[4K] Amtrak Northeast Regional #96 Full Ride from Newport News, VA to Richmond, VA [6-27-2021]

Welcome aboard Amtrak Northeast Regional Train #96 the Sunday train from Newport News, VA to Boston, MA. Today we will only be traveling along the section of track between Newport News to Richmond, VA as the other track segments are already covered in my other videos. Our train today is led by a GE "Genesis" P42DC locomotive. Our stops along the way today will be Williamsburg and Richmond Main Street.
Unlike most Amtrak Northeast Regional services, all Amtrak trains (including Regionals) that continue south or west of Washington use diesel locomotives, since the overhead catenary ends at Washington Union Station. Amtrak has long had service to Newport News, Virginia. Numerous Amtrak trains originate at Newport News and terminate in either New York City or Boston. All of Amtrak's Northeast Regional services to/from Virginia are unique in the sense that they operate solely over trackage owned by CSX and NS, two of the largest freight railroads in the U.S. Midwest and East Coast., instead of Amtrak-owned trackage along the Northeast Corridor. Specifically in this video, all of the trackage is owned by CSX. Throughout most of the video, the railroad line used is the CSX Peninsula Subdivision. From Richmond Main Street until just past it, the line uses the Bellwood Subdivision, and from there until Richmond Staples Mill Road, the RF&P Subdivision is used.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the journey! :)
Additional Information:
Recording Date: June 27, 2021
Editing Software: Sony Vegas Pro 18
Leading Locomotive: Amtrak GE "Genesis" P42DC
Train Number: 96
Service Class: Coach
Trip Booked: December 2020
Departure Station: Newport News, Virginia
Arrival Station: Richmond, Virginia
Departure Time: 8:30 AM EDT
Arrival Time: 10:14 AM EDT
Scheduled Travel Time: 1 Hour 44 Minutes
Track Owners: CSX
Railroad Lines Used: Penninsula Sub (CSX), Bellwood Sub (CSX), RF&P Sub (CSX)
Maximum Operating Speed: 79 MPH (127 km/h)
Please excuse any ads that you may encounter in this video. All funds earned from any advertisements go solely towards funding content for my channel.

[@CodyGames-qo5qj]

❤ i find riding on Amtrak so relaxing. You don’t have to worry about traffic

[@davidgianna]

The last 20 minutes represents a vast improvement.
I used to commute to Richmond from NY.
Obviously, I would use the Staples Mill station since there were frequent trains that served the station. I would Uber to downtown from there. However, one train I would usually catch also served the Main Street station. One day I asked the Conductor if it made sense to use the Main Street station, since it was (a good walk) to my hotel from there, and likely convenient.
The conductor did not recommend it. He said “the train goes very slow, it snakes around a large railroad yard. It takes about 40 minutes to get across town. You can drive there in 15-20 minutes. You’re better off getting off at Staples Mill.”
So that is what I did.
Now, the Staples Mill station saw lots of investment. New platforms, new parking, and multiple tracks to serve the many Northeast Direct trains to NY and to New England, as well as the Silver Service trains. Main Street essentially has the one train that goes to/from Newport News, and sometimes an additional train on certain days. It is a nice station, but not well served.
THIS TRIP - represents the “improved” connection that the state of Virginia put in. It effectively bypasses the “big rail yard” and save about 15 minutes on the trip.
This was the first time I had seen a train make this trip using the (new connection). Looks like about 20 minutes.
Not too shabby.
Of course, it is by no means a high speed connection. Looked like the train never went above 30 mph for most of the trip. Perhaps it went to 40mph for the last couple of miles after it joined the mainline.
But still - it cut the time down by about half.
Not too shabby, eh?

[@JaxBrubaker-po8ld]

Great video love it

[@Yoshifanmusic1]

Richmond is my home!

[@scoredtrain4535]

18:57 Busch gardens Williamsburg

[@whosweptmymines3956]

Thank you friend!

[@Patrick-hm4eg]

Since I'm from Williamsburg I have never been on the first part of the trip from Newport news.

[@9ramone1]

Thxz for the vid. I can't help but wonder why Richmond Va , VA Beach, Charlottesville & D.C all don't have a fast connecting Segway or faster Amtrak trains. It truly makes no sense at all.

[@laundryandtrainman2467]

Wow. Thanks

[@christucker3413]

They need more transfers at Richmond Main Street

[@WilliamDambach]

1:05:58

[@WilliamDambach]

1:04:13

[@WilliamDambach]

1:06:55

[@louisdambach9671]

1:05:58

[@louisdambach9671]

1:04:13

[@louisdambach9671]

1:06:55