Hi all,
This of course a bit silly, but this Summer will be my first ride on the Acela (or any Northeast train in general). Would you guys say whether East or West side of the window would provide better scenery? I'll be riding North from W.D.C to NYC to Boston.
Thanks!
Enjoy the train ride from what ever side you sit on, it sure beats what you will see from a 737.
Sit on the east side (RH) side of the train. Better views of the Chesapeake and Long Island Sound. Also, a better view of Phila as you go across the Schuylkill River The only good view you'll miss is the view of NYC from Hell Gate, but it's not like you can't see out one side from the other.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
A 60 some year old habit of mine is to sit on the right hand side no matter what train or where. But know where to look to the other side for the views....as a railfan. Right is good D.C. to Boston for what Oltmann said above, however...especially north (east) of NY check left for Sunnyside Yard, MNRR from GCT at New Rochelle, the branches taking off to Cannan, Danbury, Westbury and Springfield, Cedar Hill Yard, Submarines at New London...just off the top of my head at this late hour of night.
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Right side you see the yards and Chrysler plant and beautiful water.
Left side you see all kinds of abandoned industry and wayside infrastructure.
Honestly, though, if you're a fan of wayside equipment, signals, and track like I am, Acela is bad for wayside watching. My eyes hurt so bad I took the Regional back to DC so I could see all the wayside stuff (signals, equipment, substations, track, switches, and abandoned railroad stuff).
Thanks guys for your suggestions. So I guess East (right) side gets the vote.
I will ride Acela twice, once from D.C. to New York and than again to Boston. Really looking at the experience as I never rode "High Speed" trains before. I think it will be cool to check out the Cafe car, etc. Too bad it looks like it's going to rain all of next week.
The "righties" have it correct. In addition to the sights seen from the right hand side of the train that have been mention, you will get an excellent view of some of New York City's tallest buildings (Empire State, Chrysler, etc.) just before the train dives under the Hudson River.
I lived in New York City for five years. And I get back there every year or so to visit with relatives. I probably arrived in the City more than 100 times on a train from the south. One of the more spectacular views can be had just before dusk when the lights on the city are on but it is not quite dark.
An excellent read of how Penn Station and the connecting tunnels were built is Conquering Gotham by Jill Jonnes. It is an amazing story and will enhance your appreciation of the engineering feat of boring under the Hudson and East rivers.
Note that Cafe Car gives a beautiful view out both sides but the seats are designed so you will not want to sit in them that very long. Legend has it that Amtrak commissioned a study on how to design the cafe car so people won't bogart the tables the whole trip like they (and me) do on Regionals. Naturally nobody sits in Acela cafe cars to eat anymore since they stopped serving reasonable food.
After much thought, and being a railfan, I will offer that the northernmost seat, either left or right, on the entire train would be a great seat to see from; or the southern most on a northbound train, too.
Approaching the city from virtually any direction on any line at dusk is most magnificant. I found, after years of riding, that the DL&W's (today's NJT) Morris and Essex view after leaving Summit and through Millburn is most gorgeous. So is the clip along the NJ Meadows on any line. Amtrak's West Side line is possibly the least scenic by virtue of the tunneling, etc., but come down through the Bronx from the Hudson or the Harlem lines and you'll see fantastic views. LIRR has a lot of good views (found looking out the back of the 4:54PM LIC to Oyster Bay train on the Lower Montauk, most inspiring) too, but probably overall best is across the Hell Gate Bridge (on a north/eastbound run this is a left side view) as it leaps across the East River and traverses the superelevated curve into Sunnyside.
If you're riding in the summer I think the sun is always on the port (left) side of the train, so you could be not only feeling its heat but also taking pictures into a lowering sun. However, leaving Penn Station I'd definitely sit on the port side. You'll get a million dollar view of the Manhattan's East Side. Also, from NYC to Boston the station buildings are on the port side, too. The best views of Long Island Sound are on the starboard side, however.
Do not hesitate to change your seat to get a better view from time to time. Conductors are generally tolerant of railfans, especially with cameras; they like showing off the line, so to speak. Just be sure to return to your own seat from time to time.
About 1989 on one trip across Hell Gate the conductor saw that I was taking video movies from a vestible door...so he opened it up for me! Can you imagine how exciting that was?
Have a great time.
NKP guy Do not hesitate to change your seat to get a better view from time to time. Conductors are generally tolerant of railfans, especially with cameras; they like showing off the line, so to speak. Just be sure to return to your own seat from time to time. About 1989 on one trip across Hell Gate the conductor saw that I was taking video movies from a vestible door...so he opened it up for me! Can you imagine how exciting that was? Have a great time.
Name two things you can't do anymore and one thing a railfan can do anyway when riding trains.
I agree with most people and prefer the right side on a NB train.
Hmm, you guys think there is a chance conductor will open a vestibule door on Acela?
Alright, I came up with a plan. We'll sit on the right side from DC to NY. And than on the left from NYC to Boston. How does that sound? :D
NO! NO! NO!...go all the way D.C.to Boston on the right...then come back on the other right (and lets not let political pursuesions get into this).
Seriously, there is so much to see you'll have to do both sides several times anyway!!! Just enjoy whatever you do.
1. Agree, east side (right side) heading north, the beaches, the harbors is very scenic.
2. The Acela has only "Business Class" and "First Class", no coach. "Business Class" has two high back seats on each side of the aisle, "First Class" has one seat on one side of the asile and two seats on the other side. Seats are not assigned, so if there are open seats you can move from one side to the other. (Amtrak does not assign seats but will not sell more tickets than seats on a reserved seat train) (all trains in the Northeast Corridor are reserved)
3. Forget about the vestibule. The Vestibule Doors on the Acela are electrically interlocked. When stopped, all doors must be closed and locked before the locomotive can start. The Conductor does have a "Cardreader Card" that will allow him to bypass the lock and open a door but that will generate a "stop" signal in the cab. Now the Engineer can bypass that signal if pre-arranged but it will be logged on the computer and the "black box".
Don U. TCA 73-5735
From NYC to Boston the right side has got to be the best. When approaching 125th station in Harlem try to look between the buildings and you will be able to get a glimps of Hell Gate bridge.
Living in Connecticut I have ridden Metro North into NYC many times and you will need to have a keen eye but Hell Gate is visable. You will also enjoy many vistas of Connecticut and Long Island Sound. You will have a great view of the sound when you cross the Connecticut River Bridge and when leaving the station in New London look out as you pass over new Mystic River Bridge and you will see the Electric Boat facility in Groton. This is the factory that makes submarines for the U.S.Navy.
rjglov
Metro North Commuter Railroad enters "The City" over the "X" New York Central tracks to GCT.
The Acela cuts away at New Rochelle NY, heads over the Pelum Bay Draw Bridge to the Hell Gate. Then over the Hell Gate Bridge, into the Sunny Side Yard, and through the tunnel to Penn Station.
Hell Gate = the junction of Long Island Sound and the East River with two different tide times.
Thanks all for great replies. I took your advise and sat on the right side on both trains. The view was great, although I agree fast speed and trees up close make for a very nauseous experience However the ride was very comfortable along with the seats. I loved seating in cafe. I haven't tried the food there, but service was very friendly. Train was on time, and I actually fell asleep on the way. In fact inside, Acela feels like a plane rather than a train ride. Next time I'm in a area I will definitely book Acela again!
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