I’ve never been into trains before but watching this made me realize how sad it is that traveling by train and works of art like these aren’t common at all anymore. Everyone is so worried about getting places quickly instead of slowing down and enjoying the views and journey as you would on these works of art! Incredible video for sure.
@Bad Drivers Of The NorCal Area Walking more often is healthy for you. When I lived in Germany, you basically bought only that evening's and tomorrow's food. The refrigerators in Germany were about a quarter the size of US refrigerators. That was back in the 80s. European people are much healthier than Americans and walking is a big part of it.
This is what KZclip was meant for. Sharing cool content like this that gives you the experience of seeing things you probably wouldn't ever get to. I've no idea why this was in my recommendations but I'm really grateful that it was
It's nice to see such a young man enthralled by a train car that was built the same year I was born, 73 years ago. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what rail travel used to be.
As a European, I've grown up with trains and never felt like they would ever be abandoned or made obsolete, since they are always in use all across Europe, though seeing how railway travel has declined in the US and watching this video has made me find so much more appreciation for trains and the beauty that they can encompass. Those train cars are magnificent and this video makes me want to go and experience a ride like that too!
I found this by accident and have to say Your enthusiasm for nostalgia and technology is so wonderful and I could tell that Bill absolutely loved showing this to you and seeing how much you appreciated his passion. I would love to take an excursion on one of these. It's like a cruise ship on land seeing AMERICA. great experience. thanks buddy!
13:44 The man behind you is so HAPPY to show you this train.. Wow this is making me emotional. Imagine how some people/kids just wouldn't truly appreciate any of it's true beauty and now here you are- loving every minute, and this man behind you is so excited to share it with you. You can see it in his smile/
You create the best train videos on KZclip . But then you go to the next level and share this ride with us is . The great passenger trains of the past truly were works of art and it is so satisfying to see some so immaculately preserved. I plan to continue to live vicariously through you. Hope that's OK. Thank you!
I rode with Bill on the Blue Ridge Club a few weeks ago while I was working the Lake Shore Limited in upstate New York. Bill's passion for these cars is incredible and it is always great to have him and other private car owners on our Amtrak trains.
I used to work in downtown Chicago & when I would get out of the METRA train at union station I’d occasionally see the private coach cars seen here in this video. Amazing. Never had the means or chance to ride in one.
I'm a big fan of historic trains. It shows that the focus back then was on passenger comfort and not on passenger numbers... Thanks for showing these fine masterpieces of railroad history.
You mean for the people who made custom railcars? Old trains were also just about numbers... like some 3rd class rail cars which didn't have roofs, and second class were just benches. But yes first class was very based around comfort
How blessed are you, Mike? Bill liked your channel so much that he wanted you and your followers to enjoy a truly unique train experience. I bet you had an absolute blast. If you're continuing this theme, there are plenty of other trains to take on ... the Venice-Simplon Orient Express in Europe, the Trans-Siberian across Russia, the Eastern Orient Express between Bangkok and Singapore, and the Blue Train in South Africa come immediately to mind. I bet your followers can give you even more ideas. But your love of rail travel has really shone through.
The look on Bill's face when he sat down in the Cedar Rapids car..you could just see the pride he feels, and has in this piece of functional history was rolling along. It was read to die, ready to just rust away with time only to be saved to trek through the States. Proving that with a humble heart, and pride in your eyes we can keep evolving that history into something better
I'm not used to leaving comments. But I had to. I'm so happy that individuals such as Bill would do such things, would invite you to this journey. I was so moved by the smile he had when you were looking at details, saying "wow". I'm so happy for him. Also the dog picture on his phone was amazing. This guy is great. I hope Bill will read those lines; you are great ! Thanks for the video ! Cheers from France !
Loved your genuine enthusiasm and interest! Certainly the most unique railcar I’ve ever seen - that Superdome exceeds even the views from the Orient Express. You truly captured Americana at its most quintessential- humble, soft spoken old-timer, nostalgic decor and a trip through the heartland. Excellent video!
Fun fact: you actually can go inside the superdome and Cedar Rapids car. Every year in early June, in St. Paul Minnesota, there is a train day weekend where both of these rail cars on display with others and you can go through and sit in them. Sadly they don’t move but it’s still a fun experience to have every year
The Cedar Rapids car took my breath away. I have the privilege of having taken a trip from Denver to L.A., when I was a girl in 1961. It was just my mom and me, as my father had just passed away. We traveled in a Pullman car. The porters looked after us like mother hens. The attention to detail, and the pride that everyone took with their work is something I will never forget.
Such a spectacular adventure, and such a gracious gentleman that Bill is. Thank you both for bringing us along on all of this! I just discovered Downie Live and I am Hooked indeed! This was a golden adventure. Thank you so much. Looking forward to learning much more. Blessings and appreciation, guys.
The fact that they could do this in the 1950s makes you think about what we could do with modern technology if we still had the same vision they did, just amazing.
THANK YOU Bill for inviting Mike. This is the most jaw dropping train video Mike has ever been able to share with us. I kept saying WOW right along with Mike.
your editing is pretty good the choice of music tugs at the nostalgia string a lil. I'm not a train guy. I'm a War bird and car guy, but this made me fell as if I had been a railway fan, all my life. Man, the train fans are doing a great Job, in preserving a part of U.S and world history. This was a great video great Job.
I'm absolutely enthralled with history and learning cool things about the past. This truly is special, and I'm so jealous you got to dead head this beauty all alone with the one man that could tell you anything about it on the spot. So so sooooo cool 😭
13:38 was what we all came for. Built 1949 and I agree what he said , they knew how to build stuff back then. Flying is a so-so experience nowadays, and I may really have to consider travelling by this train. Like wow, people travelled in comfort and style back then. Kudos to those who restored these historical works of art. Thumbs up.
It's pretty cool to see rail road enthusiasts come together and preserve rail road history I'm not a big fan of trains but it's really cool to see a piece of history to be alive.
The episode is exactly why I watch DownieLive and love Mike Downie. No where else anywhere does one get to see things like this in operation AND get to see the joy and thrill that Mike displays in his face. Thanks to his expressive face, we get to share in the ride. Mike, you are not just a national treasure, but a world treasure. Thank you.
I'm the opposite. I much prefer reviews where the camera is pointed aWAY from the reviewer most of the time. I tune in to see the object being reviewed, not the reviewer. There's a content provider whom you don't see OR hear - just the occasional text on the screeen as commentary. Much more my style
I totally agree with you, I am new to DownieLive and he is so expressive and likeable - You reflected exactly my response to Mike and this train! So thank you MacAdvisor!
This by far is one of my favorite videos so far. I love the older cars and getting to see how different they all are. Definitely dont make them like they used to. Thank you for showing us things we might never have seen otherwise!
I had opportunity to feel this kind of things back in old Yugoslavia, there were few of older trains that had this kind of tour through the country and, even thou I was a kid back then, the feeling was so good riding on these sort of trains, simply one cannot describe those things, one must feel them... I am sad that it is really rare that one can see those these days...
Thank you to DOWNIELIVE and Bill and his friends for sharing what would have NEVER been shared with us!! I knew so many train-lovers (long gone) who would have LOVED this video so I am VICARIOUSLY savoring on their behalf! THANK YOU!!! - Laura - FL
Thank both of you gentlemen for this wonderful experience, and THANK YOU to all the private owners for preservation of these beautiful trains and our history👏🏼‼️ Bravo
I work on restoring vintage passenger cars for a living and own a 1928 Pullman Car myself I’m restoring. I had the pleasure of riding the Autumn Colors Express this year and it was an absolutely amazing ride and the cars were beautiful. I don’t know if you met any of the other guys but Adam, Justin, Scott, Keith, Steve, and everyone else at Railexco have done something amazing getting this train together. I had the honor of getting to tour the Blue Ridge Club myself while in Huntington and seeing it back on home rails was an awesome experience. I thank you for posting this video and bringing light to stuff like this because the more people that learn about trips like these means the more tickets we can sell and the more trips we can run. The rail preservation industry is a tough one so stuff like this always helps!
I read that private rail car owners can pay to hook up to an Amtrak train for travel, but I can't find anything about costs. I assume you could do the same with some of these privately owned locomotives too. Can shed some light on the costs or direct to a source? Thanks
I only found out about these luxurious trains and their journeys recently and it just made me think that I'd pay anything to have taken my grandma on one while she was still here
It’s a shame that society has come to a point where we need to travel as fast as possible and no longer treasure the journey. Traveling by rail in luxury is much more enjoyable than flying. We need to slow down and try and enjoy life more as a people instead of being in a hurry all the time. Great video, thank you!
My grandpa was an engineer on the early Milwaukee rail lines. I’m in tears seeing how beautiful the cars are in this video. I can’t help but think if my grandpa were here to see the beauty of these cars 😭
@Angry Silence Yep. Those are some nice and expensive toys. But wowzing so much for something that is not even the top experience... yes, can be annoying. And if it was not 360 degrees. Those window frames blocked the view. A true immersive experience is on top of a train in India or Bangladesh :)
From a time when people took pride in the work they do. So very grateful that people have choesn to maintain these. And I am incredibly grateful that you're able to share them with us.
I don’t care I’m leaving a second comment. The Cedar Rapids car is just…..stunning. My jaw dropped seeing that car. I’ve only ever seen it ONCE in my life but to ride on it? That would be a dream come true. Thank you for sharing this incredible rail car
Thanks to people like Bill for keeping these marvels alive. Some folks have a little more than others and do nothing with it and some people put it to good use.
Thank you Bill and Thanks to all the other train buffs who keep these trains going , absolutely stunning and I know some guys that will go nuts over these videos that I work with in a train depot, Thank you for sharing with us this amazing journey, may you have many more.
I have no idea how I got here, and trust me I'm not any sort of train enthusiast, but damn, I'd have a great time on these trains... anyone of them! I'm glad this unique part of history is being kept up and working... awesome!
This was such a wholesome, happy video. The people were so happy to talk to you about all the history and you could tell they just absolutely loved being there. What an amazing showcase. Really cool
Wow. Saw the thumbnail in the feed - this is like a dream. Showcases the beaty of your country - in an amazing way. Didn't know trains like these still existed. Amazing stuff. This must be a great experience. Greetings from Latvia.
I live in Germany and traveling by train is more practical and comfortable in first class! I've never seen a train like that in the movies. It's unbelievable, amazing, fantastic...... and beautiful! I would immediately spend my vacation on this train and travel across the country! Thank you and I look forward to more films 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
What a gorgeous gathering of historical rail cars on one excursion. It's absolutely fabulous that you had the opportunity to ride the tain and get a personalized tour of it. Thank you for taking us with you.
I'm sure he may have a nice income and all but I'm just here to have fun going on vicarious adventures and for the knowledge/research he does for each vlog. Lol. I would love to be able to even go on just one train adventure but sadly don't ever see that happening so I tag along with Mike on his trips.
Found your video by accident. Combination of your reaction to the Cedar Rapids cars, the view from your favourite car and the astonishing workmanship... I was just so overwhelmed. Moved to tears. Did not expect that. Thank you.
I guess the algorithm can sometimes give little gems to watch. This was fun to see, and I am happy beautiful engineering like these get some love and stay around.
Sometimes it's hard watching others live your dreams. Just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it! I'm a female train nerd, have taken many cross-country trips but...nothing like this! Wow!!
"With train travel, you never really know what to expect." And that's my favorite part of train travel! While others moan and groan about delays, I get genuinely excited because I get more time on board!! People always ask how I can possibly spend 3 or 4 days on a train. I say that it's never enough! I once left LA Union Station for DC. Spent 1 night in DC, only to do the entire trip in reverse. And that was on Amtrak! Loved every minute of it!
Those vintage trains were so enjoyable to see! My husband and I both really enjoyed this video, thank you! And thanks to Bill and the others like him who have saved and restored these wonderful vintage trains and put them back on the rails where they belong and for sharing them with the public. Kudos, For a job well done!
The genuine joy on your face seeing some of these train cars is fantastic! Bill and the rest of the amazing people behind the Blue Ridge Club have done such a great thing restoring and preserving them. Thanks to him, and to you for taking us along Mike!
I have loved America and Rail Travel since I was 3 years old! Please get me onto this journey! So amazing and priveliged man, I couldn't think of many things better than this.
Omg, Australian here - how amazing to see this, makes me think 'what a wonderful world'. Dream of seeing all that beautiful scenery - the Ohio, the changing colours of the trees.
It’s a testament to how highly people think of you and what you do that you were invited on this adventure of railroad history. Thanks for sharing it with us.
@DownieLive I believe that you get the privilege of taking us on these adventures because of the pure excitement in your voice. It is contagious, in all the right ways.
Now, i'm not a train fan, by any measurable metric, but these trains are fantastic works of art. I admire the US of all of you for such things. I'm rather envious, to be honest. Amazing work. Keep it up!
This is so cool! I am taking my first train trip because of you! I love history and I love trains, I do model rail roading at my place and my family were a bunch of rail roaders for B and O, Ole Penn Central, Conrail, CSX . I know the history of rail roading around Cincinnati Ohio. It’s pretty cool stuff. Like I said! If you ever get a chance come to Cincinnati on the Cardinal line with Amtrak, stop at union terminal, the station is a history museum/train station but it’s art deco design is all original. Also the roebling bridge in Cincinnati is the predecessor to the Brooklynn Bridge in NYC and was made as a test run for what would be the Brooklyn Bridge. Also Cincinnati still has one of the very last city owned rail roads in the nation. My dad was a conductor/engineer on the monon in Indiana and I grew up around rail roading. Also if you ever get a chance, go to Lagrange Ky, it’s a small town south west of Cincinnati about an hour, the train tracks go through the town.
Worked for a railroad in the mechanical dept. for 40 years and never went on a train. Now in the 12 years of retirement just loving going in cars like these. Just wonderful.
i usually only travel for business reasons and thats why for me "travelling" was always considered "work" but travelling in this train would be more like a vacation than work. i like how every railcar has their own unique style. some dark, some bright etc.
Train buff here and young like you. You have no idea how lucky you are to ride in not just the hickory creek but the CEDAR RAPIDS. This was an epic trip and I absolutely got a thrill feeling and seeing your enthusiasm. Great job with your channel and I applaud your positivity. You deserve every bit of this experience.
I can't think of a time in my life that I've ever felt emotional towards a train or train car. This video changed that. This video was so well done. Seeing the Cedar Rapids car and just knowing the amount of love involved in the design, restoration, and maintenance got my eyes a little wetter than usual. So thank you. Thank you to those who brought these cars back to life, and thank you for sharing it with the rest of us. Like you said, that car could have disappeared and I would have never known. But I'm so glad I got to see it! If those cars could tell stories...
Beautiful interiors, travelling on land so you experience the country rather than the cloud tops. My parents told me about traveling by rail during WW II from East to West through the plains, the Rockies, the Sierra ranges, with deeply romantic nostalgia. It's not going to be as efficient and fast as plane travel, but it will always be more engaging and memorable. Maybe, just maybe, having more tailored interiors would attract more riders, I don't know, but if I had the luxury of time and money to do it, I would.
That Cedar Rapids car is unimaginable! How did anyone ever think to create that piece of architecture that runs on wheels? I never even knew anything like that existed, and I've ridden in a good amount of vintage rolling stock. I laughed in recognition of "we should arrive tomorrow morning... at some point... with rail travel, you never know what to expect." This is part of the zen of train travel in America. If you can master that, it can be lots of fun. I'm a classic dome car fan from back in the days of Auto-Train before Amtrak Amtrak-ized it. Nothing like falling asleep under the stars. :-) The route you were on reminds me of one of the routes I'd take from Virginia to Chicago, to connect to all the cross-country routes headed West. Great scenery there. Speaking of leaves: The most amazing leaves I've ever seen were in northern Virginia, on a train from Richmond, Virginia to DC, when I commuted 4 days per week for work. The daily commute meant that I got to see them at the peak of color. That part of the world has good leaves.
I feel sorry for anyone that doesn't follow DownieLive! Bill is a gem of a man, he just seems so kind, thanks for sharing your passion with all of us train lovers Bill. 😗 And thank you Michael for sharing this train and Bill with us. Your Cedar Rapid car smile was the best smile yet!!! 🙂
So incredible, the history is amazing. I've taken several trips on the Amtrak South West Chief and there is a lot of great nostalgia there but, this is just unbelievable.
How incredibly beautiful these train cars are! I would love to have had the experience you had aboard that empty train from Chicago to Virginia. I would gladly work on that train to serve meals, to change the sheets on the beds or whatever needs to be done, I am definitely up for it! 🌟. I am from Cedar Rapids, and there was a beautiful Cedar Rapids car! I was so impressed by your experience there!🌟
I smiled through that from start to finish. What a magnificent way to see the countryside. If i could ever afford it riding that rain would be on my bucket list. Thanks for the video DL.
This is my first introduction to your channel and it was amazing! I'm a train driver in the UK and I love our rail heritage, but seeing your enthusiasm for these beautiful train carriages was infectious! I will make my way over to the US soon and I will definitely be travelling on this train! I look forward to seeing your previous content 😊👍
Thanks so much for bringing this to the attention of America. Unless you are a train aficionado you might never have known of the existence of such beauty. Travel in the US is all about getting to a destination as quickly as possible. Too bad it isn’t more about the experience of the trip itself.
FANTASTIC video. Mike is a special gentleman. His passion for railcars is second only to his hospitality. Thanks to both of you for allowing some of us a once in a lifetime excursion on such a beautiful and storied train. Blessings to the owners/patrons of those magnificent railcars.
What a stunning train this is. Reading up on the history of all its cars would take a voyage around the world like fictional Snowpiercer. The superdome is awesome. By the way, modern versions of it are still in regular service in Switzerland and in Intercity trains along the famous Rhine route in Germany.
Hey Mike, I just discovered your channel last night, and this video really moved me. I've always been fascinated by visualizing rail lines, the tracks themselves actually, but that actually changed this past May when I rode the Amtrak Southwest Chief from Albuquerque, NM back to Los Angeles, but I could not do that without stopping in Williams, AZ and taking a trip on the Grand Canyon Railway(do not take this trip without spending one night in the canyon; it is really the only right way to do this excursion). This experience changed my outlook on rail travel, and I must say, I now need to refer to myself as a train buff; I need to look into this ride for next year. Thank you!!
I love your channel. I have never been on a train like this, but I hope someday;) I am disabled now and it’s difficult to ride in a car, but this looks very smooth and relaxing. I’m living vicariously through you. Thanks.
not American and only went there a couple of times, but that Bill guy represents the America we can dream about, kindness, knowledge, passion etc. and his voice could help me to sleep... excellent video with great subjects
Wow! They really just need to bring luxury train travel back entirely! Especially for people that don't like to fly. What an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing. I hope the owners of those cars have someone who will continue this amazing legacy!
That was amazing! It must cost millions to restore those cars and the owners are generous enough to share them with other railfans. Fantastic video Mike! Can't wait for the next one.
I love this video. Both my father and grandfather were engineers for Norfolk-Southern Railroad. They instilled in me a love for riding that magic carpet made of steel. I want to take a trip via rail now. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Blue Ridge Club had 4 brothers that were sold to the B&O and named Nappanee, Wawasee, Dana and Metcalf. The first two were the normal Observation cars on the Capitol Limited between Washington and Chicago. The second two were equipped with diaphragms on the lounge end and operated as mid-train lounges on the combined Capitol/Columbian/Ambassador between Washington and Detroit.
The cedar rapids is just gorgeous my fave. But all of them had such unique characteristics. And knowing the history and where they used to run and things like that makes it all the more valuable of an experience.
This video got me feeling choked up a bit & nostalgic. Ive seen lots of DownieLive videos train-related and otherwise but this one hit different. I grew up between Lancaster & Philly PA. I remember a time or two taking the train from Philly to Providence to visit family friends as a kid. It wasn't that long ago but now that I live in North Central PA I really miss being able to ride the trains to get from place to place or go spend a day in Philly during the holiday festivities or a perfect summer day.
The Cedar Rapids car is the most gorgeous train car I’ve ever seen. I wish America would bring back more cars like this so we could travel in style.
@Michael Arnold no it makes business not pay you pennies for your work but raising it does cause inflation
Who is John Gault?
Nobody works for minimum wage!
Even McDonald's pays $4 over.
I’ve never been into trains before but watching this made me realize how sad it is that traveling by train and works of art like these aren’t common at all anymore. Everyone is so worried about getting places quickly instead of slowing down and enjoying the views and journey as you would on these works of art! Incredible video for sure.
@Jax Astro kind of. Passenger trains almost always have priority on whichever line they are on.
@Sam's Mom It must be nice having so much free time you can go to the store every one or two days. The rest of us have to work.
@A. M. I went from Rome to Napoli in about as many hours on a high speed train and it was fantastic and cheap! I love Italy!!!
@SzymeX You won't get through to him using logic. He, like 98% of other Americans are addicted to our cars.
@Bad Drivers Of The NorCal Area Walking more often is healthy for you. When I lived in Germany, you basically bought only that evening's and tomorrow's food. The refrigerators in Germany were about a quarter the size of US refrigerators. That was back in the 80s. European people are much healthier than Americans and walking is a big part of it.
This is what KZclip was meant for. Sharing cool content like this that gives you the experience of seeing things you probably wouldn't ever get to. I've no idea why this was in my recommendations but I'm really grateful that it was
I was thinking the same thing! Enough with the downer and doomsday content
And Rumble, Rumble is 100% free speech and supports good people and real Americans.
It's nice to see such a young man enthralled by a train car that was built the same year I was born, 73 years ago. Thank you for giving us a glimpse of what rail travel used to be.
As a European, I've grown up with trains and never felt like they would ever be abandoned or made obsolete, since they are always in use all across Europe, though seeing how railway travel has declined in the US and watching this video has made me find so much more appreciation for trains and the beauty that they can encompass. Those train cars are magnificent and this video makes me want to go and experience a ride like that too!
I found this by accident and have to say Your enthusiasm for nostalgia and technology is so wonderful and I could tell that Bill absolutely loved showing this to you and seeing how much you appreciated his passion. I would love to take an excursion on one of these. It's like a cruise ship on land seeing AMERICA. great experience. thanks buddy!
Thanks!
spiderman no way home< it is weird to say best game... because that is objective based...
It's also significantly less environmentally destructive than a cruise ship.
Thank you Bill for Letting Mike join you and give us the outside experience ❤
As a fan of DownieLive I was very happy to have him (and the rest of you) join us!
13:44 The man behind you is so HAPPY to show you this train.. Wow this is making me emotional. Imagine how some people/kids just wouldn't truly appreciate any of it's true beauty and now here you are- loving every minute, and this man behind you is so excited to share it with you. You can see it in his smile/
Thanks for understanding!
You create the best train videos on KZclip . But then you go to the next level and share this ride with us is . The great passenger trains of the past truly were works of art and it is so satisfying to see some so immaculately preserved. I plan to continue to live vicariously through you. Hope that's OK. Thank you!
I rode with Bill on the Blue Ridge Club a few weeks ago while I was working the Lake Shore Limited in upstate New York. Bill's passion for these cars is incredible and it is always great to have him and other private car owners on our Amtrak trains.
This is kinda just amazing. So glad they saved these trains.
I used to work in downtown Chicago & when I would get out of the METRA train at union station I’d occasionally see the private coach cars seen here in this video. Amazing. Never had the means or chance to ride in one.
I'm a big fan of historic trains. It shows that the focus back then was on passenger comfort and not on passenger numbers... Thanks for showing these fine masterpieces of railroad history.
❤😇😂❤🇨🇲
You mean for the people who made custom railcars? Old trains were also just about numbers... like some 3rd class rail cars which didn't have roofs, and second class were just benches.
But yes first class was very based around comfort
How blessed are you, Mike? Bill liked your channel so much that he wanted you and your followers to enjoy a truly unique train experience. I bet you had an absolute blast. If you're continuing this theme, there are plenty of other trains to take on ... the Venice-Simplon Orient Express in Europe, the Trans-Siberian across Russia, the Eastern Orient Express between Bangkok and Singapore, and the Blue Train in South Africa come immediately to mind. I bet your followers can give you even more ideas. But your love of rail travel has really shone through.
Thanks!
@wkyken count 😉 good look !
@wkyken hey I'm sorry I didn't think of it first!
@Edmund Dantes That's the thing, Count, he had the guts to go out and make it happen.
Hey, it's a good gig if you can get it!!
The look on Bill's face when he sat down in the Cedar Rapids car..you could just see the pride he feels, and has in this piece of functional history was rolling along. It was read to die, ready to just rust away with time only to be saved to trek through the States. Proving that with a humble heart, and pride in your eyes we can keep evolving that history into something better
I am not a huge train person. But it is amazing to see someone like Bill follow their passion so far. I hope they see nothing but success 😊
I'm not used to leaving comments. But I had to.
I'm so happy that individuals such as Bill would do such things, would invite you to this journey. I was so moved by the smile he had when you were looking at details, saying "wow". I'm so happy for him. Also the dog picture on his phone was amazing. This guy is great. I hope Bill will read those lines; you are great !
Thanks for the video ! Cheers from France !
Thanks!
Loved your genuine enthusiasm and interest! Certainly the most unique railcar I’ve ever seen - that Superdome exceeds even the views from the Orient Express. You truly captured Americana at its most quintessential- humble, soft spoken old-timer, nostalgic decor and a trip through the heartland. Excellent video!
Fun fact: you actually can go inside the superdome and Cedar Rapids car. Every year in early June, in St. Paul Minnesota, there is a train day weekend where both of these rail cars on display with others and you can go through and sit in them. Sadly they don’t move but it’s still a fun experience to have every year
Really?!? Thanks for the tip, I'm going to see if I can mark it in my calendar.
The Cedar Rapids car took my breath away. I have the privilege of having taken a trip from Denver to L.A., when I was a girl in 1961. It was just my mom and me, as my father had just passed away. We traveled in a Pullman car. The porters looked after us like mother hens. The attention to detail, and the pride that everyone took with their work is something I will never forget.
how kewl that -61- 62 years later you can still share that experience with us ! B-)
spiderman no way home< it is weird to say best game... because that is objective based...
Same here - It was 1968 and everyone looked after us-
@Wilbur Fist Da Gash that is what she says lol
When you were a girl?
Just STUNNING! The craftmanship is incredible! Bill is such a class act, gentleman!!!
Thanks!
Was fun seeing Mike so happy and Bill so proud about this train!
Such a spectacular adventure, and such a gracious gentleman that Bill is. Thank you both for bringing us along on all of this! I just discovered Downie Live and I am Hooked indeed! This was a golden adventure. Thank you so much. Looking forward to learning much more. Blessings and appreciation, guys.
Thank you so much!
The fact that they could do this in the 1950s makes you think about what we could do with modern technology if we still had the same vision they did, just amazing.
Greed (milking every last drop of profit) has taken the heart out of most things.
THANK YOU Bill for inviting Mike. This is the most jaw dropping train video Mike has ever been able to share with us. I kept saying WOW right along with Mike.
You're very welcome! It was my pleasure!
Yes. Thank you, Bill. I love what you guys are doing. Please keep them running until I can get there!
me too.... wow. Just wow.
your editing is pretty good the choice of music tugs at the nostalgia string a lil. I'm not a train guy. I'm a War bird and car guy, but this made me fell as if I had been a railway fan, all my life. Man, the train fans are doing a great Job, in preserving a part of U.S and world history. This was a great video great Job.
I'm absolutely enthralled with history and learning cool things about the past. This truly is special, and I'm so jealous you got to dead head this beauty all alone with the one man that could tell you anything about it on the spot. So so sooooo cool 😭
13:38 was what we all came for. Built 1949 and I agree what he said , they knew how to build stuff back then. Flying is a so-so experience nowadays, and I may really have to consider travelling by this train. Like wow, people travelled in comfort and style back then. Kudos to those who restored these historical works of art. Thumbs up.
What a beautiful journey! I’m so grateful to all of the train enthusiasts who have maintained these works of art. ❤
It's pretty cool to see rail road enthusiasts come together and preserve rail road history I'm not a big fan of trains but it's really cool to see a piece of history to be alive.
The episode is exactly why I watch DownieLive and love Mike Downie. No where else anywhere does one get to see things like this in operation AND get to see the joy and thrill that Mike displays in his face. Thanks to his expressive face, we get to share in the ride. Mike, you are not just a national treasure, but a world treasure. Thank you.
@MacAdvisor Heyyyy. Fair enough 🙂
@Dion Lindsay Mike is handsome and good-looking enough I always enjoy looking at him.
I'm the opposite. I much prefer reviews where the camera is pointed aWAY from the reviewer most of the time. I tune in to see the object being reviewed, not the reviewer. There's a content provider whom you don't see OR hear - just the occasional text on the screeen as commentary. Much more my style
I totally agree with you, I am new to DownieLive and he is so expressive and likeable - You reflected exactly my response to Mike and this train! So thank you MacAdvisor!
This by far is one of my favorite videos so far. I love the older cars and getting to see how different they all are. Definitely dont make them like they used to. Thank you for showing us things we might never have seen otherwise!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I had opportunity to feel this kind of things back in old Yugoslavia, there were few of older trains that had this kind of tour through the country and, even thou I was a kid back then, the feeling was so good riding on these sort of trains, simply one cannot describe those things, one must feel them... I am sad that it is really rare that one can see those these days...
This is some of the most wholesome content that I have ever binged. Thank you.
Thank you to DOWNIELIVE and Bill and his friends for sharing what would have NEVER been shared with us!! I knew so many train-lovers (long gone) who would have LOVED this video so I am VICARIOUSLY savoring on their behalf! THANK YOU!!! - Laura - FL
Thank both of you gentlemen for this wonderful experience, and THANK YOU to all the private owners for preservation of these beautiful trains and our history👏🏼‼️
Bravo
I work on restoring vintage passenger cars for a living and own a 1928 Pullman Car myself I’m restoring. I had the pleasure of riding the Autumn Colors Express this year and it was an absolutely amazing ride and the cars were beautiful. I don’t know if you met any of the other guys but Adam, Justin, Scott, Keith, Steve, and everyone else at Railexco have done something amazing getting this train together. I had the honor of getting to tour the Blue Ridge Club myself while in Huntington and seeing it back on home rails was an awesome experience. I thank you for posting this video and bringing light to stuff like this because the more people that learn about trips like these means the more tickets we can sell and the more trips we can run. The rail preservation industry is a tough one so stuff like this always helps!
Where do I find out about the trips? I would like to go
Very cool! My grandfather originally from Sweden built Pullman cars in Chicago back in the day. What do you call a Swedish screwdriver? A hammer:-)
Tried to look up Railexco , couldn’t find anything ? We’re big rail fans
I read that private rail car owners can pay to hook up to an Amtrak train for travel, but I can't find anything about costs. I assume you could do the same with some of these privately owned locomotives too. Can shed some light on the costs or direct to a source? Thanks
@JoelMatton someone should do a video on that
Imagine a tour around the perimeter of the United States on this train. It would be fantastic.
I only found out about these luxurious trains and their journeys recently and it just made me think that I'd pay anything to have taken my grandma on one while she was still here
It’s a shame that society has come to a point where we need to travel as fast as possible and no longer treasure the journey. Traveling by rail in luxury is much more enjoyable than flying. We need to slow down and try and enjoy life more as a people instead of being in a hurry all the time. Great video, thank you!
What an incredible ride! Thank you for bringing us along.😀
My grandpa was an engineer on the early Milwaukee rail lines. I’m in tears seeing how beautiful the cars are in this video. I can’t help but think if my grandpa were here to see the beauty of these cars 😭
I just love Bills face as he can’t find any other word but “wow” it’s that face when you’re showing your passion to someone and they finally get it 🥰
Thanks!
@Angry Silence All that fawning was annoying. I always read the comments first.
@Angry Silence Yep. Those are some nice and expensive toys.
But wowzing so much for something that is not even the top experience... yes, can be annoying.
And if it was not 360 degrees. Those window frames blocked the view.
A true immersive experience is on top of a train in India or Bangladesh :)
It got annoying pretty fast, tbh. I just wanted to see the train.
Transport Time Train
Love ❤️ it!!!
From a time when people took pride in the work they do. So very grateful that people have choesn to maintain these. And I am incredibly grateful that you're able to share them with us.
I can honestly say the beauty of this video and the rail cars brought me to tears. It was breathtaking!
Thanks!
I don’t care I’m leaving a second comment. The Cedar Rapids car is just…..stunning. My jaw dropped seeing that car. I’ve only ever seen it ONCE in my life but to ride on it? That would be a dream come true. Thank you for sharing this incredible rail car
Thanks to people like Bill for keeping these marvels alive. Some folks have a little more than others and do nothing with it and some people put it to good use.
Thank you Bill and Thanks to all the other train buffs who keep these trains going , absolutely stunning and I know some guys that will go nuts over these videos that I work with in a train depot, Thank you for sharing with us this amazing journey, may you have many more.
My pleasure!
Wow! I am at a loss for words. Thanks to Mike and Bill for letting us know such amazing machines still exist!
Very welcome!
Our pleasure!
I have no idea how I got here, and trust me I'm not any sort of train enthusiast, but damn, I'd have a great time on these trains... anyone of them! I'm glad this unique part of history is being kept up and working... awesome!
This was such a wholesome, happy video. The people were so happy to talk to you about all the history and you could tell they just absolutely loved being there. What an amazing showcase. Really cool
those cars gave me chills to see. The history and architectural design was truly inspiring.
Right?!
Wow. Saw the thumbnail in the feed - this is like a dream. Showcases the beaty of your country - in an amazing way. Didn't know trains like these still existed. Amazing stuff. This must be a great experience. Greetings from Latvia.
I live in Germany and traveling by train is more practical and comfortable in first class! I've never seen a train like that in the movies. It's unbelievable, amazing, fantastic...... and beautiful! I would immediately spend my vacation on this train and travel across the country!
Thank you and I look forward to more films 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
What a gorgeous gathering of historical rail cars on one excursion. It's absolutely fabulous that you had the opportunity to ride the tain and get a personalized tour of it. Thank you for taking us with you.
I'm sure he may have a nice income and all but I'm just here to have fun going on vicarious adventures and for the knowledge/research he does for each vlog. Lol. I would love to be able to even go on just one train adventure but sadly don't ever see that happening so I tag along with Mike on his trips.
@timmyangeltlc dude he is rich a f my man
I want to travel with him now in style
Yes. I love the train videos as well.
his videos have gotten me interested about trains!
Found your video by accident. Combination of your reaction to the Cedar Rapids cars, the view from your favourite car and the astonishing workmanship... I was just so overwhelmed. Moved to tears. Did not expect that.
Thank you.
I guess the algorithm can sometimes give little gems to watch. This was fun to see, and I am happy beautiful engineering like these get some love and stay around.
Sometimes it's hard watching others live your dreams.
Just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it! I'm a female train nerd, have taken many cross-country trips but...nothing like this! Wow!!
"With train travel, you never really know what to expect."
And that's my favorite part of train travel! While others moan and groan about delays, I get genuinely excited because I get more time on board!!
People always ask how I can possibly spend 3 or 4 days on a train. I say that it's never enough! I once left LA Union Station for DC. Spent 1 night in DC, only to do the entire trip in reverse. And that was on Amtrak! Loved every minute of it!
Thank you to the very special gentleman who invited you. Without this invitation, we would never have been able to see this unique train.
My pleasure!
Those vintage trains were so enjoyable to see! My husband and I both really enjoyed this video, thank you! And thanks to Bill and the others like him who have saved and restored these wonderful vintage trains and put them back on the rails where they belong and for sharing them with the public. Kudos, For a job well done!
You're welcome!
The genuine joy on your face seeing some of these train cars is fantastic! Bill and the rest of the amazing people behind the Blue Ridge Club have done such a great thing restoring and preserving them. Thanks to him, and to you for taking us along Mike!
Thanks so much!
Couldn't agree more!
I have loved America and Rail Travel since I was 3 years old! Please get me onto this journey! So amazing and priveliged man, I couldn't think of many things better than this.
Omg, Australian here - how amazing to see this, makes me think 'what a wonderful world'. Dream of seeing all that beautiful scenery - the Ohio, the changing colours of the trees.
This looks like such an amazing way to spend a vacation with a special someone
This is truly a travel in time, especially for rail enthusiasts.
Simply spectacular! Mike you are a wonderful host to walk us through it all 🤘❤️
It’s a testament to how highly people think of you and what you do that you were invited on this adventure of railroad history. Thanks for sharing it with us.
@DownieLive I believe that you get the privilege of taking us on these adventures because of the pure excitement in your voice. It is contagious, in all the right ways.
I agree!
Wow, thank you
Now, i'm not a train fan, by any measurable metric, but these trains are fantastic works of art. I admire the US of all of you for such things. I'm rather envious, to be honest. Amazing work. Keep it up!
How wonderful that Mike (and presumably a team of owners?) have kept these trains so lovingly restored and operational.
This is so cool! I am taking my first train trip because of you! I love history and I love trains, I do model rail roading at my place and my family were a bunch of rail roaders for B and O, Ole Penn Central, Conrail, CSX . I know the history of rail roading around Cincinnati Ohio. It’s pretty cool stuff. Like I said! If you ever get a chance come to Cincinnati on the Cardinal line with Amtrak, stop at union terminal, the station is a history museum/train station but it’s art deco design is all original. Also the roebling bridge in Cincinnati is the predecessor to the Brooklynn Bridge in NYC and was made as a test run for what would be the Brooklyn Bridge. Also Cincinnati still has one of the very last city owned rail roads in the nation. My dad was a conductor/engineer on the monon in Indiana and I grew up around rail roading. Also if you ever get a chance, go to Lagrange Ky, it’s a small town south west of Cincinnati about an hour, the train tracks go through the town.
Worked for a railroad in the mechanical dept. for 40 years and never went on a train. Now in the 12 years of retirement just loving going in cars like these. Just wonderful.
i usually only travel for business reasons and thats why for me "travelling" was always considered "work" but travelling in this train would be more like a vacation than work. i like how every railcar has their own unique style. some dark, some bright etc.
Train buff here and young like you. You have no idea how lucky you are to ride in not just the hickory creek but the CEDAR RAPIDS. This was an epic trip and I absolutely got a thrill feeling and seeing your enthusiasm. Great job with your channel and I applaud your positivity. You deserve every bit of this experience.
I can't think of a time in my life that I've ever felt emotional towards a train or train car. This video changed that. This video was so well done. Seeing the Cedar Rapids car and just knowing the amount of love involved in the design, restoration, and maintenance got my eyes a little wetter than usual. So thank you. Thank you to those who brought these cars back to life, and thank you for sharing it with the rest of us. Like you said, that car could have disappeared and I would have never known. But I'm so glad I got to see it! If those cars could tell stories...
Beautiful interiors, travelling on land so you experience the country rather than the cloud tops. My parents told me about traveling by rail during WW II from East to West through the plains, the Rockies, the Sierra ranges, with deeply romantic nostalgia. It's not going to be as efficient and fast as plane travel, but it will always be more engaging and memorable. Maybe, just maybe, having more tailored interiors would attract more riders, I don't know, but if I had the luxury of time and money to do it, I would.
WOW! Bill seems like such an awesome guy!!!
@Bill Gray Always brotha 🙏🏼 hope all stays happy and healthy with you, and those you love 🤙🏼
Awww gee wiz! Thanks
absolutely gorgeous this should be considered as a national treasure, because it clearly is !
That Cedar Rapids car is unimaginable! How did anyone ever think to create that piece of architecture that runs on wheels? I never even knew anything like that existed, and I've ridden in a good amount of vintage rolling stock.
I laughed in recognition of "we should arrive tomorrow morning... at some point... with rail travel, you never know what to expect." This is part of the zen of train travel in America. If you can master that, it can be lots of fun.
I'm a classic dome car fan from back in the days of Auto-Train before Amtrak Amtrak-ized it. Nothing like falling asleep under the stars. :-)
The route you were on reminds me of one of the routes I'd take from Virginia to Chicago, to connect to all the cross-country routes headed West. Great scenery there.
Speaking of leaves: The most amazing leaves I've ever seen were in northern Virginia, on a train from Richmond, Virginia to DC, when I commuted 4 days per week for work. The daily commute meant that I got to see them at the peak of color. That part of the world has good leaves.
I feel sorry for anyone that doesn't follow DownieLive! Bill is a gem of a man, he just seems so kind, thanks for sharing your passion with all of us train lovers Bill. 😗 And thank you Michael for sharing this train and Bill with us. Your Cedar Rapid car smile was the best smile yet!!! 🙂
Thanks!
So incredible, the history is amazing. I've taken several trips on the Amtrak South West Chief and there is a lot of great nostalgia there but, this is just unbelievable.
How incredibly beautiful these train cars are! I would love to have had the experience you had aboard that empty train from Chicago to Virginia. I would gladly work on that train to serve meals, to change the sheets on the beds or whatever needs to be done, I am definitely up for it! 🌟. I am from Cedar Rapids, and there was a beautiful Cedar Rapids car! I was so impressed by your experience there!🌟
I smiled through that from start to finish. What a magnificent way to see the countryside. If i could ever afford it riding that rain would be on my bucket list. Thanks for the video DL.
This is my first introduction to your channel and it was amazing! I'm a train driver in the UK and I love our rail heritage, but seeing your enthusiasm for these beautiful train carriages was infectious!
I will make my way over to the US soon and I will definitely be travelling on this train! I look forward to seeing your previous content 😊👍
Welcome aboard!
Thanks so much for bringing this to the attention of America. Unless you are a train aficionado you might never have known of the existence of such beauty. Travel in the US is all about getting to a destination as quickly as possible. Too bad it isn’t more about the experience of the trip itself.
FANTASTIC video. Mike is a special gentleman. His passion for railcars is second only to his hospitality. Thanks to both of you for allowing some of us a once in a lifetime excursion on such a beautiful and storied train. Blessings to the owners/patrons of those magnificent railcars.
What a stunning train this is. Reading up on the history of all its cars would take a voyage around the world like fictional Snowpiercer.
The superdome is awesome. By the way, modern versions of it are still in regular service in Switzerland and in Intercity trains along the famous Rhine route in Germany.
Hey Mike, I just discovered your channel last night, and this video really moved me. I've always been fascinated by visualizing rail lines, the tracks themselves actually, but that actually changed this past May when I rode the Amtrak Southwest Chief from Albuquerque, NM back to Los Angeles, but I could not do that without stopping in Williams, AZ and taking a trip on the Grand Canyon Railway(do not take this trip without spending one night in the canyon; it is really the only right way to do this excursion). This experience changed my outlook on rail travel, and I must say, I now need to refer to myself as a train buff; I need to look into this ride for next year. Thank you!!
I love your channel. I have never been on a train like this, but I hope someday;) I am disabled now and it’s difficult to ride in a car, but this looks very smooth and relaxing. I’m living vicariously through you. Thanks.
not American and only went there a couple of times, but that Bill guy represents the America we can dream about, kindness, knowledge, passion etc. and his voice could help me to sleep... excellent video with great subjects
Thanks so very much!
Wow! They really just need to bring luxury train travel back entirely! Especially for people that don't like to fly. What an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing. I hope the owners of those cars have someone who will continue this amazing legacy!
That was amazing! It must cost millions to restore those cars and the owners are generous enough to share them with other railfans. Fantastic video Mike! Can't wait for the next one.
@Matt Foltz How do you think they keep retired warbirds in the air? The same way donations and sweat equity.
You'd be surprised what generous donations and lots of "sweat equity" can accomplish.
I love this video. Both my father and grandfather were engineers for Norfolk-Southern Railroad. They instilled in me a love for riding that magic carpet made of steel. I want to take a trip via rail now. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Blue Ridge Club had 4 brothers that were sold to the B&O and named Nappanee, Wawasee, Dana and Metcalf. The first two were the normal Observation cars on the Capitol Limited between Washington and Chicago. The second two were equipped with diaphragms on the lounge end and operated as mid-train lounges on the combined Capitol/Columbian/Ambassador between Washington and Detroit.
The cedar rapids is just gorgeous my fave. But all of them had such unique characteristics. And knowing the history and where they used to run and things like that makes it all the more valuable of an experience.
So incredibly moving to see these beautiful cars. Thanks for this priceless tour......gotta say it again, beautiful train!♥️
Absolutely spectacular video - thank you for putting in the time, energy and effort to preserve these historical time capsules 😀🇦🇺
Honestly, I’m probably never going to ride this train but it makes me happy to know that it still exists to be enjoyed.
@Alco Power 3 to 6000 dollars depending on the car for the whole thing. ~500 dollar "day trip" tickets for single stops
@Demonslayer20111 how much does it cost?
Yeah, right? Zero chance I'd ever be able to afford it
THANKS TO ALL FOR SHOWING AND SHARING THESE AWESOME RIDES
This video got me feeling choked up a bit & nostalgic. Ive seen lots of DownieLive videos train-related and otherwise but this one hit different. I grew up between Lancaster & Philly PA. I remember a time or two taking the train from Philly to Providence to visit family friends as a kid. It wasn't that long ago but now that I live in North Central PA I really miss being able to ride the trains to get from place to place or go spend a day in Philly during the holiday festivities or a perfect summer day.
I’m in love with rail travel. I never knew this autumn train run was a thing. Definitely just added to my bucket list. Amazing.
Thank you @DownlieLive. Thank you car owners. This was a remarkable experience I can only hope to experience IRL.
You're very welcome!