Pope's visit a challenge for Amtrak

[wanswheel]

Excerpts from Crux

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/04/21/philadelphia-prepares-for-mega-event-hosting-pope-francis/

PHILADELPHIA — Advance preparations for the wildly popular Pope Francis, due in Philadelphia five months from now, might rival the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000…

Airport planning depends on whether — and when — the pope flies here from New York, and modifications to other transit schedules are not yet public. Craig Schulz of Amtrak called the event “a challenge and an opportunity” to woo new riders.

[wanswheel]

Excerpt from Amtrak news release, Aug. 21

 

PHILADELPHIA – Amtrak is taking steps to prepare for an influx of rail passengers on the Northeast Corridor during Pope Francis’ visit to the United States in September and will operate extra trains with added capacity to meet the anticipated demand. With papal events scheduled in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is uniquely suited to carry passengers to and from the various locations.

 

With more than a million people expected to attend an outdoor Mass and other events associated with the World Meeting of Families on September 26 and 27, the attached schedule includes additional frequencies and special stops for that weekend. As Philadelphia 30th Street Station is expected to be a focal point for regional transportation, passengers should expect large crowds and some non-typical station procedures.

 

While plans are subject to change, outlined below is a summary of Amtrak’s preparations for the Pope’s visit.

 

Operations

 

With some minor exceptions, operations in and around New York and Washington will be normal, although passengers should expect large crowds during the Pope’s scheduled events. Amtrak service will operate on a normal weekday schedule Monday, September 21 through Friday, September 25, with extra coaches added to some trains to accommodate additional demand.

 

Starting Friday, September 25 through Monday, September 28, reservations will be required on all Acela Express, Northeast Regional and Keystone Service trains. As outlined in the attached timetable, Amtrak will operate Philadelphia-centric “Event Extra” service on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, in some cases utilizing equipment from our commuter partners.

 

To better ensure efficient train movements for all users of the NEC, Amtrak will suspend maintenance activities, pre-position rescue equipment to quickly respond to any disabled trains, and continuously share real-time dispatching information with our regional transit agency partners.

 

30th Street Station

 

To ensure public safety and aid in crowd control, some special procedures will be implemented at Philadelphia 30th Street Station during the weekend of the papal visit. In addition to Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains, SEPTA service to/from Levittown, Marcus Hook, Wilmington, Croydon and Cornwells Heights, will operate from the lower-level/main concourse. Specific boarding procedures and recommended points of entry will be announced at a later date. Additional station personnel and ambassadors will be on hand to assist, but passengers should expect long lines and crowded conditions.

 

Taxi service and rental cars will not be available to/from 30th Street Station Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27. Station restrooms will be closed to the public but facilities will be available outside. Food court eateries will be open and accessible from the Market Street entrance.

 

Tickets for all Amtrak trains are available now at Amtrak.com. Passengers are advised to book as early as possible to ensure availability. Additional announcements with more detailed information will be made in the weeks to come and posted to our custom web page, amtrak.com/papalvisit, which will be updated regularly.

[wanswheel]

Pope Francis will say Mass right above Penn Station tracks, at Madison Round Garden. The building with his mural is about a block and half north.

 

[RRR RailRetardedRev]

R U folks ready for a groaner??? Did you know that The Almighty is a railfan? It's in the Bible: Isaiah chapter six verse one: "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and His train filled the temple" (emphasis added).

[Wizlish]

RRR RailRetardedRev

R U folks ready for a groaner??? Did you know that The Almighty is a railfan? It's in the Bible: Isaiah chapter six verse one: "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and His train filled the temple" (emphasis added).

A far worse groaner: in only three days you'll be able to have Pope Francis tell that one and help change the world.

[wanswheel]

Fiat 500L Francis

http://www.fiatusa.com/en/500l/urbana/

[NKP guy]

As long as RRR started it:

   My favorite "train" reference comes from a hymn all Episcopalians are familiar with, "I sing a song of the saints of God" (Hymnal 1982; #293; words by Lesbia (!) Scott, tune Grand Isle by John Henry Hopkins), a children's hymn that always brings tears to my eyes, especially the third verse:

"They lived not only in ages past, there are hundreds of thousands still,

the world is bright with the joyous saints who love to do Jesus' will.

You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea,

in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea,

for the saints of God are just folk like me,

and I aim to be one, too."

 

   Brings down the house every time.

 

 

[blue streak 1]

Apears Amtrak has removed the commuter equipment extra sections.  Only one extra regional now.