The Business Class onboard Amtrak's most popular service!
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Date: 2024-01-09
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Comments and reviews: 35
-MattMcIrvin
South Station is, I think, actually a very nice place to wait for a train. Back Bay, not so much. And as a North Shore resident I of course think the continued absence of a North-South rail link is a scandal. The challenge of getting to South Station from where I am means that for me, it's usually more convenient to get to NYC by bus--there are coaches that leave directly from local hotels, with free long-term parking offered in the hotel lot.
That said, when I lived in Cambridge, I would routinely ride the regular Northeast Corridor trains (then called the -Yankee Clipper-) all the way down to Washington, DC from Boston when I was visiting my family, mostly because it took no advance planning. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the coach trains would be standing-room-only full by the time they went through New York.
The thing I've found riding those Amfleet coaches on very rainy days is that sometimes, they -leak-. I don't know how that's even possible, but I've had rainwater dripping on me in these coaches. I guess it gets caught in the corrugations on the outside, and gets in somehow?
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South Station is, I think, actually a very nice place to wait for a train. Back Bay, not so much. And as a North Shore resident I of course think the continued absence of a North-South rail link is a scandal. The challenge of getting to South Station from where I am means that for me, it's usually more convenient to get to NYC by bus--there are coaches that leave directly from local hotels, with free long-term parking offered in the hotel lot.
That said, when I lived in Cambridge, I would routinely ride the regular Northeast Corridor trains (then called the -Yankee Clipper-) all the way down to Washington, DC from Boston when I was visiting my family, mostly because it took no advance planning. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, the coach trains would be standing-room-only full by the time they went through New York.
The thing I've found riding those Amfleet coaches on very rainy days is that sometimes, they -leak-. I don't know how that's even possible, but I've had rainwater dripping on me in these coaches. I guess it gets caught in the corrugations on the outside, and gets in somehow?
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-carlsmith5545
Amtrak, some of them look alot like bullet trains but they arent. 200 mph plus is considered a bullet class. The mighty United States of America dosent have these modern marvels. Better yet, maglev super train technology which reah speeds of up to 375 mph. This means you can board in Washington DC and be in your office in New York city in an hour or less. The US government would rather throw money into space and the development of weapons of destruction than fixing infrastructure at this magnitude. So far behind the world oversees when it comes to rail and now the newly developed maglev super trains, which has been developed by governments and a nations that are, sorry to say, - far more advanced. - the United States have no plans to elevate and better infrastructure. One of many reasons as to why i dont vote. Highspeed bullet trains and maglev super train technology, the new American dream.
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Amtrak, some of them look alot like bullet trains but they arent. 200 mph plus is considered a bullet class. The mighty United States of America dosent have these modern marvels. Better yet, maglev super train technology which reah speeds of up to 375 mph. This means you can board in Washington DC and be in your office in New York city in an hour or less. The US government would rather throw money into space and the development of weapons of destruction than fixing infrastructure at this magnitude. So far behind the world oversees when it comes to rail and now the newly developed maglev super trains, which has been developed by governments and a nations that are, sorry to say, - far more advanced. - the United States have no plans to elevate and better infrastructure. One of many reasons as to why i dont vote. Highspeed bullet trains and maglev super train technology, the new American dream.
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-andi2234
I really like your posts. It looks like so much fun to explore all these different places and trains. I am a 71 y/o women who have always wanted to experience train travel. I live in So. Calif. and have used the train to travel south a few times, which all were very short trips. What I would like to do is travel to a not touristy place, spend a day or two (or three) and travel home again. It would be great to go to Canada this way, but I haven't figured out a way to do that via train (I do have a passport. When I researched AmTrac, I found it difficult to navigate what I am trying to accomplish. The sleeping rooms are very expensive but seem to be the most comfortable for a longer trip. Do you have any suggestions for me? (I also think about traveling through the US, however, it seems the trains stop at very large cities)
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I really like your posts. It looks like so much fun to explore all these different places and trains. I am a 71 y/o women who have always wanted to experience train travel. I live in So. Calif. and have used the train to travel south a few times, which all were very short trips. What I would like to do is travel to a not touristy place, spend a day or two (or three) and travel home again. It would be great to go to Canada this way, but I haven't figured out a way to do that via train (I do have a passport. When I researched AmTrac, I found it difficult to navigate what I am trying to accomplish. The sleeping rooms are very expensive but seem to be the most comfortable for a longer trip. Do you have any suggestions for me? (I also think about traveling through the US, however, it seems the trains stop at very large cities)
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train
Nice video. I've taken that service many times. I prefer the NER rather than the overhyped Acela, which is only marginally better and more expensive. The NER is not especially fast but is somewhat reliable and competitive with driving, and not so far behind flying depending on the circumstances. In addition, trains are very comfy. You do not need to buy a business class ticket to have a very nice seat that would be first class almost everywhere else (in Europe, at least. Finally, although Union Station in New Haven did not look very inviting in the video, the terminal is the most important in that stretch between NY and Boston. A very nice and historic building well served by Amtrak and Metro North. You should have checked it out. If only they had kept the old Solari departure board! No trolling here -!
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Nice video. I've taken that service many times. I prefer the NER rather than the overhyped Acela, which is only marginally better and more expensive. The NER is not especially fast but is somewhat reliable and competitive with driving, and not so far behind flying depending on the circumstances. In addition, trains are very comfy. You do not need to buy a business class ticket to have a very nice seat that would be first class almost everywhere else (in Europe, at least. Finally, although Union Station in New Haven did not look very inviting in the video, the terminal is the most important in that stretch between NY and Boston. A very nice and historic building well served by Amtrak and Metro North. You should have checked it out. If only they had kept the old Solari departure board! No trolling here -!
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-mjsfo
Great video as always-. Definitely quieter than Coach Class. Not sure if NER Business Class was doing pandemic-related limited service in Dec 2020, but (as Diane W mentioned) Pacific Surfliner Business Class typically includes a conductor coming to your seat with a free snack box of several items (e. g, nuts, hummus, crackers, cookies) along with a gratis small bottle of white or red table wine and/or a soft drink. The other perk is a guaranteed seat (open seating) so you-re assured of having one, super helpful on weekends if coach fills up and you might have to stand for a stop or two.
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Great video as always-. Definitely quieter than Coach Class. Not sure if NER Business Class was doing pandemic-related limited service in Dec 2020, but (as Diane W mentioned) Pacific Surfliner Business Class typically includes a conductor coming to your seat with a free snack box of several items (e. g, nuts, hummus, crackers, cookies) along with a gratis small bottle of white or red table wine and/or a soft drink. The other perk is a guaranteed seat (open seating) so you-re assured of having one, super helpful on weekends if coach fills up and you might have to stand for a stop or two.
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-PorkChopJones
At the 5: 40 mark there is announcement regarding the restrooms and a reminder to please be thoughtful of other passengers while using the restrooms, but once a restroom goes out of service it will stay out of service for the remainder of the trip meaning. If a passenger goes inside the restroom and does not use the facility properly or to put it bluntly! Deposits bodily fluids and excrements on common areas and exposed on surfaces, no one is going to clean and sanitize these restrooms while the train is in route! The times have changed. it's not funny, it's sad.
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At the 5: 40 mark there is announcement regarding the restrooms and a reminder to please be thoughtful of other passengers while using the restrooms, but once a restroom goes out of service it will stay out of service for the remainder of the trip meaning. If a passenger goes inside the restroom and does not use the facility properly or to put it bluntly! Deposits bodily fluids and excrements on common areas and exposed on surfaces, no one is going to clean and sanitize these restrooms while the train is in route! The times have changed. it's not funny, it's sad.
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-DAustinHorowitz
You passed right by my house at 7: 34, but were on the wrong side of the train to see it!
I agree with your assessment of the Regional service versus Acela; the only advantage to Acela is a trip time that-s 30-60 minutes shorter, but the Acelas tend to be more crowded and less comfortable. My rule of thumb is that if my company is paying, I take Acela (the higher fares also net me more reward points, but if I-m paying, the Regional is a much better value.
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You passed right by my house at 7: 34, but were on the wrong side of the train to see it!
I agree with your assessment of the Regional service versus Acela; the only advantage to Acela is a trip time that-s 30-60 minutes shorter, but the Acelas tend to be more crowded and less comfortable. My rule of thumb is that if my company is paying, I take Acela (the higher fares also net me more reward points, but if I-m paying, the Regional is a much better value.
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-diannewi
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner business class on the west coast is even better. Morning rides get coffee or drinks plus a (packaged) sweet roll or several. After noon, Amtrak ups the game by providing a nice -snack box- with half a dozen fun packaged snacks and an individual bottle of wine. My husband has a service dog and they welcome her onboard, she likes train travel on the Surfliner. Coastal views from the train are breathtaking, too.
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The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner business class on the west coast is even better. Morning rides get coffee or drinks plus a (packaged) sweet roll or several. After noon, Amtrak ups the game by providing a nice -snack box- with half a dozen fun packaged snacks and an individual bottle of wine. My husband has a service dog and they welcome her onboard, she likes train travel on the Surfliner. Coastal views from the train are breathtaking, too.
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-MontyXZ
The first time I traveled on Amtrak, was fron Penn Station to Backbay, 2 of the dirtiest and more depressing Stations in the whole Amtrak system. And I remember there was a suicidal in the platform, screaming and waving, lets say my first image of the Amtrak was awful, but thankfully I give it one more try and the second time was way better, up to the point now I choose amtrak over any other transportation option -
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The first time I traveled on Amtrak, was fron Penn Station to Backbay, 2 of the dirtiest and more depressing Stations in the whole Amtrak system. And I remember there was a suicidal in the platform, screaming and waving, lets say my first image of the Amtrak was awful, but thankfully I give it one more try and the second time was way better, up to the point now I choose amtrak over any other transportation option -
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train
Because there is limited high speed track between Boston and New York, one does not get the advantage of the Acela's speed. Indeed, between New Haven and New York the speed of both the NER and the Acela are the same as the MTA commuter rail. I routinely travel between Stamford and Boston and choose the NER over the Acela. On the other hand, when traveling from Stamford to Washington, I choose the Acela. -
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Because there is limited high speed track between Boston and New York, one does not get the advantage of the Acela's speed. Indeed, between New Haven and New York the speed of both the NER and the Acela are the same as the MTA commuter rail. I routinely travel between Stamford and Boston and choose the NER over the Acela. On the other hand, when traveling from Stamford to Washington, I choose the Acela. -
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-jacoballey8090
One of the best things about this video is the fact I took the train at the same time in business class in late 2020 for a business trip. I got confused Coach to business until I reach Washington. I took the train from Aberdeen to Richmond. Business class is a good general class to take though if you think about it and it is quiet, one thing I did like about business class.
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One of the best things about this video is the fact I took the train at the same time in business class in late 2020 for a business trip. I got confused Coach to business until I reach Washington. I took the train from Aberdeen to Richmond. Business class is a good general class to take though if you think about it and it is quiet, one thing I did like about business class.
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-kbroadhead10
I've only ever travelled thorugh or walked past Back Bay station - and your review won't change that! As a tourist, the extra time on the NER doesn't matter over Acela, and I quite like the Amfleet vibe. You sure know you're in a staid USA. As for the side of the train, LHS for most of the trip south, switching to RHS for the Manhattan skyline only.
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I've only ever travelled thorugh or walked past Back Bay station - and your review won't change that! As a tourist, the extra time on the NER doesn't matter over Acela, and I quite like the Amfleet vibe. You sure know you're in a staid USA. As for the side of the train, LHS for most of the trip south, switching to RHS for the Manhattan skyline only.
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-bos2pdx2yvr
I'm a native Bostonian, and I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience at Back Bay Station. When that first opened in the late 1980s, it was a gorgeous place. It was bright and open, it had cool colorful neon lights along the large arches in the main hall, it was clean and modern. It's sad to see it in such a poor state now. :(
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I'm a native Bostonian, and I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience at Back Bay Station. When that first opened in the late 1980s, it was a gorgeous place. It was bright and open, it had cool colorful neon lights along the large arches in the main hall, it was clean and modern. It's sad to see it in such a poor state now. :(
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-HBC101TVStudios
Hey Simply Railway, when are you going to make a train trip report in Southeast Asia? (Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia)
Looking forward to your next train trip report there! I live in Malaysia by the way and our jungle train operated by KTM Malayan Railways are currently the most hot selling sleeper train service ever.
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Hey Simply Railway, when are you going to make a train trip report in Southeast Asia? (Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia)
Looking forward to your next train trip report there! I live in Malaysia by the way and our jungle train operated by KTM Malayan Railways are currently the most hot selling sleeper train service ever.
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-hirampriggott1689
Dreary Boston. I've lived through that a few times. Growing up in Rhode Island, those dreary rainy days are often a part of daily life. However, I like the coziness of the Amfleet cars. The lighting is dimmer than on a commuter train like the MBTA which gives a comfy ambience.
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Dreary Boston. I've lived through that a few times. Growing up in Rhode Island, those dreary rainy days are often a part of daily life. However, I like the coziness of the Amfleet cars. The lighting is dimmer than on a commuter train like the MBTA which gives a comfy ambience.
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-joermnyc
My wife and I did this trip almost 10 years ago as our first trip as a couple, our hotel was next to the north end of Back Bay, being close to several T stop was also helpful. Honestly, I prefer the -slow- Northeast Regional to Acela, but I haven-t tried the new Acela train sets yet.
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My wife and I did this trip almost 10 years ago as our first trip as a couple, our hotel was next to the north end of Back Bay, being close to several T stop was also helpful. Honestly, I prefer the -slow- Northeast Regional to Acela, but I haven-t tried the new Acela train sets yet.
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train
I-ve traveled by train since Amtrak-s inception in 1973 and firmly believe the best mode of travel is passenger train/now we must encourage the rest of America that passenger train service is not a communist fascist plot but an economically and environmentally healthy way to travel!
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I-ve traveled by train since Amtrak-s inception in 1973 and firmly believe the best mode of travel is passenger train/now we must encourage the rest of America that passenger train service is not a communist fascist plot but an economically and environmentally healthy way to travel!
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-robertjewell6146
I couldn't find a comment on one thing: All along the Connecticut coast the water is Long Island Sound, an arm of, but not the actual Atlantic Ocean. It is wide enough that it might seem like an ocean, but it is protected from the Atlantic by Long Island, NY.
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I couldn't find a comment on one thing: All along the Connecticut coast the water is Long Island Sound, an arm of, but not the actual Atlantic Ocean. It is wide enough that it might seem like an ocean, but it is protected from the Atlantic by Long Island, NY.
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train
If you are riding on Acela, you get drinks and food if you purchase First Class ticket that is the highest and best seat than Business Class on Acela. Business Class on NER is okay but it's not for me, no dedicated cafe attendant or cafe car next car so no thanks.
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If you are riding on Acela, you get drinks and food if you purchase First Class ticket that is the highest and best seat than Business Class on Acela. Business Class on NER is okay but it's not for me, no dedicated cafe attendant or cafe car next car so no thanks.
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-RailfanJourneys
While it may be better than Acela Business Class, I don't think what you wind up paying is worth it unless you're a soda junkie. How many beverages can you drink to make up the difference? Other than that perk, there's not much of a difference.
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While it may be better than Acela Business Class, I don't think what you wind up paying is worth it unless you're a soda junkie. How many beverages can you drink to make up the difference? Other than that perk, there's not much of a difference.
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-kennonkoay9274
US railway system is so far behind many countries and probably 100 years behind Japan. So strange that the most powerful country in the world has such backward system. Imagine with hi-speed train NY-Boston is a less than two hour trip
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US railway system is so far behind many countries and probably 100 years behind Japan. So strange that the most powerful country in the world has such backward system. Imagine with hi-speed train NY-Boston is a less than two hour trip
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-timgraymatter
The rainy weather on the Northeast Regional you encountered was the same kind of weather my son and I encountered back in August when we took the Acela from Boston to DC. We weren-t able to see the NYC skyline because of the fog.
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The rainy weather on the Northeast Regional you encountered was the same kind of weather my son and I encountered back in August when we took the Acela from Boston to DC. We weren-t able to see the NYC skyline because of the fog.
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-joemeyers3127
Excellent video. Agree that NER business class is a much better deal than Acela which is way overpriced in my opinion.
Back Bay is a depressing place but don-t ever get stuck in the Stamford train station! Really bleak.
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Excellent video. Agree that NER business class is a much better deal than Acela which is way overpriced in my opinion.
Back Bay is a depressing place but don-t ever get stuck in the Stamford train station! Really bleak.
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train
Just so you know, All Amfleet 1 cars and most ACS64 locomotives will be replaced between 2025 and 2029 with new Siemens Venture Trainsets as part of Amtrak's $7. 3 billion deal with Siemens Mobility in July 7th 2021
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Just so you know, All Amfleet 1 cars and most ACS64 locomotives will be replaced between 2025 and 2029 with new Siemens Venture Trainsets as part of Amtrak's $7. 3 billion deal with Siemens Mobility in July 7th 2021
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-mj1234321
That section at 9: 43 will resemble France even more in a year or so, as that's one of the stretches where the Acela II / Avelia Liberty will be running at 160 mph (257 km/hr. Not quite TGV speed, but close!
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That section at 9: 43 will resemble France even more in a year or so, as that's one of the stretches where the Acela II / Avelia Liberty will be running at 160 mph (257 km/hr. Not quite TGV speed, but close!
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-SenatorBulworth
I rather liked the rainy/foggy/snowy trip. Didn't Business Class have it's own bar/food once upon a time? How much longer a trip is the NER vs Acela? Didn't you terminate at the new Moynahan Station?
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I rather liked the rainy/foggy/snowy trip. Didn't Business Class have it's own bar/food once upon a time? How much longer a trip is the NER vs Acela? Didn't you terminate at the new Moynahan Station?
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-scottyerkes1867
Seats looked comfy. Sorty the weather was crappy. Back Bay Station is dreadful.
MBTA commuter trains use diesel because their lines are not electrified
Thank Thibault for the review----
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Seats looked comfy. Sorty the weather was crappy. Back Bay Station is dreadful.
MBTA commuter trains use diesel because their lines are not electrified
Thank Thibault for the review----
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-matzeberlin555
Perhaps check out the 1970 film The Out-of-Towners, starring Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis. The two experience a nightmare. Partly on the train from Boston to New York. - Fictitious, of course.
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Perhaps check out the 1970 film The Out-of-Towners, starring Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis. The two experience a nightmare. Partly on the train from Boston to New York. - Fictitious, of course.
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-MargaretCSullivan
Back Bay station is depressing and the people who work at the Dunkin are rude.
The refurbished seats on the Amfleets make a huge difference in both comfort and looks in my opinion.
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Back Bay station is depressing and the people who work at the Dunkin are rude.
The refurbished seats on the Amfleets make a huge difference in both comfort and looks in my opinion.
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-Ellinillard
4h14 minutes for a 370km ride, you got to be kidding. Should be 1: 15- max. I suppose these are steam locomotives. Is this US or Thailand 60 years ago?
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4h14 minutes for a 370km ride, you got to be kidding. Should be 1: 15- max. I suppose these are steam locomotives. Is this US or Thailand 60 years ago?
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-ft6066
Nothing is free; if you get anything without paying, it means that was include in your price ticket!
If you ever get free stuff, that tastes like shit!
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Nothing is free; if you get anything without paying, it means that was include in your price ticket!
If you ever get free stuff, that tastes like shit!
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-firstfreeone
In your comments at the bottom of the viewing area do you mean -Toilet Time- instead of Toilets Time? Toilets Time is extremely bad E. nglish gramma
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In your comments at the bottom of the viewing area do you mean -Toilet Time- instead of Toilets Time? Toilets Time is extremely bad E. nglish gramma
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-samtrak1204
Baby Bay station is a damn disgrace. The station didn't even have heat in the 90's, but I don't know about now because I avoid it like the plague.
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Baby Bay station is a damn disgrace. The station didn't even have heat in the 90's, but I don't know about now because I avoid it like the plague.
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-rezaalan3991
Great trip. Free non alcoholic beverages for Business Class Passenger on NER? That's a great deal, even better if they added snack too.
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Great trip. Free non alcoholic beverages for Business Class Passenger on NER? That's a great deal, even better if they added snack too.
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train
I took the Northeast Regional between NYC and New Haven back in 2018, those views from NYC-s skyline were breathtaking as an European haha
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I took the Northeast Regional between NYC and New Haven back in 2018, those views from NYC-s skyline were breathtaking as an European haha
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