What you missed by not taking a later (post-dawn) train was the stop at Old Orchard Beach, which is most entertaining, as you get to see the downtown/beachside honky-tonk main street, the Coney Island of New England. It's a hoot.
As a long time user of Amtrak in its F40PH days I should say that seeing one is fine, but hearing one up close in station, engine roaring at a setting that maintained the Head end Power for the consist, well, be glad the one you saw was a "Cabbage" conversion.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and governments faced the need to solve multiple, competing priorities simultaneously. One of the toughest: how to keep an economy going while at the same time shutting it down to protect citizens from infection. As some regions emerge from the worst of the health crisis, it’s tempting to think that there could be a return to focusing on just one main concern. But this week, McKinsey experts examined sectors, particularly defense and national infrastructure, where solving for dual imperatives is more important than ever...
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I love your trip reports. But you got a few small things wrong. It’s Durham New Hampshire and the town you were in before you crossed the Merrimack river was Haverhill ,Massachusetts. I’ve been on this train many times and enjoy seeing it with your eyes. Next time try the chocolate Whoopi pies.
In the late 1970s there were no passenger trains at the Durham-UNH station, but the building was in use as an ice cream shop. The "Dairy Bar" is still in operation along with the Downeaster train service.
I imagine that with these types of travel times and riderships this route would be serviced by some commuter DMU in europe (Talent 3 or Lint or somthing similar), without a great onboard bar service like this service.
Actually Amtrak had a gota new order where Amtrak gets several DM locomotives for the NEC routes,new chargers gets serval EMUs,DMUs with cab cars along with siemen venture cars to replace the Amfleet 1s/2s(used on brightline)
This is my local service and I feel pride watching this video. The station in the beginning is also local to me. My Mimi lives close to another stop too. I took it once to the Maine terminus in Brunswick just to enjoy time with Family. I will never forget that day (I rode a heritage unit too and soon after caught the same engine, Amtrak 100). So yeah this video brings me joy and I love it.
Agreed, on a cold, wet day in particular, settling into the Amfleet interiors is like putting on a favorite old sweater that’s stretched out just a bit. The lighting is so relaxed, and the seats are so soft, it’s the perfect place to catch a nap or watch the rain and be glad you’re not in it.
I’m as American as it gets and have never heard of a whoopie. Must be a very regional pastry. Awesome ride! Riding a train on a cold rainy day is def a vibe haha.
Whoopie pies are very New England and vary from bakers. A nice moist cake sandwich with a (can be) very sugary creme filling between the cakes. Seasonal ones are the best when you find them.
Whoopie pies are a northeastern New England treat. Traditionally with chocolate cake and cake icing filling. My Mother made the best. In the mid Atlantic states they're called "gobs".
Should you ever find yourself on the Downeaster, I’d highly recommend their Whoopie Pies along with a Captain Eli’s root beer, two of my personal favorites!
I live in New Hampshire (the state next to Maine) and riding this train to Boston is on my bucket list. Thanks for showing me what it looks like. And, you are right about riding the train during foliage season. The tree colors are unbelievable!
with Amtrak's $66B funding, they also plan to extend the line to Rockland, a line that hasn't been used for passengers since the Maine Eastern closed in 2015. I also wish they could expand midland to Bangor.
Great. Now I can't get "Downeaster Alexa" by Billy Joel out of my head lol. Loving this video!! 👍😍 Ps. I'm boarding the silver meteor for the 1st time thanks to your video! Cheers 🍺
Fun fact, this line isn’t actually connected to the rest of the Amtrak network. It’s connected to the national rail network, but does not intersect on connect with any other Amtrak line
You're traveling on the Western Route of the Boston and Maine Railroad. It's the inland route. The Eastern Route is now chopped up and is part of the commuter rail to the North Shore of Massachusetts. Sporadic freight traffic is in the rest of the Eastern Route. It is the most scenic route, but the B&M decided the Western Route was more conducive to heavy frieght traffic to Halifax, NS. I worked with a few people who lived in Southern Maine and used this train to commute to work in Boston. Covid and the holidays is why the patronage was so low. A friend of mine worked upgrading signals on this line for nearly three years to prepare it's return to mainline passenger service. The rattling! Welcome to Amtrak! The Downeaster shares the track with heavy freight traffic that pounds the rail!
I live near the track in a Wells and watch ( and video) the Downeaster frequently. It flies by ! Have also ridden it from Wells to Boston and back, very enjoyable.
I think this has been one of my favorite videos of yours. I have been on the Downeaster from Boston to Portland and back twice in my life before, I need to correct you on some things. Dover and Durham are in New Hampshire not Maine. And when you said Hammerick, MA I think you meant Haverhill. Also I think your train might have had a detour. After leaving Haverhill, The Downeaster usually goes on the Wildcat Branch to go along the MBTA Lowell Line to make it's stop in Woburn then goes to Boston, The Downeaster doesn’t usually go along the MBTA Orange Line because that goes along the MBTA Haverhill Line. And after your train left Haverhill I think it just went straight down the Haverhill Line into Boston.
I helped my son move into his apartment in Somerville this summer ( July 2021 ) and the Downeaster is still on the route along the MBTA line ... I even have video at czcams.com/video/bt0YccR_m3o/video.html showing it crossing the Mystic River ... for the 3 days I was there I saw the train pass in both directions multiple times a day
I literally just rode this the last week of august! I rode it on the 23rd up to old orchard beach. I highly recommend getting off there if you love the beach
I live in Portland, Maine. If I had known you were here, I would have taken you out for a couple of locally brewed beers. I hope you liked the whoopie pie. It's way too sweet for me. Please come to Maine again.
10:32 last week I rode from Boston to Metropark (NJ) in this end spot of an Amfleet 1 with my wife and our five year old daughter and it was perfect for us, but I was also thinking it would be a tight squeeze for adults facing each other. But across the aisle was a party of three adults and they seemed to manage well enough. They stayed on even longer than we did.
I can't get over how smooth and quiet this train is. I don't just mean that as a reference to this video either. I live vear near the route, and you can hear commuter rail trains smacking down the track all day long. Then a downeaster comes by and its so quiet, if the locomotive is in the back pushing, you literally won't hear it coming. It can sneak right up on you.
Love your reports, especially this one as I didn't even know about the Downeaster (and my family is originally from the Boston area!) Now I know the next Amtrak route I want to ride!👍
Another great video! Thank you. I’ll be travelling on Amtrak from Newark airport to Philadelphia on Sunday. In July I did the reverse trip. It was scarcely long enough of a trip to really appreciate it as the train was full (because it didn’t start in Philadelphia and the covid restrictions were being eased so there was pent up demand for travelling) and I had to drag my suitcase between cars until I found somewhere to put it. But it was amazing to get back on a train - and the cute shuttle train from the Amtrak station to the EWK terminals is always a bonus. I can’t wait until the Canadian/US land border is opened up so Amtrak can restart service from Montreal to NYC and Philadelphia. That’s a great trip if anyone wants to try it. It’s very long because of the border procedures (but those have to be done at an airport anyway) but the view going to NYC of Lake Champlain is amazing, as is the return trip up the Hudson.
1:51 Amtrak Cascades still has 5 NPCUs and at least 1 set is out every day, the San Joaquins has 3 Comet sets with NPCUs, and the Hiawatha still uses them
I believe the dome car that used to run on the Downeaster (9:43) is currently owned and operated by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad down in Cumberland, Maryland. Another spectacularly scenic ride, and they should hopefully (fingers crossed!) have the C&O 1309 steam locomotive up and running by the end of the year. If you ever find yourself in that area, definitely check it out.
Nice review. Christmas time + peppermint whoopie are the memories from my visit to Quincy market in Boston. Driving in the Boston area is a pain, the train is more relaxing. Wish they had more services to Springfield and Albany though.
What you're looking at is just the shell of an F40. The engine/prime mover has been removed and the fuel tank filled with lead shot(balls). A door has been cut in the side to access the former engine room. This allows the space to be used for baggage service. The P42 at the other end is actually powering the train as well as providing HEP or Electric Train Heat (ETH) to use the British/European term. This is done to provide the engineer/driver with added protection at grade crossings. An F40 "Cabbage" unit can be roughly compared to the BR class 82000 Driving Van Trailer (DVT) units. The former Metroliner EMU cars that were converted to cab cars were often referred to as "Silver Coffins" by train crews due to there lack of protection in grade crossing accidents. This of course is a take on the practice of naming passenger cars with the prefix "Silver" back in the 50's (mostly on the California Zephyr).
The safety of an ex-F40 is definitely an upgrade over the Metroliner cab cars. The other main reason they used them were the trucks which were rated for (relatively) high stability at track speeds. Plain old passenger car trucks weren't stable enough to lead a train by themselves. Plus, the weight of even an empty F40 is still substantial.
I rode the Vermonter a few weeks ago and I thought the refurbished interior look of the Amfleet I cars was very nice. Its hard to believe they are 45 years old in some aspects. However the small windows and the fact that the seat pitch doesn't align well with the window pitch, causing some seats to have obstructed views, was the biggest complaint with these cars. On the journey home, the coach I was in also had the constant rattling noise, which seemed to originate in the railing on the luggage rack. The Vermonter, unlike the Downeaster in your video ( which was taken still in the midst of many COVID restrictions, was near full in each direction. As a matter of fact, the conductor on the trip south announced the train was sold out south of Northampton, MA! I don't believe you have done the Vermonter yet, have you? If not, I highly recommend it! It is a very nice ride though Vermont, passing though many little towns that have some pretty interesting history to them. Great video as always! I'm always excited to see a new Simply Railway video, no matter where in the world you're riding!
ah yes, the Dirigoian people's express!!! runs more efficiently than any other locomotive in the universe!!! praise the glorious leader Janet. T. Mills for her mighty invention!!!
If you want to ride a real working F40 engine, you should go to Canada. Via Rail is still using it as their main locomotive on at least half of their corridor trains and all of their long distance and regional train. And it could be also an occasion to ride either an LRC coach or a HEP (date from the 50s) or maybe even a renaissance (nightstock car built for the never running night train under the channel tunnel ...) but if you want to try it on the corridor, don't wait to much new Siemens trainset (probably similar to those orders by Amtrak) are coming to replace those aging trainset in the corridor ...
Via refinished the F40s in 2012. The old Budd rail cars in the video look very similar to the 50 year old hep cars Via still runs on the long distance trains.
The Amfleets are not quite 50 years old, having been delivered in 1975 and '76. They are on at least their third or fourth refurbishment since delivered. From what I've seen of most European equipment, most coaches over there would have long been scrapped by this age. Good old Budd stainless!
There are still 40-50 year old coaches running in Europe too. Private operators like FlixTrain in Germany or RegioJet in Czechia/Slovakia and neighbours use a lot of this old stock. Portugal, Sweden and much of Eastern Europe also still has equipment from the 70s in use.
I've ridden this train and it's great. Funny enough, it goes right behind the building I work (I can walk down the hall and I am right next to the tracks) and once in a while it goes by my house (which is odd as its not on the NH main line). Fun train to take to see Portland and enjoy a nice ride. I was super happy when Amtrak brought this service back. It was sorely lacking, and it is well used which is great! If they keep adding to it, you might be able to get to Mt. Katahdin and Canada pretty soon! :D
I’m pretty sure I suggested this route to you before on one of your older videos that you made during the pandemic or a little before that. I’m glad to see you do it.
that cafe menu is something to envy. even other state-supported routes aren't so lucky. the pennsylvanian even uses the standard NEC menu despite using the Amfleet IIs meanwhile this is using Amfleet I and gets a special menu!!! jealous
Great video! I've just travelled on the Downeaster, first from Portland to Brunswick, then the same route as you, Brunswick to Boston North Station. Loved it, although I wish the schedule was more regular (and that there were more than five trains a day, although since many Amtrak services have just one train a day, I shouldn't complain too much!).
Nice trip report. I liked the really big seats they must be very comfortable also new England is the region I would like to visit the most if I get the chance to visit America in the future
The windows are smaller on Amfleet 1 cars than they are on Amfleet 2 cars. Even so, they are larger than they were on a previous generation. Those cars were banned, because the windows weren't large enough to climb through in an emergency. Yes, the dear Amfleet 1 cars are nearing fifty years of age, but they are the most beautiful rail cars ever designed. I'll miss them. Of course, I still miss the F40PH locomotives, too!
I like the low-slung outside appearance of the Amfleet cars. They look like high speed even when standing still at the platform. A '60s but still modern vibe.
I think you mean Haverhill MA not Hammerick. Fun fact: New Hampshire doesn't pay anything towards the support of this train, yet reaps the benefits. Typical cheap old Yankees. The Amfleet is iconic and I hate to see it go. It should live forever. I hope you got the chance to ride the MetroNorth New Haven line and the new M8 units. And get Frank Pepe's pizza in New Haven.
The F40PH you saw isn’t an F40PH anymore, it’s a baggage car control unit with the original 645 engine removed and converted to a baggage compartment. It takes the place of a control cab car and is much safer to operate due to being a repurposed locomotive without engine or traction motors. It receives power from the train through the HEP connection to provide battery charging and lights and heat to the unit. A great way to reuse an outdated engine. It doesn’t even have its original headend generator anymore as it was removed with the prime mover. Personally I don’t miss them as you definitely needed hearing protection when it was providing HEP to the train. As the engine running at 897 rpm the noise level was well over 130 DBs. I remember shortly after the Budd cars went into service and Budd was still filling the 500 car order we got two E8 from the engine house at New Haven, Ct. with two V-12 Detroit generators rated at 275 KW each when I tried to put both online the main breaker kept tripping so I told the conductor to turn off the tempo control switch in every car, this was in February and I told him then I will be able to feed the train with one generator then take one trainman and have him return each car to normal heat and by the time he gets to the next car the load would have reduced at the heating elements go up to temperature. The crew shut off each car and when I go the ok I closed the breaker and the electricians and train crew were surprised when the train powered up. The train was 22 cars long that day. I later enroute to Boston went back and found the generator was running a load of 225 amps to the train before arrived at New London. The train was delayed 37 minutes due to being unable to use both generators. Amtrak later resolved the problem by equipping all new engines with a single 1100 kilowatt generator which easily handles the high inrush of power when you first close the HEP breaker. By the way we had no further trouble with the HEP after we left New Haven. I miss the old days.
Also, your train took the MBTA Haverhill line all the way in to Boston. Usually they cross over to the Lowell Line in Wilmington and take that line down. I wonder why they went the way they did this day?
Amtrak rolling stock is mostly stainless steel for a reason. Most if not all of the state governments restaurant inspectors and regulations require kitchens with stainless steel as they are easily sanitized compared to other surfaces. Amtrak prefers stainless steel as the graffiti taggers paint is easily wiped off with water and a paper towel. I have seen taggers tag European trains badly...
Greetings from Woburn! (the last stop before Boston, you were probably in the toilet or something :P) Haven't gotten the chance to take the Downeaster yet (maybe the inaugural trip with new rolling stock? or w/e), but I've seen it pass a few times as I wait to take the commuter rail into Boston. I know North Station isn't great, but it's got some charm. Plus, pigeons!
There is one thing I think I should point out about this video, and some of the others you have put out where you show the outlets at the seats. What you may think of as two outlets; because of how outlets are manufactured and sold in many other countries around the world; doesn't happen here. For "everyday situations"; (i.e. whether a homeowner is replacing a broken/faulty outlet, or a house is being built or whatever); you will never find single plug outlets in the hardware stores, or Walmart, or anywhere else unless you find a way to have them specially made. So it is very frustrating to say there are two at each seat location because; on Amtrak trains; having them placed on the wall under the window means that only the window seat person has control of the outlet(s). The person sitting in the aisle seat either has to hope and pray the person at the window seat will be considerate; (which isn't always the case); or they have to bring their own power source to be able to keep their items charged. A better spot would be in between the seats so they can share.
When they were built nearly 50 years ago, these Amfleets didn't have power outlets. They were added later during one of their refurbishments as simply as possible. Most passengers sit adjacent to a friend or family, otherwise sit closest to the window and power outlet. Very rarely are these trains completely full...
Newer is NOT better. The heritage equipment that was replaced by Amfleet cars was even more comfortable. I'm reserving judgment until I ride the new equipment. The Downeaster and Vermonter are VERY popular. Business-class seats on the latter can be hard to come by on points north of New Haven. I noticed that you came into Boston on the Haverhill line. The route normally uses the Lowell line, then takes a branch to join the Haverhill in Ballardvale. The Lowell line has been closed on weekends for several years now in order to accommodate the GLX (Green Line Extension) program that is building an LRV alongside the commuter rail tracks for a portion of the Lowell line. I notice that you missed the Downeaster segment between Portland and Brunswick. That's a great ride, and Brunswick is a very nice college town (Bowdoin College) with several pleasant inns and restaurants within an easy walk of the Amtrak station. Rumor has it that a new Amtrak station is in the works closer to downtown Portland that will not require a reversing move to get in (southbound) or out (northbound).
"Last Amtrak route with NPCU cabbage cars." Lessee, no longer running on any Midwest routes. Food service on the Downeaster is concessioned out, the counter person may not be an Amtrak employee. Only route on Amtrak to have that.
"Since I'm starving, it's time to destroy the cafe car."
That is an absolute mood and I feel it.
He will not be allowed into the US anymore now :D
What you missed by not taking a later (post-dawn) train was the stop at Old Orchard Beach, which is most entertaining, as you get to see the downtown/beachside honky-tonk main street, the Coney Island of New England. It's a hoot.
Oh trust me, the 2 week long visit to the Old Orchard/Ocean Park area was the highlight of any summer for my family.
As a long time user of Amtrak in its F40PH days I should say that seeing one is fine, but hearing one up close in station, engine roaring at a setting that maintained the Head end Power for the consist, well, be glad the one you saw was a "Cabbage" conversion.
Sounds like F40PHs in Chicago today
@@samuelitooooo or the ones on MBTA not too long ago
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and governments faced the need to solve multiple, competing priorities simultaneously. One of the toughest: how to keep an economy going while at the same time shutting it down to protect citizens from infection. As some regions emerge from the worst of the health crisis, it’s tempting to think that there could be a return to focusing on just one main concern. But this week, McKinsey experts examined sectors, particularly defense and national infrastructure, where solving for dual imperatives is more important than ever...
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Nice comment section i'll like to be in this program 👍
Speak
AT ............. we are committed to building a culture that is entirely inclusive of different people, approaches and ideas. Seeking to deliver the best outcomes for our clients requires us to think and act differently, so we encourage a culture that fully supports this in their "investment"
"investment" is an approach which aims to help people meet their personal and lifestyle goals, whatever they may be, in a straight forward and simple way. It does this by placing people’s goals right at the centre of the advice process and aims to build "investment" products..
I love your trip reports. But you got a few small things wrong. It’s Durham New Hampshire and the town you were in before you crossed the Merrimack river was Haverhill ,Massachusetts. I’ve been on this train many times and enjoy seeing it with your eyes. Next time try the chocolate Whoopi pies.
Thank you! I’m watching and wondering… “Hammerick”? I even started looking on a map.
In the late 1970s there were no passenger trains at the Durham-UNH station, but the building was in use as an ice cream shop. The "Dairy Bar" is still in operation along with the Downeaster train service.
"Rain and train" Yup cozy cozy! And the "destroy the cafe car"...Epic!
I imagine that with these types of travel times and riderships this route would be serviced by some commuter DMU in europe (Talent 3 or Lint or somthing similar), without a great onboard bar service like this service.
Actually Amtrak had a gota new order where Amtrak gets several DM locomotives for the NEC routes,new chargers gets serval EMUs,DMUs with cab cars along with siemen venture cars to replace the Amfleet 1s/2s(used on brightline)
@@No-le9qf The Amfleet IIs are still staying, they haven't even ordered enough to fully replace the Amfleet Is
This is my local service and I feel pride watching this video. The station in the beginning is also local to me. My Mimi lives close to another stop too. I took it once to the Maine terminus in Brunswick just to enjoy time with Family. I will never forget that day (I rode a heritage unit too and soon after caught the same engine, Amtrak 100). So yeah this video brings me joy and I love it.
I always found Amtrak to be cozy during winter when the weather is not so nice. The lights are dim enough to be relaxing.
Agreed, on a cold, wet day in particular, settling into the Amfleet interiors is like putting on a favorite old sweater that’s stretched out just a bit. The lighting is so relaxed, and the seats are so soft, it’s the perfect place to catch a nap or watch the rain and be glad you’re not in it.
There are both: Durham, ME & Durham, NH. Southbound from Portland, ME you'd be at Durham, NH 5:43.
Also the UNH label on the sign seems to stand for University of New Hampshire, Durham?
@@Mrjjjjjjjjjj80 Correct
Ahh New England towns with the most original names lol
@@fredfrederickson A bunch of people came from old England and brought a big pile of town names to New England.
I’m as American as it gets and have never heard of a whoopie. Must be a very regional pastry. Awesome ride! Riding a train on a cold rainy day is def a vibe haha.
Whoopie pies are very New England and vary from bakers. A nice moist cake sandwich with a (can be) very sugary creme filling between the cakes. Seasonal ones are the best when you find them.
My wife recently ordered a dozen whoopee pies from a place in Maine (we live in NH)
Whoopie pies are a northeastern New England treat. Traditionally with chocolate cake and cake icing filling. My Mother made the best. In the mid Atlantic states they're called "gobs".
Should you ever find yourself on the Downeaster, I’d highly recommend their Whoopie Pies along with a Captain Eli’s root beer, two of my personal favorites!
The ride is a different animal during the summer. Once you hit Old Orchard Beach it becomes a drunk train.
A Vomit Comet?
I live in New Hampshire (the state next to Maine) and riding this train to Boston is on my bucket list. Thanks for showing me what it looks like. And, you are right about riding the train during foliage season. The tree colors are unbelievable!
with Amtrak's $66B funding, they also plan to extend the line to Rockland, a line that hasn't been used for passengers since the Maine Eastern closed in 2015. I also wish they could expand midland to Bangor.
The line to Rockland is now being operated (leased?) by CP and is being refurbished. Here's hoping!
As someone who has grown up railfanning the Downeaster and seeing its NPCUs in action this video makes me very happy. Keep up the good work!
Great. Now I can't get "Downeaster Alexa" by Billy Joel out of my head lol. Loving this video!! 👍😍
Ps. I'm boarding the silver meteor for the 1st time thanks to your video! Cheers 🍺
I was raised in New England and hearing that being called a Whoopie Pie brings back so many memories :D
I love these less-known American route reviews!
Fun fact, this line isn’t actually connected to the rest of the Amtrak network. It’s connected to the national rail network, but does not intersect on connect with any other Amtrak line
@@JoeyLovesTrains Yeah since Boston North Station is Only connected with MBTA so it's interesting...
You're traveling on the Western Route of the Boston and Maine Railroad. It's the inland route. The Eastern Route is now chopped up and is part of the commuter rail to the North Shore of Massachusetts. Sporadic freight traffic is in the rest of the Eastern Route. It is the most scenic route, but the B&M decided the Western Route was more conducive to heavy frieght traffic to Halifax, NS.
I worked with a few people who lived in Southern Maine and used this train to commute to work in Boston. Covid and the holidays is why the patronage was so low. A friend of mine worked upgrading signals on this line for nearly three years to prepare it's return to mainline passenger service.
The rattling! Welcome to Amtrak! The Downeaster shares the track with heavy freight traffic that pounds the rail!
I live near the track in a Wells and watch ( and video) the Downeaster frequently. It flies by ! Have also ridden it from Wells to Boston and back, very enjoyable.
I think this has been one of my favorite videos of yours. I have been on the Downeaster from Boston to Portland and back twice in my life before, I need to correct you on some things. Dover and Durham are in New Hampshire not Maine. And when you said Hammerick, MA I think you meant Haverhill. Also I think your train might have had a detour. After leaving Haverhill, The Downeaster usually goes on the Wildcat Branch to go along the MBTA Lowell Line to make it's stop in Woburn then goes to Boston, The Downeaster doesn’t usually go along the MBTA Orange Line because that goes along the MBTA Haverhill Line. And after your train left Haverhill I think it just went straight down the Haverhill Line into Boston.
I helped my son move into his apartment in Somerville this summer ( July 2021 ) and the Downeaster is still on the route along the MBTA line ... I even have video at czcams.com/video/bt0YccR_m3o/video.html showing it crossing the Mystic River ... for the 3 days I was there I saw the train pass in both directions multiple times a day
If it says Hood it's got to be good.
I literally just rode this the last week of august! I rode it on the 23rd up to old orchard beach. I highly recommend getting off there if you love the beach
I live in Portland, Maine. If I had known you were here, I would have taken you out for a couple of locally brewed beers. I hope you liked the whoopie pie. It's way too sweet for me. Please come to Maine again.
10:32 last week I rode from Boston to Metropark (NJ) in this end spot of an Amfleet 1 with my wife and our five year old daughter and it was perfect for us, but I was also thinking it would be a tight squeeze for adults facing each other. But across the aisle was a party of three adults and they seemed to manage well enough. They stayed on even longer than we did.
Congratulations to the staff ... thanks for another ride.
wow for a moment there i thought you were actually going to _destroy_ the cafe car 😂🤣
Thanks for your trip report! Your content is wonderful 😎❤️
Great video, love the way you word things. Keep the videos coming and please stay safe and healthy.
Great video! I love this route!! I take it all the time!
I can't get over how smooth and quiet this train is. I don't just mean that as a reference to this video either. I live vear near the route, and you can hear commuter rail trains smacking down the track all day long. Then a downeaster comes by and its so quiet, if the locomotive is in the back pushing, you literally won't hear it coming. It can sneak right up on you.
Love your reports, especially this one as I didn't even know about the Downeaster (and my family is originally from the Boston area!) Now I know the next Amtrak route I want to ride!👍
Another great video! Thank you.
I’ll be travelling on Amtrak from Newark airport to Philadelphia on Sunday. In July I did the reverse trip. It was scarcely long enough of a trip to really appreciate it as the train was full (because it didn’t start in Philadelphia and the covid restrictions were being eased so there was pent up demand for travelling) and I had to drag my suitcase between cars until I found somewhere to put it. But it was amazing to get back on a train - and the cute shuttle train from the Amtrak station to the EWK terminals is always a bonus.
I can’t wait until the Canadian/US land border is opened up so Amtrak can restart service from Montreal to NYC and Philadelphia. That’s a great trip if anyone wants to try it. It’s very long because of the border procedures (but those have to be done at an airport anyway) but the view going to NYC of Lake Champlain is amazing, as is the return trip up the Hudson.
New England does have charm. Sorry it rained during your review. Glad your experience was enjoyable.
Thank you Thibault👍👍😄😄💚💚
1:51
Amtrak Cascades still has 5 NPCUs and at least 1 set is out every day, the San Joaquins has 3 Comet sets with NPCUs, and the Hiawatha still uses them
I believe the dome car that used to run on the Downeaster (9:43) is currently owned and operated by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad down in Cumberland, Maryland. Another spectacularly scenic ride, and they should hopefully (fingers crossed!) have the C&O 1309 steam locomotive up and running by the end of the year. If you ever find yourself in that area, definitely check it out.
Thanks for the review - now I know what a cabbage loco is! :)
Nice review. Christmas time + peppermint whoopie are the memories from my visit to Quincy market in Boston.
Driving in the Boston area is a pain, the train is more relaxing. Wish they had more services to Springfield and Albany though.
You finally have done it!
Ive done Downeaster my whole life
What you're looking at is just the shell of an F40. The engine/prime mover has been removed and the fuel tank filled with lead shot(balls). A door has been cut in the side to access the former engine room. This allows the space to be used for baggage service. The P42 at the other end is actually powering the train as well as providing HEP or Electric Train Heat (ETH) to use the British/European term.
This is done to provide the engineer/driver with added protection at grade crossings. An F40 "Cabbage" unit can be roughly compared to the BR class 82000 Driving Van Trailer (DVT) units. The former Metroliner EMU cars that were converted to cab cars were often referred to as "Silver Coffins" by train crews due to there lack of protection in grade crossing accidents. This of course is a take on the practice of naming passenger cars with the prefix "Silver" back in the 50's (mostly on the California Zephyr).
So this train is pushed only?
@@awdrifter3394 Pushed south to Boston and pulled north to Portland and Brunswick.
@@erichhouchens3711 cool. Thanks for the info.
Metroliners were especially dangerous out west, where vehicles were bigger and there were more grade crossings
The safety of an ex-F40 is definitely an upgrade over the Metroliner cab cars. The other main reason they used them were the trucks which were rated for (relatively) high stability at track speeds. Plain old passenger car trucks weren't stable enough to lead a train by themselves. Plus, the weight of even an empty F40 is still substantial.
I need to ride amtrak for the first time nice video @Simply Railway
We took it in 2001 from Portland to Boston on a same day trip return and it was fantastic!
Great video! Nothing beats the Northeast - we ski in NH every year around this time & I remember how rainy it was
I rode the Vermonter a few weeks ago and I thought the refurbished interior look of the Amfleet I cars was very nice. Its hard to believe they are 45 years old in some aspects. However the small windows and the fact that the seat pitch doesn't align well with the window pitch, causing some seats to have obstructed views, was the biggest complaint with these cars. On the journey home, the coach I was in also had the constant rattling noise, which seemed to originate in the railing on the luggage rack. The Vermonter, unlike the Downeaster in your video ( which was taken still in the midst of many COVID restrictions, was near full in each direction. As a matter of fact, the conductor on the trip south announced the train was sold out south of Northampton, MA!
I don't believe you have done the Vermonter yet, have you? If not, I highly recommend it! It is a very nice ride though Vermont, passing though many little towns that have some pretty interesting history to them.
Great video as always! I'm always excited to see a new Simply Railway video, no matter where in the world you're riding!
Good video as always. Keep up the good work.
You were in Haverhill, MA not Hammerick (or something similar). Great video as always
Fiiiive Rooound Triiiips
Four Seats Abreast
Three Coachclass Cars
Two Power Sockets
And an Amtrak F40PH
Love this version of *12 Days Of Christmas* .
Thank you for your travels!
Wow wonderful videos.greatings from Mexico
ah yes, the Dirigoian people's express!!! runs more efficiently than any other locomotive in the universe!!! praise the glorious leader Janet. T. Mills for her mighty invention!!!
If you want to ride a real working F40 engine, you should go to Canada. Via Rail is still using it as their main locomotive on at least half of their corridor trains and all of their long distance and regional train. And it could be also an occasion to ride either an LRC coach or a HEP (date from the 50s) or maybe even a renaissance (nightstock car built for the never running night train under the channel tunnel ...) but if you want to try it on the corridor, don't wait to much new Siemens trainset (probably similar to those orders by Amtrak) are coming to replace those aging trainset in the corridor ...
Via refinished the F40s in 2012. The old Budd rail cars in the video look very similar to the 50 year old hep cars Via still runs on the long distance trains.
Remember young one, you'll be rattling too once you get as old as that train! 😁
I used to love riding the Downeaster when they ran the great dome car for leaf peeping!
The Amfleets are not quite 50 years old, having been delivered in 1975 and '76. They are on at least their third or fourth refurbishment since delivered. From what I've seen of most European equipment, most coaches over there would have long been scrapped by this age. Good old Budd stainless!
There are still 40-50 year old coaches running in Europe too. Private operators like FlixTrain in Germany or RegioJet in Czechia/Slovakia and neighbours use a lot of this old stock. Portugal, Sweden and much of Eastern Europe also still has equipment from the 70s in use.
I'm from Portland and ride the Downeaster all the time! Great video!
Great trip, that cabbage unit 😲😲😲
Thanks for posting this - am going to take the Downeaster from Boston to Brunswick next month
I've ridden this train and it's great. Funny enough, it goes right behind the building I work (I can walk down the hall and I am right next to the tracks) and once in a while it goes by my house (which is odd as its not on the NH main line). Fun train to take to see Portland and enjoy a nice ride. I was super happy when Amtrak brought this service back. It was sorely lacking, and it is well used which is great! If they keep adding to it, you might be able to get to Mt. Katahdin and Canada pretty soon! :D
Ohh man thank you for this!! I’m thinking of going to the New England states in October!
I’m pretty sure I suggested this route to you before on one of your older videos that you made during the pandemic or a little before that. I’m glad to see you do it.
that cafe menu is something to envy. even other state-supported routes aren't so lucky. the pennsylvanian even uses the standard NEC menu despite using the Amfleet IIs meanwhile this is using Amfleet I and gets a special menu!!! jealous
What an amazing video, I think SunRail is a good service. Also, the alc 42s are about to be in service in the next 5 to 8 months.
I think the Amtrak Cascades also still has some F40 NPCUs in service. They are not found on every train on that line but some trains still have them.
Great video! I've just travelled on the Downeaster, first from Portland to Brunswick, then the same route as you, Brunswick to Boston North Station. Loved it, although I wish the schedule was more regular (and that there were more than five trains a day, although since many Amtrak services have just one train a day, I shouldn't complain too much!).
Last time I was in Freeport they were excited to be getting twice weekly service.
You can see my video of the Downeaster entering Freeport this summer ( July 2021 ) at czcams.com/video/bt0YccR_m3o/video.html
Nice trip report. I liked the really big seats they must be very comfortable also new England is the region I would like to visit the most if I get the chance to visit America in the future
Great video !!
The windows are smaller on Amfleet 1 cars than they are on Amfleet 2 cars. Even so, they are larger than they were on a previous generation. Those cars were banned, because the windows weren't large enough to climb through in an emergency. Yes, the dear Amfleet 1 cars are nearing fifty years of age, but they are the most beautiful rail cars ever designed. I'll miss them. Of course, I still miss the F40PH locomotives, too!
Years ago I rode Canadian passenger rail from Vancouver, BC to Brownville Junction, Maine. That was my last train ride in Maine.
You should come do a review of the Ocean or Corridor services up in Canada with VIA. ✌🏻
I totally support eating Whoopie pies at breakfast. Power move, sir 👍
Beautiful view 👍
I like the low-slung outside appearance of the Amfleet cars. They look like high speed even when standing still at the platform. A '60s but still modern vibe.
Amfleet cars were designed that way to enter the low clearance old tunnels on the northeast corridor...
Yes, the Durham UNH station is in New Hampshire. You can take the train between Durham North Carolina and Durham New Hampshire...
I think you mean Haverhill MA not Hammerick. Fun fact: New Hampshire doesn't pay anything towards the support of this train, yet reaps the benefits. Typical cheap old Yankees.
The Amfleet is iconic and I hate to see it go. It should live forever.
I hope you got the chance to ride the MetroNorth New Haven line and the new M8 units. And get Frank Pepe's pizza in New Haven.
He needs to do the shoreline east train if he makes it to New Haven !
New Hampshire kind of does that a lot…
I ❤Amtrak!!!
This is so ironic. I rode the Downeaster from Boston To Portland today.
Probably more coincidental than ironic.
Yay new video!
Awesome 👍👍👍
The F40PH you saw isn’t an F40PH anymore, it’s a baggage car control unit with the original 645 engine removed and converted to a baggage compartment. It takes the place of a control cab car and is much safer to operate due to being a repurposed locomotive without engine or traction motors. It receives power from the train through the HEP connection to provide battery charging and lights and heat to the unit. A great way to reuse an outdated engine. It doesn’t even have its original headend generator anymore as it was removed with the prime mover. Personally I don’t miss them as you definitely needed hearing protection when it was providing HEP to the train. As the engine running at 897 rpm the noise level was well over 130 DBs.
I remember shortly after the Budd cars went into service and Budd was still filling the 500 car order we got two E8 from the engine house at New Haven, Ct. with two V-12 Detroit generators rated at 275 KW each when I tried to put both online the main breaker kept tripping so I told the conductor to turn off the tempo control switch in every car, this was in February and I told him then I will be able to feed the train with one generator then take one trainman and have him return each car to normal heat and by the time he gets to the next car the load would have reduced at the heating elements go up to temperature. The crew shut off each car and when I go the ok I closed the breaker and the electricians and train crew were surprised when the train powered up. The train was 22 cars long that day. I later enroute to Boston went back and found the generator was running a load of 225 amps to the train before arrived at New London. The train was delayed 37 minutes due to being unable to use both generators.
Amtrak later resolved the problem by equipping all new engines with a single 1100 kilowatt generator which easily handles the high inrush of power when you first close the HEP breaker.
By the way we had no further trouble with the HEP after we left New Haven.
I miss the old days.
Its called a NPCU for short
As a New Englander for over 40 years, and not to be picky, but Durham is in New Hampshire, not Maine. But I loved seeing the video !!!!
Lindo trem amtrak de Boston show gostei simply
10:04 Thats the Mason & Hamlin Piano factory. If you are ever in the area it’s well worth a tour they produce very high end instruments.
Do you have the best job if that’s what you call it. Riding trains anywhere and not a worry in the world!
Also, your train took the MBTA Haverhill line all the way in to Boston. Usually they cross over to the Lowell Line in Wilmington and take that line down. I wonder why they went the way they did this day?
I took the Downeaster this summer and on both legs there were dual P42s, no NPCUs.
Haverhill (pronounced Hay-Vrill), MA. Great report.
No stainless steel was harmed in building this train 👍
Amtrak rolling stock is mostly stainless steel for a reason. Most if not all of the state governments restaurant inspectors and regulations require kitchens with stainless steel as they are easily sanitized compared to other surfaces. Amtrak prefers stainless steel as the graffiti taggers paint is easily wiped off with water and a paper towel. I have seen taggers tag European trains badly...
Greetings from Woburn! (the last stop before Boston, you were probably in the toilet or something :P) Haven't gotten the chance to take the Downeaster yet (maybe the inaugural trip with new rolling stock? or w/e), but I've seen it pass a few times as I wait to take the commuter rail into Boston. I know North Station isn't great, but it's got some charm. Plus, pigeons!
The train apparently detour over MBTAs Haverhill Line, it never went through Woburn
There is one thing I think I should point out about this video, and some of the others you have put out where you show the outlets at the seats. What you may think of as two outlets; because of how outlets are manufactured and sold in many other countries around the world; doesn't happen here. For "everyday situations"; (i.e. whether a homeowner is replacing a broken/faulty outlet, or a house is being built or whatever); you will never find single plug outlets in the hardware stores, or Walmart, or anywhere else unless you find a way to have them specially made. So it is very frustrating to say there are two at each seat location because; on Amtrak trains; having them placed on the wall under the window means that only the window seat person has control of the outlet(s). The person sitting in the aisle seat either has to hope and pray the person at the window seat will be considerate; (which isn't always the case); or they have to bring their own power source to be able to keep their items charged. A better spot would be in between the seats so they can share.
When they were built nearly 50 years ago, these Amfleets didn't have power outlets. They were added later during one of their refurbishments as simply as possible. Most passengers sit adjacent to a friend or family, otherwise sit closest to the window and power outlet. Very rarely are these trains completely full...
awesome video whats ur favorite train and trip of all time?
Great review! I went on this train to Portland once about 3 years ago. Why did the engines have a wreath on their front? Was this recorded last year?
It was recorded last December
Haverhill, Ma The Crown Jewel of the merrimack valley
Newer is NOT better. The heritage equipment that was replaced by Amfleet cars was even more comfortable. I'm reserving judgment until I ride the new equipment.
The Downeaster and Vermonter are VERY popular. Business-class seats on the latter can be hard to come by on points north of New Haven.
I noticed that you came into Boston on the Haverhill line. The route normally uses the Lowell line, then takes a branch to join the Haverhill in Ballardvale. The Lowell line has been closed on weekends for several years now in order to accommodate the GLX (Green Line Extension) program that is building an LRV alongside the commuter rail tracks for a portion of the Lowell line.
I notice that you missed the Downeaster segment between Portland and Brunswick. That's a great ride, and Brunswick is a very nice college town (Bowdoin College) with several pleasant inns and restaurants within an easy walk of the Amtrak station.
Rumor has it that a new Amtrak station is in the works closer to downtown Portland that will not require a reversing move to get in (southbound) or out (northbound).
It,s admirable almost like a Japanese train
Yeah, but not as fast as one for sure
Someday you should do Amtrak empire sergice
"Last Amtrak route with NPCU cabbage cars." Lessee, no longer running on any Midwest routes.
Food service on the Downeaster is concessioned out, the counter person may not be an Amtrak employee. Only route on Amtrak to have that.
The JPBs in California love to lost that idea around from time to time
Cab + Baggage = Cabbage... Why didn't I know that? I guess that's where they store any Checked Baggage along the way. You learn something new.
Hi from Indonesia ✌