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MR Insider: Chicago to Washington, DC aboard the Quad Graphics Silver Zephyr
Wow! I live in Northern Ontario, Canada, where we have only single track mainlines. I did not realize the size of the rail network in the USA. After viewing this video I can now see why so many modellers choose West Virginia as their inspiration!! Thanks guys…and girls!
Gotta say though that I did enjoy the fact that the first moving train on this movie was a CP freight! I worked in the running trades for them for 30 years and am now enjoying my pension and building an HO scale model railroad.
Being a life-long fan of the Baltimore and Ohio I enjoyed very much following along with you on your journey from Milwaukee to DC. I especially liked the scenes through Pennsylvania and Maryland along the “old” B&O line. Thanks much.
Very impressive, thank you.
Awesome! Thank you so much, David, for showing us the inside of this great train, for all the sights and captions! I love the Harpers Ferry/Washington DC area, and I’m very fortunate you took me there for peanuts! Hope you had a smooth ride.
I forgot to mention here are the stars and now I think I will start sharing this with my family.
This sums up why I love this area so much. While we have our Horseshoe Curves and Cajon Passes of this world there is also this gem: which amazingly does not get much play in terms of railfan circles or model railroading circles. Also it shows how much I need to go back and see it for myself. My life wish is to build an N scale layout of this line and the surrounding region when time and money allows such.
Another item to note is Point of Rocks heading east in the video. This is where the distinct station in the wye is located.
Also is yet another tunnel that was originally double tracked but singled when the B&O brought the property the outer main is on from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
However, there is an HO Scale rendition of this line in the Brunswick Railroad museum(in Maryland approximately two towns over from Harpers Ferry).
Speaking of Harpers Ferry, it is very comforting to learn that the tunnels on this route are not being fully redone(new portals, etc.) I also got the most comprehensive view from the tunnel yet: thanks to David. CSX is enlarging them for double stacks: a la the National Gateway Project. The tunnel is also the unique one in that it is the only one double tracked on the line. It also combines the use of concrete(HF side) and brick(Maryland side). This was the B&O’s idea to avoid avalanches from Maryland Heights above: the latter material used to extend the portal.
The Metro’s red line is what my dad used to take to work everyday when we lived in Rockville (more on that in a moment). He always left from the White Flint Station: down that line and separate from the two tracks
If one were to follow where the line separates from the CSX tracks they would find the first of nearly five or so crossings. The very first one(not seen here) is Randolph Rd. That is where it all began for yours truly, and where as a young tot I undoubtedly(and vaguely remember) saw many early and former predecessor CSX paint scheme
Thanks for sharing this with us: a unique experience. Brings back memories of past trips to the US. I picked up lots of modelling tips.
What an enjoyable video!!! Thank you for this!
I didn’t know that Kalmbach doesn’t actualy print the magazines anymore. When did you stop?
Very nicely done. Your tight editing kept me watching. Especially enjoyed seeing from trackside places I’ve been to (Cumberland, MD, Harpers Ferry, Martinsburg WV and DC.). Am looking forward to Auto Train trip with RR fan grand kids!
Awesome! I would love to be on a private car and travel the USA! Thanks for sharing!
This is one show I smiled with all the way through. Raised in Chicago I am quite familiar with Union Station and remember the first time I was in that waiting room. It truly is a sightseeing spot for visitors to Chicago. I took that same route, although without such fine companions, back in the late 70’s so there were some moments that I nodded to myself and mumbled “Yeah, I remember that.” Thanks for the video…and the memories.
Coming to DC from Melbourne Australia in September to visit my son and friends in Indiana and already booked the family on the Capitol Ltd to Chicago This just makes me want September to come around sooner Loved this video
David & Co.
What more can be said but a FANtastic video!
Thank You!
Excellent! I am from Illinois and enjoyed the Chicago area the most. Also, I want to come along on your next video trip!
This was a delightful video, almost a mini vacation at my desk! My wife even sat down and watched this with me. Thanks for presenting this video.
Very nice!
Thanks you, David!!
Fantastic Video! As a avid railroad fan that lives far from any passenger route and having never ridden a cross country train, I enjoyed the vicarious opportunity to ride with you. I would love to see other trips in the future. I love MR Video Plus too. Keep up the great work.
Excellent video. Really enjoyed it.