America's FASTEST Commuter Rail: Riding the MARC Penn Line from Baltimore to Washington DC

[@ECDT1089-EtheLamborghini]

Tip: The Marc Camden line has way friendlier staff and are more welcoming of railfans.

[@Thom-TRA]

The Camden line is on my bucket list!

[@PGHammer21A]

@@Thom-TRA I prefer the Penn Line BECAUSE it overlaps the NEC at both ends - the Camden line has no overlay at Camden Yards - the northern end. I have walked from Penn Station to Camden Yards - which is a a decent way to get your exercise if the weather cooperates . .Penn Station itself abuts Harborplace - plenty of places to eat and shop

[@Zinojn]

@@Thom-TRAI am sorry you had the bad experience with the staff. I ride the penn line at least once a week and have never ran into an issue like that. May of just been a really bad day for that staff :(

[@davidburrow5895]

Now that you're in D.C. something you may want to consider is taking the MARC Brunswick line up to Harpers Ferry for a weekend getaway. It's an easy trip, and it really is beautiful up there.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’d love to do that. Any time of year you recommend?

[@misterpoopy1950]

@@Thom-TRA fall would probably be the best. harpers ferry is absolutely beautiful and that area of west virginia is just gorgeous in the fall. I love the trail that goes above the Potomac, the Point at the rivers is amazing and the trailheads there are amazing. Weverton Cliffs is super close as well and it's a BEAUTIFUL view.

[@dennisforner6090]

You are making a salient point about how the staff makes such a difference in having a pleasant experience or not Thom. Complaints are 'feedback' & my experience is that those organizations that understand this do something about it - the notion of 'continuous improvement'. Staff attitude is such a critical factor in a customer's travel experience. Such a pity but ever the professional you decided to be positive on your overall experience I fully agree that given this line is electrified why use diesel power? Thank you for sharing your candid comments about this train experience.

[@Thom-TRA]

I always appreciate your wisdom and your willingness to share your thoughts on the videos I post! I always think it’s fair to take a number of factors into account, and MARC was a decent product, although had it been one of those electric locomotive I think I would have been ecstatic! There is only one time a staff interaction completely ruined my whole trip. That was 5 years ago this June, and I’m actually doing an anniversary video on its anniversary…

[@dennisforner6090]

@@Thom-TRA Please don't allow those types of people to upset you Thom. You do a fantastic job of sharing your experiences both positive & negative. I'm sure the majority of your viewers appreciate your comments on your transit journeys. Keep up the great work- your passion for public transport is truly inspirational.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@dennisforner6090 thank you! That means a lot to me!!

[@bikebusrider51]

Q

[@bugno9969]

the only MARC trains that go 125 mph are the few peak direction trains that skip almost all the stops between DC and Baltimore and will be pulled by an electric HHP-8.

[@ttimgents]

I've been riding MARC (occasionally, not daily) for years. I've found the conductors very personable to neutral. Never rude. Don't know what happened the day you rode MARC. Regarding overhead storage space: not very good. Not quite sure what they think will fit up there. I've not been able to fit a small, lightly packed backpack into that space. I have been on a MARC several times when it hit 120 mph: between BWI and Odenton stations. I'm a senior. Can't beat the ticket cost. Hope that eventually one can use the Washington Smart Trip card or the Baltimore Charm City card to pay for trips. Have to say that I love MARC. Both the Camden line and the Penn line. Thanks for your series on commuter trains. I really enjoyed it.

[@ChrisEstep-v7b]

For four months of 2000, I was a student at the Maryland Workforce Technology Center in East Baltimore - which means that if I went home for holidays - such as Independence Day, I took MARC's Penn Line - this very train - back to DC's Union Station.

[@landon176]

I’ve ridden Marc like two years ago and I’m honestly very satisfied. The seats were comfy. The ride was nice. I got to see a bunch of Amtrak northeast corridor trains and also they really scared me when they passed by. They were just so loud.

[@bobchessick4282]

MARC Penn Line is operated by Amtrak crews. The multilevel cars are exactly the same as those used by NJ Transit as they were from a cancelled order. (EXO/AMT in Montreal also uses them.) But the 125 mph service is limited to express trains, particularly the non stop DC Baltimore morning run. NJ Transit has a few express trains that go north close to 125 between Newark and Princeton.

[@jsea1967]

You didn't hit 125 MPH on your trip. All MARC equipment except for the HHP-8s is equipped with I-ETMS which limits max speed to 90 MPH. The only time you can reach 125 is when a Hippo is leading a northbound train.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah I really wish we could have had an HHP-8 that would have been awesome

[@insertchannelnamehere8685]

For the best chance of an HHP-8, you should look at their schedule and go on one of their express trains which go nonstop between DC and Baltimore in 41 mins, but those only exist during rush hour.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@insertchannelnamehere8685 good to know!

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

@@insertchannelnamehere8685 it looks like MARC pads its schedule more generously than Amtrak since NE Regional runs that stop at New Carrollton and BWI are also scheduled for 41 minutes, too

[@eugeneking1462]

When I visited Baltimore and Washington DC I flew out of BWI [to and from Chicago MDW]. At that time MARC didn't run on Sunday.

[@TSquared2001]

Love the transparency of your review

[@peterfrey6062]

very informative, especially the speed on MARC

[@ChrisH-1952]

This has been an excellent and informative series - enjoyed every minute of it. Ultimately, it is often other people (staff and passengers) who make or break the pleasure of a train ride and you experienced the mix. I sometime wonder if the worst staff understand that the people they're being rude to are paying their salary, through buying a ticket and often also through their taxes. Fortunately, there are far more good than bad in my experience (which alas does not (yet) include the USA. Great channel, Thom...keep at it. 😁

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you so much! I totally agree with what you’re saying. For me good train experiences outweigh the bad ones by a lot thankfully. Let me know if you ever do make it to the US, I’ll show you around haha

[@pjinnj35]

I heard the state rail don’t want to pay to Amtrak for electrified rail. They say it’s cheaper to run diesel and shed.

[@bryanb2014]

I used to ride this all the time when I visited my parents when they lived in St. Mary's County, Maryland. I would take the MARC from Baltimore to Washington and take the commuter bus to California regional airport. I live in Utah now, and take the FrontRunner from Provo to Salt Lake City and sometimes Ogden every now and then

[@spider_hoss]

I've only ridden MARC once, and they never checked my ticket. I've ridden the Light Rail in Baltimore a bunch of times and I've never had my ticket checked. Is MTA just that short staffed or am I doing it wrong?

[@Thom-TRA]

Don’t worry, you’re doing it right

[@frederickschulkind8431]

Tickets are not routinely checked on the Baltimore Light Rail. You just get on. The cops periodically board and check tickets. If you get caught without one, there is a heavy fine. Otherwise, you could have gotten a free ride.

[@franco0003]

Yeah it's like a gamble anytime you get on the light rail without a ticket. I probably actually get checked maybe 1/10 rides.

[@tibbers3755]

Marc it happens from time to time, they check at boarding usually but sometimes at Penn or BWI they will do so after theyre underway

[@tibbers3755]

not the first time ive heard of the crew being like that (rather this is the third from a travel review/trainspotter channel). When im on ive only ever had the really friendly ones, which usually are seen on the southbound trains about 10 or 11 in the morning or 4-6pm northbounds in the evening. Do note, my observations are from 2017 and 2018. I dont know if the crews are still the same since then

[@anthonywarrener1881]

Thank you for a great video ! I too am a big fan of MARC, and you were unfortunate to have a grumpy Crewe on your trip. The Brunswick line to Baltimore is fascinating, and has the additional interest of much freight traffic. I hope you also tried Virginia Railway Express when in D.C, for their trains are comprised of Gallery type cars, which are kept in immaculate condition! Best wishes.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m looking forward to going back to the DC area someday and really exploring the whole area. I think there’s a lot it has to offer!

[@raakone]

I remember reading when Marc went "unplugged" for that line. I think it's because it's simpler having just one pool of locomotives.

[@harpersinclair3948]

IIRC it was over the power bill Amtrak was charging MDOT; either way HHP-8s and occasionally ACS-64s still run to this day and MARC might wind up buying ACS-64s when Amtrak retires them

[@bobchessick4282]

Part of it also was when a train broke down outside of New Carrollton and passengers were stranded for hours in 90+ temps.

[@robertmcross1]

Absolutely love your commentary and in depth review. Keep up the great work, really look forward to your vids !

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for the comment!!

[@alk61695]

I really wanted to ride MARC to DC when I was in the area, (on a different line), but the schedule just didn't line up with my plans. They don't run late at night when I wanted to leave DC.

[@Thom-TRA]

The Camden line has a much worse schedule than the Penn Line. I believe Jessup station on that line is only served once a day even. And no weekend service. All in all making it not as reliable as it could be…

[@alk61695]

@@Thom-TRA Yes I was trying to take the train from Dorsey to DC on Black Friday and there was no service at all. I then tried to take the Penn line from BWI but the return train from DC left too early for me so I couldn't do it. I ended up driving to Silver Springs to take the Red Line Metro.

[@DMVRailfan]

Washingtonian railfan/aviation geek here. I really love the Penn Line and what MARC does, and every once a while I go down to BWI Airport on MARC, and really like the fact there are express services to Baltimore. And also they use pretty much every type of rolling stock. Something I really hate about MARC is them using diesel engines on electrified lines. Also the lack of services on the Brunswick Line, but that’s because just like the Camden, are running on freight-owned tracks. I do understand why, but they could at least try and talk to CSX about having some sort of priority, at least on the section from Washington-Frederick linking two major areas of population. In other words, MARC is one of the best commuter rail systems in the USA.

[@BusTVChan]

Awesome video.. i just found your channel and subscribed 😊

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for subbing!

[@frederickschulkind8431]

All the Penn Line platforms are high level, although I am not sure about West Baltimore. On the other lines, which do have low level platforms, there is a device to lift wheelchairs. Use of one delays the departure.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

Martin State Airport station is both low-level and inaccessible

[@bobchessick4282]

Is Halethorpe still low level?

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

@@bobchessick4282 Halethorpe was renovated to high-level in 2013

[@sudormrfnopreserveroot]

8:46 Only for Penn line Other 2 are run by Alstom

[@statesideqsod]

I'm amazed: You can actually see out the window: Not so on the NJ Transit cars.....

[@danielueblacker9118]

Thom good to see you and the wife with brother Bear. I love and respect your detailed thoughts on this ride. New Year's Eve is special crazy for sure to be working or traveling. Hope is the workers are getting paid at least overtime. That being said to be rude to a passenger is just wrong. Same is on the other shoe if a passenger started to yell at a RR worker. I feel strongly that Railroad Companies should hire you to inspect their trains and service for an evaluation. If not them, then the local government in charge.......

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re right about respect being mutual. I am a person who greatly values decency and I hope I can shine that through in the videos I make. That sounds like an awesome job you’re proposing there! I did just graduate university, maybe I’ll have to ask around lol…

[@JaxBrubaker-po8ld]

@TrainsAreAwesome! I know the Brunswick Line I live in West Virginia! Near Harpers Ferry

[@Blank00]

Amtrak has invested in dual mode versions of Charger, and MARC should follow suit

[@PhilHurleySJ]

Some helpful info, thanks 🚂

[@CrabMan2539]

While MARC has the capability of doing 125mph, only a very few of them actually go that fast. The MP36s' can't achieve that speed and the SC-44s' are not equipped with an important component relating to PTC meaning while they're rated for 125, they are restricted to 90 (also the top speed for the MP36). MARC used to have a big fleet of AEM-7s' but retired them in 2014 and has only 4 (I think, I know it's around that number) HHP-8s'. Those are the only locomotives that are clear to do 125mph, but for whatever reason, they seem to never be leading the express trains which is dumb IMO. Small edit: The single level railcars are not comet cars. They have similarities, such as the standard non-bike ones have a 3-2 seating style and are rectangular overall but the MARC railcars were built by Nippon Sharyo while Pullman (originally) built the Comet cars. The MARC cars are ribbed on the outside while the Comet cars are flat and the MARC cars have more of a reflective silver on the outside than the Comets. Something I find interesting tho is that the MARC cars look identical to the single-level South Shoreline (minus the doors in the middle) cars, which are self-propelled via overhead wire.

[@allenjones4168]

I'm sorry you experienced rude personal, unfortunately they have to deal with passengers who are unruly. It doesn't excuse poor service but it is what it is. Enjoyed your video. You are very knowledgeable, keep it up.😊

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks!

[@Beansworth1551]

Hey Thom I just wanted to say that if you think those seats are nice you haven’t tried the ones in the new MARC cars they are made from way better materials and have more coushinining

[@Thom-TRA]

I actually like the seats on MARC II cars the best, I’ve found, now that I’ve been on all of them

[@Beansworth1551]

@@Thom-TRA While I do like the new ones a little better tbh I think that almost all of them have great seats

[@Beansworth1551]

@@Thom-TRA But as somebody who rides MARC a lot I must say sometimes on the penn line you don’t always have the best staff

[@robinsonpeyton]

Excellent trip. You guys did a great job.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! I’d like to explore more of the MARC network someday

[@jbladeking2238]

What trains were those in the 10 min time frame

[@JavanHamiltonTV]

7000-series trains for the Metro.

[@nixcails]

$9 for 40miles. That's pretty good value. A similar distance journey on South Devon's GWR local and InterCity line is about $14.75 (£12.00) though can be less if bought ahead on the app. $10.71 (£8.70) and same day return fares off peak are only slightly more. The ticket is valid on regional services and the long distance network trains from Plymouth to Scotland or London. The 1873 built tunnel proves the huge issues with have with railway infrastructure. Most of the GB (with the exception of High Speed 1 built in 21st century) has these issues. The electrification of so many sections of line was cancelled due to excess overuns and problems with 19th Century infrastructure. Wow West Baltimore my local community rail station has a bigger platform! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Budeaux_Victoria_Road_railway_station An electrified line with Diesel traction! That's such an Anglo-American concept like the Edinburgh - Plymouth trains (all High Speed DMU's) that spend the first third of their journey under the wires! Our solution is Bi-mode units. Although really would be better to just finish the electrification. I have often wondered how easy it is to do the East Coast cities off Amtrak. I'm a travel consultant specialising in European rail city breaks but do sell city breaks to US/Canada so the growth in regional rail networks interests me. Although many networks are of limited appeal with just peak hours flows at least some have a regular enough service to be useful.

[@bshoreTV]

Wait how long was the total trip?

[@teddawg327]

great videos

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you very much!

[@jfmezei]

The tunnel poject has advanced quite a bit since your video. Funding progressed and I think they are doing bids now. And to save much time and money, the tunnel will be electric ONLY. Supporting steam engines would have required construction of ventilation towers in residential areas above the tunnel and lots of environmental studies and resident opposition to having a chimney emitting diesel fumes on their street (there is freight traffic on NE corridor which is revenue source for Amtrak, but Freight companies insisst on staying in the 1950s). As a result, MARC was given choice of using old tunnel which will have many closures as it is renovated or move to electtric and use new tunnel. They chose to go electric. BTW, you did not use Alstom multi-levels on Baltimore0Washington you were in Kawasaki bi-levels. (but MAR does have some multilevels). Not just the outside shape, but also arrangement of stairs. (on multi level, one stair to side to go up, and one stair in middle to go down, and yours was opposite). Very doubtful the coaches are rated to 200kmh. The bogies need to be "tuned" to a maximum speed. For instance, while Amfleet is allowed above 160, the "heritage" fleet was limited to 160 (before I think 2015, Amtrak was still using heritage dining room and baggage cars on the trains from New York to Chicago, Florida and the Crescent to New Orleans. BTW, on your previosu video, you just passed through Wilmington, and while you mentioned Biden, he, as a senator, was instrumental in getting funding to torally renovate the station complex to its original glory. And as a result, the station was name the Joseph R Biden train station well before he became president. the HHP8s were very unreliable and Amtrak ditched them as soon as they could. MARC decided to rebuilt them to make then reliable. Not sure if MARC will use those on service to Washington or buy new locos.

[@Thebaguettes]

what happened to the rest of this series? MBTA, MTA, and CTRail?

[@Thom-TRA]

This series was from New York to DC

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

Excellent!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! This was a fun series to film. Doing a few international videos next week, and then on to the next series!

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

@@Thom-TRA wow! That's great! We all have some exciting videos to look forward to! 👍🌟😸

[@bear.94]

I have clocked the Penn line going 131 mph.

[@Thom-TRA]

I saw an HHP8 at BWI this past Monday

[@tubaishansol]

Anybody that works a 365 job works holidays, and this should not make a difference in their attitude. My source is 25 years working at a 365 job. I would like more tips navigating public transit in Baltimore, my official plan is to trust google which has backfired once or twice in the past.

[@virginiabailey783]

3:9 ❤😅😊😂❤

[@terryb0241]

Tom when staff is rude to you, you should say to them do you know who I am lol

[@Thom-TRA]

lol they’d slap me 😂

[@KJW-Transit]

For one, was that a DC Metro 7000 series connected to an older series? For two isn't acela actually the fastest commuter??

[@Thom-TRA]

Acela is not commuter rail…

[@KJW-Transit]

@@Thom-TRA I'm stupid. It's a high speed line

[@JavanHamiltonTV]

Nope. That was a WMATA 6000-series train set (the cab windows have three sections). The Metro did a pilot program a few years ago to wrap legacy trains in silver to match the look of the 7000s. But only a couple of 3000s and 6000s pairs got the treatment. This was around the time when the 6000s still dominated the Red Line (until the 7000s started coming back online…which were then swapped for 2000s/3000s to alleviate the Blue-Orange-Silver). I live right on the Rhode Island Metro in a new development, so I see it out my window.

[@KJW-Transit]

​@@JavanHamiltonTV I just took a close look at it and it is not 7000 series. I'm stupid again

[@KJW-Transit]

@@JavanHamiltonTV I did a little more research on this repainted sets and they even did something and made the inside look the same as in the 7000 series also the only reason I know about the 7000 series and a 5000 series names on WMATA is because I've been studying it a little recently cuz it's similar to Bart and very interesting rolling stoct

[@DennisHyde14]

Public transit staff in Baltimore were rude? Imagine my shock.

[@Thom-TRA]

lol

[@Foxy_AR]

Why is the video so ridiculously bright

[@Thom-TRA]

Fun fact! On most phones and computers you can turn down the brightness in the settings. This helps avoid frying your eyes. Always happy to help a boomer figure out their technology.

[@Foxy_AR]

@@Thom-TRA I know, but I have it at the lowest brightness setting, but it still seems like about 50% If I click on the video for example, the pause button is almost grey in comparison (Also, I’m not a boomer)

[@Thom-TRA]

I don’t know how to tell you that… the pause button… is gray? Like, welcome to KZbin. Hope you stick around.

[@Foxy_AR]

@@Thom-TRA pretty sure it’s white (I’m kinda surprised that you commented on a 1 year old video of yours within 10 minutes, respect)

[@midmichiganemdrailfan.4187]

Rude crew most desel on Electric line well at least there less Quite zone and more bridges

[@Thom-TRA]

It’s still a fun ride! And fast haha

[@PGHammer21A]

@@Thom-TRA The Penn Line (unlike the Camden Line) is electrified - and overlays the NEC - which is why the Penn Line Express trains can indeed smoke. (I took the Penn Line in 2000 - between the Penn Station in Baltimore and Union Station in DC - in both directions.) The bi-level MARC Kawasaki passenger cars - which launched that same year - are a treat.

[@TomHoffman-uw7pf]

Quiet zones cause DEATHS!!!!

[@danmarkis3785]

MARC runs on the NE corr....Thus 125 mph..Nothing to do with MARC...

[@Thom-TRA]

That’s not true, MARC does run at 125 mph on different sections of the route. There is the issue of ETMS on the diesel locomotives, but the MARC Penn Line is designed for 125mph, just like the Amtrak trains on the same line.

[@hmitchell8618]

@@Thom-TRA yep right now there’s a issue with the I-ETMS PTC system. Only the HHP-8 have ACSES which allows them to go 125 MPH only when the HHP-8s are leading.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

SEPTA, NJ Transit, CT Rail and MBTA also operate over 125+ mph track on the NEC, but they still can't reach 125 mph. MARC is the only commuter rail agency with equipment which can operate at 125 mph. Though it's only a very small percentage of their fleet.

[@_SP64_]

@@OntarioTrafficMan with the coaches they have it just doesn't allow for those speeds with the Comet Vs being the fastest at around 120mph