The weather guessers are being over pessimistic for the next couple days NEC weather. Will all the proposed airline cancellations cause a run on Amtrak ? The loss of a Crescent train set will not help?
As of right now, Tuesday at 11:00 am, almost all Amtrak trains are sold out between New York and Boston and between Washington and Boston. Generally the Acelas have space. Northeast Regional departures that are very early or late have space but none during the day. If flights are canceled there won't be many places on Amtrak.
However, there is plenty of space (no trains sold out) between New Haven and Boston and between Philadelphia and Washington. So from New York people can take Metro North to New Haven and switch to Amtrak. Also from New York people can take New Jersey Transit and SEPTA to Philadelphia and Amtrak to Washington. Sounds complicated but it certainly is doable. However, the commuter trains do not guarantee there will be a seat.
as of 11:00 PM ( 2300 ) For Wedensday
1. NYP -- BOS sold out 0800 - 1800
2. Many NYP - WASH sold out
3. Maybe to handle trips out of NYP the Palmetto, Carolinian, Star, Crescent, Cardinal is open for local traffic to WASH.
4. No yet open is Meteor
5. Trips other way to NYP not as crowded
6. Many trips show only a few seats which may be due to last minute cancellations for whatever reason. Suspect some riders will cancel due to inability to reliably anticipate getting to train ?
7. If anyone can check on northbound LD trains tomorrow to see if opened at last minute when arrival time is anticipated ?
blue streak 1 as of 11:00 PM ( 2300 ) For Wedensday 1. NYP -- BOS sold out 0800 - 1800 2. Many NYP - WASH sold out 3. Maybe to handle trips out of NYP the Palmetto, Carolinian, Star, Crescent, Cardinal is open for local traffic to WASH. 4. No yet open is Meteor 5. Trips other way to NYP not as crowded 6. Many trips show only a few seats which may be due to last minute cancellations for whatever reason. Suspect some riders will cancel due to inability to reliably anticipate getting to train ? 7. If anyone can check on northbound LD trains tomorrow to see if opened at last minute when arrival time is anticipated ?
Essentially SEA _ PDX sold out both directions except for Starlight that was just open for the local traffic ( $225 + ) for sleeper space if coach sells out?
Crescent & Star sold out NYP - WAS. Meteor was not listed but it sold out to Richmond Va. What spots still available come and go as cancellations come in and are filled.
Wednesday 6;30 pm New York to Washington. Evening Northeast Regionals are sold out but seats available on Acelas. However, seats are available on morning trains tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day.
To Boston as of now seats are available this evening and tomorrow morning.
I hope Amtrak riders and all who use public transportation have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Normally I do not care for Amtrak's service however kudos to their NEC service Wednesday the 27th.. It appears that all trains in and out of New York Penn operated without any cancellations. ( Albany, BOS, PHL, WASH ).
Mostly all trains operated close to schedule and if it had not been for the tree over the BOS CAT then on time would have been much better.
The trains from the south that were late into WASH all made up some time WASH - NYP anywhere from 15 - 45 minutes quicker.
All this despite the less than stellar weather.
There are 21 trains scheduled BOS -- NYP on Sunday. As of Friday night. 3 trains each show 1 seat available. all others sold out. Appears Amtrak did not meet the demand ?
In today's transportation world, carriers (airline, bus & train) size their operating fleets based upon their demonstrated requirements for the 365 day year - not the peak travel periods of the holidays. The only way they can make money is having their assets being filled and used all days of the year - not just a few.
Carriers do not have vast fleets of equipment to use on selected peak volume periods.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Baltacd is right in that it is the desire of any transportation company to "right size" its equipment fleet for normal, not occasional, demand. However, some number of cars and locos routinely are out of service for periodic maintenance. I wonder if any effort is made to minimize that number during the Thanksgiving and Christmas periods.
Dakguy201 Baltacd is right in that it is the desire of any transportation company to "right size" its equipment fleet for normal, not occasional, demand. However, some number of cars and locos routinely are out of service for periodic maintenance. I wonder if any effort is made to minimize that number during the Thanksgiving and Christmas periods.
Efforts are made year round to minimize the the equipment that is out of service for repairs. Regular inspections required by Federal Regulations are schedule based on specific dates from prior periodic inspections and cannot legaly be changed from their required period - they cannot be performed materially before their due date and if perfromed after their due date the carrier is in violation of the regulations.
I haven't seen any reports on what Amtrak borrowed for this year's rush but it has been common in years past to rent commuter equipment to fill in some short runs. Read yesterdays news wire article about Chicago area services to see some creative equipment use to get more capacity.
It appears that Amtrak met the demand WASH -- NYP. On the other hand NYP - BOS was mostly sold out. 0800 -- 1900. Several reasons could be speculated.
1. The fares BOS fares are less than WASH fares.
2. Takes a longer time trip on BOS trains.
3. The past limitations on the number of BOS trains may also be a factor.? Note 21 RTs were operated on Sunday + 7 more.
4. Did MNRR limit Sunday trains ?
5. East of New Haven are there state limitations as well ? It would seem that Conn would not have much cause to limit Amtrak as they operate the Shore line east trains on weekdays Rhode Island and Ma I have no idea.
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