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[KevinKorell]

Progressive Railroading, 11/24/15:

 

Connecticut's Malloy makes economic pitch for New Haven Line upgrades

 

An economic analysis of proposed improvements to the MTA Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line demonstrates that the economic value of the upgrades would outweigh the costs by a benefit/cost ratio of 2.51, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy announced late last week.

The story

 

 

Malloy also is calling for changes to the Connecticut system, including upgrades to track, the signal system, the communication system and reconfiguration of several stations to allow for express train service on two inner tracks and local train service on two outer tracks.

Isn't that how it is now?  Express runs on the inner tracks and locals use the outer tracks.  And they should not begin stopping too many express trains at smaller stations, or those trains won't be express anymore.

[Springfield Pete]

It has been several years since all 4 of the tracks were in service on the Eastern half of the line.  Between Stamford and New Haven there is always one track out of service as repair crews put in new rail, or replace wood ties with concrete.  The work is proceeding very slowly, just one section of track at a time, but it's enough to require express and local trains to share the same track.  Gov Maloy is either talking about getting that work completed, or he is suggesting adding platforms in the middle of th 4 tracks to allow express trains on the inside track to make stops without having to switch over to the outside track.