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Amtrak NEC CAT and signal problems.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, July 6, 2023 9:32 AM

This time over head power lines at metropark today.  Maybe Amtrak will tell exactly what caused to power failute?

Amtrak Northeast on Twitter: "Service Alert Update: https://t.co/0KiN2NYdqf" / Twitter

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, July 7, 2023 8:37 AM

Here it is Friday and a repeat of yesterday.  Speculation but wonder if it is a broken relay or bad transformer?  That great information manager at Amtrak certainly has kept public up to date about repairs.

 

 
 
 
 
 
Amtrak Northeast
 
 
@AmtrakNECAlerts
 
 
ALERT: As of 6:45 am ET, All services operating between Metropark (MET) and Newark (NWK) will experience delays due to overhead power issues in the area. Updates to follow as more information becomes available.
 
 
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, July 16, 2023 11:19 PM

The signal problems at WASH Union Station this Sunday morning continuing into Monday has really tied the RR up.  Amtrak has taken many delays as my other post has noted.  If this is not cleared up by Monday morning VRE and MARC are going to have massive delays.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, September 16, 2023 10:36 AM

Saturday 9/16 another major signal failure WASH and north to maybe New Carrolton.  amtrak says nothing of course but MARC does.  Most signal failures are on this section over the years.

Service Alert 15646 | Maryland Transit Administration

EDIT finally found Amtrak announcement on reservations site.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 10:40 PM

For some reason almost all Amtrak trains between PHL and Wilmington both directions have taken a 1 hour + delay today Apr 9th due to signal probllems just south of 30th st station..

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, April 15, 2024 7:51 PM

Damage by storm was April 10th and why has Amtrak ignored it without any public announcement?  

 

Service Temporarily Disrupted for Trains Traveling Between Philadelphia and New York Penn Station

April 15, 2024 7:30 PM

 



Due to rail congestion resulting from overhead power issues, all trains traveling between Philadelphia (PHL) and New York (NYP) will experience delays of at least 3 hours. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.

 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, May 16, 2024 1:52 PM

CAT problems again on the old PRR type CAT today near Baltimore.

Amtrak Advisory | Service Fully Restored in Baltimore

MARC did not report any delays so must have happened north of 'Baltimore?

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 10:34 PM

It appears that the storms brought down the CAT wires between NYP and Newark Penn station.  IMO the keeping of the PRR style CAT on this section of the NEC may have caused both tracks to be pulled down instead of just one possible track?  Having the PRR style where all track's CAT is connected by the above cross hanger wire is a receipt for all CAT wires coming down.

 

_ 05/22/24 7:09pm EDT
_   detailedMessage: Service Disruption: As of 6:55PM ET Due
_   to downed overhead power lines between Newark (NWK) and
_   New York (NYP) All travel in the area is temporarily stopped.
_   Crews are working to resolve the issue. We will send updates
_   as new information becomes available. We apologize for the
_   delay and greatly appreciate your patience while we work
_   to manage this situation.
_
_ 05/22/24 7:23pm EDT
_   Service Disruption: As of 6:55PM ET Due to downed overhead
_   power lines between Newark (NWK) and New York (NYP) All
_   travel in the area is temporarily stopped. Crews are working
_   to resolve the issue. We will send updates as new information
_   becomes available. We apologize for the delay and greatly
_   appreciate your patience while we work to manage this situation.
_
_ 05/22/24 10:54pm EDT
_   Delay Notification: As of 10:50 pm ET Train 129 is operating
_   approx. 3hrs 30 mins late the result of rail congestion
_   due to downed power lines east of New York (NYP).

EDIT: BTW the PRR style is slower to repair as each location has to restore support wire(s) at each location for all tracks instead of constant tension being able to replace one track at a time.

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, May 24, 2024 5:42 AM

Thursday problems with CAT at WASH Union station.  Examples 19, 91, 97 all took over 1 hour delays. Not quite clear if problem was at 1st street tunnel entrance? 

05/23/24 6:45pm EDT
_   Mechanical Issues: As of 6:42 pm ET due to overhead power
_   issues Train 91 is currently stopped in Washington (WAS).
_   Updates to come as more information becomes available.
_
_ 05/23/24 6:57pm EDT
_   Service Resumption: As of 6:54 pm ET Train 91 has departed
_   Washington (WAS) and is currently operating approximately
_   3 hours and 45 minutes late.
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Monday, June 24, 2024 9:49 PM

Our poor postings is showing up Today Monday another CAT problem on Amtrak this time appears to be a Hudson river bore?  Then this is the third day of problems.  Cannot determine if this is NJ Transit snagging the CAT  or Amtrak???

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, July 6, 2024 12:16 PM

It has happened again Today SAT  July 6th Hell Gate line has lost all power.  That is the new 60hZ line and does not make sense.  Maybe the overnight work broke something??  Here is Amtrak's announcement.

BTW this started before 0830 this morning.  As usual Amtrak tried to hide the extent of this outage but finally had to make an announcement 4 hours later.  Rest my case.

 

Service Temporarily Disrupted Between New York and New Haven

July 06, 2024 12:30 PM

 

Services operating between New York Penn Station (NYP) and New Haven Union Station (NHV) are suspended until at least 3pm due to reports of a malfunctioning circuit breaker causing a power outage on all tracks. As of now trains originating out of Boston (BOS) are suspended until further notice. Metro North Railroad is currently honoring Amtrak tickets at Grand Central Station for all customers traveling to New Haven, CT and intermediate stops. We will post updates here as soon as they are available. 

Customers with reservations on affected trains will typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. Amtrak will waive additional charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule by calling our reservation center at 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Follow us on X for real-time service information:
• @AmtrakNECAlerts for service information in the Northeast Corridor (Acela, Northeast Regional, and other corridor services).
• @AmtrakAlerts for service information outside the Northeast Corridor.

Subscribe at Amtrak.com/DelayAlerts to receive automated email or text message notifications if Amtrak trains are behind schedule at specific stations.

This information is correct as of the time and date above. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.
 

 

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, July 6, 2024 3:04 PM

This failure must be serious.  Service is cancelled for rest of day.  Here is Amtrak bulletin.  However, Amtrak keeps saying problem all the way to New Haven.  NOT SO !!  MNRR running normally between NYGT and New Haven.

check_circle  New Haven Line
 
update  4:00 PM
Good Service

 

July 06, 2024 3:30 PM

 

Services operating between New York Penn Station (NYP) and Boston South Station (BOS) are suspended for the remainder of the day due to reports of a malfunctioning circuit breaker causing a power outage on all tracks betwen New York Penn and New Haven Union Station (NHV). We will post updates here as soon as they are available. 

Customers with reservations on affected trains will typically be accommodated on trains with similar departure times or another day. Amtrak will waive additional charges for customers looking to change their reservation during the modified schedule by calling our reservation center at 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Follow us on X for real-time service information:
• @AmtrakNECAlerts for service information in the Northeast Corridor (Acela, Northeast Regional, and other corridor services).
• @AmtrakAlerts for service information outside the Northeast Corridor.

Subscribe at Amtrak.com/DelayAlerts to receive automated email or text message notifications if Amtrak trains are behind schedule at specific stations.

This information is correct as of the time and date above. Information is subject to change as conditions warrant.
 

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, July 6, 2024 5:37 PM

Temperatures along the NEC are flirting with 100 degrees F.  While the heat index should not affect hardware - the index being in the neighborhood of 110 has its effects on the software that is the human body.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, July 6, 2024 6:17 PM

I have real heart burn over Amtrak's effort to indirectly imply that the failure is on MNRR.  Too many riders may read the bulletin and think they cannot ride MNRR to New Haven.  In fact I originally thought the same until checked MNRR.  Plus no bulletin for 4 hours has no excuse.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, July 7, 2024 5:25 AM
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Posted by blue streak 1 on Sunday, July 21, 2024 10:51 PM

Another CAT problem However, it appears that commeercial power lines down.  This has been going on for a long time.

 NEC and NJCL rail service is subject to up to 30-minute delays in both directions due to earlier downed commercial utility wires on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor tracks near Rahway.  WB trains are bypassing North Eliz, Eliz, Linden, and Rahway. Customers are advised to transfer at Metro Park for eastbound service to bypassed stations. WB customers at N. Eliz, Eliz, Linden, and Rahway are advised to transfers at Newark for service. 

 

07/21/24 4:15pm EDT
_ Delay Notification: As of 4:13 PM ET Train 88 is currently
_ stopped north of Metropark (MET) due to overhead power issues.
_ Crews are diligently working to resolve the issue. We will
_ provide updates as more information becomes available. We
_ greatly appreciate your patience and understanding.
_
_ 07/21/24 4:57pm EDT
_ Mechanical Issue: As of 4:44 PM ET Train 88 is currently
_ stopped north of Metropark (MET) due to mechanical issues
_ resulting from overhead power issues. A new engine is enroute
_ and estimated to arrive in 45 minutes. We sincerely appreciate
_ your continued patience and understanding.
_  

EDIT.  It may be high voltage from the commercial power surged into the motor causing it to need replacement

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