MNRR has completed repairs on the Park avenue viaduct that was damaged due to the fire under the viaduct. Added a column in the middle which probably made viaduct stronger than ever at that point. ? Maybe it would be in MNRR's best interest to add these columns all along the viaduct ? ?
http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/parkave_viaduct.html
I've got my tracks confused...and I think your assessment of the third rail is right.
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But an even better reason is that there is no section break in the 3rd rails between 125th Street and 116th |Street! The breaks are at the Harlem River Bridge and 107th St!
In other words, you would have had them use the two east tracks, the two tracks that were still blocked with debris, while the Harlem and New Haven trains used the two west tracks that were cleared. That would have been possible during off-peak, but not during rush hours, becase (1) round trip from Mott Haven junction to 125th, change ends, and back would be roughly a half hour, limiting the Hudson to four trains per hour, too few; and (2) all Hudson trains would have had to cross the paths of all Harlem and New Haven trains, resulting in delays.
They could use the two tracks into 125th and reverse the trains there...signals are by directional, trains are bidirectional.
Henry, they could not run Hudson trains to 125th as southern terminal, and still use the western two tracks for Harlem and New Haven trains because the only switches (on the viaduct) south of the 125th Street station are at 106th Street, south of the incident.
Latest on the MNRR web page is that full service has been restored to GCT although there are speed restrictions thus delays on all lines.
All four tracks serve to Harmon. The problem I believe, from news reports, is the debris on the tracks, so it was probably easier to get the farther tracks. That being said, I wonder why they can't get Hudson Line trains to 125th St. except the other trains couldn't handle the crowd anyway. And I'm also sure there are plenty of non railroad people up on that viaduct.
Metro-North Restores Limited New Haven and Harlem Line Service; Limited Hudson Line Accessible by Subways
For this evening, Metro-North is restoring some New Haven and Harlem Line service from Grand Central Terminal after an explosion and building collapse next to the Park Avenue viaduct. Customers who use the Hudson Line should take the B, D or 4 subway lines to 161 St and walk to Metro-North's Yankees - East 153rd Street station. Workers from the subway and Metro-North will assist customers to walk west from the B, D and 4 subway station at 161 St. to the Metro-North?s Yankees - East 153rd Street station for service to points north.Train service is limited by the number of tracks that have been cleared of debris, tested for integrity and approved for operations by Metro-North and the New York Fire Department (FDNY). Train speeds may also be reduced to protect nearby railroad workers and to limit vibrations at the explosion site.
Of the four tracks on the Park Avenue viaduct, the two farthest from the explosion site have been restored to service. As more tracks are restored, the level of train service will increase.
New Haven Line and Harlem Line customers should expect crowding and delays due to track limitations, with some local and express trains combined. The track configuration does not allow Hudson Line service to operate to Grand Central until more tracks are restored to service. Customers are urged to delay travel until later if possible.
NYC Transit subway will cross honor Metro-North tickets.
Metro-North's Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines will cross-honor tickets from the other Metro-North lines.
For service updates, continue to check this website and the news media and listen for announcements at your station.
MNRR is right on top of it...had a back up program in place, operating, and posted on website within an hour. Hudson Line trains terminating at Yankee Stadium-153rd St (MNRR). with passenger using the 4 train at 161St-Yankee Stadium. Harlem and New Haven lines terminating at Woodlawn (MNRR) and using 2 train and connections from 233rd St.
MNRR has learned. They have a package of emergency plans so that there is the least amount of time used in deciding what needs be done....
This is where the tracks are elevated, just south of the station at 125th Street, and about 18 blocks from the Harlem River crossing.
No GCT service- that must be a major headache, as the 4 seems crowded during normal rush hours. MNRR can't get a break!
Building explosion collapsed -- 2nd building collapsed with others in peril next to Harlem MNRR tracks. Concern that additional buildings may collapse as well. No information yet.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=9463294
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