Amtrak or Transit related YouTube channels and videos

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Michigan Mom said:
2024 update to this thread :)
I am really enjoying the videos from "Lonestar" the video quality and easygoing style are very enjoyable.
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He's relatively new to the field but comes across very positive. Even the early termination of his video on VIA's Ocean didn't evoke a "never again" response. They're an easy listen and his level of detail is quite thorough.
 
Another update to this fun thread. The AutoTrain post above, made me a fan of T1D Wanderer. I watch his content fairly zealously in addition to Lonestar. Love both for different reasons - Lonestar is the young tech savvy guy who refers to train engines by their specific number, like a friend or relative, and displays the resiliency of youth which helps him maintain that positive outlook. T1D, also a very likeable traveler, operates strictly from the passenger point of view. Much of his content is Japan based, I think his wife is from there - but his US travel videos are mesmerizing. The link below is for his recent trip on the Texas Eagle! It is wonderful! He captures beautifully that feeling of time passing and distance traveled, with his window photography but also in a more personal way, for example you feel like you stepped off the train with him for one of the longer stops, and I got nervous when he left the train platform to go inside the station to look for an ATM.



He's also got a recent SW Chief trip on his channel that I missed earlier, going to watch now.
 
Old MM said:
And Lonestar just posted a Cardinal video... really enjoyed...
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Thank you so much! Editing that video took a long time, so I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed! And I'll admit I too watch too much train content on YouTube. How I get anything done is beyond me lol. Also, T1DWanderer has some amazing content, and even his non-train related videos deserve a watch. They're fantastic. Glad you enjoyed the video!
 
chadamfleetrailfan said:
I do have to say that Thom from Trains Are Awesome did a very well done and content-rich compilation vid of all of the liveries throughout Amtrak's run. His channel is my favorite Amtrak and transit channel to watch and I just wanted to highlight his video here.

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Thanks Chad! This one definitely taught me the virtue of patience (as railfanning tends to do). But it was so worth it.
 
Cool tread, and also cool to know some of the creators that I watch are also on this forum. Although he doesn't do much with trains, I have been watching Steve Marsh a lot lately, he takes frequent ferry trips. I also watch It's History, which covers many topics but frequently does transportation, railroads, highways and stations.
 
AFS1970 said:
I have been watching Steve Marsh a lot lately, he takes frequent ferry trips. I also watch It's History, which covers many topics but frequently does transportation, railroads, highways and stations.
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Steve has another challenge coming up with Scott Manson of Planes, Trains, Everything - another site worth checking out. Scott recently dined in a vintage railcar in Budapest.

 
We are indeed fortunate to have these content creators. Take a bow, guys :) I generally prefer the US based train reports for the simple reason that it's more likely to be something feasible and does help get me ready for trip planning and okay, dreaming. Although, the Japan content on some channels is fascinating even though I have no idea when, or even if, I can ever get there. Would love to, again just no way of knowing. The train system there seems just breathtaking. So many of them, so many destinations, so affordable. To that end, SoloSolo Travel provides excellent overviews of the different trains, routes, stations, and things to do. When I started viewing his channel it was mostly trains but he also covers bus and ferry service within Japan, and inexpensive lodgings. Then he branched out and took Amtrak cross country, covering most if not all the LD routes, and it was fun getting his perspective. He must be doing well with revenue since he's now reviewing airlines and in FC/BC. The signature style of his videos is he doesn't talk, and uses subtitles for all communication. I believe YT lets viewers choose the language.
 
Old MM said:
We are indeed fortunate to have these content creators.
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I agree. Besides watching videos of trips I might take such as the Empire Builder and Coast Starlight which are on my bucket list, I also like the more exotic ones which I figure I am unlikely to ever ride. For example Doc7austin's recent videos on traveling from Lithuania to Estonia, or above the arctic circle in Finland and his older series on the Trans Siberian. I like Doc7austin's videos because there is no music or dialog just the sounds of the train with comments at the bottom of the screen. He is always very knowledgeable about information such as the lines, stations, and equipment.
 
Here's a unique perspective from a different kind of Youtuber. Safiya Nygaard is known on Youtube for her fashion, makeup and mixing of things. She recently started with a few out of the box videos involving traveling and staying at unique places. With over 10 million subscribers, she brings a different audience to the world of train travel on Amtrak (several people even point this out in the comments).

The video itself is very well put together and gives a perspective from a non train enthusiast. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

 
Matthew H Fish said:
This channel is kind of at the opposite end of the spectrum: Grounded Life Travel, which is mostly about more comfortable long distance train travel, mostly Amtrak, but also some VIA Rail videos. This is a pretty representative video, showing a nice trip along the Sunset Limited:

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I love this channel. Their in depth review of each sleeper car room was helpful.
 
I don't think Noel Philips has been mentioned yet? Or if I did, here is the channel again anyways!



He only has three Amtrak LD videos but they're well done and he calls it as he sees it, but politely. And his family with him adds a dimension I appreciate.

His travels beyond Amtrak are very extensive, with weekly videos almost entirely of flights with a few trains / cruises / buses thrown in. The bus videos are fantastic entertainment!
 
If you are interested in videos of train trips in the UK or Ireland check out those by Johnny Hoover. He also has some European trips particularly in Portugal and Switzerland. I haven't seen any North American trips by him yet though. I particularly like the way he covers interesting and historic station buildings he encounters.
 
TheMalahat said:
I don't think Noel Philips has been mentioned yet? Or if I did, here is the channel again anyways!



He only has three Amtrak LD videos but they're well done and he calls it as he sees it, but politely. And his family with him adds a dimension I appreciate.

His travels beyond Amtrak are very extensive, with weekly videos almost entirely of flights with a few trains / cruises / buses thrown in. The bus videos are fantastic entertainment!
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Noel is a character! He recently emigrated to the US and now lives near Houston. He's primarily a plane guy but often reports on trains and agree about his Greyhound adventures.
 
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Kjaney said:
I love this channel. Their in depth review of each sleeper car room was helpful.
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Love the Grounded Life presenters as well. In addition to train-specific vids they have short vids on how/what to pack, mistakes that first-time riders usually make, and riding in coach. Also give tips on handling your frequent traveler points.
 
Sadly, the comments say that the train no longer exists 😢

The two vehicles are interesting, one has a roof and one is open. I'm guessing that they were originally designed to work with batteries under the back seat, but the batteries couldn't hold enough power, so they added the little "tender" with the Honda generator. Interesting how many instruments are in the cab, wonder why they needed so much info to run a simple electric motor. The track is very well designed with loops and passing lanes for the two units. It seemed as if the ride operator was also communicating with the driver via radio, guess he was making sure he didn't blow through a signal.

Definitely a labor of love!
 

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