Does the State of New York now own Rennesler-Albany-Scenectady

[trackrat888]

http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/13/26/Amtrak-CSX-Hudson-Line-Release-ATK-12-126.pdf

or do they own it? What does this mean and why if Amtrak already has operating rights why is this nessasary and could the NYDOT lease the freight rights or run additional commuter service in Albany-Schenactady if they wanted to or do they still have to ask CSX for permmision? Part of Amtrak was that legaly they were supposed to be able to force access when they needed to

[D.Carleton]

The line is owned by CSX and leased to Amtrak who is now responsible for dispatching and maintenance.

[MidlandMike]

I understood that Amtrak wanted to re-double track the section, and needed the long term lease to do that.

[blue streak 1]

This announcement causes a confusion of just what the facts are.  Thought that the lease from CSX was completed months ago ?  Amtrak has been upgrading the signals since spring 2014.  Was  there some kind of op out in the original Amtrak lease from CSX ?  Please clarify.

EDIT:  Now realize announcement was in 2012.  hate old announcements listed as new item.

[trackrat888]

Still have not seen double track in Colonie NY more of a centering and track up grade

[MidlandMike]

The date of the news release was Dec 2012.  I was suprised to hear that it would take Amtrak 5 years to re-install the 17 miles of second track West of Albany.  I remember in the Conrail splt-up, that CSX re-installed hundreds miles of second track on the ex-B&O Chicago line in much less time. 

[BaltACD]

MidlandMike

The date of the news release was Dec 2012.  I was suprised to hear that it would take Amtrak 5 years to re-install the 17 miles of second track West of Albany.  I remember in the Conrail splt-up, that CSX re-installed hundreds miles of second track on the ex-B&O Chicago line in much less time. 

That was a 2 1/2 year project with a absolute completion date as identified by the effective date of the ConRail split.  Most work was done by contractors and few expenses were spared to get the trackage in service and at maximum speed by split date.