Amtrak announced 2 round trips from BOS - New Haven today (sat )
Reservations does not have anything yet available for Sunday or Monday.
Even though it would be almost 9 hrs to go BOS - ALB - NYP or opposite I cannot see why AMTRAK does not offer thru cars NYP - ALB - BOS using Lakeshore and Empire service ?. In fact maybe even running an extra section train ?
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251623842138
This is one more reason to have an alternate route BOS - NYP
If it were only that easy. First, is equipment availability in the right places? Second, crew availability in the right right places? Third, CSX having slots to put them in over the single track from Albany to Boston? Even in an emergency. Maybe even CSX crew availability could be a factor?
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henry6 If it were only that easy. First, is equipment availability in the right places? Second, crew availability in the right right places? Third, CSX having slots to put them in over the single track from Albany to Boston? Even in an emergency. Maybe even CSX crew availability could be a factor?
My only defense is that if it were that easy, it would have been done by now. Missed routings would be via Danbury to Avon to go around the scene...but I don't know the condition; or Albany to Springfileld to New Haven..but again, ample number of qualified crews and track capacity.....
It's kind of hard to picture a more effective cork than the one where the accident happened. Here are a few thoughts:
BOS-ALB on weekends - at least a couple of weekends ago when I rode that way - might have some extra capacity. It would be easy enough to put a few extra Amfleet cars behind 448's regular consist, but they would be pointing the wrong way at Albany, and finding a free track at ALB to handle them might be tough. Short NYP tracks available to Empire trains would almost require running the cars as an extra train rather than adding them to an existing Empire schedule, assuming a P32 and crew are available. This move would only handle 400-500 passengers. A reversal NYP-ALB-BOS would have the same issues.
Crews qualified BOS-SPG shouldn't be hard. SPG-ALB, except for regular Lake Shore crews, would probably require a CSX pilot.
The bigger problem is going to be clearing the right-of-way and restoring service. Unless the M8's can be re-railed and rolled away from the scene on their own wheels it will probably require both rail and highway cranes to clear the damaged equipment, and opening even one track with working overhead wire will require an enormous amount of work. Any kind of realistic service restoration would just about demand both tracks.
The interlocking involved is Failrfield at MP 50.6. My 1999 TT shows nearest CPs at Southport (48.9) and CP255 (55.3, near Bridgeport). Unless some temporary CPs exist due to construction that would leave a single track section over 6 miles long.
Amtrak has updated its service advisory. Limited service is available between Boston and New Haven on the Shoreline Route. The New Haven -- Springfield shuttle was never suspended. There is no service between New Haven and New York.
henry6 Missed routings would be via Danbury to Avon to go around the scene...but I don't know the condition;.
Missed routings would be via Danbury to Avon to go around the scene...but I don't know the condition;.
Henry: --- did not mean to ignore your suggstion but needed to consult my SPV atlas.- Your suggestion is good and brings up several questions..
Does MNRR still ferry equipment on the following route (s) to POU ?
The reroutes east of NH have previously been covered. All these proposals New Haven - NYP / GCT probably will require route upgrades and some standby diesels by MNRR that are modified for M-8 couplers. Amtrak probably can round up enough P-42s to couple to Amfleets.
The most difficult section may be NH - Derby junction. The old NYNH&H direct route shows abandoned & the route at Devon may have had the wye taken up (?). Then there is the Housatonic from Derby to Danbury. From Danbury to either South Norwalk or if that blocked MNRR to Brewster then to GCT. Amtrak would have some problems getting to Hell gate route but should be doable.
This route(s) probably is not useable now but this incident indicates that it should be upgraded for use including qualifying a few MNRR crews. Since 25 - 30 miles is unsignaled plans should probably be to fleet trains in one direction for the rush hour fleets.
Danbury - South Norwalk would work for this incidence.
I am not sure of the viability of the track Danbury to Derby Jct. and the line it might be out of service. My statements are more conjecture and definitely aimed at a skeletal attempt at an Amtrak train rather than commuter service...I really don't know what's still connected and where in the state of CT anymore.
Last time I saw the connecting track near Poughkeepsie it was in pretty sad shape.
Nothing really new from Amtrak bulletin released at 10 PM Sat night
Amtrak is updating their reservations systems but is not consistent.
As of 950 AM Sunday it shows BOS - NHV 3 round trips TODAY . Mon All trips sold out, Tue all but 3 Round trips cancelled. Appears more than one person updating system with no proof reading ? Wed all trips operating thru to NYP
Will their be some consistency later today ?
as of 245 PM Sunday all Wedensday trips NYP _ BOS both ways show sold out
MNRR plans to institute a bus bridge around the derailment site. Here is a link to their announcement about rebuilding 2000 ft of track ---
http://new.mta.info/mta-statement-cleanup-metro-north-derailment
Maybe so, but Amtrak's web page notes no service between NY and Boston is planned for several days and suggests ticket holders should apply for refund or vouchers. There is some kind of service being offered with the Vermonter but I can't follow the substitutions and alterations. I do understand it says Springfield to New Haven shuttles are cancelled for Monday and Tuesday and that the Vermonter is apparently terminated at Springfield and the shuttle equipment will be used for that. It doesn't really make sense to me if only because I could see the trains sent west on CSX to Rensselear ( but it is a 100 mile detour and would be "backwards" in NYP).
What Amtrak should do is run a reasonable service of everything (Vermonter, Springfield, as well as Boston) to New Haven and then turn the passengers over to Metro North and its bus shuttle and connecting trains to Grand Central. There won't be too many passengers that will use such service but those that have to get through will do so. The number of passengers Amtrak will feed the distressed Metro North service will be small in comparison to what Metro North has to provide, and possibly the Amtrak feed should exist only outside of rush hours.
daveklepperWhat Amtrak should do is run a reasonable service of everything (Vermonter, Springfield, as well as Boston) to New Haven and then turn the passengers over to Metro North and its bus shuttle and connecting trains to Grand Central.
That would serve Amtrak passengers going to New York. And those who wish to do it could simply get off at New Haven and buy a Metro North ticket into the city. However, it would be inconvenient for people going beyond New York.
Why can't Amtrak run its trains to Stamford and from there bus passenger to New Haven?
John WR daveklepperWhat Amtrak should do is run a reasonable service of everything (Vermonter, Springfield, as well as Boston) to New Haven and then turn the passengers over to Metro North and its bus shuttle and connecting trains to Grand Central. That would serve Amtrak passengers going to New York. And those who wish to do it could simply get off at New Haven and buy a Metro North ticket into the city. However, it would be inconvenient for people going beyond New York. Why can't Amtrak run its trains to Stamford and from there bus passenger to New Haven?
It is true that for Monday and Tuesday most trains are cancelled the the few remaining are sold out. But on Wednesday and Thursday all trains have seats available.
Note: Above is MNRR's web site about bus bridge note they are cross honoring Amtrak tickets.
Amtrak has no crew, yard, or service facilities at either Bridgeport or Stamford. They are doing the sensible thing. And Metro North is helping by handling the passengers New Haven - GCT-NYC.
I appreciate that this is a true emergency and Amtrak and Metro North are struggling to do everything they can. At the same time, it would be helpful if information about the subway connection between Grand Central Terminal and New York Penn Station could be included by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. The information should be available to them.
Amtrak 300 PM bulletin
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251623851362
EDIT #1: As usual the right hand at AMTRAK does not know what the left hand is doing. MNRR has announce track will be useable Wed morning.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/05/20/extremely-challenging-work-week-begins-for-30k-metro-north-commuters/
Amtrak reservations show the NYP - NH open for reservations in spite of the first above Amtrak bulletin ! ! !
Metro North has moved heaven and earth. I'm impressed.
Amtrak has announced that normal service will resume Wednesday May 22.
blue streak 1 Amtrak 300 PM bulletin http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251623851362 EDIT #1: As usual the right hand at AMTRAK does not know what the left hand is doing. MNRR has announce track will be useable Wed morning. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/05/20/extremely-challenging-work-week-begins-for-30k-metro-north-commuters/ Amtrak reservations show the NYP - NH open for reservations in spite of the first above Amtrak bulletin ! ! !
I guess someone at Amtrak woke up. They used the same link but changed to time to 730 PM. Now it says service will start up WED. ! !
It is unusual for Amtrak to comment about any transit authority. In this case they did:
"Amtrak applauds the efforts of Metro-North Railroad to quickly repair the tracks and other critical infrastructure."
Amtrak service resumes with 400 PM departure from NYP & 3:15 Pm departure from BOS with all trains afterward operating.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251623859412,1251623851362,1251623781885
blue streak 1 Amtrak service resumes with 400 PM departure from NYP & 3:15 Pm departure from BOS with all trains afterward operating.
Streak,
You are sure on top of this issue. Memorial DAy is next Monday May 27 so Amtrak should be busy and a lot of people should be happy with the restored service.
John
John WR You are sure on top of this issue. Memorial DAy is next Monday May 27 so Amtrak should be busy and a lot of people should be happy with the restored service. John
I'm happy to hear you are recovering, Streak, and I hope you continue to recover from your illness.
Generally I agree with your observations. Especially about posting the pictures. That has to help people understand the difficulties Metro North faced and is still facing and it is important that people understand those difficulties.
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