Best Amtrak entrance into a city?

[Ctim2]

Question, which Amtrak route do you think has the best day or night city entrance (view) in the system. For me it’s coming into New York City on the Hell’s gate approach and bridge and the circular entrance around Manhattan. What about you, big or small?

Tim

 

[The Davy Crockett]

For me it is #19's entrance into NOL from Slidell.

 

[coachseats]

The eastbound Capitol Limited crosses a nice bridge with spectacular views of the Pittsburgh Skyline right before arriving into the station- if you are awake!

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I like how the Empire Builder skims Puget Sound when entering/leaving SEA.

 

[Montanan]

Boy, there are a lot of them. A few, off the top of my head:

- The eastbound Zephyr into Denver;

- The eastbound Sunset into New Orleans, over the Huey Long bridge;

- The westbound Empire Builder into East Glacier Park;

- The southbound Starlight into San Luis Obispo.

 

[guest]

The Pacific Surfliner north or south coming into Surf, Ca.

 

[jmbgeg]

I like how the Empire Builder skims Puget Sound when entering/leaving SEA.

I agree.

 

[Shanghai]

Southbound into St Louis before the turn to cross the Mississippi River at night.

 

[NS VIA Fan]

For me it's coming into New York City on the Hell's gate approach and bridge......

 

I’ll second that!.......Ever since my first trip on the Night Owl when I was in a Roomette (the old heritage type) between Boston and Washington......I remember putting up the blind just as we were crossing Hells Gate and wow.....the view at night!

 

[Mom on a mission]

Speaking of coming into New York...

I'll be coming in on the Silver Meteor. How far out from the city is it that we will go under ground, and how much of the city will I be able to see before we go under?

Thanks!

 

[Shanghai]

After departing Newark, NJ, as you ride through the Meadowlands, you can see the skyline of the city

on the right side of the train. Shortly after the Secaucus Transfer Station, you enter the tunnel

into the city.

 

[MattW]

Seeing the Atlanta skyline come into view as you approach the Atlanta station isn't bad either, especially as #19 comes in in the morning and the sun is reflecting off the sides of the buildings.

 

[railiner]

After departing Newark, NJ, as you ride through the Meadowlands, you can see the skyline of the city

on the right side of the train. Shortly after the Secaucus Transfer Station, you enter the tunnel

into the city.

Unfortunately, you can only see the top of the skyline, as it's obscured by the New Jersey Palisades somewhat.

 

[MikefromCrete]

Riding along Lake Michigan on the CONO/Saluki/Illini entrance into Chicago on the old Illinois Central.

 

[railiner]

The eastbound Capitol Limited crosses a nice bridge with spectacular views of the Pittsburgh Skyline right before arriving into the station- if you are awake!

Even more dramatic back in the day was Amtrak's National Limited eastbound. You were out seemingly 'in the country' in the dark. Then you entered a tunnel, and then suddenly were on a bridge with a spectacular night time view of the city. Alas Penn Central's old 'Panhandle' line see's Amtrak no more.

You can get a similar experience on the highway from Pittsburgh's airport to the city.

 

[Bill Haithcoat]

Seeing the Atlanta skyline come into view as you approach the Atlanta station isn't bad either, especially as #19 comes in in the morning and the sun is reflecting off the sides of the buildings.

I would add to this; passing by Southeastern RR museum if you look quickly, crossing I 285 the Perimeter freeway. MARTA rail, the Buckhead area and Lenox Square and.....most of all..........my own apartment building.. It is a relief to see it is still standing no matter how long I have been away.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Question, which Amtrak route do you think has the best day or night city entrance (view) in the system. For me its coming into New York City on the Hells gate approach and bridge and the circular entrance around Manhattan. What about you, big or small?

Tim

I agree that the Hell's Gate entry into the Apple is pretty Sweet as are the Cities along the Lake on the Adirondack Route!! Also think most of the West Coast Cities have pretty nice Vistas as the Train rolls in ,and the Journey down the Mountains into Denver is Spectacular! Overall, still gotta go with Crossing into New Orleans, both on the Crescent and the Sunset Ltd.routes! :wub:

 

[Shawn Ryu]

entering 30th Street Station is pretty cool at night.

 

[Texan Eagle]

Speaking of coming into New York...

I'll be coming in on the Silver Meteor. How far out from the city is it that we will go under ground, and how much of the city will I be able to see before we go under?

Thanks!

I have not seen the entry from Hell Gate side (coming from north), but entry to New York Penn from the south (for example, your Silver Meteor) is quite boring. After Newark you start seeing warehouses, dockyard, lots of freight lines, basically industrial stuff all around that makes you feel you are nearing New York City, then you cross Secaucus Junction and boom! You are into a long long tunnel at the end of which you see "daylight" for a few seconds before darkness comes in again in the form of underground platforms. You alight, go up to the giant jumble maze that is Penn Station and only when you reach the street level, that "OMG! NEW YORK CITY!" feeling is experienced.

 

[NJCoastExp]

For me it's coming into New York City on the Hell's gate approach and bridge......

 

I’ll second that!.......Ever since my first trip on the Night Owl when I was in a Roomette (the old heritage type) between Boston and Washington......I remember putting up the blind just as we were crossing Hells Gate and wow.....the view at night!

Third. I am on a train east of NYC on average 15 times a year and that view still has that WOW feel to it. :giggle:

 

[Ocala Mike]

I suppose it's a little mundane for many, but I like the daytime entry into NYP down the Empire Connection. You hit Spuyten Duyvil, down the Hudson a little more, and under the GW Bridge, then skirt the West Side Highway, and you're in the tunnel for NYP.

 

[gmcguire]

I guess you're not really coming into the city proper, but the ride along the SF Bay into Emeryville on the CZ is nice--especially when there's not much fog and the whole of San Francisco and the Golden Gate are visible.

 

[manchacrr]

The route of the City of New Orleans into Chicago over the old St. Charles Air Line. It offers a great view of the Chicago skyline and the Amtrak/Metra yards below.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Speaking of coming into New York...

I have not seen the entry from Hell Gate side (coming from north), but entry to New York Penn from the south (for example, your Silver Meteor) is quite boring. After Newark you start seeing warehouses, dockyard, lots of freight lines, basically industrial stuff all around that makes you feel you are nearing New York City, then you cross Secaucus Junction and boom! You are into a long long tunnel at the end of which you see "daylight" for a few seconds before darkness comes in again in the form of underground platforms. You alight, go up to the giant jumble maze that is Penn Station and only when you reach the street level, that "OMG! NEW YORK CITY!" feeling is experienced.

I remember that "OMG! NEW YORK CITY!" feeling very strongly on any number of low approaches into LGA. I remember it when driving to NYC from bridge and tunnel alike. Even JFK has an interesting enough approach and arrival experience, all things considered. Unfortunately NYP was the very definition of anti-climatic. It really has nothing about it that stands out as being important or unique, let alone beautiful or historic. Part underground maze, part generic mall, and part inner city bus station. All of it stuck in a dark and dank basement under a city that deserves something so much better. Not even the sexy and alluring Hell Gate Bridge can overcome the bad taste that NYP is about to leave in your mouth. Bleh!

 

[Mackensen]

The route of the City of New Orleans into Chicago over the old St. Charles Air Line. It offers a great view of the Chicago skyline and the Amtrak/Metra yards below.

Let me second that. It's even better when you're leaving at night and whole skyline is illuminated. I'll definitely miss it after the re-route.