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Metro North Schedule Changes

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  • Member since
    June 2002
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Posted by daveklepper on Monday, October 14, 2019 2:12 PM

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  New Schedules   Fall Foliage   Alternate Elevators   Connect with Us!   Safety Poster Contest   Slip-Slide Season   Rail Rewards   Getaways   Safety Rules   Courtesy Corner 
New Schedules, Effective September 29

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 the
Harlem 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.

On weekdays,

there are additional stops for Melrose and Tremont stations.

  • The 8:01 AM local train from Mt. Vernon West to Grand Central Terminal is restored to the timetable.
  • The 2:56 PM from Grand Central Terminal, adds stops at Williams Bridge, Woodlawn and Wakefield.

On weekends,

  • Bronx stops have been added to 17 northbound and 16 southbound trains. Three southbound and 17 northbound trains have schedule improvements of 2 – 7 minutes, and 15 northbound trains continue on from Crestwood to North White Plains.

On the
New 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.

On weekdays,

  • There is a new train departing Bridgeport at 6:57 AM making stops at Stratford, Milford and West Haven, and arriving in New Haven at 7:25 AM.
  • Two evening express trains departing New Haven at 5:40 PM and 6:39 PM now stop at Greenwich at 7 PM and 8 PM then continue to Grand Central Terminal.
  • Other minor adjustments are made to provide reliable schedules and are designed to accommodate infrastructure projects.
  • Two Shore Line East trains to Stamford, (one departing New London at 5:43 AM and Old Saybrook at 6:47 AM) depart New Haven 2 – 5 minutes earlier and have 2 – 5 minutes added to their schedules to allow for the slower operation of their manually operated doors at intermediate stations.

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.

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Don’t Miss Nature’s Show!

Fall Foliage TrainBack 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.

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Alternate Elevator ServiceADA-Acccessible Shuttle available during White Plains Elevator Renovation

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.

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Connect with Us

Have a question, comment or concern?
Talk with Metro-North Customer Service Reps and Management

Connect with Us! Mt. Kisco

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.

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It’s Metro-North’s Rail Safety Poster Contest!

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.

Rail Safety Poster Contest Graphic - Metroman and Tracks with Art Supplies

Find out more about Our TRACKS Education Program
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Slip Slide, How It Affects Your Commute, And What We Are Doing to Combat It

Leafy tracksIt’s that time of year again, when leaves fall, rain falls, and slip-slide conditions are created and impacts all railroads in the northeast.

leafleafleafleafacornIn 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.

leafleafleafleafSlip-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.

acornChanges include:

  • Instructing our engineers to report slippery conditions immediately to our Operations Control Center.
  • Providing additional training in how to operate through these “slippery” areas.
  • Enhancing our computerized train-tracking system to allow for automatic reporting of slip-slide incidents and conditions, enabling us to take corrective action more quickly.
  • Installing a Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) across all four tracks in the Park Avenue Tunnel which monitors for wheel flats—this allows us to identify and prioritize wheels for repair.
  • Installing a tandem Wheel Truing Lathe in Harmon Shop. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has built a second identical facility in New Haven to support our M8 Fleet.

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.

leafleafleafleafacornWe 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 leafleafleafleafacornyour patience.

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Metro-North Rail Rewards are Here!

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.

Rail Rewards link

 
 
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Safety Rules of the Issue

Don’t “Fall” this “Fall!”

Fall Safety Poster

We bring you these rules because your safety is always our first priority all year long!

 
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Carve Out Some Time for Fun!

Costumed kid with candyBoo at the Zoo
Through 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.

Kids boarding historic RAIL YARD LOCALDanbury Railway Museum Pumpkin Patch 2019
Through December 1
Saturdays, 10 AM – 4 PM
Sundays, 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]

Getting there is simple:

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.

 
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    Courtesy Corner

Cherub

 

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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Published by
Corporate & Public Affairs, MTA Metro-North Railroad
420 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10170
 

Mileposts Archive

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 6:49 AM

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.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 20,096 posts
Metro North Schedule Changes
Posted by daveklepper on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 3:39 AM

September 24, 2019
New Metro-North Harlem, Hudson and New Haven Schedules Take Effect on
Sunday, Sept. 29, Bringing Service Improvements to Customers

New Schedules to Provide Increased Train Frequency and More Travel Options

MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that new schedules will take
effect on Sunday, Sept. 29, on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven
lines.  Metro-North crews successfully completed a series of crucial
improvements to the section of track between Mott Haven and Woodlawn
on the Harlem Line in the Bronx.  With the work complete, and all four
tracks now back in service, customers will see significant
improvements in train frequencies and will have more travel options.

Metro-North put its new SMARTTRACK program into action and
strategically shut down a continuous segment of track between Mott
Haven and Woodlawn; this gave multiple work groups uninterrupted
access to maintain and improve the system, expediting completion of
the project. Crews installed more than 1,400 ties, made drainage
improvements, vacuumed debris- covered ties, installed new rail and
insulated joints, dumped 80 tons of stone ballast, welded track and
removed trees.

Metro-North is also able to restore full weekend service to North
White Plains, eliminating the need to originate and terminate trains
at Crestwood.

New Haven Line customers will see a new early-morning train from
Bridgeport to New Haven, as well as stops added at Greenwich to two
westbound express trains in the evening to allow a faster reverse
commute trip to Grand Central Terminal from that business center.
Additionally, several other minor adjustments have been made to
provide reliable schedules to Metro-North customers and are designed
to reflect more accurately where and when trackwork and infrastructure
projects are occurring along the lines.

Service details are below:

Harlem Line

The trackwork between Mott Haven and Woodlawn is completed, allowing
the restoration of full service.
Full weekday service is restored to Melrose and Tremont.
Additionally, seven southbound and six northbound mid-day and
late-night weekday trains will add stops at Melrose and Tremont.
Train 324, the 8:01 a.m. local train from Mt. Vernon West to Grand
Central Terminal, is restored to the timetable. As a result, extra
temporary Bronx stops are removed from Trains 618, 620, 522 and 524.
Train 541, the 2:56 p.m. from Grand Central Terminal, adds Williams
Bridge, Woodlawn and Wakefield to fill out its all-stops pattern
Full weekend service returns to North White Plains
14 southbound weekend trains originate in North White Plains instead
of Crestwood. As a result, two temporary southbound weekend
late-evening trains from Crestwood to Grand Central Terminal are
removed 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, four
express trains in each direction between Southeast and Grand Central
Terminal have had their Crestwood, Scarsdale and Hartsdale stops
discontinued.
Because of the remaining track outages on the Harlem Line and the
volume of trains, the five midday and two evening trains which turn at
Crestwood on weekdays cannot be extended to and from North White
Plains until the completion of the White Plains Station Improvement
Project.

On weekends, there is a significant improvement to the number of
trains serving stations in the Bronx, with stops added to trains
serving Melrose, Tremont, Botanical Garden, Williams Bridge, Woodlawn
and 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 being
shortened by 1-11 minutes. On weekends, 20 trains’ running tie s are
being shortened by 2-7 minutes.

Hudson Line
The popular Fall Foliage trains return to the Hudson Valley on three
Saturdays: Oct. 19, Oct. 26, and Nov. 2. There are three extra
northbound trains toward Beacon and Poughkeepsie and two extra
southbound 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 weekend
southbound trains to accommodate the relocation of track work.
New Haven Line
At 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 New
Haven at 7:25 a.m., providing a train for customers who need to arrive
in New Haven by 8 a.m.
At CTDOT’s request, Trains 1583 and 1587 add stops at Greenwich at
7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., providing new evening express service from
Greenwich to Manhattan.
Trains 1633 and 1637, the Shore Line East diesel trains which operate
from New London and Old Saybrook to Stamford, depart New Haven 5
minutes earlier and have 5 minutes added to their schedules to more
accurately reflect train times.
Holiday Services and Special Timetables
The 2019/2020 Fall/Winter Holiday Programs are unchanged from 2018,
with the exception of  the replacement of “Shoppers Special” services
with additional cars on adjacent trains where warranted.

Metro-North will publish and operate a special four-day schedule for
the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Thursday, Nov. 28, through Sunday,
Dec. 1) that is tailored to the travel needs of  customers.

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