September 24, 2019New Metro-North Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Schedules Take Effect onSunday, Sept. 29, Bringing Service Improvements to CustomersNew Schedules to Provide Increased Train Frequency and More Travel OptionsMTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that new schedules will takeeffect on Sunday, Sept. 29, on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Havenlines. Metro-North crews successfully completed a series of crucialimprovements to the section of track between Mott Haven and Woodlawnon the Harlem Line in the Bronx. With the work complete, and all fourtracks now back in service, customers will see significantimprovements in train frequencies and will have more travel options.Metro-North put its new SMARTTRACK program into action andstrategically shut down a continuous segment of track between MottHaven and Woodlawn; this gave multiple work groups uninterruptedaccess to maintain and improve the system, expediting completion ofthe project. Crews installed more than 1,400 ties, made drainageimprovements, vacuumed debris- covered ties, installed new rail andinsulated joints, dumped 80 tons of stone ballast, welded track andremoved trees.Metro-North is also able to restore full weekend service to NorthWhite Plains, eliminating the need to originate and terminate trainsat Crestwood.New Haven Line customers will see a new early-morning train fromBridgeport to New Haven, as well as stops added at Greenwich to twowestbound express trains in the evening to allow a faster reversecommute trip to Grand Central Terminal from that business center.Additionally, several other minor adjustments have been made toprovide reliable schedules to Metro-North customers and are designedto reflect more accurately where and when trackwork and infrastructureprojects are occurring along the lines.Service details are below:Harlem LineThe trackwork between Mott Haven and Woodlawn is completed, allowingthe restoration of full service.Full weekday service is restored to Melrose and Tremont.Additionally, seven southbound and six northbound mid-day andlate-night weekday trains will add stops at Melrose and Tremont.Train 324, the 8:01 a.m. local train from Mt. Vernon West to GrandCentral Terminal, is restored to the timetable. As a result, extratemporary Bronx stops are removed from Trains 618, 620, 522 and 524.Train 541, the 2:56 p.m. from Grand Central Terminal, adds WilliamsBridge, Woodlawn and Wakefield to fill out its all-stops patternFull weekend service returns to North White Plains14 southbound weekend trains originate in North White Plains insteadof Crestwood. As a result, two temporary southbound weekendlate-evening trains from Crestwood to Grand Central Terminal areremoved from the timetable.15 northbound weekend trains are extended from Crestwood to North White Plains.With the return of full weekend service to North White Plains, fourexpress trains in each direction between Southeast and Grand CentralTerminal have had their Crestwood, Scarsdale and Hartsdale stopsdiscontinued.Because of the remaining track outages on the Harlem Line and thevolume of trains, the five midday and two evening trains which turn atCrestwood on weekdays cannot be extended to and from North WhitePlains until the completion of the White Plains Station ImprovementProject.On weekends, there is a significant improvement to the number oftrains serving stations in the Bronx, with stops added to trainsserving Melrose, Tremont, Botanical Garden, Williams Bridge, Woodlawnand Wakefield. All weekend Harlem Line trains already stop at Fordham.Stops are added to 17 northbound trains.Stops are added to 16 southbound trains.With the completion of track work, 30 trains running times are beingshortened by 1-11 minutes. On weekends, 20 trains’ running tie s arebeing shortened by 2-7 minutes.Hudson LineThe popular Fall Foliage trains return to the Hudson Valley on threeSaturdays: Oct. 19, Oct. 26, and Nov. 2. There are three extranorthbound trains toward Beacon and Poughkeepsie and two extrasouthbound trains returning to Grand Central Terminal.Weekdays, two southbound trains have 1 minute removed from their schedules.There are minor internal adjustments to 14 weekday and 26 weekendsouthbound trains to accommodate the relocation of track work.New Haven LineAt the request of the Connecticut Department of Transportation(CTDOT), there is a new Train 1402, departing Bridgeport at 6:57 a.m.,which stops at Stratford, Milford and West Haven, and arrives in NewHaven at 7:25 a.m., providing a train for customers who need to arrivein New Haven by 8 a.m.At CTDOT’s request, Trains 1583 and 1587 add stops at Greenwich at7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., providing new evening express service fromGreenwich to Manhattan.Trains 1633 and 1637, the Shore Line East diesel trains which operatefrom New London and Old Saybrook to Stamford, depart New Haven 5minutes earlier and have 5 minutes added to their schedules to moreaccurately reflect train times.Holiday Services and Special TimetablesThe 2019/2020 Fall/Winter Holiday Programs are unchanged from 2018,with the exception of the replacement of “Shoppers Special” serviceswith additional cars on adjacent trains where warranted.Metro-North will publish and operate a special four-day schedule forthe Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Thursday, Nov. 28, through Sunday,Dec. 1) that is tailored to the travel needs of customers.
This is not a whole lot different than the fall changes scheduled for Metra. Some additional weekend service is being added on the UP (C&NW) Northwest Line and the BNSF and schedule times are being adjusted slightly on the Rock Island and Heritage (Alton) lines.
Bring Improvements in Frequency of Service and Travel Options
On the Hudson Line,
Special Fall Foliage trains return to the Hudson Valley on three Saturdays, October 19, October 26, and November 2.
On weekdays,
two southbound trains have 1 minute removed from their schedules, while there are minor adjustments to 14 weekday and 26 weekend southbound trains to accommodate track improvements.
On theHarlem Line
With the completion of Metro-North’s SMARTRACK project between Mott Haven and Woodlawn, 30 weekday trains on the Harlem Line will have improvements in their schedules of between 1 and 11 minutes, while full weekend service is restored to North White Plains.
there are additional stops for Melrose and Tremont stations.
On weekends,
On theNew Haven Line,
As a result of completed trackwork, 102 trains have schedule improvements of 1 – 2 minutes. In addition, there are the following weekday schedule changes.
See full details online.
Know Before You Go!
For quick access to schedule information, you can access: Metro-North’s train schedules available online at www.NEW.mta.info or go to our main page, www.mta.info/mnr.
Back this year on the Hudson Line, special Fall Foliage trains return to the Hudson Valley on three Saturdays, October 19, October 26, and November 2.
Pick up a schedule at Grand Central Terminal, or consult www.NEW.mta.info or go to our main page, www.mta.info/mnr.
The elevator at White Plains Station will be out of service from October 14 – December 6, 2019, while it undergoes renovation.
During that time, ADA-accessible transportation will be provided to North White Plains, the closest elevator-accessible station.
Find out more about shuttle service, as well as details about Westchester County Bee-Line ParaTransit and Acess-a-Ride access to/from the North White Plains Station.
Have a question, comment or concern?Talk with Metro-North Customer Service Reps and Management
Connect with Us at Mount Kisco Station, Wednesday, October 16, 7 – 8:30 AM, near the Overpass Staircase.
To see if there's an upcoming event near you, please visit the Connect with Us events page.
Sharpen those colored pencils and prep those paints…
it’s time to show Metro-North what you got!
If you’re a student (Pre-K – 12) and your school is located within our territory, we want to see your safety-inspired posters. Show us what you think is most important when it comes to safety on our railroad.
Slip Slide, How It Affects Your Commute, And What We Are Doing to Combat It
It’s that time of year again, when leaves fall, rain falls, and slip-slide conditions are created and impacts all railroads in the northeast.
In autumns past, you may have heard our train crews mention "slip-slide" to explain minor service delays.
These conditions are created by a slimy substance left by crushed leaves on our rails — which becomes more slippery after it rains.
When a train attempts to speed up or slow down, this gelatinous "slime" can cause the wheels to slip or slide along the rails. In severe cases the train will automatically make an emergency stop, because the on-board computer system perceives "slip-sliding" as the train not slowing down when it should.
Slip-sliding during braking also creates flat spots on the train's wheels, forcing us to take much-needed equipment out of service for repairs.
Over the past several years, we have taken a very proactive approach to combating this problem.
Changes include:
This fall, many of you may notice that under extreme slip-slide conditions, we will reduce speeds through problem areas.
While this may result in a slight delay to your service, it ensures safe operation of our trains and also prevents a greater delay because of wheel damage.
We have also stepped up our efforts to keep our right of way as "leaf free" as possible. (This is no small feat given the number of trees that line our tracks.) We use two large high-pressure rail washers and several smaller rail scrubbers to remove crushed leaf residue from the tracks. And on-board "sanders" on our diesel trains automatically drop sand on our tracks to help improve traction and reduce wheel slippage when it begins to occur.
We please ask that you keep in mind that while we can reduce the incidents of slippery rail, we cannot eliminate them. We will continue our efforts to try to minimize any delays and inconvenience slippery rail may create for you this autumn. And, as always, we appreciate your patience.
Introducing Rail Rewards! Now, Metro-North monthly ticket holders can show their train ticket to get exclusive offers at Grand Central shops and restaurants.
Check out Grand Central Terminal's official website for details. Vendor offers vary.
Don’t “Fall” this “Fall!”
We bring you these rules because your safety is always our first priority all year long!
Boo at the ZooThrough November 3
Most people know that this world-famous wildlife park boasts thousands of animals across hundreds of sprawling acres.
But did you know about the Bronx Zoo’s Halloween tradition - BOO AT THE ZOO? This year, they’ve added more spooky fun that’s ideal for all ages. Come in your best Halloween attire and enjoy! Schedules and events are subject to change. For complete information about events, call 718-367-1010 or visit www.bronxzoo.com.
See details on this discount package.Package price from GCT/Harlem-125th Street: adults, $30.25; seniors, persons with disabilities and individuals receiving Medicare, $26.50; children 12, $24.25; children 5–11, $14; children 3–4, $12; children under 3, free. See details on Metro-North Package Pricing from other stations. [PDF]
Getting there is simple:
Take the Harlem Line to Fordham Station.
Danbury Railway Museum Pumpkin Patch 2019Through December 1Saturdays, 10 AM – 4 PMSundays, Noon – 4 PM
The Danbury Railway Museum is located in the historic 1903 train station and railroad yard in downtown Danbury, Connecticut. Get onboard the “Rail Yard Local” and be transported back in time to the golden age of railroading. You’ll see the Museum’s collection of historic rolling stock, including many rare diesel engines and the only operating turntable in Connecticut.
And you can also enjoy the Pumpkin Patch Celebration on Saturdays and Sundays, October 12 – 27. Free pumpkins, cider and cookies for the kiddies, explore vintage trains, model train displays and much, much more.
See details on this discount package.Package price from GCT/Harlem-125th Street: adults, $28.25; seniors, persons with disabilities and individuals receiving Medicare, $23.50; children 5-11, $8; children 3-4, $6; children under 3, free. See details on Metro-North Package Pricing from other stations. [PDF]
Take the New Haven Line, transfer at South Norwalk Station, take a Danbury Branch train to Danbury Station.
We can make sure you have something to do every weekend!See a complete list of our Getaways.
Coffee to Go? Please take it With You!
Cappuccino, latte, macchiato, iced black, and cold drip! So much to choose from!
But after you’ve finished, please don’t leave your coffee cup on the floor, or under the seat!
Otherwise the next customer at that seat might get cappuccino-foot, latte-pant, macchiato-stocking, iced-black toe, or cold drip suitcase!
And we wouldn’t want that, would we?
Please, take your coffee with you when you go — from the store, and from the train!
It’s the courteous thing to do!
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