Metro North M8 Harlem Line Holiday Train Ride from Grand Central to Southeast

Taken on 12/7/24.

Video of a ride on Metro North's M8 Holiday Lights Train operating on Harlem Line Train 9639 from Grand Central Terminal to Southeast. As with most trains to/from Southeast, it operated express between Harlem 125th Street and White Plains. North of White Plains, the train was delayed due to single tracking operation above North White Plains. Northbound trains had to wait for southbound trains, and then wrong-railed all the way until Brewster, operating on the traditional southbound track.

This is the first year that Metro North is doing a holiday themed train for passenger service. The train consists of wreaths at each end of the train, and is decorated with lights that alternate between red and green. Each train car also has stickers with a snowflake with the MTA logo on it. The train set is 8 cars, and consists of the follow cars: 9260 - 9261 - 9398 - 9399 - 9230 - 9231 - 9249 - 9248.

This train will be rotating amongst the New Haven, Harlem, and Hudson lines and is operating throughout all electric territory. Metro North's electric fleet for the Harlem and Hudson lines are primarily M7As, with the M3As also being used on weekdays. The M8s rarely see service on either of those lines, though will appear if there are certain fleet shortages. The train will run through New Year's.

Here's a rundown of the trip:
0:00 - Train 9639 With M8 Holiday Lights Set Awaiting Departure at Grand Central

1:09 - Grand Central to Harlem - 125th Street

12:58-41:00 Harlem - 125th Street to White Plains via Harlem Line EXPRESS
Skipping 14 Stops as Follows:
1. Melrose @ 20:04
2. Tremont @ 22:23
3. Fordham @ 23:43
4. Botanical Gardens @ 24:23
5. Williams Bridge @ 25:23
6. Woodlawn @ 26:51
7. Wakefield @ 27:49
8. Mount Vernon West @ 28:22
9. Fleetwood @ 30:23
10. Bronxville @ 32:19
11. Tuckahoe @ 33:03
12. Crestwood @ 33:54
13. Scarsdale @ 36:10
14. Hartsdale @ 37:54

41:00 - White Plains to North White Plains

44:58 - Delay at North White Plains (Condensed) + SB Local & Express M7 Harlem Line Trains to Grand Central Arrive

49:44 - North White Plains to Valhalla

53:29 - Valhalla to Hawthorne
Skipping the following station:
1. Mount Pleasant @ 56:44

58:18 - Hawthorne to Pleasantville

1:02:02 - Pleasantville to Chappaqua

1:05:42 - Chappaqua to Mount Kisco

1:11:19 - Mount Kisco to Bedford Hills

1:15:26 - Bedford Hills to Katonah

1:19:02 - Katonah to Goldens Bridge

1:23:19 - Goldens Bridge to Purdy's

1:27:33 - Purdy's to Croton Falls

1:31:29 - Croton Falls to Brewster

1:37:52 - Brewster to Southeast

1:42:29 - Train 9639 at Southeast After Completing Trip + Wassaic Shuttle With 3-Car Shoreliner Set Pulling CT Rail Brookville BL20GH Locomotive 128 Arriving at Station

1:44:21 - Train 9639 Departing Southeast Train Station to Lay Up

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