July 20, 2010:

 

            I got up shortly after 9:00 am. I didn’t get my wake up call, but I had set an alarm on my cell phone. I got dressed and went to the lobby for breakfast. After breakfast I finished packing and then went to the lobby to check out. I then walked to the Amtrak station. My train was leaving at 11:19 am. When I made the reservation, the train was leaving 15 minutes later, but Amtrak informed me of the schedule change. This was no big deal.

 

            As I walked alone, I photographed a bus; the first one I had seen in Lancaster.

 

 

            Several minutes later, I arrived at the Amtrak station. I saw the New York bound Keystone before my departure arrive and depart but I couldn’t get a good photo of it. I soon entered the station. It was muggy both inside and outside the station. After I got to the station, I saw a westbound Keystone arrive. I photographed it from the walkway.

 

 

 

            I then bought some snacks from a vendor in the station because I knew that the Keystone trains have no café service. Among the snacks I bought were some Reese’s peanut butter cups that were partly melted when I opened them!

 

            After awhile, I heard my train would be a few minutes late. I went onto the platform where it would stop and photographed the coach for work train service again.

 

 

            As I continued to wait, I filmed a westbound Keystone train arriving. I then took some photos of it.

 

 

 

            I then filmed the train departing. My train arrived 8 minutes late. As it arrived, I filmed it.

 

 

            Like my train to Lancaster, the train was led by the cab car. I was seated in Amfleet 1 Capstone refurbished car 82566. I took a backwards facing seat on the right hand side of the coach. I knew that at Philadelphia, I would be facing forwards. The train soon departed.

 

            I went into the cab car. The crew told me that I couldn’t go into the actual cab which was fine. When no one was looking, I took some interior shots of the cab car.

 

            The train made stops in Parkesburg, Coatesville, Downingtown, and Exton. A little while later, we stopped at Paoli. Soon, we were approaching Philadelphia. There would be a layover in Philadelphia as this is where the train changed ends to go to New York. As we arrived, I saw the Pennsylvanian a few tracks over.

 

            I was able to take some photos of my train and a so-so shot of the Pennsylvanian departing.

 

 

This is my best shot of the Pennsylvanian.

 

 

 

            I then got back on. The train soon left. After we left, I filmed Amtrak equipment stored north of the station. I then phoned my friend Dan to see if we could meet at Penn Station. However he was busy.

 

            I strained to get a video of the stored SEPTA PCCs and I also saw a PCC-2 in service but was unable to photograph it.

 

            The train stopped at Trenton. As we approached Newark, I filmed a PATH train from the train. I also filmed a New Jersey Transit train of Arrow commuter cars as we stopped in Newark. After we left, I filmed the PATH yard from the train. I photographed a SAS Boeing 767 on approach to New York’s JFK airport.

 

            Amtrak Keystone train 648 arrived into Penn Station 10-12 minutes early! I got off and took some photos of the train.

 

 

 

 

            I also photographed the Crescent awaiting its departure from New York to New Orleans.

 

 

 

 

 

            I then went upstairs and bought lunch. I looked around the station for a few minutes before I phoned home.

 

            After awhile, I decided to go outside. I saw the Tick-Tock diner which I ate at a lot during my New York trip. I also photographed the Empire State Building.

 

 

            I saw an entrance to the subway. I paused for a second before I decided to go for a short ride. I paid a two dollar fare and entered the station. A train on the “E” line arrived. However since 2007, New York’s MTA took delivery of new trains which replaced a lot of the older cars; mainly the R32’s, R38s and R40s. The R32s are what I rode on the “E” line which I compared to the M-1 class subway cars in Toronto. I boarded the E train and rode one stop where I took some photos before I filmed it pulling out of the station.

 

 

 

            I then went across to board a train back to Penn Station. I saw a train of R-32s arrive on the “C” train. I filmed it pulling in and got on the front car. I rode to Penn station where I got off and photographed the train.

 

 

            The train operator honked the horn as I was about to film it pulling out. I filmed most of the train. I don’t know if it was a friendly honk or an angry honk. I do know that photography is allowed on the New York subway.

 

            I then went back to Penn station where I bought some snacks and some Dayquil. I then went to await boarding of train 49.

 

            Several minutes later, train 49 began boarding. I had a little difficulty finding the gate but was pointed in the right direction.

 

            I was seated in Amfleet 2 coach #25082, the first coach behind the locomotive which was P32AC-DM #713. Between New York and Albany, the train consisted of locomotive 713, four Amfleet 2 coaches, a Heritage dining car, two Viewliner sleepers, and a baggage car. We didn’t have a café car at this point but would gain one at Albany.

 

            The train left on time. After we left, we entered a long tunnel and then emerged and then connected with the Metro North line. The route runs beside the Hudson River for a long while. It was nice to ride this section in daylight as the two previous times, I had ridden on it on train 64 and it was dark as we were traveling over this section.

 

            We passed a couple commuter trains of Metro North MU cars and Dual-mode locos with coaches. Amtrak train 286 passed but I was unable to film it. The train raced through Yonkers non-stop. A little later, we were approaching Croton-Harmon. I filmed the Metro North yard as we stopped. Croton-Harmon is the only stop between New York and Albany train 49 makes. We soon left and were passed by Amtrak train 48 but I was unable to film it.

 

            A little while later, I went to the dining car for dinner. This car was not a Temoinsa refurbished diner. After dinner, I went back to my coach seat and stayed there. We passed a couple more Amtrak trains before Albany.

 

            A little while later, we were approaching Albany. I photographed P32AC-DM #710 as filmed an Empire Service train from New York that terminates in Albany. We were allowed off the train. I took some photos first from the high-level platform of the train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

            I saw the New York bound Adirondack approaching and went back on the train to film it. I also photographed the old Albany station building. It has been closed since 2002 and is slated for demolition, but that still hasn’t happened. There are still seats in the old station building and as you can imagine, the interior is dusty.

 

 

 

            I then went to the low-level platform section of the station after I saw other Amtrak passengers go. I took a photo and a video of P32AC-DM 713 uncoupling from the train.

 

 

            I then photographed the uncoupled coaches and the Boston section as it reversed towards the New York section of the train.

 

 

 

            I filmed the Boston section coupling up to the New York section. It reminded me of watching VIA’s Chaleur being combined with the Ocean in Matapedia on my Moncton trip and my 2010 Chaleur trip. I then took one more photo of the train before I got back on my coach.

 

 

            The Boston section of the train consisted of two P42s, a baggage car, a Viewliner sleeping car, two Amfleet 2 coaches, and an Amfleet 2 diner-lite. Awhile ago, I heard a rumor that Amtrak would be running Amfleet 2 Diner-lite cars on the Boston section and it appears to be true. I hope that when the Boston section is between Albany and Boston, the car is used as a diner-lounge instead of just a lounge car as it is between Albany and Chicago.

 

            A few minutes after I sat down at my seat, power was restored to the train. We soon departed running six minutes late. Moments before we left, Amtrak train 64 arrived and I filmed it as we began to move. After, I took one last photo of 713 and filmed the Amtrak yard in Albany.

 

 

            I also took a picture of the front of the train as we went around a curve.

 

 

            I settled back for the rest of the ride to Syracuse. A little while later, we stopped in Schenectady. We soon left Schenectady. We raced non-stop through Amsterdam. The sun began to set as we stopped in Utica. I passed the time by going to the lounge car for some snacks and eating them at my seat. I also read and listened to my Ipod. The train passed through Rome non-stop.

 

            A little while later, we were approaching Syracuse. I got my stuff ready prior to getting off. The train arrived 18 minutes late. I got off and took some photos.

 

 

 

 

            I then entered the main station building. I noted to myself that the last time I came through here was the day Obama became president back on my Dallas trip. I then took some more photos of the train from the parking lot level.

 

 

 

            I then took a taxi to my hotel. I was staying at the same hotel I stayed at on my Boston trip. The train began to move as we left, but soon stopped as it appeared they were doing a double stop because the train was long.

 

            The taxi had to make a detour because of road work. However, we arrived at the hotel a few minutes later. I paid the driver and checked in. For some reason, I got a handicapped room, even though I don’t need it. Oh well, it was just overnight. At least it was non-smoking. I phoned home to let my dad know I was in Syracuse. I walked over to a Burger King and bought some milk. I then walked back to my hotel and set an alarm for 8:30 am. I watched a little TV before I called it a night.

 

July 21, 2010:

 

            I got up after 8:30 and got dressed. I went to the lobby for breakfast. After I went back to my room and finished packing. I then checked out and waited for a bus to take me to the Amtrak station. It took a long time for the bus to come. While waiting, I photographed an Orion 5 going in the other direction.

 

 

            Several minutes later, the bus arrived. It was the same bus. I got on and rode to the Amtrak station. They still were doing road work, but I got there just under two hours before the Maple Leaf was scheduled to depart. I took some more pictures of the bus before I went inside.

 

 

 

            Once inside, I saw on the Amtrak display board that train 63 was on time. I sat down to wait. At one point, I bought lunch from the Subway restaurant inside the station. I also bought a bottle of Pepsi from a vending machine. I also bought some snacks from vending machines only to have what I was buying get stuck, twice! Station crews helped the first time, but when some corn chips got stuck the second time, I decided to buy a second bag.

 

            I then went to the platform and photographed some buses.

 

 

 

 

            I went between the platform and the main station building. I saw that train 48 was running late; (what else is new?) Train 63 was still scheduled to stop on time. I went back to the platform and photographed a couple freight trains passing.

 

 

 

 

 

            I then heard thunder and it started to pour rain. However, I was under cover so I didn’t get soaked. I photographed a westbound freight that had two engines, a covered hopper, a whole lot of tank cars, and then one more covered hopper as it raced by.

 

 

 

            Train 63 is scheduled to stop at Syracuse at 12:48 pm. 12:48 pm came and no train. Other passengers and I waited for 10 minutes and still no train. I called Julie and she didn’t know when train 63 was coming either! I didn’t go check in the station in fear the train would arrive then depart before I could get back to the platform, so I stayed.

 

            Train 63 finally arrived 34 minutes late. As it arrived, I filmed it.

 

 

            I was seated in Amfleet 2 coach #25064. The train soon departed. As we passed the Carousel Center mall, I saw six ex Metra commuter coaches in the old On-track station. There were two single level coaches as part of the cut of cars. I filmed them, but I don’t know what they’re doing in Syracuse!

 

            20 minutes later, I filmed Amtrak train 48 racing past. I was given a card to fill out for customs prior to getting to the border. I filled it out. East of Rochester, Amtrak train 64 passed, but I was unable to film it. We then stopped at the Rochester station and soon departed.

 

            A little while later, we stopped at Buffalo-Depew. After we departed, the café car closed. I returned to my seat. A few minutes later, we stopped at Buffalo Exchange Street station. The approach to Niagara Falls, New York was slow, but we soon arrived. We were allowed outside for a few minutes and I took some photos.

 

 

 

            I then got back on the train and photographed a CSX GP15 and SW1500 doing some switching in the nearby yard.

 

 

 

            The train soon departed and a few minutes later, we stopped at Niagara Falls, Ontario. I was expecting the Canadian Customs people to come on the train as they had in the past. However, since the last time I rode the Maple Leaf, they have changed the way the inspection is done and they made everyone get off the train and go into what used to be an antique store in the station building to be processed. The inspection was fast and I found the agent who interviewed me to be alright though she asked me what I did for a living. However, when I told her I worked at my mom’s ice cream store; she was okay with it and didn’t ask if my parents said I could go into the U.S. or for a phone number unlike the guy in Detroit!

 

            I was soon finished and I went outside. We weren’t allowed back on the train yet. While waiting, I took some photos.

 

 

 

            Soon, we were let back on the train. I was now seated in Amfleet 2 coach #25060; the coach in front of 25064. Everyone quickly got back on the train, but we departed 20-25 minutes late. After my ticket was taken, I phoned home to let my dad know I was back in Canada.

 

            The new crew announced that if the bridge at the Welland Canal was down, we could make up time. I went to the café car for dinner. I took it back to my seat. The bridge was down and we passed over it and stopped in St. Catherines. After we departed, I saw six people walking on the track next to the one the train was on. I don’t approve of trespassing on railway property. A little while later, I filmed VIA train 95 passing. We briefly stopped at Grimsby.

 

            Soon, we were passing through Hamilton. On the outskirts, we passed near a park near Bayview Junction. From the train, I saw a naked man on a bike! A few minutes later, we stopped in Aldershot. It felt good being back in GO Transit territory again.

 

            A few minutes after that, we stopped at Oakville. East of Oakville, I filmed a GO train with MP40 # 638 being broken in with F59PH #556. Moments after passing the GO train, VIA train 79 passed by while I was still filming!

 

            As we passed VIA’s Toronto Maintenance Centre, I filmed it. I saw the Northlander was in the yard as well as some GO bi level coaches.

 

            The Maple Leaf arrived into Toronto 20 minutes late. However, the train stopped on a platform where the eastern end was under construction, so I couldn’t walk to the engine to take a photo. I took photos right after I got off.

 

 

 

            I then went downstairs and phoned home. I let my mom know I was at Union. I then bought an orange pop and got on the subway and rode to Finch. I met my mom and headed home.

 

Conclusions:

 

            Aside from catching a cold like on my New York trip and the customs agent at Detroit asking me if my parents knew I was going and actually phoned them, this trip was good. However, I think I’m going to avoid that border crossing in the future!

 

            The new National Capital Trolley Museum is nice. However, I wish that PCC 4602 was running on one of the days I was there. It will be interesting once the whole line is open. I had no problems taking photos what so ever. The Railroad Museum of PA was nice too.

 

            My next trip will be in early September when I go to Montreal for the Labour Day weekend. Until next time…

 

 

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