Last updated: September 20, 2024
The Amtrak Autumn Express was a special seasonal train excursion. Me and my friend Danielle did it in 2017. It ran from New York City through scenic areas of the Northeast to view fall colors, pretty leaves, etc. Our trip lasted about 7 hours I think. It covered a few routes not normally used by passenger trains.
Here are my pictures and notes from riding the Amtrak Autumn Express up and down the Hudson River Valley on October 15, 2017.
Nick’s Update: The Amtrak Autumn Express has been discontinued in 2023. This beloved train journey will no longer be available.
Agenda and Schedule
During this trip, we passed by such famous sights as:
- New York Penn Station
- Newark, New Jersey
- New York Harbor
- Bear Mountain Bridge
- Storm King Mountain
- West Point (United States military academy)
- Poughkeepsie Bridge
- Alfred H. Smith Memorial Bridge
- The ex-NYC Water Level Route
- Pollepel Island (Bannerman’s Castle)
- Peekskill
- Break Neck Tunnel
- Spuyten Duyvil moveable bridge
- Amtrak Empire Connection
Pictures
The Autumn Express runs on two days: Saturday, and Sunday.
The first thing that I noticed upon arriving to the track was how many cheerful, happy Amtrak volunteers were working.
You could tell they were volunteers because they were wearing orange shirts branded with the Autumn Express logos.
The Train
More notes about the interior of the train:
- Large Windows: Many of the passenger cars have with large windows to provide unobstructed views of the fall landscape.
- Open-Air Carriages: On some special tours, open-air carriages might be available for a closer connection to the fall environment.
The Ride
The timing of the Autumn Express is carefully planned to align with the peak fall foliage season, which generally occurs in late September through October.
While you enjoy the peak fall foliage views, you can also enjoy the presence of well-maintained restroom facilities and onboard food and beverage services further enhances the overall comfort and convenience of the ride.
Random Notes
Rail fans: People who make videos, pictures, etc of trains. Like plane spotters.
Foamers: Derogatory term for particularly excited rail fans.
Conclusion
This is a great summary of the trip on FlyterTalk.
This Autumn Express, sometimes called the Autumn Color Express, was really popular among rail enthusiasts and casual fall foliage viewers like me and my friend Danielle. Amtrak offered this excursion for several years, though it has been discontinued in 2023 with an unknown return-to-service date.
Thank you to my friend Danielle Strle who bought the tickets and invited me as her guest. Read her awesome stuff gift guide! I would definitely recommend this experience and hope to do it again in 2018.
Related: Danielle and me joined a First Aid and CPR workshop in New York City.