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Maple Leaf (train)

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This article is about the joint Amtrak/Via service. For other trains, see Maple leaf (disambiguation) § Transport.
Maple Leaf
The Amtrak Maple Leaf passing through Hamilton, Ontario, in April 2024
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
LocaleNew York State/Golden Horseshoe region, Ontario
PredecessorOntarian
First serviceApril 26, 1981
Current operator(s)Amtrak (within US)
Via Rail (within Canada)
Annual ridership452,711 (Toronto–Albany, FY23) Increase 17.6%[a][1][b]
Route
TerminiToronto, Ontario
New York City, New York
Distance travelled544 miles (875 km)
Average journey time12 1⁄2 hours[c]
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)63, 64 (Amtrak)
97, 98 (Via)
On-board services
Class(es)Coach Class
Business Class
Disabled accessAll cars, all stations
Catering facilitiesCafé car
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Technical
Rolling stockAmfleet coaches
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed44 mph (71 km/h) (avg.)
110 mph (180 km/h) (top)
Track owner(s)Amtrak, MNRR, CSX, CN, Metrolinx

The Maple Leaf is an international passenger train service operated by Amtrak and Via Rail between New York Penn Station in New York City and Union Station in Toronto via Amtrak's Empire Corridor, and the south western part of Via Rail's Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. Daily service is offered in both directions; the 544-mile (875 km) trip takes approximately 12 hours, including two hours for U.S. or Canadian customs and immigration inspection at either Niagara Falls, New York, or Niagara Falls, Ontario. Although the train uses Amtrak rolling stock exclusively, the train is operated by Via Rail crews while in Canada and by Amtrak crews in the United States. Service began in 1981.

History

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The Maple Leaf crosses the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, in 1983.

Amtrak and Via Rail introduced the Maple Leaf along the Hudson River and Erie Canal on April 26, 1981. The Maple Leaf replaced Buffalo–Toronto connecting service operated by Via and the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway, the latter of which discontinued passenger service that day. The new Maple Leaf was the first collaboration between the two companies and the first direct New York–Toronto passenger service in a decade, the last being an overnight TH&B, New York Central, and Canadian Pacific Railway train called The Ontarian (Buffalo–Toronto) that ended in 1967. That earlier train began as the Cleveland Limited westbound, with sleeper passengers having a continuous carriage ride (eastbound riders joined the Ohio State Limited for the Buffalo-New York City leg).[2][3] By contrast, the modern Maple Leaf was a unified New York City–Toronto train. There was also a New York City–Toronto train named Maple Leaf operated by the Lehigh Valley Railroad from 1937 until 1961, a train which traveled through northern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania and central New York.

The new train employed Amtrak's Amfleet coaches with a dinette car. A 1982 consist included a baggage car, two coaches and a dinette; time spent in customs ranged from thirty minutes to two hours.[4] The new route goes through the two Niagara Falls towns on both sides of the border, before going to Aldershot in Burlington, then Toronto. The prior New York Central trains crossed from Buffalo to Ontario south of the Niagara Falls and made five stops in Ontario before reaching Toronto.[5][6]

An Amtrak crew operates the train in the United States, while a Via Rail crew operates the train in Canada.[7] The crew change takes place in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Because of this need for a crew exchange, the Maple Leaf was led by some of the last EMD F40PH locomotives in Amtrak revenue service. While most Amtrak routes outside the Northeast Corridor had switched to the GE Genesis by 2000, it had not been added to the Maple Leaf owing to the Via Rail crews' unfamiliarity with the unit. The Maple Leaf retained the F40PH until Via received its own Genesis locomotives in 2002.[8]: 107 

The Maple Leaf is one of four New York Amtrak routes that are primarily state-funded with the others being the Adirondack, Empire Service, and Ethan Allen Express. Primary funding for these routes is from the New York State Department of Transportation rather than federal funding.

In 2013, the Maple Leaf was the target of a failed terror plot involving an attempt by two men, both permanent residents of Canada, who sought to derail the train as it crossed a bridge over the Twenty Mile Creek near Jordan, Ontario. The two men were allegedly affiliates of an Al-Qaeda group operating out of Iran.[9][10][11]

In March 2020, the Maple Leaf was truncated to Niagara Falls, New York after all non-essential travel across the Canada–United States border was banned in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13] Via did not provide alternate service on the Canadian side of the border. International service resumed on June 27, 2022.[14] The Adirondack and Maple Leaf was combined between New York and Albany–Rensselaer beginning November 10, 2024, due to construction work in the East River Tunnels limiting capacity at Penn Station.[15] This was reversed effective December 2, 2024, through at least March 2025.[16]

Operation

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Equipment

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Amtrak locomotive #106 pushing its train east through Toronto's Mimico GO Station.

Most Maple Leaf trains consist of five or six cars hauled by a locomotive.[17]

The passenger cars are the Amfleet series built by the Budd Company between the mid-1970s to early-1980s. Most trains include an Amfleet club car which has a combination of Business Class seating with a Café (food service/lounge) and four or five Coach Class cars.

Between New York City and Albany–Rensselaer, trains are pulled by a GE Genesis P32AC-DM dual-mode diesel locomotive at speeds up to 110 mph (177 km/h). The locomotives operate on third rail electric power in Penn Station and the Empire Connection tunnel and on diesel power for the rest of the route.[18] Between Albany–Rensselaer and Toronto, traditional diesel-only GE Genesis P42DC locomotives are used, although the P32AC-DM locomotive may occasionally stay on the train all the way to Toronto.

In the coming years all equipment will be replaced with Amtrak Airo trainsets, the railroad's branding of its combination of Siemens Venture passenger cars and a Siemens Charger diesel-electric locomotive.[19] The trainsets for the Maple Leaf will have six passenger cars, which will include a cab control car food service area and a mix of 2x2 Coach Class and 2x1 Business Class seating.[20] The car closest to the locomotive will have batteries to supply electricity to traction motors in the locomotive when operating in Penn Station and the Empire Connection tunnel, eliminating the need for third rail propulsion. The arrangement will eliminate the time-consuming locomotive change at Albany–Rensselaer.

Classes of service

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All classes of service include complimentary WiFi, an electric outlet (120 V, 60 Hz AC) at each seat, reading lamps, fold-out tray tables. Reservations are required on all trains, tickets may be purchased online, from an agent at some stations, a ticketing machine at most stations, or, at a higher cost, from the conductor on the train.[21]

  • Coach Class: 2x2 seating. Passengers self-select seats on a first-come, first-served basis.[22]
  • Business Class: 2x1 seating with more legroom than coach. Passengers receive complimentary soft drinks.

Route

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Maple Leaf route map

In the United States, the Maple Leaf shares the route of the Empire Service, Amtrak's corridor service along the former main line of the New York Central Railroad. From New York City to Albany, it runs mostly parallel to the Hudson River (viewable on the left side northbound and the right side southbound). In Canada, the service shares the route of GO Transit's Lakeshore West commuter rail line.

Prior to the completion of the Empire Connection in 1991, the Maple Leaf originated at Grand Central Terminal in New York instead of Penn Station.[23]

The Maple Leaf operates over Metrolinx and Canadian National Railway trackage in Canada, and CSX Transportation, Metro-North Railroad, and Amtrak trackage in the United States.

Amtrak numbers the train as 63 northbound and 64 southbound, while Via numbers it as 97 southbound and 98 northbound.

Northbound trains leave New York during the morning rush, arriving in Syracuse at noon, crossing into Canada during the afternoon rush and arriving in Toronto in early evening. Southbound trains leave Toronto during the morning rush, cross into the United States just after noon and arrive in New York in mid-evening. Trains stop for two hours for customs procedures in Niagara Falls, Ontario northbound and Niagara Falls, New York southbound.

Stations

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State/
Province 		Town/City Mile (km) Station Connections
ON Toronto 544 (875) Union Station Via Rail: ■ The Canadian, ■ Québec City–Windsor Corridor
GO Transit Rail:  Barrie,  Kitchener,  Milton,  Lakeshore East,  Lakeshore West,  Richmond Hill,  Stouffville
Union Pearson Express
TTC Rail: ,  509 ,  510 
Bus interchange Local bus: GO Transit, TTC Bus
Oakville 523 (842) Oakville Via Rail: ■ Québec City–Windsor Corridor
GO Transit Rail:  Lakeshore West
Bus interchange Local bus: GO Transit, Oakville Transit
Burlington 512 (824) Aldershot Via Rail: ■ Québec City–Windsor Corridor
GO Transit Rail:  Lakeshore West
Bus interchange Local bus: GO Transit, Burlington Transit, Hamilton Street Railway
Grimsby 488 (785) Grimsby
St. Catharines 473 (761) St. Catharines GO Transit Rail:  Lakeshore West
Bus interchange Niagara Region Transit
Niagara Falls 462 (744) Niagara Falls, Ontario GO Transit Rail:  Lakeshore West
Bus interchange Local bus: GO Transit, Niagara Region Transit, WEGO
Canada–United States border
NY Niagara Falls 461 (742) Niagara Falls, New York Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service
Buffalo 437 (703) Buffalo–Exchange Street Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service, Thruway to Jamestown, NY
Tram interchange NFTA: Metro Rail
Depew 431 (694) Buffalo–Depew Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited
Rochester 370 (600) Rochester Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited
Syracuse New York State Fair Train only stops during the New York State Fair
291 (468) Syracuse Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited
Bus interchange CENTRO
Rome 250 (400) Rome Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service
Utica 237 (381) Utica Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service, Lake Shore Limited
Heritage railway Adirondack Railroad to Thendara, New York
Bus interchange CENTRO
Amsterdam 177 (285) Amsterdam Amtrak Amtrak: Empire Service
Schenectady 159 (256) Schenectady Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited
Bus interchange Capital District Transportation Authority
Rensselaer 141 (227) Albany–Rensselaer Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited
Bus interchange Capital District Transportation Authority
Hudson 114 (183) Hudson Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express
Rhinecliff 88 (142) Rhinecliff Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express
Poughkeepsie 73 (117) Poughkeepsie Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express
Metro-North Railroad: ■ Hudson Line
Bus interchange Dutchess County Public Transit, Ulster County Area Transit
Croton-on-Hudson 32 (51) Croton–Harmon Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited
Metro-North Railroad: ■ Hudson Line
Bus interchange Bee-Line Bus System
Yonkers 14 (23) Yonkers Amtrak Amtrak: Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express
Metro-North Railroad: ■ Hudson Line
Bus interchange Bee-Line Bus System
New York City 0 Penn Station Amtrak Amtrak (long-distance): Cardinal, Crescent, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Silver Meteor
Amtrak Amtrak (intercity): Acela, Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Carolinian, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone Service, Northeast Regional, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter
Long Island Rail Road: ■ City Terminal Zone, ■ Port Washington Branch
NJ Transit NJ Transit: ■ North Jersey Coast Line, ■ Northeast Corridor Line, ■ Gladstone Branch, ■ Montclair-Boonton Line, ■ Morristown Line
NYC Subway: "1" train​"2" train​"3" train"A" train​"C" train​"E" train
Port Authority Trans-Hudson PATH: HOB-33 JSQ-33 JSQ-33 (via HOB)
Bus interchange NYC Transit Bus

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  2. ^ Streamliner Schedules, "The Ontarian" timetable, plus consists for other NYC trains of the period with routes from and to Toronto http://www.streamlinerschedules.com/concourse/track6/ontarian196506.html
  3. ^ New York Central timetable, November 5, 1967, final timetable with Ontarian
  4. ^ Malcolm, Andrew H. (February 14, 1982). "New York to Toronto Train". New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  5. ^ Streamliner Schedules, "The Ontarian" timetable, plus consists for other NYC trains of the period with routes from and to Toronto http://www.streamlinerschedules.com/concourse/track6/ontarian196506.html
  6. ^ New York Central timetable, November 5, 1967, final timetable with Ontarian
  7. ^ "Amtrak's new Toronto-NY line fills 10-year void; may be a winner". Miami News. April 28, 1981. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  8. ^ Solomon, Brian (2004). Amtrak. Saint Paul, Minnesota: MBI. ISBN 978-0-7603-1765-5.
  9. ^ Rocha, Euan; Alastair Sharp (April 22, 2013). "Canada thwarts "al Qaeda-supported" passenger train plot". Reuters Canada. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  10. ^ Macdonald, Alaistair; Siobhan Gorman; David George-Cosh (April 22, 2012). "Canada Thwarts Alleged Plot to Attack Train". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  11. ^ Moore, Amanda (January 13, 2014). "Jordan train bridge reportedly target of thwarted terror plot". Niagarathisweek.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  12. ^ "Service Adjustments Due to Coronavirus" (Press release). Amtrak. March 24, 2020. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  13. ^ Dickson, Jane (March 18, 2020). "Canada-U.S. border to close except for essential supply chains". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  14. ^ "International train service returns for customers for the first time since 2020". Amtrak. June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  15. ^ "Empire Service Schedule Changes" (Press release). Amtrak. November 1, 2024.
  16. ^ "Governor Hochul and Amtrak Announce Restoration of Empire Service in Time for the Holiday Season" (Press release). Amtrak. November 22, 2024.
  17. ^ "Amtrak – Maple Leaf". TrainWeb. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Vermont Agency of Transportation (January 2010). "Passenger Rail Equipment Options for the Amtrak Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express" (PDF). Vermont Legislature. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  19. ^ "Introducing Our New Trains: Amtrak Airo". Amtrak. December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  20. ^ "Amtrak FY 2022–2027 Asset Line Plan" (PDF). Amtrak. p. 132. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
  21. ^ "Travel Guide to Train Fares". Amtrak. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  22. ^ "Reserved Coach Class Seat". Amtrak. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  23. ^ "Travel Advisory; Grand Central Trains Rerouted To Penn Station". The New York Times. April 7, 1991. Retrieved February 7, 2010.

Notes

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  1. ^ Amtrak's Fiscal Year (FY) runs from October 1 of the prior year to September 30 of the named year.
  2. ^ Combines Empire Service and Maple Leaf ridership.
  3. ^ Includes time at border control.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maple Leaf (train).
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Maple Leaf.

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