NJT taking a lot of delays due to Amtrak CAT problems
Link to WSJ article
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204603004577271370720093452.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLE_Video_Top
The article is good and accurate but only alludes to the fact that Amtrak's infrastructure as being the problem: first, catenary; second, signals; third, Portal Bridge; fourth, only two tracks Hudson to NYP. So, it is Congress who holds the purse strings and is to blame for lack of improvements and maintenance in a timely fashion. But there are places where the relatively new NJT signal system has created problems, too.. However, there are also frequent "mechanical" problems which are the fault or problem of NJT itself. Rough and abnormal weather and weather patterns seem to play havoc with diesel locomotives for some reason as well as obstructing and destroying the rights of way. This, NJT has no control over. But even the electric locomotives (or is it trains?) have had problems: the question is, is it the locomotive or something in the trainsets or underpowered trains putting undue stress on the locomotives? Budget cuts and uneven political support make any public transit agency suseptical to short cut paper clip and rubber band maintenance, fits and spurts of new coupled to eons of old all in a cycle of frustration for both commuter and operator. In my Ridewtihmehenry trips we always marvel at how well NJT (as well as MNRR, LIRR, Amtrak, SEPTA, PATH, and MTA) does operate as well as it does and how positive and friendly the crews are toward us and passengers in general. Not a NJ taxpayer, but as a frequent user of the railroad I can only say "Yay!" to NJT (and the others) and urge any negativity toward state and Federal politicos who fail to understand the real economic needs of the region are dependant upon the quality and viability of the regional commuter rail system be it tied to Amtrak or not.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
Henry6; --- You bring up a point that I had not considered. Are most if not all of your ride trips on weekends when infrastructure is not pushed? By the way I will be looking forward to a spring 2013 ride as soon as I recover from my close brush.
Some trips can only be done weekdays, others only weekends. So it depends on the trip and who wants to go. I lke weekday trips because of the greater number of choices we have for trips and back up scenerios. We get an idea for a day trip, set up a schedule concept, then do what has to be done as time goes along. This past weekend we went from Denville, NJ to Bay Head with a 50 minute layover at Secaucus for snacks and train watching. On the way back we first thought of beating the PATH from Newark Penn to Hoboken then the Montclair Branch train to Newark Broad but thought better of it at the last moment, took time to look around Newark Penn, the view from Track 5, then took the Light Rail to Newark Broad to catch the Denville train. We think, we plan, we schedule, we do, we change our minds in mid trip if necessary. The whole idea is for fun...
If it's not too personal, what's your close brush and why will it take a whole year before you can join us?
Henry, OT but do you know anything about the progress on the Lackawanna Cutoff toward Andover, specifically, why did they halt track laying at Lake Lackawannna? I heard it had to do with environmental permits, but why there?
The head of the Sierra Club in the area has been opposed to trains right from the beginning, prefers a monorail or something up the middle of I80 instead. So, despite all the clearences, etc. that were made I am told he found a problem somewhere around Roseville Tunnel that has to be taken care of before it can progress...it is a temporary halt but not a complete stoppage, I don't understand myself because the tunnel and the roadbed handled two tracks and lots of trains until the EL and CR quit using the line and pulled the track. It was ok then, but not now.
Thanks, it is depressing sometimes how little people understand about trains, a far more environmentally friendly option to the alternative.
Been noticing this week that both NJT and LIRR have had increased number of equipment or mechanical problems rather than signal/switch problems. Amtrak, in other words, is not the problem. The only place there are MNRR problems are on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines although ConDot has had Waterbury line problems and a few here and there on the Harlem, but not like NJT or LIRR.
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