Amtrak Piedmont service - Across North Carolina with Amtrak's most unique train
video description
Date: 2024-01-09
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 35
-PantherGeek7
In college, before I had a car, I regularly rode the train between Raleigh and High Point. At the time, there was only one Piedmont train each day - departing from Raleigh in the morning and arriving in Raleigh in the evening. If I needed to leave Raleigh in the evening, then I took the Carolinian.
I was never a big fan of the Carolinian, which is why I only rode it twice. The Carolinian used standard Amtrak rolling stock, which I thought was dark and dingy compared to the bright and clean interior of the Piedmont train. The Carolinian was also more crowded, and both times I rode it, it was late. You can hardly tell that the Piedmont cars were originally built in the 1950s and 1960s because they are refurbished so well.
The old Raleigh station was a complete dump, and it only had one side platform, so if a train was stuck at the station for any reason (happened to me once, then everyone got delayed. The new Raleigh station is LONG overdue.
The High Point station is a very nice station that is over 100 years old and was refurbished in the early 2000s.
I hope that Amtrak and NCDOT continues to invest in rail, especially as the existing roads like I-40 and I-85 become more and more congested. I would also like to see more cities serviced by rail, including Winston-Salem, Wilmington, Asheville, and Greenville, which are the 5th, 8th, 11th, and 12th largest municipalities in North Carolina, respectively.
reply
In college, before I had a car, I regularly rode the train between Raleigh and High Point. At the time, there was only one Piedmont train each day - departing from Raleigh in the morning and arriving in Raleigh in the evening. If I needed to leave Raleigh in the evening, then I took the Carolinian.
I was never a big fan of the Carolinian, which is why I only rode it twice. The Carolinian used standard Amtrak rolling stock, which I thought was dark and dingy compared to the bright and clean interior of the Piedmont train. The Carolinian was also more crowded, and both times I rode it, it was late. You can hardly tell that the Piedmont cars were originally built in the 1950s and 1960s because they are refurbished so well.
The old Raleigh station was a complete dump, and it only had one side platform, so if a train was stuck at the station for any reason (happened to me once, then everyone got delayed. The new Raleigh station is LONG overdue.
The High Point station is a very nice station that is over 100 years old and was refurbished in the early 2000s.
I hope that Amtrak and NCDOT continues to invest in rail, especially as the existing roads like I-40 and I-85 become more and more congested. I would also like to see more cities serviced by rail, including Winston-Salem, Wilmington, Asheville, and Greenville, which are the 5th, 8th, 11th, and 12th largest municipalities in North Carolina, respectively.
reply
-earthcitty
Hello! Glad to have had you in North Carolina, and you are always welcome to come back. North Carolina's train system was what -awoke- the Rip Van Winkle State up in the mid-1800s right before the Civil War. Gov. Morehead (whose home was in Greensboro NC, and is now a museum Blandwood) is the Father of the North Carolina Railroad system. He pushed the train systems forward, realizing that the trains would help boost the North Carolina sleepy economy into overdrive. From that point forward NC has had a massive gain in our economy as opposed to how we were originally in the 13 colonies. North Carolina historically owes a great deal to the train systems.
reply
Hello! Glad to have had you in North Carolina, and you are always welcome to come back. North Carolina's train system was what -awoke- the Rip Van Winkle State up in the mid-1800s right before the Civil War. Gov. Morehead (whose home was in Greensboro NC, and is now a museum Blandwood) is the Father of the North Carolina Railroad system. He pushed the train systems forward, realizing that the trains would help boost the North Carolina sleepy economy into overdrive. From that point forward NC has had a massive gain in our economy as opposed to how we were originally in the 13 colonies. North Carolina historically owes a great deal to the train systems.
reply
-Billblom
I've used the Piedmont and Carolinians many times. The biggie that no one talks about is the subsidy that the state pays. $7k for every departure from Raleigh and Charlotte. The state wants to add service to Ashville and the coast. Subsidies for those will be significantly higher, and the budget is very tight. The reason for the snack machines. during the first 3 or 4 years of the piedmont, they tried a regular snack counter with hot foods. The vendors doing it all lost huge amounts of money, resulting in no one applying when there was a request for proposals. so they bought machines.
reply
I've used the Piedmont and Carolinians many times. The biggie that no one talks about is the subsidy that the state pays. $7k for every departure from Raleigh and Charlotte. The state wants to add service to Ashville and the coast. Subsidies for those will be significantly higher, and the budget is very tight. The reason for the snack machines. during the first 3 or 4 years of the piedmont, they tried a regular snack counter with hot foods. The vendors doing it all lost huge amounts of money, resulting in no one applying when there was a request for proposals. so they bought machines.
reply
-ROLLMEAWAY
Hi: Thank you for this trip report! I grew up near Charlotte and worked in Raleigh area but retired and started traveling and never saw the new union station in Raleigh. It was just a dream when I left town. I have traveled on the Piedmont to Charlotte and back and took my kids on a trip from Raleigh to Durham so they could experience a real train. NOT THOMAS! PS: think about bumping your text up a bit. I have to pause the video, Close the ad which blocks the text and read and restart the video. Just a suggestion for the end user experience.
reply
Hi: Thank you for this trip report! I grew up near Charlotte and worked in Raleigh area but retired and started traveling and never saw the new union station in Raleigh. It was just a dream when I left town. I have traveled on the Piedmont to Charlotte and back and took my kids on a trip from Raleigh to Durham so they could experience a real train. NOT THOMAS! PS: think about bumping your text up a bit. I have to pause the video, Close the ad which blocks the text and read and restart the video. Just a suggestion for the end user experience.
reply
-kevinhoward9593
wow this station is retarded. cost millions of dollars to build and from the -To Trains- sign you only need to walk half a mile to the platform. Go down this winding corridor to a set of stairs. go upstairs then take another half mile walk. Theres one train every like 5hrs. there was nothing wrong with the other station. i dont get why they need two tracks. two trains never came into the station at the same time before. Also the Piedmont is run by NCDOT on their own tracks using their own rolling stock.
reply
wow this station is retarded. cost millions of dollars to build and from the -To Trains- sign you only need to walk half a mile to the platform. Go down this winding corridor to a set of stairs. go upstairs then take another half mile walk. Theres one train every like 5hrs. there was nothing wrong with the other station. i dont get why they need two tracks. two trains never came into the station at the same time before. Also the Piedmont is run by NCDOT on their own tracks using their own rolling stock.
reply
-georgetilley9529
This was excellent. I am taking this NC RR to Charlotte in 2 weeks to visit my husband who is working there. I am traveling from Wilmington, NC, to Cary as transportation here sucks. I would drive to Charlotte, but The Collective in Charlotte has no visitors parking. My husband lives there which I thought would be a great place. Not for visitors. Anyway, I will go to Cary and take the train. This video gave me an idea of what to expect. Thanks for doing this.
reply
This was excellent. I am taking this NC RR to Charlotte in 2 weeks to visit my husband who is working there. I am traveling from Wilmington, NC, to Cary as transportation here sucks. I would drive to Charlotte, but The Collective in Charlotte has no visitors parking. My husband lives there which I thought would be a great place. Not for visitors. Anyway, I will go to Cary and take the train. This video gave me an idea of what to expect. Thanks for doing this.
reply
-elektrosoundwave
So I'm sure this has been mentioned already, but the state of North Carolina owns the rails that the Piedmont service runs on. They own the NC Line (Greensboro to Raleigh and further east) and they own the portion of the Southern Railway main from Charlotte to Greensboro. The money from the lease to Norfolk Southern pays for the Piedmont service.
reply
So I'm sure this has been mentioned already, but the state of North Carolina owns the rails that the Piedmont service runs on. They own the NC Line (Greensboro to Raleigh and further east) and they own the portion of the Southern Railway main from Charlotte to Greensboro. The money from the lease to Norfolk Southern pays for the Piedmont service.
reply
-lindavainomae3489
A lovely video - thanks. The re-purposed factory that is now Raleigh station is fantastic. The train service is obviously run by a company that really cares about its services - the great refurbushment of the passenger cars and their individual naming are just 2 indicators of this.
reply
A lovely video - thanks. The re-purposed factory that is now Raleigh station is fantastic. The train service is obviously run by a company that really cares about its services - the great refurbushment of the passenger cars and their individual naming are just 2 indicators of this.
reply
train
Wow! This is what I expect from USA. This level of comfort even better than British or Chinese trains for a short distance trip and very affordable too. Best wishes to the American People. Now please support these endeavors so that more can come as it becomes a profitable mode for transport.
reply
Wow! This is what I expect from USA. This level of comfort even better than British or Chinese trains for a short distance trip and very affordable too. Best wishes to the American People. Now please support these endeavors so that more can come as it becomes a profitable mode for transport.
reply
-winweswright
I live in Raleigh and my family uses this regularly to go to and from Charlotte for day trips. It-s fast and easy and usually coming home we can nap. The train is much faster than driving to Raleigh even with all the stops. I can-t wait for gateway station to open in Charlotte!
reply
I live in Raleigh and my family uses this regularly to go to and from Charlotte for day trips. It-s fast and easy and usually coming home we can nap. The train is much faster than driving to Raleigh even with all the stops. I can-t wait for gateway station to open in Charlotte!
reply
-phronsiekeys
I love Doritos too, but when in Rome. you should have had some Lance cheese or peanut butter crackers! I grew up in South Carolina, and that's what my dad would pick up for us at the -filling station- (what we called gas stations back in those days) if we were on a car trip
reply
I love Doritos too, but when in Rome. you should have had some Lance cheese or peanut butter crackers! I grew up in South Carolina, and that's what my dad would pick up for us at the -filling station- (what we called gas stations back in those days) if we were on a car trip
reply
-Neville60001
3: 03-This is the same kind of set up with VIA Rail's train _The Canadian_, which goes from Toronto to Vancouver, and _The Ocean_, which goes from Montreal to Halifax (both have old rolling stock in their consists from the '40's and '50's, mainly made by Budd)
reply
3: 03-This is the same kind of set up with VIA Rail's train _The Canadian_, which goes from Toronto to Vancouver, and _The Ocean_, which goes from Montreal to Halifax (both have old rolling stock in their consists from the '40's and '50's, mainly made by Budd)
reply
-marvwatkins7029
Actually snack machines on American trains aren't unique or new. Amtrak had them once between Chicago and Grand Rapids and the Southern Pacific also operated them in the 1960's. While they certainly save on labor and food costs, they do often break down.
reply
Actually snack machines on American trains aren't unique or new. Amtrak had them once between Chicago and Grand Rapids and the Southern Pacific also operated them in the 1960's. While they certainly save on labor and food costs, they do often break down.
reply
-russellgxy2905
THAT'S why they look so distinguished, they're actually pre-Amtrak cars! Absolutely amazing NCDOT chose these
Also using the train's Wi-Fi to read up _about_ the train, very nice. I did the same thing when I took the Capitol Limited to Chicago
reply
THAT'S why they look so distinguished, they're actually pre-Amtrak cars! Absolutely amazing NCDOT chose these
Also using the train's Wi-Fi to read up _about_ the train, very nice. I did the same thing when I took the Capitol Limited to Chicago
reply
train
This is the best example how Amtrak should equip their long distance trains. Then add two scenic cars and that-s it. Those superliner cars are horrible and in worn out condition. So congrats to the North Carolina Authorities for choosing this railcars ---
reply
This is the best example how Amtrak should equip their long distance trains. Then add two scenic cars and that-s it. Those superliner cars are horrible and in worn out condition. So congrats to the North Carolina Authorities for choosing this railcars ---
reply
train
Yes! This is my home passenger service as I-m from Greensboro right along the route. It-s been a couple of years since I-ve ridden one of their trains but the cleanliness, comfort and NCDOT-s overall dedication to rail travel always amazes me.
reply
Yes! This is my home passenger service as I-m from Greensboro right along the route. It-s been a couple of years since I-ve ridden one of their trains but the cleanliness, comfort and NCDOT-s overall dedication to rail travel always amazes me.
reply
-josephberny7771
Congradulation to you, so you did a great job. Best presentation my friend NC one of my favorite Area It's a quite place & calm. I already travelled to: Raleigh, Greens Boro, Greens Vil and the down town of Greens Boro
reply
Congradulation to you, so you did a great job. Best presentation my friend NC one of my favorite Area It's a quite place & calm. I already travelled to: Raleigh, Greens Boro, Greens Vil and the down town of Greens Boro
reply
-jamesyourse6611
I live in Greensboro. The rail yard you were referring to belonged to the Atlantic & Yadkin railroad before it merged with Southern railroad. Since then all freight operations originate at Pomona yard for Greensboro
reply
I live in Greensboro. The rail yard you were referring to belonged to the Atlantic & Yadkin railroad before it merged with Southern railroad. Since then all freight operations originate at Pomona yard for Greensboro
reply
-cotywebb4604
This service is also unique in that the state owns most of the trackage. Norfolk Southern does manage it though and pays trackage rights for it's freight trains. The right of way is maintained by the state
reply
This service is also unique in that the state owns most of the trackage. Norfolk Southern does manage it though and pays trackage rights for it's freight trains. The right of way is maintained by the state
reply
-moone27
This video is extremely well done. I have taken the Piedmont from Salisbury to Raleigh several times, and your information is 100% correct. It's a wonderful route and a great experience. Nice job!
reply
This video is extremely well done. I have taken the Piedmont from Salisbury to Raleigh several times, and your information is 100% correct. It's a wonderful route and a great experience. Nice job!
reply
-CarolgTX
I really liked this review! I am heading to NC in a few months and will definitely give it a go. but I will pack a lunch! It is too bad they don't have a vending machine with pre-made meals.
reply
I really liked this review! I am heading to NC in a few months and will definitely give it a go. but I will pack a lunch! It is too bad they don't have a vending machine with pre-made meals.
reply
-boxsterman77
That station is incredible. Not too many passengers, alas. Kudos to NC for repurposing that old stock; saving a lot of $. I'm wondering if they upgraded the suspension, the bogies.
reply
That station is incredible. Not too many passengers, alas. Kudos to NC for repurposing that old stock; saving a lot of $. I'm wondering if they upgraded the suspension, the bogies.
reply
-arafat464
Can't wait for the new charlotte gateway station to be built. It's supposed to be really nice. It will be in the center of a newly developed -gateway district- within the city.
reply
Can't wait for the new charlotte gateway station to be built. It's supposed to be really nice. It will be in the center of a newly developed -gateway district- within the city.
reply
-nickakers7985
Literally watching the construction of the new Charlotte Gateway station outside of my window. It will be in a much better location, right in uptown where it should be.
reply
Literally watching the construction of the new Charlotte Gateway station outside of my window. It will be in a much better location, right in uptown where it should be.
reply
-B. Launders
One thing I-d like to see them do with the Piedmont in the future is upgrade the infrastructure & rolling stock to allow for faster speeds and reduced journey times.
reply
One thing I-d like to see them do with the Piedmont in the future is upgrade the infrastructure & rolling stock to allow for faster speeds and reduced journey times.
reply
-johnhawks5035
When I visited there about 15 years ago, the locals called this -The Money Train-, because it was the train the governor used to commute to the capitol each week.
reply
When I visited there about 15 years ago, the locals called this -The Money Train-, because it was the train the governor used to commute to the capitol each week.
reply
-jamesthomas2163
Actually the track is not owned by Norfolk Southern. It is owned by the North Carolina Railroad, owned by the state of North Carolina. NS has freight rights.
reply
Actually the track is not owned by Norfolk Southern. It is owned by the North Carolina Railroad, owned by the state of North Carolina. NS has freight rights.
reply
train
Watching your videos is so relaxing, especially the day trips. Looking at the peaceful countryside and enjoying coffee and snacks, is so relaxing. Great job buddy.
reply
Watching your videos is so relaxing, especially the day trips. Looking at the peaceful countryside and enjoying coffee and snacks, is so relaxing. Great job buddy.
reply
-losh330
I've never seen those awesome coaches in Cary before. You just have to dilute the coffee from machines like that with lots of cream to make it taste tolerable.
reply
I've never seen those awesome coaches in Cary before. You just have to dilute the coffee from machines like that with lots of cream to make it taste tolerable.
reply
-mpm1204
Glad that you rode the Piedmont. In North Carolina, we-re hoping for expanded service to Asheville and Wilmington, and perhaps, newer rolling stock.
reply
Glad that you rode the Piedmont. In North Carolina, we-re hoping for expanded service to Asheville and Wilmington, and perhaps, newer rolling stock.
reply
-jjjcmo
I really like seeing those old smooth side coaches. Most cars of that type and vintage have rusted away. I-m surprised to see them.
reply
I really like seeing those old smooth side coaches. Most cars of that type and vintage have rusted away. I-m surprised to see them.
reply
train
I do love those old cars and large windows. Smol windows on a train never made any sense to me. Love that weather as well.
reply
I do love those old cars and large windows. Smol windows on a train never made any sense to me. Love that weather as well.
reply
-RaisedLetter
That Silver Star you passed was late considering your train left at 10. They should have been at Cary around 8.
reply
That Silver Star you passed was late considering your train left at 10. They should have been at Cary around 8.
reply
-stevenmontoya9950
Very interesting addition of snack and drink vending machines on the Piedmont. Very Renfe if i may say so
reply
Very interesting addition of snack and drink vending machines on the Piedmont. Very Renfe if i may say so
reply
-atmiyataseth9860
Indian standards for these types of trains: no delay but long time trains it's 1 hour and sometimes 2 hours
reply
Indian standards for these types of trains: no delay but long time trains it's 1 hour and sometimes 2 hours
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
1:10:37
