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Amtrak speeding up New York Penn Station Improvement Initiatives


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#21 KevinKorell

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Posted 12 June 2017 - 09:20 PM

Journal-News, White Plains, NY,   6/12/17:

 


6 Amtrak trains to use Grand Central Terminal this summer

 

 

Metro-North will have some company at Grand Central Terminal this summer.

 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Interim Executive Director Veronique Hakim confirmed Monday that Amtrak and the MTA have "an agreement" to begin running trains to and from upstate into the east side station, as the national railroad begins much-needed repairs in Penn Station.

 

This seems to confirm what has been expected for a while.



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#22 CNJRoss

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Posted 29 June 2017 - 06:43 PM

Amtrak news release:

 

Infrastructure Renewal Advances At New York Penn Station

June 29, 2017

 

Work underway to improve service reliability at critical transportation hub

 

 

 

NEW YORK – Amtrak engineering forces continue the ongoing infrastructure renewal work at New York Penn Station, a series of major projects that will strengthen and improve operations and reliability at North America’s busiest transportation hub. A normal weekday sees more than 1,300 daily train movements at Penn Station with each of the station’s 21 tracks in use every two minutes. The ongoing work will help increase service reliability and preserve the existing operational flexibility for the users of Penn Station. This effort also includes preparation for the extensive and accelerated maintenance in “A” interlocking that will take place this summer, beginning in July.

 

Renewal and maintenance recently completed includes (numbered on map below):

  1. Renewal of 125 feet of station track 7 at east end limits including the replacement of 600 railroad ties
  2. Total switch replacement consisting of several sections within tracks 3X and 4X in “A” interlocking (west side of Penn Station)
  3. ­­­Wood, timber and rail replacement within “JO” interlocking (east side of Penn Station)
  4. Replacement of 96 block ties in Line 1 of the East River tunnels
  5. Replacement of block ties within station tracks 2 and 10
  6. Positioning of equipment in New York and New Jersey in preparation for the extensive summer work in July and August
  7. Daily maintenance work

Time-lapse video of “A” interlocking renewal work (2) completed during the weekend of June 16-19 can also be found here.

 

Amtrak has released the posted schedules for passenger service during Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station beginning July 10, 2017 through September 1, 2017. Schedules can be found here. Amtrak’s reservation systems have been updated to reflect these schedule changes and any passenger already booked on a train that has been cancelled or altered has been contacted and accommodated on other scheduled service.

 

For the latest updates on Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn station visit amtrak.com/NYPrenewal.

 

A Burro crane lifting an older switch panel section for removal.

 

Amtrak’s Portal Krane (PK-1) positioning a switch for installation.

 

An open cavity prior to the installation of a new switch.

 

Amtrak’s 125-ton dual telescopic rail crane removing existing switch panels for replacement.

 

NYP_Track-Map_WORK.jpg

 

 



#23 CNJRoss

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Posted 29 June 2017 - 07:49 PM

Amtrak Video:

 

Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station (sub-titled version)



#24 KevinKorell

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Posted 01 July 2017 - 10:10 AM

It's July 1st, 9 days before the start of the heavy work and scheduled service disruptions and/or detours and still no "official" announcement from Amtrak regarding Empire Service.


Edited by KevinKorell, 02 July 2017 - 03:41 PM.
empire service


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#25 CNJRoss

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Posted 02 July 2017 - 03:21 PM

Bloomberg 6/29/17:

Penn Station Is New York’s Commuter Hell, and It’s About to Get Worse

 

 

Even on a good day, New York’s antiquated Pennsylvania Station is a commuter’s nightmare, a windowless warren of crammed platforms, motionless escalators and rank restrooms. One Wednesday in May brought sewage raining in the corridors. Two days later, a flash flood turned stairwells into waterfalls and closed the main entrance.

 

Worse is coming in July and August for 600,000-plus weekday sufferers at North America’s busiest train terminal. Rail maintenance by the station’s owner, Amtrak, means that a rotation of tracks and platforms will be closed.

 

.  .  .   “Summer of Hell” is the phrase New York Governor Andrew Cuomo coined to describe what’s ahead, from July 10 to Sept. 1.

 

Hell isn’t just for passengers. It costs Manhattan employers $14.5 million for every hour train commuters from New Jersey and Long Island are delayed, according to the Partnership for New York City, a nonprofit business-advocacy group. The group in 2015 called for major investment in regional mass transit because London, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong “prioritize efficient, reliable and modern” systems and New York must compete with them as a financial capital.

 

More here.



#26 KevinKorell

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Posted 03 July 2017 - 05:52 PM

Finally, with 1 week to go until it takes effect, Amtrak has announced its Grand Central Terminal usage:
 

Six Empire Service Trains Will Stop at Grand Central Terminal Instead of New York Penn Station

 
 

Effective July 10 through September 1, 2017

Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station

As part of the Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station, Amtrak will perform a series of major track and switch renewal projects that will strengthen railroad infrastructure, operations and preparedness -- and ultimately improve reliability at America’s busiest rail hub. The Infrastructure Renewal work accelerates several years of already planned improvements to track, switch and other infrastructure at Penn Station to improve track conditions.
 
This major work will require three northbound and three southbound Empire Service trains to use Grand Central Terminal instead of Penn Station from July 10 – Sept. 1, 2017. If you are getting on or off the following trains at Grand Central Terminal, here are a few things you should know:

Trains 230, 233, 235, 236, 239 and 242 Will Stop at Grand Central Terminal
  • Location: Grand Central Terminal is located about a mile north of Penn Station at 89 E 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017.
  • Transferring between Grand Central Terminal and New York Penn Station: If you are transferring between New York Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal, taxi and local transit are available from both stations, or you can choose to walk. Customers are encouraged to allow extra time if transferring between stations.
  • Schedule Change: Note the new arrival and departure times on your ticket. Trains arriving at and departing from Grand Central Terminal will operate an adjusted schedule. Contact Amtrak for schedule information.
  • Customer Assistance: Amtrak employees will not be available at Grand Central Terminal to assist customers. Amtrak conductors will assist customers getting on and off the train. Customers who need assistance are encouraged to use other Empire Service trains at New York Penn Station. Note that Grand Central Terminal is an accessible station.
  • Ticketing Options: Customers can make reservations and obtain eTickets at Amtrak.com, using our free mobile apps, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). Your eTickets can be printed at home or displayed on your mobile device.
  • Checked Baggage Service is not available at Grand Central Terminal.
  • Each customer can bring onboard two personal items, 25 lbs. and 14 x 11 x 7 inches each, and two carry-on items, 50 lbs. and 28 x 22 x 14 inches each, free of charge.
  • Visit Amtrak.com for more information on Amtrak’s Baggage policy, including excess and overweight baggage fees.
  • Closest Full Service Station: Customers who require ticketing, unaccompanied minor travel or other assistance provided by station employees can book reservations aboard Amtrak trains serving New York Penn Station.
Customer Information: The following resources are available for all Amtrak customers:
  • Amtrak.com/NYPrenewal: Find the latest train schedule information, project overview and updates. 
  • Amtrak Social Media: Customers can follow @AmtrakNEC and @Amtrak on Twitter for timely information.
  • Email or text alerts: You can now sign up to receive customized texts or emails for train and service information.
  • Amtrak.com and the mobile app: Get train status information, or modify existing reservations.
We appreciate your patronage and apologize for any inconvenience. For reservations, visit Amtrak.com, use our free mobile apps, speak with station personnel or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245). Thank you for traveling with Amtrak.



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#27 CNJRoss

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Posted 03 July 2017 - 06:17 PM

Here's the Amtrak news release:

 
Select Empire Service Trains to Operate to/from Grand Central Terminal during Infrastructure Renewal Period
 
July 3, 2017

 

 

WASHINGTON – As part of the modified Amtrak service during infrastructure renewal work, select Empire Service trains will operate to/from Grand Central Terminal. In coordination with New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), three roundtrip Empire Service trains (six total trains) will operate between Albany-Rensselaer and Grand Central Terminal during the renewal work period, from July 10 – Sept. 1.

 

The following service adjustments have been made to Amtrak’s weekday schedule, including those previously announced, which will be in effect from July 10 – Sept. 1. Customers can expect some minor run-time changes to the regularly scheduled service, particularly for routes that have been modified during the renewal period:

 

Northeast Corridor Service

  • Empire Service: Monday-Friday, three roundtrip trains (six total trains) will operate between Albany-Rensselaer (ALB) and New York Grand Central Terminal (NYG). ALB to NYG: 230, 236, and 242. NYG to ALB: 233, 235 and 239. Please note: on the weekends, train 233 will originate from New York Penn (NYP). On Fridays, Trains 255 and 293 will be canceled. Train 291 will operate daily from New York Penn (NYP) to Rutland, Vermont (RUD) station.
  • Northeast Regional: Three roundtrip trains (six total trains) 110, 111, 127, 180, 183, and 186 have been cancelled between New York City and Washington, D.C. Three trains will also make additional stops to accommodate passengers. Train 79 will make an extra stop at Metropark (MET), train 129 will make an extra stop at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Train 193 will make an extra stop at North Philadelphia (PHN). Service between New York City and Boston will operate as scheduled.
  • Keystone Service: Three roundtrip trains (six total trains) 651, 653, 655, 642, 650 and 652, which normally operate between Harrisburg and New York City, will only operate between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. One roundtrip train (two total trains) 640 and 643 will operate between Newark, NJ and Harrisburg. Service between Philadelphia and Harrisburg will operate as scheduled.
  • Adirondack / Maple Leaf Service: The Adirondack, operating between New York City and Montreal, and the Maple Leaf, operating between New York City and Toronto, will be combined during the renewal period. Customers will depart New York Penn (NYP) daily and travel to Albany-Rensselaer (ALB), where the trains will be separated and continue on to their respective destinations.
  • Acela Express: No changes.

Long Distance services that operate on the Northeast Corridor

  • Crescent: Normally operating between New York City and New Orleans, this service will originate and end in Washington, D.C. daily during the renewal period. Connections will be provided on other Northeast Corridor trains.
  • Silver Service: Tickets that are normally only available to long distance customers traveling between New York City and Tampa/Miami, will be open to all Northeast Corridor travelers during the renewal period.
  • Cardinal Service: Tickets that are normally only available to long distance customers traveling between New York City and Chicago, will be open to all Northeast Corridor travelers during the renewal period.

Amtrak’s reservation systems have been updated to reflect these schedule changes and any passenger already booked on a train that has been cancelled or altered will be contacted and accommodated on other scheduled services.

 

Customer Information

Amtrak has launched several customer initiatives and efforts in advance of the Infrastructure Renewal work this month. The following resources are available for all customers:

  • Email or text alerts: Amtrak recently launched a new feature that will allow customers to sign up to receive customized texts or emails for Amtrak train and service information.
  • Amtrak Ambassadors: Volunteer ambassadors will be on hand at New York Penn (NYP) Station during the renewal period to assist customers with wayfinding and address questions.
  • Amtrak.com/NYPrenewal: Find the latest Amtrak train schedule information, project updates, frequently asked questions, and more.
  • Amtrak Social Media: Amtrak’s blog and social media accounts will provide service updates, program progress and a behind-the-scenes look at the work. Customers can follow @AmtrakNEC and @Amtrak on Twitter for timely information.
  • Amtrak.com and Amtrak mobile app: To check the status of your train, or to modify existing reservations, visit Amtrak.com or the Amtrak mobile app.

 

  •  


#28 KevinKorell

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Posted 04 July 2017 - 12:21 AM

New York, NY Post, 7/3/17:
 

 

Amtrak moves trains to Grand Central for ‘summer of hell’

 

Grand Central will pick up some of Penn Station’s slack as Amtrak spends the summer repairing the crumbling west side transit hub, Amtrak announced Monday.

 

More

 

 

 

Two of the service’s Friday trains have been cancelled, but one weekend locomotive will still depart from Penn each day, according to Amtrak.

 

OK let's dissect this.  Fake news. The truth is that nothing is being cancelled!   Instead of Train 293 running Fridays only, and 291 running the other 6 days of the week, 291 will run all 7 days. Train 239, which is the New York-Albany train in same slot as 293 on Mondays through Thursdays and is one of the trains displaced to Grand Central, will operate on Fridays as well, keeping that timeslot covered.  Train 255 is the Friday-only New York-Albany train in 291's timeslot.  With 291 running daily, the slot is still covered on Fridays.  So there are no fewer trains on weekdays.  Amtrak's PR department needs to make their announcements clearer, and the media needs to do their homework as well, making sure it is interpreted correctly when they regurgitate the information for their publication.

 

Next in the quoted paragraph above, why would Amtrak be wasting a valuable slot out of Penn Station sending out just a locomotive?   Train 233 is a daily train, which will continue to operate daily, only it's running out of Grand Central on weekdays, and Penn on weekends. Problem solved.  The locomotive will be hauling this train, not running to Albany without any passenger coaches behind it.   Not that anybody will listen, but I propose that during the time that 233 leaves from two different New York stations depending on the day of the week, that the weekend version should get the number 263 so that they can minimize the confusion.



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#29 KevinKorell

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Posted 04 July 2017 - 02:42 AM

From Amtrak press release in item #27 above: 

 

  • Silver Service: Tickets that are normally only available to long distance customers traveling between New York City and Tampa/Miami, will be open to all Northeast Corridor travelers during the renewal period.
  • Cardinal Service: Tickets that are normally only available to long distance customers traveling between New York City and Chicago, will be open to all Northeast Corridor travelers during the renewal period.

​To clarify, Trains 51, 91, and 97 can be used in the Washington-bound direction with local restrictions removed. However, Trains 50, 92, and 98 are not available in the New York-bound direction, as they remain in discharge-only mode which allows them to run early up the NEC assuming they show up in Washington early or on-time.



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#30 KevinKorell

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Posted 04 July 2017 - 02:23 PM

How is Amtrak handling transfers between the two New York City stations?  Back when Empire Service normally called at Grand Central, there were "Thruway" vans that carried passengers between the stations. As you might imagine, with normal city traffic it was usually faster to take the subway or even walk especially without luggage.  This time around, they are doing the placeholder "Self Transfer", much as the situation is handled in Boston between Back Bay and North Stations to connect between the Northeast Corridor (or Lake Shore Limited) and the Downeasters.  The self transfers suppose that one will find their own way between the two stations, no matter what mode.  These self transfers carry numbers too even though they are only virtual trips as far as Amtrak is concerned.   They are designated as 2630 from Train 230, 2636 from Train 236, 2642 from Train 242, 2633 to Train 233, 2635 to Train 235, and 2639 to Train 239.   All said, unless one walks, travel between the two stations will involve the customer absorbing the expense of a cab, car service, city bus, or taking the subway (2 seat ride).



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