I enjoy seeing transit enthusiasts and railfans out on the system. It was great to be your operator for the Illinois ride to out to Shiloh and I enjoyed chatting with you. You got your moneys worth out of that Gateway Card lol. You nailed all the facts in this video. Maximum Allowed Speed on the train is 55 mph although there are spots where we could get up to 65 mph. As for the Illinois side, construction for the extension from Shiloh to Mid America Airport should be starting up later this year with the work complete by 2025. Continue to be safe out there 🙂

I feel like the Loop Trolley has potential, they just need to fit the cars with snowplows to punish drivers who park their cars in its way

"✨DINER✨" Now that'll summon Miles and Jackson! The views of the Arch from Laclede's Landing are amazing! What a way to impress! Portions of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is also a repurposed right-of-way. When the HBLR wraps around the western side of Hoboken was once part of Conrail's River Line. This portion of the River Line is for the HBLR now, but the former River Line portion between North Bergen Yard and Selkirk, NY is still for freight for the CSX River Subdivision. And the Weehawken Tunnel it uses to go through the Palisades to North Bergen and Union City was once used by West Shore Railroad/New York Central trains that terminated at the now demolished Weehawken terminal (which is now the Port Imperial NY Waterway terminal). And the HBLR service to Bayonne is also repurposed. The Central Railroad of New Jersey once had service to Bayonne (beginning in the 1860s with four stations) but Bayonne service was truncated when the Aldene Connection allowed CNJ trains access to Newark Penn via the Lehigh Valley Railroad (now Norfolk Southern). Service stopped altogether in the 1960s. But the HBLR revived service to Bayonne starting in April 2000 and ending with the opening of 8th Street in January 2011.

Glad this iconic American system is getting some attention

The St. Louis light rail system has a couple of things in common with the one in Basel also mentioned in this video. Basel's network goes through multiple states five to be exact. The Illinois part of the system is verry similar to the western most part of line 10 to Rodersdorf wich is just light rail through fields, on wich many unprotected railroad crossings where the streetcars honked, sadly they are normal railroad crossings now so no more honks. Line 3 of the Basel streetcar network will bring you to St. Louis in France.

The same thing goes for Lynx in Charlotte. It's entirely elevated or used crossing gates. The only difference is that it uses low floor vehicles.

Having lived in St. Louis during the 1980s, it's good to see that Ted Drewes and toasted ravioli are still a thing. The Delmar loop seems to have grown and the MetroLink didn't even exist back then.

I actually remember the Wikipedia article for Metrolink got into a civil war o er weather thos counts as light rail or a light metro. I was on the pro light metro side

Thank you for bringing us this excellent video presentation, with your many guests! It really is a good metro/light rail system and it was good to see the use of the former railroad route. The end result of the old and new architectural styles looked really good as well as being wholly practical. These transit systems are a great way to get around cities and may many more open up. Thanks again for taking us with, it is much appreciated.

Gateway Arch history nobody asked for: It is the tallest arch in the world and the tallest monument in the Western Hemisphere! It was designed by Eero Saarinen, same guy behind Dulles International! The park the Arch was in was originally called Jefferson National Expansion Memorial until it was redesignated as a National Park in 2018, making it the smallest in the NPS system with the designation National Park. The Arch's unique elevator tram was designed by Richard Bowser. He knew a normal elevator system of course wouldn't do, so for the Arch he combined elevator and Ferris wheel elements to create a unique system where a tram of eight elevator pods that by rotating, allows the visitors inside to remain leveled the entire way. But here's toasted ravioli history people DID ask for: In the early 1940s, a ravioli was accidentally dropped into the fryer at Mama Campisi's by a drunk chef. Mickey Garagiola, older brother of Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Joe Garagiola (who played for the Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, and NY Giants for nine seasons), was actually at the bar during the mishap and was the first to taste the accidental treat. Shortly thereafter, the item began appearing on menus across The Hill

St Louis has been getting attention from you and Trains are Awesome this month

You kids are the best I love all your videos

The mega-collab we all needed

Love the video! And, "Does that mean chemical laden trains ran under a children's hospital?" That is pretty on brand for St. Louis. I would expect no different.

Frozen custard!!! Wait who calls it "iced"?

The Basel tram goes to three countries AND has a German railway station on the Swiss side. And in Canada, the O Train also crosses the Ottawa River into Gatineau.

First of all thank you so much for a very detailed look at my Hometown transit system. Fun fact, I actually interned for the architectural design firm that was in charge of developing the very first part of the Metrolink system back in 1994. The section where you guys were in the loop is very surreal for me as it is literally where I grew up and down the street from my old high school on the corner of Delmar and Union Boulevard. You pretty much covered all the bases, but I can tell you that toasted ravioli is in Vinny on the southside in an Italian neighborhood called the Hill. St. Louis is famous for a lot of foods that were invented there, like iced tea and ice cream cones!

Asheville has a perfect underused rail right of way that is a perfect for north-south east-west lines that perfectly matches the density of the city.

Good video. My hometown system (for reference, I'm the dude you ran into on the CLE Blue Line a month or so ago). MetroLink is great, and I believe you got *just* about all the STL facts right (possible exception for River Des Peres. It's a sanitary sewer now, but is/was a natural creek. It was expanded to it's current state in the 30's by the WPA. If you look closely after you cross Chippewa, you can see the message they installed when it was built). The Metrolink itself is great and despite it's reputation I ride it 15-20 times a month anywhere from 5am to midnight and have never felt unsafe on it at any time. I do wish the system would go back to the frequency of the mid-2010's, with each line running every 12 minutes which effectively gives you 6 minute headways between Forest Park and Fairview Heights. We have a severe driver shortage right now, lots of bus routes get canceled every day because of it.

Also about the Children's Hospital, no not really, the Wabash Main used by the Metrolink was more or less mainly used for the Passenger trains in and out of St. Louis, outside of industries on it. So it'd be perfectly fine. You can actually see the old Wabash passenger depot at Delmar's station, it was a suburb station before reaching/first stop departing St. Louis Union. Also the Blue Line isn't former Wabash, at Forest Park it splits off onto the Rock Island Railroad's own passenger main which used to join there, at just past clayton, where you see the large incline at around 8:20 and the curve, you switch onto the TRRA's old West Belt and more or less follow that as far as Shrewesbury

The whistle on these LRVs sounds identical to the Adtranz M4 on the Philly MFL.

Dallas also has a tourist steeetcar loop! Who knew St. Louis and Dallas were so similar?

DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) honks and toots and has a gong bell! The bell is used for station approaches and signalling a train's intent to move, the whistle at grade crossings and the horn for warning people on the tracks that the train is coming or at specific rail crossings with a number of accidents. If you're lucky, the operator will give you a horn salute!

Since you’re currently based out of Pittsburgh you might be interested in visiting the J&L Narrow Gauge Railroad in Youngstown, OH. It’s roughly an hour drive from the city. Unfortunately I’m not sure it can be reached directly by public transit.

You should've tried a Saint Paul Sandwich while in St Louis. I've heard they're good.

I’m honestly astonished- 13:40 - You know about the “Drämli” in my hometown : Basel !?!

As a native of the StL area, it's always kind of weird to see KZfaq vids about places or things in StL that I recognize from real life. It just doesn't have the popularity that cities like NYC, Chicago, LA, Philly, DC, or others have. At one time it was one of the top 5 largest cities in America for close to 100 years but now StL is kind of a 2nd tier or 3rd tier city. Anyway, great video! I'm all about increasing transit, walkability, bikability, and high density development. I do agree with transit advocates that the extension all the way to Scott AFB is kind of pointless. I greatly support StL expanding the MetroLink to cover more of the bi-state area, but only if it connects places that people actually want or need to go.

Trivia item-----The St. Louis airport was designed by the architect of the NYC World Trade Center, Minoru Yamasaki. He also designed the Pruit Igoe housing project north of downtown St. Louis, which was demolished and became world famous as an example of the failure of public housing. St. Louis is really bleak in winter. After mid April everything is green. As of spring 2023 the Delmar Trolley is operating, but it is controversial, and is not really a valid transit method. Mostly it provides historic atmosphere.

Great video

Thank You!

Great video of the metro link I'm from st Louis how did you guys like your visit to st Louis

The story for T-ravs is that a chef in the Italian neighborhood of the hill dropped a ravioli in a deep fryer by accident.

Bro Boston is underrated child

It was hilarious to me riding the normally quiet metro downtown to the Blues championship parade a few years back. Turned St Louis into NYC for a day, it was completely packed! Gloria!

You and MilestoMadness along with Jeb brooks have me wanting to check out transit stuff now

Hey Caleb, Sorry it took me a few days to watch I've been busy. Finally got a chance to and I have to say you did a pretty great job covering our rail transit in the Lou! :D The one thing I want to correct is that the 'Grove' is actually south of Cortex and the CWE, and doesn't currently have that great of rail access (despite being one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods). Other than that great job and thanks for showing him around StL Royce and Jason. :] Would love to take a ride with ya next time you're in Mound City. (The Trolley is running now). I will probably leave some other comments later to help boost the algorithm but thanks for sharing some love for the Lou! Keep spreading awareness of rail transit! 🤍

This reminds me about Viennas never bild USTRAP tram of the Futher. Some of the tunels thy did bild are still in USE by U2 and BB 13 12

Next time you come to Denver, you should ride the RTD light rail. We have 6 lines, and one of our lines has an interesting history.

I live in St Louis and ride Metrolink, and it is nice to hear what visitors think

Scott AFB is one of the top 3 employers in the St. Louis Metro Area. I think whoever wanted a station out to it was thinking in terms of commuter rail, which is typical to how American politicians think of transit in general. Can't say I'm a fan.

A opossum, a wolf and a whale walk into a lightrail station..

4:16 that is so funny, the Baltimore Metro Subway leaves its tunnel to follow Wabash Avenue out of the city to ITS Northwestern suburbs! 😮 The cities have more in common than just crime!

I feel like you'd like the Stadtbahn/straßenbahn/u-bahn systems of the Rhine-Ruhr in Germany. We've got streetcars that run through tunnels like a subway, ones that run between major city centers interurban-style, and even old London DLR trains that run on the street like a streetcar.

Awesome video! That horn...took me right back to Philadelphia with the M4s, that have the same horn for some reason. I definitely need to check out St Louis - it would be nice to see the cars that are just like Pittsburgh's fleet actually make it up to their top speed for once!

I was looking at the St. Louis MetroLink system on Google Maps the other week and dry heaving cause the land use around so many of the stations was making my brain leak out of my nostrils. This video definitely makes me feel better about it though lol

Lol @ the train re-opening it's doors for passengers

why am I watching this and looking at a map and going "ok but BRANCH LINE TO CAHOKIA MOUNDS" even though that would be a terrible idea for many reasons.

The only acceptable response to "This is " is "Doors open on the right"

The Loop Trolley goes practically nowhere (Delmar Loop) to almost someplace (the History Museum). It would be more valuable to the St Louis area if it was longer. Maybe if it went from the Loop to the West End (Touristy spot to Touristy spot).

I got super lucky with those floods, I traveled to St. Louis to go to Orlando on the 20th and came back on the 22nd, if I had gone a week later like i was thinking about doing, I would have been unable to use the metrolink to get to the airport.

You should check out Seattle's light rail system. It has a similar "light metro" feel since much of the infrastructure is grade separated in tunnels/elevated tracks. However, the infrastructure is all newly built rather than repurposed.

Kansas City had talk and still does of using part of the old Rock Island heading toward the current stadiums. Otherwise there really isnt any abandoned line that goes anywhere people want or need to go. Or at least that's intact enough to be used. Way back in the day the old interurban line toward St Joesph was still around up to the airport. Now it's only large remaining land is the appropriately named interurban road from the airport north.

Royce didn’t do his research😂😂😂😂 Jason didn’t do his research😂😂😂😂 Seriously why is no one doing research?😂😂😂😂😂 Best addition yet

You need to go to Calgary and explore their insane light metro that should be a metro

Great video and I love STL!! But I’m visiting there in a few weeks and haven’t been able to find any good info on where to get Gateway Cards. Are they only available at the downtown MetroStore?

Rice!! Yay!

I used to take the metrolink all the time, I live within walking distance from the welston station. I like the cortex cause it's fairly close to ikea.

Ottawa should really look into these LRVs as replacements to the Alstom Lemons that have broken, AGAIN, for the like 16th time in 5 years.

Do you think you'll ever do a video on Buffalo? It is by far the weirdest light rail line in the country.

0:22 Hey here in Seattle we got the Metro Link Light Rail too /hj

The central St. Louis freight tunnel was transferred to Metrolink in 1989 as by then loading gauges for freight carloads made the tunnel obsolete.

i know those people

That is why America is interesting 😊

These "smaller" light rails always intrigue me with their right of ways, very unique Also that "cannon" is actually a mobile surveillance tower

I believe high Floor trams being used as metros are great almost having the same frequencies though lower in capacity somewhat, but still grade separated like a light metro. Manila LRT is both a great/worse example, though elevated and grade separated it is overcapacity leading to future designs be actually using heavy metros for a city that big.

Practicality aside, it's really cool to ride a light rail through corn fields. The only part of the system I really take issue with is the Terminal 2 station. To get from the terminal to the station, you have to cross a street, walk through a parking garage, and go up a really long ramp. It feels really unsafe after dark. Overall tho the MetroLink is a good system, and definitely a better experience than driving I70 or I44 through the city.

How safe was the STL metro?

That whistle sounds just the MFL here in Philly....

I was confused why you got off at Brentwood for Ted Drewes when Shrewsbury is basically right there but then you got on at Shrewsbury.

And U6 uses extra lage Tram viecaöd becuase the platforms of the old wagner Stions are to low for normal metro trains and since its a viaduct excavtion to lower them is imposibal

I like the Metrolink and wish KC were I'm at had similar vs a dinky streetcar

hell yea

You were in Delmar and did not talk about the St Louis Walk of Fame? On the sidewalk are stars with the names of famous people from the city.

I thought you were off to St. Louis after the layover, continuity strikes again

That front cab camera view is AMAZING!!!! I watch so many train cab view videos and i have seen many amazing sights in Europe and Asia and never would I have thought St. Louis would be a place to see by train but the Arch at night has to be a top 5 landmark i have seen on railway cab view footage

Why is this light rail when it’s fully grade separated, has high level platforms, and was almost entirely pre-existing lines, why not just use regular heavy rail metro trains

I believe the US moving towards FLIRT trains would be a great investment!!!

This kinda reminds me of SEPTA’s regional rail, where I grew up. Obviously that’s commuter rail, and this is a tram, but almost all SEPTA lines travel through a tunnel under center city Philly. Through there it turns into somewhat of a metro through four or five stations: Temple U, Jefferson, Suburban, the beautiful 30th Street, and University City. It’s been compared to the S-Bahn in Germany. Makes things super convenient and makes SEPTA one of the best commuter rail systems in the country, IMO! Bonus: the entire system is electrified.

You missed another iconic St. Louis food! the St. Paul Sanwich

Not the music using the LRV whistles 😅

That train is dangerous- 😅

Clayton is not the "second downtown" it's the main city in the county. We separate the city and county government entities! Saint Louis city IS NOT part of Saint Louis County. Therefore Clayton is it's county seat.

that arch joke dough

Coming out of the mouth of a St. Louis resident The light rail is decent enough, even though I hardly ever ride it anymore… I used to a lot more at my old address However, the bus network in this city is complete and utter bulk crap to put it lightly

Sacramento Regional Transit LRT look very similar.

You went right past salt and smoke and didn't get any? 🤣

DART also toots!😄

Folk from southern ill use ml for Lamborgh airport

14:07: "This lets our train hit its maximum speed of 65 mph." Phone GPS reads 54 mph. Oops...

The timing of this to Stormy's video is 👨‍🍳 I'd say the NJT River Line is decent repurposing. If/when the Glassboro-Camden Line gets built along currently-running freight rail (originally an option in the PATCO plan, and considering PATCO's extension to Lindenwold runs on old PA-Reading Seashore track), it will be a huge step for the area. Also, the short-line SMS Rail Line has repurposed lines in Salem/Gloucester Counties, NJ (which, I last saw running Jersey Central years ago) into heritage lines this year. They're running original refurbished cars on scenic routes as well as a "Brew-to-Brew" trip close-ish to two local breweries. Can't wait to ride on that one! The old PRR Cape May-Seashore Lines have also seen a resurgence in recent years, running through Atlantic/Cape May Counties. If only they could rebuild true passenger routes (of which the track is owned by NJT)!

Yeah and I forget the next couple of lines but then it goes: CONVENIENT TUNNEL! CONVENIENT TUNNEL! THROUGH ST. LOUIS! CONVENIENT CONVENIENT CONVENIENT TUNNEEEELLLL!

what happened with interior shots Trams.What about the Buffalo Tram. just saying. Anyways Great Video. Well done

The US always has some type of crisis when it comes to trains or trolleys.

Love the Lou. If we could fix the crime, this city will explode with population!

Welcome to the birthplace of St. Louis Car and the PCC!!!

That's not a cannon, silly!

✌🏾

They are actually installing turnstiles. Good riddance if yoi ask me. I hope other systems follow suit (looking at you, Seattle)

Thom there are one track section

Haha... Skinker