Quick pre NTD trip to WAS

[the_traveler]

I decided at the last minute (on Sat morning 4/9) to take a ride to WAS on Sunday 4/10 to see the Cherry Blossoms. Due to the late time prior to departure on a weekend, the buckets were high, so I chose to redeem 3K points for a northeast region award. (This gave a value of 2.9¢/point on the way south and 5.6¢/point on the return – both in coach!

I was happy with these rates.)​

#67 departed on time from KIN at 10:48 PM. It had a P-42 and also an AEM-7 on the head. The P-42 was powered and I believe the toaster was unpowered. It also had a baggage car, a BC/café car and 4 coaches.

Just south of KIN, #67 average speed was about 70 MPH. A "normal" Regional operates on this stretch at about 110 MPH. I believe part of this restriction was due to the P-42 at the head.

During the trip south, I attempted to sleep. However, I woke up with #67 stopped just north of Sunnyside yard. I believe the toaster was turned on (to make toast

). I believe it took us thru NYP. I don't know if the P-42 was removed here or not.

#67 arrived NYP about 15minutes late, but departed on time at 3 AM.

Also, so much for the "no PA announcements at night" rule. The Conductor said LOUDLY at 3 AM (much like the Conductor on the Surfliner many of us remenber a few years ago)

1 ticket, 1 seat! This trainis sold out!

This was a big surprise to me, because 7 hours beforw, it was still in the lower buckets! As happened, there were many open seats. (At least in my car.)

We were on time (or early) at all stations that I was awake going south. #67 arrived on time at WAS at 6:57 AM.

I'll leave out the events in WAS, but will mention 1 quick item. While on the tour, on one of the steepest hills in Washington – and in the left hand turn lane – our bus broke down! It took 20-30 of waiting to get a replacement bus to rescue us!

We arrived back at Union Station about 12:30 PM. Lunch was at the food court on the lower level – and it was PACKED!

I arranged to use a Red Cap for early boarding (hint

), and was glad I did. #132 was packed to the gills right out of WAS. So much so, some people were standing, because of no seats!In fact, tickets were not collected until after BWI. (That means those that got off there probably got a free ride!)

Upon arrival in NYP, most of the train (at least my car) emptied out and was very open for the trip north. #132 departed NYP on time, and stayed on time, right to the on time arrival in KIN.

Thus ended this "short" 24 hour trip by the traveler.

 

[pennyk]

Interesting report Dave, thanks. I am jealous. I have not been on a train in almost 2 months.

Did you fall back to asleep after the conductor's announcement? If not, did you nap in the Acela lounge or on the tour bus, or did you just stay awake for 24 hours?

 

[the_traveler]

I did fall asleep thru NJ, PA and DE. From what I hear, I did not miss much!

 

[Shanghai]

Hey, you are insulting we New Jersey residents!!

There is plenty to see when training through NJ.

There's the Meadowlands, the prison in Elizabeth

Johnson & Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick

and of course, beautiful Trenton!!

 

You had better watch out on NTD because Piotr,

Stephen, Jis and Shanghai will be there!!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Hey, you are insulting we New Jersey residents!! There is plenty to see when training through NJ. There's the Meadowlands, the prison in Elizabeth Johnson & Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick and of course, beautiful Trenton!!

I have no idea what most of the NEC has to offer scenery wise, but I plan to use my NTD trip as an excuse to find out.

 

[the_traveler]

Hey, you are insulting we New Jersey residents!!

There is plenty to see when training through NJ.

There's the Meadowlands, the prison in Elizabeth

Johnson & Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick

and of course, beautiful Trenton!!

 

You had better watch out on NTD because Piotr,

Stephen, Jis and Shanghai will be there!!

It was 3-6 AM, and at least it looked better!

 

[jis]

I took 66 back from Washington DC to Metropark couple of weeks back after a dinner engagement in Washington DC with among others President Obama's CIO. I always enjoy the ride on 66/67 and the usually unusual consists that you come across. In that consist there was a full cafe that was open in the middle of the train and the cafe section of the Cafe/BC was not open and it was the last car of the train. It had two baggage cars and AEM-7 powered, and a P42 belching smoke. I don't think in its entire run between Washington DC and Metropark it ever ran a hair above 90mph. Track 1 was out of service with a track tamping machine humming away on it, between Lincoln and Union, so we were disgorged on the low level wooden thing on track 2 at Metropark.

Now that Rafi has pointed out the special Civil War exhibit at the B&O Museum, I am off to Baltimore this Sunday to see what is going on there. Out by 131 back by 132 - Coach - Gotta save money to recover from the NTD extravaganza on Acela by FC

 

[jis]

Hey, you are insulting we New Jersey residents!! There is plenty to see when training through NJ. There's the Meadowlands, the prison in Elizabeth Johnson & Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick and of course, beautiful Trenton!!

I have no idea what most of the NEC has to offer scenery wise, but I plan to use my NTD trip as an excuse to find out.

From a railfan perspective, NJ still boasts the fastest point to point schedule run in the nation!