A HOT Afternoon On The Northeast Corridor w/ Amtrak & NJ Transit @ Princeton Junction 7/27/23

READ:
Shot between 1115 and 1700. Shortly before 1200, a heat-related speed restriction was imposed in Zone 2 (DC to New York), limiting all train speed to 100 mph to prevent catenary failure due to sagging wire in the hot temperatures.
Despite the slower running speeds for most of the day, we still see some goodies, including the quarterly chief engineer's inspection special on the rear of train 171 (27), a brand new ALP-45A (4557), and Vets unit No. 642. Enjoy =)

[@stonerhino1998]

Love those Dual power ALP's!

[@paulmatulavich7321]

Well I arrived today 8/7 and scouted the platforms. Will spend all day 8/8 filming the action. Using my big cam on tripod. If you are around, I hope I have the pleasure of meeting you Fan Railer. Stop by and say Hi.

[@samuelbennie7690]

It was hot today. Rode from Philly to New York on SEPTA/NJT and no one’s air was working 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@paulmatulavich7321]

Thanks for the tip about 90 degree heat affecting track speeds. I will definitely get an early start. Not sure what time the action starts. Any idea?

[@FanRailer]

The real meat of service starts around 6am and runs through till about 9pm or so.

[@mattk9644]

Morning Rush Hour starts around 6am then dies down around 11:30am, then starts back up again with Evening Rush Hour at 2:30-3pm and ends around 8:30pm.

[@aidantherailfan2175]

13:24 awesome catch, I’ve only see the corridor clipper and the catenary maintenance cars and that’s it

[@Teoz_Prod]

Nice ! Greetings from France !

[@paulmatulavich7321]

If you see a guy with a big camera and tripod, wearing a shirt that says We Film Trains, it will be me. Stop by and say hi. I plan on filming during morning and evening rush. Not sure of day yet.

[@FanRailer]

I will likely be at work. Have fun.

[@imeggy1147]

Nice one bro!

[@jakejackle9125]

do the top lights actually flicker on the ACS-64 or is it just the camera

[@FanRailer]

Just the camera

[@MassRailfan776]

Shutter speed not matching so it has a flickering effect

[@RailfanUS]

Wow, I decently long Railfanning video on the nec, I miss Videos like this

[@dh-1399]

I thought Amtrak was supposed to start using round wheels in 2023.

[@relaxingsounds7782]

What’s going on in the Chief Engineer train? What are they inspecting?

[@blakefilippi9612]

I last caught that at New Rochelle

[@FanRailer]

The infrastructure

[@MassRailfan776]

Quarterly inspection on the Corridor, just inspecting everything they can generally

[@paulmatulavich7321]

Planning a visit from Ohio to see high speed trains. Does Acela run through Elizabeth Station, or is Princeton the best place to catch the fastest trains? Thank you!!!

[@FanRailer]

The acela does run through Elizabeth, but Princeton junction is the only station in NJ where you can see them running at 150 mph.

[@paulmatulavich7321]

@@FanRailer Thank you so much. You helped us plan our trip! My route will now include Princeton J because I definitely want to see the fastest trains. We will then head to Elizabeth for other (slower) angles. Then we are heading up the Hudson for MN trains.

[@FanRailer]

Have fun! Just remember that if the weather gets over 90 degrees, there will be heat related speed restrictions. So best get to Princeton in the morning if you’re trip is going to be in the summer.

[@TheLordAI]

When I lived in Woodbridge my stops were Rahway or Metropark good stations for filming

[@mattk9644]

@@paulmatulavich7321​​⁠Princeton Junction is the best station to catch high speed action along the Northeast Corridor. Especially for Acelas going 150Mph thru there. Other Amtrak trains like Keystones, Northeast Regionals, Cardinals, Pennsylvanians etc. going 125Mph and Silver Service trains and Crescent trains going 110Mph.

[@Ih8kone]

You should have also railfanned the Dinky while you were there.

[@FanRailer]

As a general rule, I don’t film the dinky

[@Ih8kone]

@@FanRailer I enjoy filming it because I love the Arrows.