Amtrak’s NEW Siemens Venture Cars | A Great Train | Wolverine 350 Chicago - Kalamazoo
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- After issues with lead in the bathroom pipes and magnets in the tray tables, passengers in the Midwest are finally able to travel with the new Venture coaches. Currently they’re only on one round-trip on the Lincoln Service/Missouri River Runner and the Wolverine. We rode the latter, from Chicago to Kalamazoo, MI. We were intensely impressed with the modern look and smooth, quiet ride.
In this video we review the seats, the bathrooms, and we check out the cafe (still an Amfleet car). An added bonus for me was that the PA system uses a little chime that the Dutch Railways also use for their announcements. Find out why these trains are an improvement for Midwestern Amtrak trains!
Trains Are Awesome!
Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:03 Chicago Union Station
2:17 Boarding the Wolverine
3:28 Seat Review
5:33 Departure from Chicago
6:16 The NS Chime!
7:22 Toilet Review
9:10 History of the Venture Cars, Part 1
10:31 Cafe Car Breakfast
11:15 History of the Venture Cars, Part 2
12:07 110MPH on the Amtrak Michigan Line
13:00 Niles Station
13:40 On-Board WiFi
14:23 Arrival at Kalamazoo
15:05 Why don't the colors match??
15:37 Wolverine and Blue Water Meet - Авто та транспорт
15:14 the reason why the lines don’t line up is because the Chargers’ livery were originally designed to line up with the lines of the Nippon Sharyo Bi level cars which is what you mentioned earlier, however the contract was terminated and the Ventures were basically the last minute replacements with the paint scheme being altered. Proposed paint schemes were made to get the Chargers to match up with the Ventures so they won’t stay like that for long.
Ooh that makes a lot of sense! Of course the stripe would be higher on a bilevel.
Excited for the rollout of the new paint schemes. Thanks for the explainer!
@@Thom-TRA oh yes, this is about to b
Stations like these in America are incredibly beautiful and unparalleled, even compared to Europe imo (at least the main hall), greetings from the UK, also glad to see the back of the steel car exteriors, great shots :)
I’m glad we are putting European trains like Stadler in America and are funding public transportation especially Amtrak.
This train follows the line of the old Michigan Central, who built a number of beautiful stations.
I love the new venture coaches. I love how the doors are motion sensored- so they open when you’re there.
I can't wait for Electrification in the Widewest and speeds for the near entirety of the tracks to be 110-125 mph. And nice trip report!
Unfortunately, I doubt electrification will ever happen
Should have gone through to Detroit and spent the day. This is my home route. My gf and I went to New Orleans and back out of Detroit a few weeks ago. Great service.
These trains look so great!
That bathroom was so modern and roomy!
...The only issue I would have would be with the door not closing all the way!
Those Venture cars look absolutely amazing! I can't wait for it to roll out to many more state operated lines!
They are pretty great!
Check out some of the 1950's streamliners, they had blinds or shades similar to the ones here, so we had them before the Japanese did :)
Wife and I are really enjoying your videos. Nice delivery and good information!
Thank you! My wife and I enjoy making them!
The bathrooms do look nice. I was on the sunset limited over the 4th of July weekend, the bathrooms were very beat up and dirty. The trains were sold out and packed with people. The Cafe car ran out of most food items. These new cars look great for 3-4 hour trips.
I'm riding the River Runner next week. These new cars look pretty nice.
It would be so cool if we could get a modern 150- 200 MPH Bullet train to go between Kalamazoo & Chicago. Chicago for that big city experience and & Kalamazoo for that mid sized city experience. With 150 MPH you could get to & from those cities in between 1-2 hours, so you could arrive at the train station at 7:30 am and be in Chicago around 9 AM to spend your day in Chicago to 7pm and be back in Kalamazoo around 8-9 PM.
If you want to know why the Venture and Viaggio cars are so smooth, it's because they are 20-30% lighter in weight than most other trains. Before 2019, trains in the US and Canada had to meet strict buff strength standards rendering them significantly heavier than the European and Asian counterparts. The US & Canada, in 2019, adopted a rewritten version of Euronorm called Tier III. The Venture cars are Tier III complaint. Lighter trains = smoother ride. They're also safer. They include crash energy management (CEM).
Smart people who know stuff r cool 😎.
The Venture cars are derived from the original heavy steel Viaggios and approved by FRA for Brightline well before FRA stopped preventing modern trains (which I speculated was done to protect Budd and Pullman who were steel based). As the orders for Brightline, Amtrak Midwest/California and VIA were placed before FRA relaxed t rules (to allow the Alstom Avelias), it is very doubtful that Siemens would spend the money to have aluinium Viaggios reconverted to Venture and re-tested by FRA and change their assembly tooling. Hving to purchase aluminium from canada or elsewhere would also make it harder to meet the "made in USA" requirements.
The newer Viaggios are actually quite new and unveiled for ÖBB a few months ago.
It should be noted that VIA Rail has yet to put its trains in proper service. They have 1 train per week between Montreal and Ottawa and the loco still has the SIXX Siemens Mark (aka: not yet accepted by VIA). VIA has been totally silent on whatever problems they have found on the trains that prevents VIA putting then into real service. Half its fleet (HEP1 and HEP2 has been declared unfit and needs buffer cars at either end) and VIA had alreayd begin to reduce maintenance on it aluminium LRC trains which were first to be replaced by the Venture, with VIA prevefing to keep its stainless steel cars, some of which date back from 1945.
Ooooooo I can't wait to get on this route next weekend
Was looking forward to your review of these carriages given your extensive train travel, - so far I heard mixed reviews mostly positive but some negative mainly about the seats. The new cars truly look awesome both from the outside & inside. Great to see large windows and restrooms (although the automatic door leaving a gap was a bit concerning😉). Can't wait to see the new cafe & business cars. The train appeared to provide both a smooth and a very quiet travel experience, as you pointed out. Great improvement having the sockets in between the seats. They sure are a massive improvement on the Horizon & Amfleet cars & reflect more of what a modern passenger train should be. Thank you for sharing your first experience with the new Amtrak passenger cars, Thom.
I was trying to be as critical as possible, because so many people are critical. This was challenging, considering I love new trains haha.
The Wolverine is now my preferred train to take to Michigan. The new cars really do make train travel feel like a more pleasant experience than flying. Hopefully the little screens will work soon, I think those will improve the aesthetic even more.
I used to live in Kalamazoo (portage). I always enjoyed riding train to and from Chicago. Never been east past Albion,but id like to plan a trip through Detroit and into Canada
You can take a public bus over the border now!
Nice intro with the N700A
Just rode on 355 today (1st run since the almost two month hiatus of 350/355) and it had 4 Venture Cars & 1 Amfleet I Biz/Cafe. The overhead screens were working onboard the Venture cars this time, and all announcements were automated except for one brief message from a crew member. Apparently, the NS jingle only plays when a crew member makes an announcement originating from one of the Venture cars, but it does play throughout the train. You were lucky to hear it as often as you did since the automated system was down! All of the automated messages also play throughout the train, regardless of car type. It was quite a surprise hearing automated messages and that jingle in the Amfleet car!
I’m so glad that 350/355 are back. Those are my go-to when visiting family in Michigan, and I was getting pretty sick of taking greyhound or the south shore line.
I’m very excited to see the screens and hear the automatic announcements (but rip the ns jingle). Maybe I’ll get to experience that around thanksgiving.
Thanks for coming back and commenting!
@@Thom-TRA Do we know if any more Wolverine trains have gotten Venture cars?
Thanks for the video Thom. The new Venture cars looks really modern and stylish. Certainly an improvement over the Amfleet coaches. It's good to see investment in the US railways. :-)
I’m excited to see the new Intercity trainsets in a few years. They’re going to have venture cars with pantographs and power packs (so a train can run under the wires and in diesel territory).
If you ever rode an amfleet, you would know that the amfleet is more comfortable.
@@danielchou5895 I’ve been on Amfleet many times. Amfleet II seats are more comfy and spacious, but overall the Ventures are a much more pleasant experience. It’s not as dark and cramped as an Amfleet, and the seats compare to Amfleet I comfort.
Thanks!
I love riding the Amtrak Wolverine because I could travel to my favorite parts of Michigan. 350 is the 6:45AM. I like the Amtrak self machines better because I could purchase my own ticket for whenever I'm ready so I don't have to wait in the office for a ticket. I rode this car on the Lincoln Service from Bloomington-Normal back to Chicago. I just love riding Amtrak more often now
Wolverine is fun! The Pere Marquette has better views but the train quality of the Wolverine is definitely better.
When i was on Amtrak wolverine in june. One the conductor called it the amazing 353.
Great timing. Tomorrow is my first Venture Car trip, to Bloomington IL. I intentionally booked coach to get it. Business on the way back though, so I can slowly break my addiction to Budd Amfleet cars.
Hope you enjoy it! If you remember, let me know how you liked it!
@@Thom-TRA It was a mostly good. The cars were fresh, roomy and light. Bathrooms great but people had trouble understanding the electric door lock. The seats were not as comfy as Heritage or Amfleet cars for sure, but not bad. It was hot outside and the vinyl seat covers versus fabric were evident when wearing shorts. But the cars were not as easy to board if you have mobility issues like me. The handles don't come all the way down to the bottom like on the cars they replace. Biggest headache had nothing to do with Venture I presume. They have combined MO River Runner and Lincoln service into a single train and consist. So now Illinoisans returning from STL or nearer have to incur the frequent delays from the River Runner. My train was three hours late from BNL, which is only a 2.5 hour trip at most, solely because of delays in MO. We even had to drag two empty baggage cars to CHI because the MO tracks are so bad there aren't sufficient axels on Amtrak regional trains to activate crossing gates. (We have same issue on the CN Illini and Saluki routes, but they switched to Superliners which have sufficient axels.) I hope this arrangement is temporary.
An NS chime on NS tracks! 🤣
Lmao as I was watching and the chime rang I immediately thought to myself “YOO THATS THE NS JINGLE” just before you mentioned it! I would have certainly mentioned something as cool and unique as that previously to you had it actually been working when I rode 355 back in May. Perhaps it was just my car (4018)? Also bummer the display screens still aren’t working steadily yet either. I am glad you guys enjoyed your ride on the new cars tho, as they are pretty nice! I’m just wondering what the routine Pere Marquette passengers will think going from a Superliner to Venture…
Nice video 📹
Thanks!
I'm thankful Amtrak started offering lounge day passes. If I was ever short the cash or points I would take the street level stairs to the Metra platforms closer to boarding time & avoid the waiting room. If that concept work at all it's likely most useful for north concourse boarding.
They have lounge passes? That’s good to know. How much are they?
UPDATE: I saw Siemens Venture cars on the #383 on 8/2/23
The Siemens Venture cars kinda reminds me of the Kawasaki build M8 & M9 & Bombardier M7 for MTA LIRR & Metro North.
Going to be riding the 350 route Saturday next weekend coach from Chicago to Battle Creek. Hoping these cars are still used on that route.
They are!
I had to check this out because we are getting Venture cars in California to work the Pacific Surfliner. Probably in 2024. I'm glad to hear they run smooth and are quiet inside. The current bilevels cars are definitely quiet inside, although I get enough bruises to say they aren't as smooth-riding as possible.
The venture coaches are very nice!
Siemens is in the process of making a café car that takes up the entire car. Not split in half for business class.
Cool Amtrak meet & NS passing by before Bathroom that brackfest reminds me of Micdonals
Seeing American trains hauling ass at 110 mph in modern, European coaches gives me hope for the future of this country.
It's interesting how amrtrack has them set up. Via rail in Canada is using the same ones on it's Windsor to Quebec corridor trains except with cab cars at one end and they are more like the bright line trains
I just rode in this car to Michigan (Pere Marquette) seats aren't as comfortable as the superliner I was previously on . I didn't like the outlets being between seats as I'm a big guy . But the bathrooms are so much better. I rode both coach and business. (Business on the way back) and I preferred business
The outlets between seats are most convenient for people in the aisle seats, which is why most rail agencies go for that option these days
@McLag, I agree with you about the seats. The Superliner on the SW Chief was far more comfortable.
@@lindiana55 how long is the travel time on the SW chief?
@Thom-TRA We rode from Kansas City to Chicago. It was 7.5 hours.
@@lindiana55 right. LA to Chicago is 48 hours. Much longer than any of the Midwest routes. And that’s the point.
Hopefully they help increase ridership too
I rode it again today and it was PACKED. But of course it was a holiday weekend.
W video I’m taking the Amtrak Lincoln Service 305 on July 10 with the new Amtrak Venture cars I’m from Chicago so I am so lucky to have easy access to planes and trains in my city.
Yes I love living in Chicago
Hi, great review.
When I rode the Wolverine last month, I noted that the luggage racks, while roomy, are very very high. I am 5'4" and could not lift my bag nor remove it without assistance. Also, I found the electrical plug outlets to be too narrow for my device cord, due to the way it is inset into the back area, which was really annoying. Also, the PA system was not working well at all, was soft and choppy sound. Oh pooh, I forgot to visit the bathroom, thanks for including that!
I’m genuinely surprised Amtrak directs you where to sit on the Wolverine service. Being a corridor service I would think it would be fully open seating like the Northeast Regional or Keystone services. On the NEC (other than on the Acela where you book a specific seat) I’ve only seen conductors directing you to a seat on longer distance trains (usually any of the ones run with Amfleet II’s, whether or not they have an overnight segment).
Wondering when the venture coaches will be in operation on the Chicago to Carbondale - Amtrak Illini and Saluki lines? I live in Urbana and can't wait for the improvement from Champaign to Chicago. Are there any Business Class venture coaches in the future?
So far no Ventures for the Illini and Saluki because CN has axle requirements on their line, forcing Amtrak to use Superliners. And yes, the Venture business class just entered service!
6:19 Amtrak stealing announcements from the Netherlands 😏
What happened to the locomotive that was at the end, attached to the Amfleet cafe car at Chicago Union Station? It was gone at Kalamazoo.
I took the Kalamazoo shot on a different date
Do you have pictures of the Superliner snack coach used on the Pete Marquette?
I don’t have a picture, but I do have some trip reports on the Pere Marquette you could look at. Basically, it’s just regular coach seating at the top, and a small cafe area (no seats) on the bottom floor where normally the coach seats are.
@@Thom-TRA Thanks, I'll take a look. I'm exploring the possibility of converting a Superliner coach model into a snack coach.
Its very impressive to sail through the Michigan country side at 110 mph. I'd think for the United States its a valid goal for government funding to increase freight track speeds to 110 mph for passenger train travel and provide a mixed freight passenger high speed exclusive railroad corridor over a longer time frame where possible. It's good to hear the Venture cars have an upgrade ride at least somewhat from the Amfleet cars, but I really don't like the external look of the Siemens passenger cars either Venture or Horizon over the stainless steel Amfleet cars. If buying model trains I'd buy the Amfleet.
As much as it would be nice to have 220 mph HSR in the USA being able to have 110 mph Superliner sleeper service across the USA with occasional HSR mixed passenger and freight train corridors allowing 160 mph travel would suite many people. That should allow passenger train travel to compete with fastest driving times. Faster would be nice, but it would be better to concentrate on comfort and do ability. The fright rail network would benefit from federal funding to allow it to be at-grade crossing free with better straighter aliments which are really needed for speeds over 110 mph passenger service.
If building new train corridors, the very far future of 40 years or more might be for maglev high speed trains traveling near the speed of sound that finally gets the world a way from the limitations of standard gauge rail with over double current load gauge width and hight for new maglev trains. Such a passenger train could have high comfort in about 1/4 the current length for passenger volume and be able to carry most road vehicles perpendicular on its first level. The world has been restricted by standard gauge for far too long.
I think this is a fair and nuanced take that seeks to achieve meaningful improvement through realistic measures!
Is there any way of determining which trains these coaches are used on? I was looking at taking Lincoln Service to STL.
I believe most Lincoln Service trains use these now!
Can you the Devil’s nose train in Ecuador?
I’d love to
Amfleet cars are great!
I like the new Siemens car but i wanted to lean my seat back to lay down but it's hard to take a good nap in these cars. They have those on the Lincoln Service as well.
1:50 i love how an official Amtrak sign has a typo. It says "Capital Limited" instead of "Capitol Limited".
That is not a typo. That is its actual name...
@@danielchou5895 No its not. Its named for the B&O Train. B&O's logo is the Capitol building. i.e CAPITOL Limited.
When amtrak 350 gets to Pontiac it turns back to 355
Wait, there isn’t a wheelchair lift right now? Are there platform bridge plates or platform lifts at the stations?
All of Amtrak's low platform stations have lifts or mini-high's
9:41 tell that to Japanese automotive companies😊
Check out how the Avelia engine profile does not match that of the cars . The Venture cars really are an improvement over the Horizon cars. Thanks for posting .
I’d noticed that! Strange, since the Avelias are based off of the TGV, which doesn’t have that problem.
And yes, they are much better than the Horizons!
How are closed luggage racks not a requirement?
Because they’re not necessary? The Acela is the only train I can think of that has closed luggage racks
解説ありがとう。日本語の発音はすごく上手。何か国語はなせるの？
十年間日本で住んでいました
canada has new regulations that allows for imported trains.
That's great. Like the new O-Train FLIRTs in Ottawa?
Something tells me this will not happen in the US any time soon...
@@Thom-TRA yup, i saw a video from RMtransit that talked about this.
@@Thom-TRA texas and soon LA's trains will be powered by stadler too.
and there are many more to come like the european acela 2.
@@miles5600 yeah, but those are built in America, just like the new Siemens trains
@@Thom-TRA yup.
I think the designer of the forklift truck, the Homer car and the "preservation of the aerodynamic rights of the brick club" all got together and designed this thing. To call it ugly is an insult to ugly. I'm willing to bet it is very sore on the ole' butt after a couple hours too. Add that to slow and well, maybe next century eh Amtrak.
ARE YOU& LINDSAY,MARRIED?.
Yes, why?
@@Thom-TRA I just think you are a cool couple.
@@truettrusler1485 haha thanks for the compliment . I like her a lot.
@@Thom-TRA She has a great smile. I was wondering if she was your wife, gf, or sister. You look like a really cute couple, and I hope you have lots of cute kids soon to bring along on your travels.
Letting the person use the WC for it's intended purpose would have been the thing to do. Maybe next time..... I agree, they should change the paint scheme on the engines to match the lines of the cars
What do you mean with the first part of your comment, about the toilet? I don’t understand the context.
@@Thom-TRAThe inference I got was that they thought you should have stopped your review immediately and let them use the washroom.
@@user-bv9gm1kc2v well that’s quite a stupid statement, then. Toilets are first, come, first served. Naturally, I also used it. But I’m not gonna film that. Some people really have a stick up their…
Venture coach interior is sterile and bland. The super bright lights are annoying. These cars are yet another profile in Amtrak's stable of mismatched cars. I prefer the double deck "California Cars".
To me they’re exactly what I would expect from a brand new train. Some artwork as decorations inside would’ve been nice, but overall I think the freshness looks much better than the dirty and dated interiors of the older cars.
Amtrak sucks....An average of 24 derailments in the last decade....Annually! (from the Federal Railroad Administration)
Yeah, now look up where those derailments happened. That’s right, on freight tracks. American freight railroads suck, Amtrak does the best they can.
🚅 𝕾𝖎𝖒𝖕𝖑𝖞 𝕬𝖜𝖊𝖘𝖔𝖒𝖊 ⭐
Glad you liked it!