Amtrak's LEAST POPULAR train! - Where does it GO?!

What is Amtrak's LEAST popular train? You don't have to ride all of the Amtrak trains to find out...

Follow me on Instagram: @DownieLive

0:00 - Which is Amtrak's LEAST POPULAR train?
2:10 - Leaving New York
3:40 - Why am I riding Amtrak's least popular train
5:33 - Albany New York
6:50 - Bathroom Tour!
7:30 - More New York
8:33 - Arriving in Vermont
11:13 - The Marble Mansion Inn
11:46 - Why we came to Vermont

Edited by @MattMort
Thumbnail by: Matt Mort

[brendasoler]

I would suggest that this is the least utilized train, and not necessarily the least popular one. A subtle, but distinct difference. I'd hop on that train if I lived in that part of the US! Lovely scenic route!

[jellybean]

Omg sibayo is such a sweet human! He just seems so lovely, pleasant and positive! Very refreshing to see especially in a younger person! Being 23 I have first hand experience at knowing a lot of young adults around my age can be rude, stick to themselves or not want to take up conversation with random people. Sibayo seemed joyed to meet a new person!

[mstrdiver]

Historical note for Mike - Ethan Allen was also the leader of the Green Mountain Boys who fought against the British. The Vermont Air National Guard still uses that sobriquet of the Green Mountain Boys!

[SmolMoonCat]

I honestly *really* enjoyed this video. Not every video needs to be high energy excitement. I loved the more relaxed, peaceful feeling of this one.
I also got to see small towns and places I wouldn't by watching videos about more popular trains.
Thank you for making this video, I really enjoyed it. ♥

[justinlegend]

I live walking distance from the northern most stop on the Vermonter. I can take the train to downtown NYC just by walking. I don't have to worry about parking or anything. Taking the train is the least stressful way to travel.

[kokoken]

Mike, here's a theory as to why the Ethan Allen might be Amtrak's least-ridden train. According to the 2020 US census, there are fewer residents in the whole state of Vermont (ranked 49th among the states) than in your city-proper of Vancouver. (And your metro area is more than 2 million.) Now add in the fact that Rutland (pop. about 15, 000) is less than halfway up the length of the state, and that should be a good clue. The fact that Amtrak is planning to extend the route up to Burlington (the state's largest city) should make the Ethan Allen more popular.

[Cassie]

The thing I love about Amtrak? They go through areas of the US that has not been TOUCHED by us humans. Just wide open land, mountains, etc. Very refreshing to see. I laughed when you said you were going to Rutland. I was like, there's not much there....

[deby]

Each time I watch your videos I find a big stupid smile on my face throughout. Suffering with major depressive disorder, I can't tell you how much you sharing these trips with me means!! 😫😥😲😁😁😁😁😁. Thank you so very much for sharing your adventures!!

[davidgodfrey]

One of my dreams as I approach retirement, is to ride Amtrak, from neat little town, to neat little town, with all of those nice local hotels. Loved this one, the journey and the destination

[kopilumbar]

Being able to travel from one place to another is a previllege that one can take. Never miss the opportunity to go to somewhere new.

[PlanesTrainsEverything]

You said what I have always thought... having a Youtube channel encourages you to try things you may have never considered trying. A great video.

[Paul_Lucas]

I had such a great time on the Ethan Allen Express! I was lucky to do it in the autumn and it was spectacular 🤩 and yes, I had a hard time getting a taxi in Rutland too 😂

[Trektrendy]

Love this video mate - and I'm adding that B&B to my list too

[garysalmon]

I took this train two years ago and loved it! The scenery along the Hudson river was fantastic and I had a great time in Vermont.

[jamesavey]

From Canadian trains to international trains, first class to regular travel, even the routine you find a nugget of interest that can make it engaging. Thanks for the video Mike and I’m looking forward to next weeks travel. Cheers.

[mezion]

I really liked sibayo personality and friendly nature and yes I know it's highly unlikely but I wished sibayo popped up in some more of your videos😀

[nishanable]

DownieLive really love the way you showcase how a simple way of traveling and staying can be so appealing. You revive the lone traveler in me each time I see your videos. Keep at it.

[RicksTravelogue]

8:24 - Greetings from the station closest to my landing spot here in NY.

So, as you already noted in this video, this line is about to get a much-needed expansion to Middlebury and Burlington, which will add two college towns (with one being the most populous city in Vermont) to the line. This expansion has been discussed for a long time, delayed in part due to the pandemic, and is finally going to be enacted this summer.

But there's another reason why this line's ridership numbers are the way they are: Three-quarters of this route consists of overlap from other routes. All of the Empire Service lines also cover the New York => Albany corridor. Some of the Empire Service trains also cover Schenectady, plus the Lake Shore Limited and Maple Leaf covers it as well. And in addition to New York => Schenectady, the Adirondack [when it was in full service, it has not been restored to pre-pandemic usage between Albany and Montreal yet] also overlaps the Ethan Allen to Saratoga Springs and Fort Edward as well, making only two unique stops on the Ethan Allen Express - Castleton and Rutland - until the Rutland/Burlington expansion starts.

[johnchambers]

Thanks for the video exploring one of Amtrak’s least ridden trains. Years ago I got to ride this route from Saratoga, NY. At that time they had a schedule where you could do a one day trip to Rutland and back to Saratoga. Like you I was courteous about the route and since I was vacationing in Saratoga for the horse races, I took a chance for a different activity. Like you I noticed it served many small towns and ran on a relatively slow schedule. Latter Amtrak changed the schedule of this train and run it as now to basically serve as a train for the local people from there to have a convenient way to commute to and from New York City. The extended route to Burlington should help raise the ridership serving a larger city as an end point. I was told when I road it that in winter it did get some people riding it to go to Vermont ski areas. I look forward to seeing your future trips.

[cambridgeh.lutece]

This episode proved to be more philosophical than I expected it to be—love it! Amazing video, and especially amazing ride through New England.