Your editor hasn’t been to the Boston / New York area for some time, but a class reunion at Harvard created the opportunity. And so we were off, flying east on Air Canada on May 30, 2003, for around 10 days in a region we have very much come to enjoy. We made the trek to Boston, and settled in to our hotel in the vibrant city.
May 31 was a day to explore some favourite haunts, and that included the “T” as it is known, or the MBTA as it is officially ( as well as in the song “Charlie and the MBTA”)! The Boston network has four core subway routes (with much above ground running), commuter trains and
buses galore. Core fare is still just $1, a great bargain. We hopped the Blue Line from downtown to Revere Beach (photo right, Wonderland Station) for a quick ride away from the city. These trains operate on 3rd rail n the downtown tunnel, then switch to overhead after going under the harbour and emerge to above ground at Boston’s Logan airport. We enjoyed the warm sunny day, walking the beach and then exploring the harbourfront for the rest of the day.
Sunday, June 1 dawned wet and windy. We rode the green line (streetcar like LRV’s) and red line to south station where we picked up our Amtrak tickets for later in the week to New York. That accomplished, and the rain still pouring, we rode the red line then the green line to wards Riverside, but the line was closed just out of town with buses substituting on this Sunday. Back to town, some shopping, then our reunion was underway. Travelling out to Harvard passes the former Conrail locomotive facility near the Charles River, it is now a CSX facility with several heavy motive power consists.
Tuesday, June 3—the reunion is over (it was a blast), and the sun has returned. We decide to take a train ride out to the New England coastal town of Rockport. The commuter schedule is convenient, almost a train each hour in each direction. We depart behind an F40PH-2 with five single level commuter cars, unfortunately the windows are so scratched they are opaque—it is hard to see out other than light and shapes. We enjoy Rockport, and after lunching and walking much of the day, return on a 1540 departure with F40PH-2C (separate HEP generator) #1072 with a six car consist. (left)
One of the cars is newer and has better windows, we settle there. Back in town we hop the orange line subway back to the hotel, then go for dinner via the orange line and back on the green line!
Wednesday, June 4 is the day we have been waiting for. Its off to New York on the new Amtrak Acela Express. Our train is carded for a 0715 departure, one of ten trips each day from Boston to New York. It awaits our boarding at Boston’s South Station (left))
At 0705 the train announcement is made and we hasten down the platform to the first class car and settle in to attractive and comfortable seats. The fixed consist has power car / first class car / two business class cars / Acela Café / two more business class cars and another power car. The first class has 2 / 1 seating, the business class 2/2 seating. Seats feature power outlets for laptops and other amenities, there is a quiet (cell phone free) car as well. The insides are lovely.
We are immediately offered coffee or juice and a newspaper, and we pull out precisely on time at 0715 with a good load on board. The windows are large and provide a great view, and we literally fly south. Providence, RI used to be an hour from Boston, we arrive OT at 0750—35 minutes! Breakfast menus are handed out and the hot breakfast is excellent (served at our seats). The tray back tables seem a little flimsy—but that’s the only worry we observe.
South of Providence the speed is a little slower, there are grade crossings and lots of bridges over the coastal waterways, but we continue along and are through New London at 0835, and arrive at New Haven early at 0915. No motive power change here anymore, so soon we are on our way again, next stop Stamford, CT at 1000. One thing we note is that the train has now filled, and there is a lot of business being conducted on board. Now we follow the four track main into New York City, with lots of Amtrak and Metro North commuter traffic. We are passing everything stalled on parallel Interstate 95—it feels good! We arrive NYC Penn Station on time at 1047—a trip that used to take 5 hours is now 3 1/2!
I’m sure we have all read of the design and other issues that have been reported about the new Acela trainsets, but this writer has to say that, from a passenger point of view, it’s a great ride. Much smoother than the old Amfleet equipment, and operating at much higher speed. The trains are very quiet and comfortable, and the service was very good. Judging form the loads, with ten a day each way between Boston and New York and 12 a day between New York and Washington, DC, these have to be cutting into there airlines. In addition, there are also many Amfleet trains still running the route and making more local stops as well. To us, its a winner!
New York City is an impactful visit this time, as we see the huge hole in the skyline left by the 9/11/2001 tragedy. Imagine four blocks square with no skyscraper—it really is a cavity in the sky. We enjoy the things we love about New York—the theatre, the subway, the free Staten Island Ferry, walking and people watching and more.
June 7, our last day, we go out the Hudson River line on Metro North to visit some friends at Croton. Another very efficient commuter rail operation, this time dual mode GE Genesis units in New Haven paint (left) with eight car commuter consists—and clean real windows! The hour along the shores of the Hudson River on the four track mainline is great. We enjoy our visit, and return on the local commuter train (four car MU equipment) and then to our hotel in Times Square on the subway. It has been a great visit to two of our favourite eastern US cities, but for now its back to Vancouver and home.
