Long Train Runnin'
Engineer
Getting to boston a unique perspective from Long Train Runnin'
The following is the unedited and untampered with trip report and thoughts written as they happened on NJT as well as an Acela Express.
NJT North Jersey Coast Line to New York Penn Station
Well my morning started with a predawn awaking this morning at 4:10 A.M. EDT even though my alarm was set for 4:30. I eagerly prepared and dressed for my 5:50 A.M. EDT train. So I was a little early, no matter. Its an all day railfan day so the lack of sleep, and early morning are well worth this.
The morning commuter train was filling as up as we get closer and closer to NYP when I check my pockets I realized I forgot my Amtrak tickets...Luckily I had my moms credit card was able to rebook on the same trains but with the price difference I was unable to go first class. Kind of sucks but hey I'll make it work at least I fixed it and I early enough to cancel the tickets. Okay so now my day just got a little dimmer but still I don't care were going to Boston!
Back to the regular commuter babble. The train ended up being half full with no one choosing to sit next to me. Thats fine well its really dark out still so I have nothing to really write about. I know that this train is made up of different Comet cars. Not sure how to tell them apart, but they are all single level. OTP into New York was perfect right on time or a few seconds early depending on how you look at it. So quickly now to pick up my new tickets and get on my way.
Acela From NYP to BOS
With tickets now in hand, well pocket,I proceeded to the Amtrak Waiting area where I was waved in with out showing a ticket. I think it has something to do with the Amtrak hat I'm wearing but who knows. The waiting room is pretty empty. Having a small breakfast consisting of a dunkin doughnuts bagel and a large light and sweet coffee. I am leaving the waiting room now as they should be making a track announcement in two minutes.
My early action paid off as I was the second person down the escalator and first person into the car of my choosing. This train originated in NYP today because of the holidays so it is empty right now.
We left 3 minutes late even though the doors closed on time and everyone was seated. Unreal, sitting on the right side as recommend by you guys. Lots of Metro North action outside. Were not going very fast and its making me sad lol. I couldn't locate the grocery store Alan told me to look out for... although I did look.
Oh great we get to Stamford and who sits in front of me?? A freaking Amtrak Cop... Time to put the camera away. What are the odds of this. He better get off soon or I'm switching seats. Just my luck. Okay I walked up to the cafe for some OJ and checked his name tag. Lt. Somebody so that means he's a big shot great. No ticket was collected for him and he is off duty... Is that legal? Ah, what a bother...
Phew, he got off in New Heaven with no ticket collected. Well that makes me feel somewhat better. Had a seatmate for all 30 seconds. Group of 3 wanting to sit at one of those 4 with table set ups. None left in my car but then the Conductor said they could sit in an any car they choose and poof... there gone.
This train is like the Zombie train I mean really its totally quiet no one is even coughing. No cell phones buzzing. The guy two rows up is literally sitting in the aisle seat alone with his curtain closed staring at the head rest in front oh him! Checking for signs of life on this train and it looks bad. Another walk to the Cafe I wanna talk to somebody! The Cafe is empty to and the Attendant is busy inventorying or something. Wow this is odd. What can you do? Nothing lol I bought a soda and headed back to my seat. I am hesitating to pop it open God for bid I make a sound lol.
I can feel that we are booking it pretty well about 45 minutes to Providence Rhode Island. Were on time at the moment. I wish I knew how to time the miles or had GPS but Idk how you count the mile markers. Plus were moving to fast to see them and I don't think the cantenary supports are evenly spaced. Oh well just keeping to my self since everyone else is.
I walked the rest of the coach cars the conductor wasn't kidding this train has a light load today. Everyone is spaced out as they please and everyone is just staring at stuff inside the train. I know that these people are business travelers, but come on look out the window! Whatever, back to my seat I'm enjoying the scenery.
Great stuff the train runs right along a beach for a time. Plenty of water to be seen. Providence comes and then I find out Boston South Station is 35 minutes away. Thats kind of good and bad news. This train is as dead as the morgue so I kind of want to get off for that reason. At the same time I want to ride on since I'm enjoying myself regardless of the other folks.
Well here we are at South Station sorry its kind of short but there is really nothing to write lol. I sat watched the scenery and went to the bathroom lol. Which caused me to have the only issue of the trip. The bathroom was out of paper towels lol. Not something to get bent out of shape about.
Okay we hit the bumper at South Station (not really but i like the phrase) one minute early. I guess its better then being late but not early by much. So here I am at south station at 11:41 A.M. EDT
Killing time in South Station
I walked the entire station which takes oh all of 2 minutes. For the record its better then an Amshack somewhere but for a major metropolitan area this is a small station. Walked to the food court to access how I would be feeding myself. Went with McDonalds not exactly the best but hey it worked. Had to fight for a table to eat my lunch at. There really isn't enough seating here for this volume of traffic. I got a table and offered to someone who also had trobule finding a spot to have the other seat at my table. They were actually I'd say offended, so much for courtesy. I thought I was being nice oh, well looks like its lunch alone. Finished lunch still have a good half hour until boarding. I want to get up and walk a little but I know I'll loose my seat so I'll just say here I guess.
I got up and walked around for a time. Got a really good M&M Cookie at on of the shops there. Just pacing through the station waiting for boarding. This place is a drag lol. I am not a fan of this place I'd hate to see it when its busy it must be a zoo. Although finding people at the gathering will be simple you can't miss a group of 3 in this place. CHOWDA!!! lol.
This is the first part I'll post the rest after I get some food and take a shower
Pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/stephenmontero/AcelaTripPhotos#
The following is the unedited and untampered with trip report and thoughts written as they happened on NJT as well as an Acela Express.
NJT North Jersey Coast Line to New York Penn Station
Well my morning started with a predawn awaking this morning at 4:10 A.M. EDT even though my alarm was set for 4:30. I eagerly prepared and dressed for my 5:50 A.M. EDT train. So I was a little early, no matter. Its an all day railfan day so the lack of sleep, and early morning are well worth this.
The morning commuter train was filling as up as we get closer and closer to NYP when I check my pockets I realized I forgot my Amtrak tickets...Luckily I had my moms credit card was able to rebook on the same trains but with the price difference I was unable to go first class. Kind of sucks but hey I'll make it work at least I fixed it and I early enough to cancel the tickets. Okay so now my day just got a little dimmer but still I don't care were going to Boston!
Back to the regular commuter babble. The train ended up being half full with no one choosing to sit next to me. Thats fine well its really dark out still so I have nothing to really write about. I know that this train is made up of different Comet cars. Not sure how to tell them apart, but they are all single level. OTP into New York was perfect right on time or a few seconds early depending on how you look at it. So quickly now to pick up my new tickets and get on my way.
Acela From NYP to BOS
With tickets now in hand, well pocket,I proceeded to the Amtrak Waiting area where I was waved in with out showing a ticket. I think it has something to do with the Amtrak hat I'm wearing but who knows. The waiting room is pretty empty. Having a small breakfast consisting of a dunkin doughnuts bagel and a large light and sweet coffee. I am leaving the waiting room now as they should be making a track announcement in two minutes.
My early action paid off as I was the second person down the escalator and first person into the car of my choosing. This train originated in NYP today because of the holidays so it is empty right now.
We left 3 minutes late even though the doors closed on time and everyone was seated. Unreal, sitting on the right side as recommend by you guys. Lots of Metro North action outside. Were not going very fast and its making me sad lol. I couldn't locate the grocery store Alan told me to look out for... although I did look.
Oh great we get to Stamford and who sits in front of me?? A freaking Amtrak Cop... Time to put the camera away. What are the odds of this. He better get off soon or I'm switching seats. Just my luck. Okay I walked up to the cafe for some OJ and checked his name tag. Lt. Somebody so that means he's a big shot great. No ticket was collected for him and he is off duty... Is that legal? Ah, what a bother...
Phew, he got off in New Heaven with no ticket collected. Well that makes me feel somewhat better. Had a seatmate for all 30 seconds. Group of 3 wanting to sit at one of those 4 with table set ups. None left in my car but then the Conductor said they could sit in an any car they choose and poof... there gone.
This train is like the Zombie train I mean really its totally quiet no one is even coughing. No cell phones buzzing. The guy two rows up is literally sitting in the aisle seat alone with his curtain closed staring at the head rest in front oh him! Checking for signs of life on this train and it looks bad. Another walk to the Cafe I wanna talk to somebody! The Cafe is empty to and the Attendant is busy inventorying or something. Wow this is odd. What can you do? Nothing lol I bought a soda and headed back to my seat. I am hesitating to pop it open God for bid I make a sound lol.
I can feel that we are booking it pretty well about 45 minutes to Providence Rhode Island. Were on time at the moment. I wish I knew how to time the miles or had GPS but Idk how you count the mile markers. Plus were moving to fast to see them and I don't think the cantenary supports are evenly spaced. Oh well just keeping to my self since everyone else is.
I walked the rest of the coach cars the conductor wasn't kidding this train has a light load today. Everyone is spaced out as they please and everyone is just staring at stuff inside the train. I know that these people are business travelers, but come on look out the window! Whatever, back to my seat I'm enjoying the scenery.
Great stuff the train runs right along a beach for a time. Plenty of water to be seen. Providence comes and then I find out Boston South Station is 35 minutes away. Thats kind of good and bad news. This train is as dead as the morgue so I kind of want to get off for that reason. At the same time I want to ride on since I'm enjoying myself regardless of the other folks.
Well here we are at South Station sorry its kind of short but there is really nothing to write lol. I sat watched the scenery and went to the bathroom lol. Which caused me to have the only issue of the trip. The bathroom was out of paper towels lol. Not something to get bent out of shape about.
Okay we hit the bumper at South Station (not really but i like the phrase) one minute early. I guess its better then being late but not early by much. So here I am at south station at 11:41 A.M. EDT
Killing time in South Station
I walked the entire station which takes oh all of 2 minutes. For the record its better then an Amshack somewhere but for a major metropolitan area this is a small station. Walked to the food court to access how I would be feeding myself. Went with McDonalds not exactly the best but hey it worked. Had to fight for a table to eat my lunch at. There really isn't enough seating here for this volume of traffic. I got a table and offered to someone who also had trobule finding a spot to have the other seat at my table. They were actually I'd say offended, so much for courtesy. I thought I was being nice oh, well looks like its lunch alone. Finished lunch still have a good half hour until boarding. I want to get up and walk a little but I know I'll loose my seat so I'll just say here I guess.
I got up and walked around for a time. Got a really good M&M Cookie at on of the shops there. Just pacing through the station waiting for boarding. This place is a drag lol. I am not a fan of this place I'd hate to see it when its busy it must be a zoo. Although finding people at the gathering will be simple you can't miss a group of 3 in this place. CHOWDA!!! lol.
This is the first part I'll post the rest after I get some food and take a shower
Pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/stephenmontero/AcelaTripPhotos#
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. Well New York Penn Station is next sadly so that means this trip is coming to a close much faster then I would have hoped for. They just never last long enough.
