Maybe the high cost of new track capacity needs instead expanded platforms for longer trains. It is possible at all most every major station including the new Penn south. Has proved successful in Europe.
Found preliminary NEC future study. Again a lot of reading but one item that jumped out was the need for 4 new Hudson ( North ) river tunnels. That to meet the full needs of the area. Also at least 4 tracks from WASH - NYP and up to 6 tracks Rochelle - New Haven.
http://necfuture.com/pdfs/2014_nov_preliminary_alts_eval.pdf
And long range planning
http://necfuture.com/
Report covers various economic factors of the NEC. Do not have time to go thru in detail but the amount of real estate and other revenue will certainly not fix the NEC. Warning link 18+ MB
http://www.nec-commission.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/NEC_american_economy_report.pdf
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