I love trains, but had a miserable experience on that Adirondack line several years ago. My family was camping in Paradox Lake at the state campground and I was coming up to join them from NYC. The stop was Ticonderoga, which I was told was a recent reroute; the politicians thought it would bring tourism to the fort. :-)
We had to pull over to a siding a super short distance from the Ti station - for a couple of hours- to wait for an empty freight train to pass. The freight company owned the rails, so even an empty train had right of way over a passenger train (usually the passenger train has dibs, I think). Nothing could persuade me to take that line again; I would walk first.
In contrast, the Acela line along the Northeast Corridor is fabulous for anyone traveling from DC to Boston and points in between. Way more civilized than flying and you don't actually lose much time when you factor in getting to the airports and all of the waiting around once there. They should make all lines like the Acela. You would have thought after 9/11 the country would have invested a little in rail travel.
I usually figure NYC to Glens Falls is 3 hours and Glens Falls to Montreal is 3 hours, but I never stop and that does not include a stop at the border. Still better than 10 hours.
That feels right. It takes me about 3.5 hours to get to Chestertown, without traffic and without stopping. (But I come from North Bronx, if I were coming from parts of Brooklyn or Queens, we can add an hour to that). It might have been the times I went to Montreal- like Thanksgiving one year to take my daughter to look at colleges there. But usually, getting someplace fastest isn't my top priority, its getting there most comfortably and conveniently. Though sadly, that Adirondack line does not hit either. I still can't get over politicians thinking rerouting that train back in the day was going to bring hordes of tourists to Ticonderoga, with all due respect to the town and the fort. One thing that would bring tourists, though, would be getting the fort designated a National Historic Site. I go to all those secondary historic sites on the National Park lists (like Martin Van Buren's home down by Kinderhook). I never understood why Ticonderoga doesn't have the designation; its a super interesting and an important part of our history.
I had the same experience taking the Lake Shore Limited to Rochester some years ago, although a recent trip to Buffalo was on time. When ever I got to New York, I take the train out of Rensselaer. It’s a little faster than driving, but pretty slow compared to trains in Europe.
I am a retiree, living in the Canton-Potsdam area. I would love to have rail service when I need to go to Syracuse for advanced medical service. Fort Drum, 4 universities, city of Watertown and many villages along the line would also benefit.
As someone that marveled at the convenience and speed of the rail system in Europe, I agree 100 percent. But it would take an enormous investment in infrastructure all across the country and,frankly, I think Americans just love their cars too much. Ultimately, if it is faster and more convenient to drive by car, that’s probably what folks will do.
That’s a good reality check on the train. I used to ride it, probably 45 years ago, from Plattsburgh down to Port Henry. You want to be pretty open-minded on what time you’re actually going to be getting on or off.
I love trains, but I’d take Greyhound. The bus follows an actual schedule and will get you there faster.
That statement by Elise Stefanik, I believe, is the one that includes the phrase, “Russian collusion hoax.” It’s hard for me to believe she doesn’t at least have a passing knowledge of what’s in the Mueller report.
Collusion is a word that Trump and his supporters started using over and over. The idea being that if Trump wasn’t knowingly involved then he had no culpability. He was the first president in our history to have been elected with a load of help from our country’s number one adversary. Or any adversary.
Stefanik knows about the Internet Research Agency work and the hacking of Democratic computers and all, tho. She’s a disgrace as is much of her party.
My dream is that Jack Smith will take those 10 counts of obstruction that Robert Mueller found and, declined to prosecute, and resurrect them. It would be a blessing that the public be a little better informed than what we get from the propagandist representing us.
In any case, I do hope it becomes more painful to stand by Trump when the main events start in Georgia and DC.
"President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be.” That’s what Trump said in Helsinki taking Putin’s word over his own intel people on Russian interference. Does Elise take Putin’s word, too? If it means the Veep spot, I suppose so.
Thanks, again, Ken. for accurate reporting on trains...and glad you are talking about elevating the conversation. I keep forwarding the very informative words of Heather Cox Richardson to Rep.Stefanik to present some facts to counteract her repeated diatribes against Biden and Democrats trying to destroy America, the extreme dangerous left wing that actually supports things like medicare for all and a child tax credit and fair taxes for the very wealthy and a ban on assault weapons...and I usually end my letters saying that she has sold her soul for power. She never answers, taking credit for what she has not done and never doing what she could and should do in terms of really helping our district and our democracy.
In terms of trains, i have taken the train from Whitehall and/or Fort Edward to NYC and back-- and have loved the views of the Hudson River(and if my timing is right i might get a sunset). I used to take my car to the city, stopping at my old "second home"--the beautiful Botanical Gardens--which has a wonderful orchard show now--visiting my parents in the Bronx and then driving into Manhattan...but it now takes me almost as much time finding a parking space in the city as driving down there....I do love trains...loved this train... Thanks again, Ken
I agree the condition of the rails needs to be improved between Whitehall and Montreal. Your point is well taken that all these politicians take credit for something they may have sent a letter for, but it would be more informative to know how Amtrak finally made the decision to restore service. To make mass transit more appealing they should be rebuilding the line with ribbon rail and introduce high speed trains. Maybe the train line could be electrified through the Champlain Hudson Power Express.
I think you are right on the money, but that would take a massive influx of funds to do that. Sadly, I just think most Americans will never embrace rail travel. They love the freedom and convenience of their cars far more.
I hope Elevate the Conversation proves to be a successful platform. It sounds logical, sensible and just.
PS, my sister and I took advantage of the Free offer by the parking garage near Proctors. The show, Hamilton, lives up to the hype. Now I want to learn more about Eliza!
I think there is very little they can point to of benefits for the North Country, so any little thing they will tout as a great step forward.
I love trains, but had a miserable experience on that Adirondack line several years ago. My family was camping in Paradox Lake at the state campground and I was coming up to join them from NYC. The stop was Ticonderoga, which I was told was a recent reroute; the politicians thought it would bring tourism to the fort. :-)
We had to pull over to a siding a super short distance from the Ti station - for a couple of hours- to wait for an empty freight train to pass. The freight company owned the rails, so even an empty train had right of way over a passenger train (usually the passenger train has dibs, I think). Nothing could persuade me to take that line again; I would walk first.
In contrast, the Acela line along the Northeast Corridor is fabulous for anyone traveling from DC to Boston and points in between. Way more civilized than flying and you don't actually lose much time when you factor in getting to the airports and all of the waiting around once there. They should make all lines like the Acela. You would have thought after 9/11 the country would have invested a little in rail travel.
I've never made it to Montreal in 6 hours by car. More like 7 and longer if you make stops.
I usually figure NYC to Glens Falls is 3 hours and Glens Falls to Montreal is 3 hours, but I never stop and that does not include a stop at the border. Still better than 10 hours.
That feels right. It takes me about 3.5 hours to get to Chestertown, without traffic and without stopping. (But I come from North Bronx, if I were coming from parts of Brooklyn or Queens, we can add an hour to that). It might have been the times I went to Montreal- like Thanksgiving one year to take my daughter to look at colleges there. But usually, getting someplace fastest isn't my top priority, its getting there most comfortably and conveniently. Though sadly, that Adirondack line does not hit either. I still can't get over politicians thinking rerouting that train back in the day was going to bring hordes of tourists to Ticonderoga, with all due respect to the town and the fort. One thing that would bring tourists, though, would be getting the fort designated a National Historic Site. I go to all those secondary historic sites on the National Park lists (like Martin Van Buren's home down by Kinderhook). I never understood why Ticonderoga doesn't have the designation; its a super interesting and an important part of our history.
I had the same experience taking the Lake Shore Limited to Rochester some years ago, although a recent trip to Buffalo was on time. When ever I got to New York, I take the train out of Rensselaer. It’s a little faster than driving, but pretty slow compared to trains in Europe.
I am a retiree, living in the Canton-Potsdam area. I would love to have rail service when I need to go to Syracuse for advanced medical service. Fort Drum, 4 universities, city of Watertown and many villages along the line would also benefit.
As someone that marveled at the convenience and speed of the rail system in Europe, I agree 100 percent. But it would take an enormous investment in infrastructure all across the country and,frankly, I think Americans just love their cars too much. Ultimately, if it is faster and more convenient to drive by car, that’s probably what folks will do.
That’s a good reality check on the train. I used to ride it, probably 45 years ago, from Plattsburgh down to Port Henry. You want to be pretty open-minded on what time you’re actually going to be getting on or off.
I love trains, but I’d take Greyhound. The bus follows an actual schedule and will get you there faster.
That statement by Elise Stefanik, I believe, is the one that includes the phrase, “Russian collusion hoax.” It’s hard for me to believe she doesn’t at least have a passing knowledge of what’s in the Mueller report.
Collusion is a word that Trump and his supporters started using over and over. The idea being that if Trump wasn’t knowingly involved then he had no culpability. He was the first president in our history to have been elected with a load of help from our country’s number one adversary. Or any adversary.
Stefanik knows about the Internet Research Agency work and the hacking of Democratic computers and all, tho. She’s a disgrace as is much of her party.
My dream is that Jack Smith will take those 10 counts of obstruction that Robert Mueller found and, declined to prosecute, and resurrect them. It would be a blessing that the public be a little better informed than what we get from the propagandist representing us.
In any case, I do hope it becomes more painful to stand by Trump when the main events start in Georgia and DC.
"President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be.” That’s what Trump said in Helsinki taking Putin’s word over his own intel people on Russian interference. Does Elise take Putin’s word, too? If it means the Veep spot, I suppose so.
I believe these is backing the wrong horse.
Which reveals her lack of wisdom.
I love train travel but never use it going to Montreal. Way too long and unreliable. US train travel complete embarrassment compared to Europe.
Thanks, again, Ken. for accurate reporting on trains...and glad you are talking about elevating the conversation. I keep forwarding the very informative words of Heather Cox Richardson to Rep.Stefanik to present some facts to counteract her repeated diatribes against Biden and Democrats trying to destroy America, the extreme dangerous left wing that actually supports things like medicare for all and a child tax credit and fair taxes for the very wealthy and a ban on assault weapons...and I usually end my letters saying that she has sold her soul for power. She never answers, taking credit for what she has not done and never doing what she could and should do in terms of really helping our district and our democracy.
In terms of trains, i have taken the train from Whitehall and/or Fort Edward to NYC and back-- and have loved the views of the Hudson River(and if my timing is right i might get a sunset). I used to take my car to the city, stopping at my old "second home"--the beautiful Botanical Gardens--which has a wonderful orchard show now--visiting my parents in the Bronx and then driving into Manhattan...but it now takes me almost as much time finding a parking space in the city as driving down there....I do love trains...loved this train... Thanks again, Ken
I think it is the coolest thing to see West Point across the river on the way to the City.
Great, excellent, superb column today. Very, very informative!
I agree the condition of the rails needs to be improved between Whitehall and Montreal. Your point is well taken that all these politicians take credit for something they may have sent a letter for, but it would be more informative to know how Amtrak finally made the decision to restore service. To make mass transit more appealing they should be rebuilding the line with ribbon rail and introduce high speed trains. Maybe the train line could be electrified through the Champlain Hudson Power Express.
I think you are right on the money, but that would take a massive influx of funds to do that. Sadly, I just think most Americans will never embrace rail travel. They love the freedom and convenience of their cars far more.
I hope Elevate the Conversation proves to be a successful platform. It sounds logical, sensible and just.
PS, my sister and I took advantage of the Free offer by the parking garage near Proctors. The show, Hamilton, lives up to the hype. Now I want to learn more about Eliza!
Good news for Amtrak is Andy Byford is back and will be overseeing the development of high speed lines at Amtrak. https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2023/03/23/exclusive-andy-byford-to-join-amtrak/