The Classic Amtrak Silver Meteor [pre-2015] is one of my favorite Amtrak service and consist of all time. My personal pick over the Amtrak "Stupid Star"! 😂
Interesting array of MARC and Amtrak trains. The Penn line has always been the busiest commuter line in Baltimore/Washington area. MARC and SEPTA have talked about joining the lines at Newark DE or Perryville MD Thanks RR for this video 😀💚
The Capital Ltd. used to swing around that wye going east and then back into Washington Union Station in the mid 60's. Then after making station stop would head east to Baltimore. I was there for one of those moves. Thank you for really great videos. I'm going to pour me another cup of coffee.
MARC decided that the electric bill Amtrak was charging was excessive. In addition the service of the electric locomotive was also high so they decided that it would be cheaper to buy diesel locomotives and service it themselves.
I recognize both Capitol and World Airways. I flew on a Capitol charter to Vietnam in 1970. I moved from N.J. to Peachtree City, GA in 1994 where World Airways had its H.Q.. CSX has a line not far from my house but no passenger rail within a reasonable drive, so I rail fan vicariously here!
These stations on the old B&P (Baltimore and Potomac) are not JUST ones like Odenton, Marshall BWI, and Halethorpe - which postdate the B&P going away - but espeecially MARC Bowie State University - because it is home to the relocated Bowie Tower - I prefer the MARC stations for railfanning (MARC Seabrook and MARC College Park - MARC College Park is at the eastern end of Fraternity Row).
I love Union Station. I sometimes park there if going into DC on a weekday and take the Metro. I’m pissed that they closed my favorite place to eat right next to the postal museum across the street.
the Chargers are like submarines on the inside, a bunch of doors, compartments and passageways all the way to the back. The air intake area, where the big "X" is is where I hang out and smoke cigarettes when on layovers lol
The reason Amtrak combined the Silver Star and Meteor into one train is alleged to be because of staffing issues. I've heard they're possibly splitting into two trains again but I can't confirm. I would believe the staffing problem especially since Amtrak had the Night Owl off the timetable for 8-9 months, only now brining it back minus the sleeper and baggage service.
The way the equipment on that train is set up, I don’t think they are splitting the train. All the coaches are at one end and all of the viewliners are at the other. If they were splitting the train then you would have sleepers and coaches at one end and sleepers and coaches at the other end
@@3985uprr Well of course, I wouldn’t think Amtrak would simply split it in half. I meant in a way that Amtrak would dismantle the current consist and then sort out the equipment into the correct consists of the Meteor and Star. Not sure if it’ll be happening anytime soon, could just be speculator or a rumor
To explain the Silver Star train: The truth is it's actually merged with the Meteor due to low amount workers (pandemic effect) which is why the postponed the Silver Meteor service. I heard however is supposed to come back on October 3rd of this year. I'm taking it in November to Florida. Hope it clears it up for you.
I miss the flip board that used to be there! It had blinking yellow lights when the train was called by the person at the desk, who correctly pronounced "Amtrak" and all the stations on the route, WITH commas.... The HHP-8's are rarely in service, I caught one the other week. Definitely can tell the difference between those and the diesels by their smooth, quick acceleration and sustained speeds of 125mph. The diesels don't do more than 70. MARC service on the Penn Line is operated by Amtrak under contract the MTA (contracted to CSX on Brunswick and Camden). I do not understand why MARC is purchasing the diesel Charger replacements instead of some ACS-64s (I have seen some SEPTA ones waiting @ Trenton sometimes) - Penn is fully electrified and as you said, has all-day hourly service with 15-20 minute rush hour interval service with express runs etc. i would think they would be more economical and environmentally friendly than the diesels.... There is also the World Airways DC-10 that landed hard on the runway and buckled the frame. You can see it if you walk up the hill from the Dixon airpark and cross the road at the traffic light. Still sitting there
15:30 MARC used to have a lot more. They had a bunch of AEM-7s and a few HHP-8s. They got rid of all of their toasters in 2014 but they still own a few of their hippos. They have been saying over the years several times that they want to go full diesel claiming it's because only one of the 3 lines has electrification despite the fact that that one line gets far more activity than either other line combined (and the only one with weekend service). In my opinion, they should've gotten ALP-45s.
@@3985uprr On a rare occasion MARC will borrow amtrak's sprinters and honestly I think they would be a good idea especially since they can do over 100mph. The SC-44s would do that speed but I've heard there's some PTC issue preventing them from safely doing that speed so they do max 90 leaving the HHP-8's still the only locomotives to do over 100mph. It would certainly cut down travel time between DC and Baltimore (which leads me to another point of confusion. I always see the hhp-8s on locals. I'm sure they do use them on express trains but it would be far more practical to use them on all express trains because they would maintain speed over 100mph for longer and it would cut down travel time tremendously).
I guess maybe they did it for flexibility (since they can run on their other two diesel only lines) but it seems weird to me that MARC effectively replaced their AEM7s with Chargers only to run them under the wires anyway. Like “we don’t want that electricity up there, we’re going to make our own and haul the prime mover around with us to do it.”
"Duckcela" - Love it! ;-) I'm sure they'll be fine, but, as much as I look at videos of their test runs, I just don't get that same "solid" vibe as when looking at these original Acela trainsets. There's also that odd non-continuity of line between power cars and rest of consist that (aesthetically, at least) fights with the whole aerodynamic thing. Plus, I hope, for your sake and mine, Amtrak goes with a more serious sounding horn when they go into revenue service! Meantime, you are SO right - see them, ride them, shoot them while we can.
So if you go to France, you will see those duck noses all over the place over there those azalea cars make up the backbone of the TGV system. My dad told me how those things can exceed 200 miles an hour and you barely notice anything. It’s awesome how you can get from Paris to Marseilles In three hours and seven minutes, that’s the same distance as Boston to Washington roughly
The “stupid star” Was a result of crew shortages combining a consists of the star of the meteor for everybody below Savannah, and they also added cars onto the palmetto for those communities above Savannah It’s all the meteors passengers were put on that train instead i rode on that stupid star consist several times it also takes a different route in land through the Carolinas. I have also seen videos of it, making its maneuver into Tampa union station If you had Distant signal(who lives in FL) calling it the superstar
@@3985uprr it sure of the name but it’s headed for the Popes creek secondary as CSX has no other freights on that part of the NEC other than headed to popes creek
The Siemens Chargers are horrible in the Midwest. The reliability issues are ridiculous. Much quieter than the GEs though. Wish Siemens would have gotten the reliability right, they would have good potential.
Always enjoy your videos. Maybe I’ve missed the video you’ve done but just wondering have you ever done a train ride on the Marc Camden line between Washington DC and Camden Yards near the inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore? A few years ago Marc decided to add weekend service and they did so along the northeast corridor. I always thought it might be more useful to use the Camden line since it went to the highly touristy area of the inner harbor instead of the more uptown Penn station in Baltimore
You ended your day at my usual spot though I do caution you I have had a few homeless bother me until they realized I don’t fool around. I was just there yesterday afternoon to see 29 head out with charger 322, the other day I saw 321 and 325 come in with train 30 from Chicago.
@@3985uprr yes. I ride there from another part of the city then ride back. On the weekend it’s $2.00 because I never leave the station. If they ever have a charger set come in on 30 on a Saturday or Sunday I will ride in from Rockville to get platform access for up close shots. Out of 26 delivered I have only not seen 320.
@@3985uprr they did borrow Amtrak motors before but they are still in Amtrak paint and MARC didn’t order acs64s so it’s a railfan fantasy to see them painted in both colors which is the comment I responded to.
Why doesn't MARC use more electric service on the NEC? Always struck me as odd that services like MBTA run diesel service over the NEC. Or maybe I'm just used to it in Philly where we have all-electric service.
MARC is as bad as the MBTA, running diesels under catenary. What did MARC do with their electric locomotives? The Feds should pull their funding for doing stupid things like this. But they get away with it.
MBTA don’t really have a choice, a lot of the MBTA stations aren’t electrified. Even on the Providence/Wickford junction line some of the MBTA platforms are on non-electrified loops despite having catenary on the through tracks.
Nice shot of the CSX Open-Hopper set. [43:50]
The Classic Amtrak Silver Meteor [pre-2015] is one of my favorite Amtrak service and consist of all time. My personal pick over the Amtrak "Stupid Star"! 😂
Absolutely!!!!!!
Interesting array of MARC and Amtrak trains. The Penn line has always been the busiest commuter line in Baltimore/Washington area. MARC and SEPTA have talked about joining the lines at Newark DE or Perryville MD
Thanks RR for this video
😀💚
I was just talking to another fan yesterday about how nice the ACS-64s sound.
I've always thought that combining double-decker cars with smaller ones looks odd.
MARC and Boston MBTA are notorious for mixing double deckers with single deckers. it looks stupid.
The Capital Ltd. used to swing around that wye going east and then back into Washington Union Station in the mid 60's. Then after making station stop would head east to Baltimore. I was there for one of those moves. Thank you for really great videos. I'm going to pour me another cup of coffee.
I think even the Amtrak capitol limited would back into union Station. I don’t think they do that anymore
Well Done, Thanks for sharing!!!
Tim, great trips you take keep up the great work, I watch all of them and will in the future
MARC decided that the electric bill Amtrak was charging was excessive. In addition the service of the electric locomotive was also high so they decided that it would be cheaper to buy diesel locomotives and service it themselves.
The Maryland flag is the coat of Arms of Lord Baltimore.
My wife and I traveled through BWI (air to rail) a couple years ago. Highly convenient for our trip and a decent facility.
I recognize both Capitol and World Airways. I flew on a Capitol charter to Vietnam in 1970. I moved from N.J. to Peachtree City, GA in 1994 where World Airways had its H.Q.. CSX has a line not far from my house but no passenger rail within a reasonable drive, so I rail fan vicariously here!
Love your videos keep up the great content,go trains😃‼️
Great footage man!! I see MARC cars come through here in Wilkes-Barre Pa on the tail end of NS-11Z occasionally ...I guess they deliver them to MARC
These stations on the old B&P (Baltimore and Potomac) are not JUST ones like Odenton, Marshall BWI, and Halethorpe - which postdate the B&P going away - but espeecially MARC Bowie State University - because it is home to the relocated Bowie Tower - I prefer the MARC stations for railfanning (MARC Seabrook and MARC College Park - MARC College Park is at the eastern end of Fraternity Row).
I love Union Station. I sometimes park there if going into DC on a weekday and take the Metro. I’m pissed that they closed my favorite place to eat right next to the postal museum across the street.
That csx train is a ballast train aka rock runner awesome video
I remember seeing the old GG-1's on these tracks....with Penn Central logos.
the Chargers are like submarines on the inside, a bunch of doors, compartments and passageways all the way to the back. The air intake area, where the big "X" is is where I hang out and smoke cigarettes when on layovers lol
No wonder I see a lot of smoke coming out of them 😀😀
The reason Amtrak combined the Silver Star and Meteor into one train is alleged to be because of staffing issues. I've heard they're possibly splitting into two trains again but I can't confirm. I would believe the staffing problem especially since Amtrak had the Night Owl off the timetable for 8-9 months, only now brining it back minus the sleeper and baggage service.
The way the equipment on that train is set up, I don’t think they are splitting the train. All the coaches are at one end and all of the viewliners are at the other. If they were splitting the train then you would have sleepers and coaches at one end and sleepers and coaches at the other end
@@3985uprr Well of course, I wouldn’t think Amtrak would simply split it in half. I meant in a way that Amtrak would dismantle the current consist and then sort out the equipment into the correct consists of the Meteor and Star. Not sure if it’ll be happening anytime soon, could just be speculator or a rumor
@@cats0182 Good. It will improve its punctuality
To explain the Silver Star train: The truth is it's actually merged with the Meteor due to low amount workers (pandemic effect) which is why the postponed the Silver Meteor service. I heard however is supposed to come back on October 3rd of this year. I'm taking it in November to Florida. Hope it clears it up for you.
Miami riders deserve faster service. Going via Tampa is insulting.
I miss the flip board that used to be there! It had blinking yellow lights when the train was called by the person at the desk, who correctly pronounced "Amtrak" and all the stations on the route, WITH commas....
The HHP-8's are rarely in service, I caught one the other week. Definitely can tell the difference between those and the diesels by their smooth, quick acceleration and sustained speeds of 125mph. The diesels don't do more than 70. MARC service on the Penn Line is operated by Amtrak under contract the MTA (contracted to CSX on Brunswick and Camden). I do not understand why MARC is purchasing the diesel Charger replacements instead of some ACS-64s (I have seen some SEPTA ones waiting @ Trenton sometimes) - Penn is fully electrified and as you said, has all-day hourly service with 15-20 minute rush hour interval service with express runs etc. i would think they would be more economical and environmentally friendly than the diesels....
There is also the World Airways DC-10 that landed hard on the runway and buckled the frame. You can see it if you walk up the hill from the Dixon airpark and cross the road at the traffic light. Still sitting there
15:30 MARC used to have a lot more. They had a bunch of AEM-7s and a few HHP-8s. They got rid of all of their toasters in 2014 but they still own a few of their hippos. They have been saying over the years several times that they want to go full diesel claiming it's because only one of the 3 lines has electrification despite the fact that that one line gets far more activity than either other line combined (and the only one with weekend service).
In my opinion, they should've gotten ALP-45s.
ACS64’s wouldn’t be bad
@@3985uprr On a rare occasion MARC will borrow amtrak's sprinters and honestly I think they would be a good idea especially since they can do over 100mph. The SC-44s would do that speed but I've heard there's some PTC issue preventing them from safely doing that speed so they do max 90 leaving the HHP-8's still the only locomotives to do over 100mph.
It would certainly cut down travel time between DC and Baltimore (which leads me to another point of confusion. I always see the hhp-8s on locals. I'm sure they do use them on express trains but it would be far more practical to use them on all express trains because they would maintain speed over 100mph for longer and it would cut down travel time tremendously).
I guess maybe they did it for flexibility (since they can run on their other two diesel only lines) but it seems weird to me that MARC effectively replaced their AEM7s with Chargers only to run them under the wires anyway. Like “we don’t want that electricity up there, we’re going to make our own and haul the prime mover around with us to do it.”
The Baltimore Penn Station is in better shape now than it was in 1977, but miss the Solari Board
"Duckcela" - Love it! ;-) I'm sure they'll be fine, but, as much as I look at videos of their test runs, I just don't get that same "solid" vibe as when looking at these original Acela trainsets. There's also that odd non-continuity of line between power cars and rest of consist that (aesthetically, at least) fights with the whole aerodynamic thing. Plus, I hope, for your sake and mine, Amtrak goes with a more serious sounding horn when they go into revenue service!
Meantime, you are SO right - see them, ride them, shoot them while we can.
San Fransisco Bay Area's Caltrain nicknames their fleet of MP40PH-3C as "Baby Bullets".
F40’s pull the Bullets too
The newer MARC Multilevel Cars are the same year-model as those owned by NJT.
London is a very train dense area, good place to be a train spotter (UK for rail fan)
Also, in the UK, I love the sound of those Napier Deltics. I’ve always had a love of two-stroke diesels
So if you go to France, you will see those duck noses all over the place over there those azalea cars make up the backbone of the TGV system. My dad told me how those things can exceed 200 miles an hour and you barely notice anything. It’s awesome how you can get from Paris to Marseilles In three hours and seven minutes, that’s the same distance as Boston to Washington roughly
The “stupid star” Was a result of crew shortages combining a consists of the star of the meteor for everybody below Savannah, and they also added cars onto the palmetto for those communities above Savannah It’s all the meteors passengers were put on that train instead i rode on that stupid star consist several times it also takes a different route in land through the Carolinas. I have also seen videos of it, making its maneuver into Tampa union station If you had Distant signal(who lives in FL) calling it the superstar
The freight you caught at Seabrook is definitely headed for Popes creek secondary
Rock runner
@@3985uprr it sure of the name but it’s headed for the Popes creek secondary as CSX has no other freights on that part of the NEC other than headed to popes creek
The Siemens Chargers are horrible in the Midwest. The reliability issues are ridiculous. Much quieter than the GEs though. Wish Siemens would have gotten the reliability right, they would have good potential.
31:46 is the ACS-64 towing P42DC #89 as a rescue or in preparation for the NHV - Springfield leg so they remove 1 step of the NHV locomotive switch?
Always enjoy your videos. Maybe I’ve missed the video you’ve done but just wondering have you ever done a train ride on the Marc Camden line between Washington DC and Camden Yards near the inner Harbor in downtown Baltimore? A few years ago Marc decided to add weekend service and they did so along the northeast corridor. I always thought it might be more useful to use the Camden line since it went to the highly touristy area of the inner harbor instead of the more uptown Penn station in Baltimore
Haven’t ridden it.
I think Marc needs a fleet of alp45dps
Oh don’t say that. Perhaps they could paint them in PRR and B&O heritage paint
You ended your day at my usual spot though I do caution you I have had a few homeless bother me until they realized I don’t fool around. I was just there yesterday afternoon to see 29 head out with charger 322, the other day I saw 321 and 325 come in with train 30 from Chicago.
Isn’t that a fare paid zone????
@@3985uprr yes. I ride there from another part of the city then ride back. On the weekend it’s $2.00 because I never leave the station. If they ever have a charger set come in on 30 on a Saturday or Sunday I will ride in from Rockville to get platform access for up close shots. Out of 26 delivered I have only not seen 320.
The toasters or meatballs were not aerodynamic. These are much better.
Ahh yes ... The ole Philly to Baltimore on MP54's yuck
What will be interesting is comparing the two different sets of ACS-64s - in AMTRAK and MARC trim - both operated by AMTRAK crews.
Interesting but since Marc didn’t order acs64, it would just be a pipe dream
@@ghostengineer They borrowed them before. You got a nice electric AC system overhead. Stop burning expensive diesel fuel Marc!!!
@@3985uprr they did borrow Amtrak motors before but they are still in Amtrak paint and MARC didn’t order acs64s so it’s a railfan fantasy to see them painted in both colors which is the comment I responded to.
Just an off beat question, but are airline employees covered under a government retirement like railroad retirement?
When the new Acela trains start running ? what are they going to do with the passenger cars?
Why doesn't MARC use more electric service on the NEC? Always struck me as odd that services like MBTA run diesel service over the NEC. Or maybe I'm just used to it in Philly where we have all-electric service.
Amtrak charges huge amount to use the electric and service the electric locos. Cheaper with diesels
I thought the Silver Meteor and Silver Star alternated days??
Any idea why the Springfield train out of Washington has the diesel tucked in behind the Sprinter? (31:49)
I’m thinking they are delivering it to New Haven for use on the Springfield shuttles.
@@3985uprr Thanks!
Aparently they did away with the silver meteor because of crew issues in the pandemic that Amtrak hasnt been able to overcome
My bad, short staffing issues?
I subscribed
You should railfan on the new brunswick line
I’ve done it in the past over several trips/videos
Njt leased 4145 it was mostly seen on the new brunswick
Just an FYI it's pronounced Gal u det .
It looks like a tough word to pronounce
Duckcela 😅😅
my guess for the CSX is coke
Septa saposed to be gitting double deck cars
Kinda look like a porpuss not a duck
still wearing those damn maskd
MARC is as bad as the MBTA, running diesels under catenary. What did MARC do with their electric locomotives? The Feds should pull their funding for doing stupid things like this. But they get away with it.
Saw 2 HHP8’s but rush hour only
MBTA don’t really have a choice, a lot of the MBTA stations aren’t electrified. Even on the Providence/Wickford junction line some of the MBTA platforms are on non-electrified loops despite having catenary on the through tracks.
You really have a point with that.