’m a Maryland citizen in the DC Metropolitan area, and this is actually true. And also, DC is placed in a bad spot for transit. The Penn Line runs between two areas that are connected well, but that’s really the only frequent service in DC. We are also in a bad placed area for transit. It’s where the NEC ends and also the northwest and Camden Lines are forced to share tracks with CSX and other freight companies, and the Brunswick Line has three companies running alongside it. VRE doesn’t have a choice to run frequent service, because it runs on Amtrak and CSX tracks that are used often.

[@timbarrett4580]

I live in Rockville! I've honestly never taken the Amtrak from that station since most of my friends and family live in NYC and Boston. It just seems like less of a hassle to take the red line to Union and then Amtrak out of there

[@Jobother]

i've used it a few times to take the capitol limited, and i lived across the street from the station.

[@Moechella444]

The F4 is a goated suburban bus route. Not only does it run every 12 minutes, but it's so popular that they're building the Purple line light rail parallel to that route (New Carrollton to Silver Spring) and the J2 (Silver Spring to Bethesda) (Also a goated suburban bus route).

[@himbourbanist]

It's kind of wild just how many services this weird DC Metro suburb in Maryland actually has. MARC, Amtrak, DC Metro, and DC Metro Bus all connect around this frankly impressive TOD. The DC metropolitan area sometimes surprises me with just how polycentric it is and how much TOD has been going up around its stations. You could get anywhere in the Northeast (and even the Midwest via Amtrak) connecting to this weird one-off station in Maryland. This station could be really great (and probably get even better ridership) if that superfluous parking was upzoned and a little station house was constructed.

[@JohnR-wf2hh]

This station's low ridership seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy. If more trains ran and the signage was clear, I'm sure more would use it.

[@transiturbandc]

Ok, as a Marylander, I have to say: you were never in Southern Maryland; you were in Central Maryland. There's no widely agreed-upon definition of Southern Maryland, but a good low estimate is Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties (an official statewide transit plan from last year uses this definition), and a good high estimate (imo) is everywhere in MD south of the Suitland Metro station (except Eastern Shore, which is very different from pretty much anywhere else in the state)

[@CableFlame]

As someone who used to live in Rockville & other places in MoCo MD, I came here to say this. Thanks for beating me to it! :)

[@andrewmazzarini2742]

That acapella break was perfectly fine Miles, don't sell yourself short like that!

[@TomHoffman-uw7pf]

I lived in Rockville 8 years, about a 10 minute walk from that station. That was by design. I worked in downtown DC, but I rode Metro, not MARC because it was faster. Life is too short to waste commuting. I made damn sure I was walking distance of Metro. Do you have any idea what happens in DC when it snows? I'm sure some of my coworkers were sitting in traffic while I got home right on time. I had enough foresight to insist on living in a place with rail access. That station has to be the ugliest one on Amtrak. Brutalist, that's a good one LOL. It looks like something out of Orwell's 1984. I did use it from time to time. One time, I detrained from my sleeper from Chicago and walked home in 10 minutes. When MARC was running midday service in the early 1990s, I took it to Point of Rocks or Brunswick to hike the C&O Canal or the Appalachian Trail. o

[@Dangrulz96]

Never thought I'd see Giuseppi's in a youtube video, I used to get lunch there in high school. The downtown has changed a lot since then. We used to call it Rockville Town Center or RTC, and that "art deco" building used to be a parking lot. And yeah, us Marylanders love our flag, because it's the best one 😎

[@paulw.woodring7304]

Rockville station does what it is supposed to fairly well for a suburban stop for subway, bus, commuter rail and Amtrak. Being back in Ohio after over 20 years living in the DC area, it would be nice to have any daylight passenger trains at all.

[@peabody1976]

I love that 1) you got on a bus in PG County, which is really underserved by Metrobus at a station which is a hub for MARC, Metro, and Amtrak; 2) you went to Rockville when they were doing a four (ahem five) month rehab to replace the canopy; 3) you walked through "Rockville Town Center", which was a restoration of older street grids (there was a huge failed mall in that location for almost 30 years, and they tore it down); 4) you're right in how under-signed Rockville for Amtrak, probably because of how infrequent the stop pattern seems to be. MDOT really needs to do something about all its infrastructure.

[@MilesinTransit]

Number 3 is great to hear - I didn't know that used to be a mall! It's sad they tore up the original grids, but I was pleasantly surprised by the new neighborhood they've built.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@MilesinTransit there are bits of the actual old neighborhood sticking out behind the court-house, this corner (being the other side of the 28) seems not to have been within the square of the mall was built... thus retaining a few old stone and wooden colonial structures. Btw the only parts of the intermediate mall left is the now Imax theatre complex at the end of the the glass walkway

[@trainman1971]

Fun fact: Prior to the Red Line extension to Shady Grove, the suburban D.C. stop for Amtrak was Silver Spring. I think Amtrak moved their stop to Rockville in conjunction with the opening of the Metro. The original Silver Spring station was about two blocks east of the current station location, so not so convenient to Metro. The current Pittsburgh station opened in 1991 or so. It replaced a trailer that was positioned right behind the stub tracks. Entry at that time was via walking along the East Busway around the side of the former PRR station building and through an opening in the fence.

[@MilesinTransit]

I did not know that about Silver Spring! I feel like that's a bigger job/population center than Rockville honestly? And the current MARC station is right on top of the Metro one, isn't it?

[@trainman1971]

@@MilesinTransit Yep, the current MARC Silver Spring station is right at the Metro transit center.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@trainman1971 wonder what's the least used station on the Marc?

[@trainman1971]

@@stanislavkostarnov2157 Hmmm! That definitely would have to be Laurel Racetrack. Given that it is only served by Washington-bound trains on the Camden Line, and as it is, only one of those trains stops there, it wins by default.

[@TomHoffman-uw7pf]

@@trainman1971 Stations like that defy all reason. Why would anyone travel by train if they couldn't get a train back? (ignore things like arranging a ride in advance). I'm a railroad buff and I like to read old timetables. There were HUNDREDS of stations in the US that had trains stopping in only one direction in the 20th century. I have thousands of magazines and books about trains. In almost 70 years, I have not even seen this issue even MENTIONED, let alone explained. Locally, Manassas VA had this situation. A southbound train stopped there, but no northbound train did. (this was long before VRE service was started).

[@stevenroshni1228]

The lack of signage is a missed opportunity for Amtrak's overall marketing. The more often people see a brand, the more likely they are to look into the company. Departure board and announcement also.

[@deogenerate6008]

aw man i should've found miles and become a fan earlier, it's so funny seeing him walk around right under my bedroom window at rockville town square lol. too bad i was back home in wisconsin while he would've been here filming this!! i've always wanted to take the amtrak into chicago from here rather than flying out of dca but the plane nerd in me beats out the train nerd almost every time, also no amtrak in madison is butts (for now?? crosses fingers??) also hell yeah giuseppi's pizza mentioned lfg

[@stylo90]

Rockville is a wonderful and fast way to get to Harper's Ferry to hike for a weekend trip! I agree they should upzone the parking, the area badly needs more mixed use east of the tracks. But notice there's a sound barrier on the far side of the parking lot.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

3:08 the Regal Cinemas (with a cool old-school exterior!) there at Rockville Town Center is set to close. this was announced in Jan 2023 but 2 weeks ago I saw it was still open

[@mr.chronograph9022]

Thanks for featuring my city of Rockville!

[@Mpugs]

You gotta do the WMATA metro challenge once the orange line is completely open

[@davidsixtwo]

I've hopped off the train from from Chicago here, it's useful for getting to Montgomery County

[@ken12117]

I like the concept. Would be happy to see you visit least used Amtrak station in Illinois.

[@MilesinTransit]

Stay tuned ;)

[@stacydelgado3285]

Just watched this video. I used to take the MARC up to Frederick from that station. One winter after a heavy snowfall a freight train was barreling through and throwing snow with its plow everywhere. I was stuck on that platform with it happened.

[@12799MaDeuce]

I live in Pittsburgh and am embarrassed by our Amtrak station. I don't know why they stopped using Penn Station. But the Greyhound station is actually across the street at the Grant Street Transportation Center.

[@MilesinTransit]

Oh yeah, I was referencing the fact that it just FEELS like a Greyhound station!

[@12799MaDeuce]

@@MilesinTransit but thanks for the video on this, I'm taking amtrak into Rockville later this month, always like to scope things out beforehand

[@italiana626sc]

Love the acapella break because I was thinking about that song from the first moment I saw this vid.

[@Esmith5488]

I live in Maryland and the only thing I can think of when passing Rockville is that rem song haha

[@russellgxy2905]

So you managed to film this after Rockville Metrorail was shut for canopy renovations, but _before_ the 7000s were sidelined for safety inspections? Or mabye that was a 7000 on a test run idk In terms of ridership...for Amtrak yeah I'm not surprised it's that low. Also how late was your train? Usually the Capitol is the first train out on that line during afternoons with all the MARC trains running behind it It's interesting seeing this as a local of the DMV

[@DuluthTW]

D*mn you, Miles. I've enjoyed watching your videos recently while being otherwise productive around the house, for example: cleaning the kitchen, folding clothes, trimming my nails, etc... Then you go and introduce the Where's Waldo-like game of spotting the Delaware flag. All productive endeavors ceased. I stand by my previous decree that you ARE sometimes entertaining and frequently informative in your videos. Yes, you may quote me on that. Thanks for sharing!

[@MilesinTransit]

Haha, thank you so much!

[@moetee8675]

I remember that Greyhound station, if it’s still there in 2024. It’s like an Extra large 7-11 with seats.

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

Love the rem cover

[@MilesinTransit]

Thank you!

[@errweezze1898]

I live in Rockville. great vid

[@kevinhoward9593]

Did you know that because of the contruction of the Metro the B&O Tracks were moved to where they are now to accommodate the Metro tracks.

[@judgesaturn507]

Love Maryland's flag.

[@vinceghio]

I go to Rockville every summer. My grandparents live there

[@Mentally_Will]

"Ha, before I even watch this video, I know I'm gonna leave a goofy comment saying REM warned him not to go back there and see if he gets the reference AW HELL he beat me to it!"

[@terrenceblackwell4467]

With the Purple Line under construction, several Metrobus routes along with Montgomery County Ride On bus routes and Prince George’s County THE BUS routes will be modified

[@thefareplayer2254]

You’re going to CHICAGO?!?! Yaaaayyyy!!!

[@MilesinTransit]

Don't get too excited, I didn't ride much urban transit - certainly not enough for a dedicated video :( I need to go back!

[@thefareplayer2254]

@@MilesinTransit Well at least you saw that magnificent city!

[@Molejules]

I took the Cap back in October and they didn't do a good job of distributing seat checks, but they did bother me when I was displaced by a double-issue. Yay?

[@chdreturns]

My grandma & grandpa lived in Rockville so I partly grew up there and Richmond, Virginia. If Montgomery Donuts was still a thing all its ridership would likely be me. Some of the best donuts I ever tasted. Never knew there was a amtrak there.

[@terrenceblackwell4467]

Montgomery County is considered as my second hometown. Ironically, Amtrak service in Maryland is served by Capitol Limited serves between Washington Union Station and Chicago Union Station and Acela is served between Washington Union Station and Boston’s South Station

[@history_leisure]

A fair, not a park. Six Flags America does have a bus from Largo Town Ctr, but one does a weird thing and the other is a little less weird

[@jg-7780]

2:25 nah, just a temporary carnival

[@Josephcavagnaro]

8:37 "hey karin i got some tea but I'd rather spill it" Ai Miyashita, 2022

[@BsBsBock]

Woah Toledo Station looks soooo depressing, what a shame for such a big station

[@oofyalDAMMIT]

You can actually take the Capitol Limited to Rockville too or marc (in case anyone was wondering)

[@adammoldover8769]

I live in Virginia but not far from Rockville; I've never taken public transit to get there though just cause of how long it would take for me

[@qjtvaddict]

Why is Brunswick service so damn limited?

[@marylandrailfan2008]

My home station nice👍

[@hilleltulchin]

Mine too...

[@massrailvideos]

Totally my home station too

[@PittsburghRailroader31]

11:20 AYE welcome to my town!

[@MilesinTransit]

I love Pittsburgh!!

[@TuvaluPTFS_Boeing767]

Rockville is actually a very good railfanning spot for CSX, MARC, Amtrak, and Metro trains. Even tho i railfan there a

[@max.dumpster2680]

they love their flag because it's the BEST

[@emaglott]

I'm real, I hope you get to 1000!

[@stevenvelders0]

You should do Collab with thom from trainsrawesome

[@sudormrfnopreserveroot]

What about Cumberland station?

[@MilesinTransit]

What about it?

[@sudormrfnopreserveroot]

@@MilesinTransit I thought that that was the least used. Like only Amtrak (no MARC), and only served by the Capitol Limited.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

​@@sudormrfnopreserverootcounting Amtrak ridership only. Cumberland FY2022 = 8350, Rockville = 4058

[@jmchristoph]

I'm guessing the only reason Rockville gets least-used for Maryland is that Harper's Ferry is technically listed in West Virginia even though the town straddles three states. I'd be shocked if you told me Harper's Ferry gets more riders than Rockville.

[@MilesinTransit]

Rockville got 5,421 riders in 2019 while Harpers Ferry got 7,920!

[@jg-7780]

Harper’s ferry is a pretty popular tourist spot (and a very cute town)

[@jmchristoph]

@@jg-7780 yeah, I grew up about an hour south of there. I just figured there'd be still more ppl taking the train from Rockville to points further west like what Miles did.

[@MBTA1234]

Any opinions on the new Babcock and Amory Street stations?

[@MilesinTransit]

I will check them out when I go back to Boston for Thanksgiving!

[@walterplayz4876]

@@MilesinTransit I wanna meet you one day! I’m actually Dat Train Crew #2 and maybe I can meet you! I live near Griggs Street and I can meet you on Glenville Avenue. me dad gonna pick me up and I’ll tell him about it if you are able to see me.

[@MBTA1234]

Cool I'm gonna be heading down on the B and sl3 to check out the new commuter rail station either this or next weekend also want to do a collab?

[@damiancooper3063]

How did you get to Rockville?

[@MilesinTransit]

It's in the video!

[@damiancooper3063]

Have you ever seen a train at the derby diamond?

[@paulw.woodring7304]

@@damiancooper3063 It's Darby. I used to be a CSX Engineer qualified over that subdivision, so I ran across that diamond many times. It used to be a maintenance nightmare for CSX. It was over soft ground and they had to replace the diamonds every 18 to 24 months. I think they finally fixed it about 15 years ago.

[@pdxproductions1613]

Long distance for once!!

[@brendanu1680]

Try Doing Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming And South Dakota

[@Qball10]

Hawaii doesn't even have a railroad

[@JimBones1990]

@@Qball10 Does now.

[@Qball10]

@@JimBones1990 yeah lol

[@1038bro]

the first person to figure out the wmata bus map 😭

[@Moechella444]

New Carrollton and Rockville are most definitely not Southern Maryland. They would be considered the Capitol Region or Central Maryland.

[@UnusedOldAccount1]

can somebody make a playlist of miles in transit wmata vids

[@MilesinTransit]

It's just this and the Silver Line one I'm pretty sure! I guess there's the Baltimore Metro one if you want to stretch the definition of "WMATA"...

[@UnusedOldAccount1]

@@MilesinTransit thanks im almost done watching every vid of your channel its the challenge

[@MilesinTransit]

Whoaaa, good luck!!

[@Quickjet-ix4nv]

It’s because the Brunswick line is too slow to use properly.

[@swatl]

REM said not to go and the people listened.

[@cathydoherty6875]

If going to Chicago go to Albany to Chicago.

[@Murphyproductions]

NJ please

[@MilesinTransit]

It'll happen!

[@johnadams6535]

You sure do like riding buses.

[@MilesinTransit]

That is kind of the thesis statement of the channel, yes

[@johnadams6535]

I love riding the Capitol Limited!

[@johnadams6535]

P.S. If I had a choice between a bus and a train, I would take the train!

[@edwardapier]

You are too young to know that Rockville is the home of Crime Dog, McGruff. Take a bit out of Crime.

[@MilesinTransit]

He canonically lived in Rockville?