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OTOL East Coast RailFest 2014 Trip Report


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#1 KevinKorell

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Posted 02 April 2016 - 06:57 PM

Trip Report
OTOL East Coast RailFest 2014
January 18-19, 2014

by Kevin Korell

 
Chapter 0: Introduction
 
OTOL East Coast RailFest (ECRF) 2014 was yet another exciting winter meet held (where else?) on the East Coast. This year the original plan was to ride trains in the Washington, DC area, as the Metro Silver Line and DC Streetcar were supposed to have gone into service by the end of 2013. However as it became more obvious that neither was going to happen before our usual weekend in January, another venue had to be chosen.
 
A program was put together to exploit several new rail features along the East Coast that had not been in place during our previous visits. These would include a new Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Transportation Authority (SEPTA) trolley branch in Philadelphia, NJ TRANSIT's Pennsauken Transit Center, the 8th Street extension of NJ TRANSIT's Hudson Bergen Light Rail in Bayonne, and weekend service to New London, CT on Shore Line East (SLE). To do this we would also need to ride NJ TRANSIT's Atlantic City Line and Northeast Corridor Line, as well as their RiverLINE light rail. PATH would also need to be used to bridge the gap between Newark and Jersey City. We needed to take MTA Metro North Railroad's New Haven Line to New Haven to get to SLE. We would also return from New London on Amtrak, using a Northeast Regional train.
 
This could be accomplished within two days, and so the Fest was written that way. Friday and Monday were left open just in case anyone was around before and after the official Fest and wished to ride trains together on their own.

Chapter 1: Preparation
 
The usual Fest Homepage was created, and with it there were links to our participant list and other features designed to help people visit the areas involved.

Chapter 2: Friday, January 17, 2014
 
Friday was the day most participants came to Philadelphia to be in place for Saturday's activities. The majority were staying at the Doubletree by Hilton Center City, which has been known to offer excellent rates and is convenient to transit.

Chapter 2.1: Getting to Philadelphia
 
Alan Burden started out in New York City, and took a Keystone Service train down to Philadelphia. I had come down earlier on a Northeast Regional train from Metropark, and met him in the Club Acela in 30th Street Station. John Corbett, who lives and works in the Philly area, met us in the station in time to also meet the arrival of our longer-distance travelers.
 
Penny Jacobs and Dick McCauley left Florida on Thursday aboard Amtrak's Silver Star, which got into Philadelphia in the late afternoon Friday. They took a cab to the Doubletree. John, Alan, and I rode a SEPTA Regional Rail train from 30th Street to Suburban Station, and then we walked via underground passageways underneath Broad Street to the Doubletree. By the time we got there, Penny and Dick had arrived by cab and checked in. Preston Holland of Nashville, who had come up from Atlanta on the Crescent, had already been in town since Friday morning. The six of us agreed to meet in the hotel's restaurant for dinner.

Chapter 2.2: Dinner at Doubletree
 
We had dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Standing O Bistro. During the meal, Lou Petrillo (having come from New Haven on a later Amtrak train) came into the same restaurant and found us and briefly made it a party of seven.
 
We had also been expecting Chris Wyatt to join us, although he was staying at a different hotel. He now lives in New Orleans, but frequently combines his Fest trips with other travels around the country. He had taken Thursday's Cardinal out of Chicago, due in Friday evening, but found himself several hours late. With an eventual arrival around midnight, he would wait until Saturday to join us.

Chapter 2.3: End of Friday's activities
 
Once done with our meal, everyone retired to their rooms to prepare for ECRF Day One.

Chapter 3: Saturday, January 18, 2014
 
Saturday would start out in Philadelphia, and our activities would move to various points in New Jersey before culminating in some of us having dinner together in New York City.

Chapter 3.0: Meeting in Philadelphia
 
At breakfast at the Doubletree, there was Preston, Alan, Penny, Dick, Lou, and me. Also joining us was Sloan Auchincloss of Harrisburg, PA. He had stayed at the same hotel.
 
We were met in the hotel lobby by other people we had not seen the night before. Nick Gibbon, who lives in Philly, joined us for the Saturday activities. Ed Findlay of Revere, MA, who had stayed elsewhere in the city, was also there to meet us. We also said a temporary goodbye to Dick, as he was going to take Amtrak's Vermonter directly to New York City and meet us there for dinner.
 
So it was nine people who began the day by walking out of the Doubletree and down the nearest stairway into the Walnut/Locust subway station.

Chapter 3.1: SEPTA Broad Street Line, Walnut/Locust to Girard
 
The first of our four SEPTA segments was on the Broad Street Line. Originally the Fest had been written to have us start at City Hall, but because so many of us had spent the previous evening one stop south of there, we began our travels at this point, with anyone still welcome to join us at City Hall if that was more convenient for them. We left Walnut/Locust at 8:42 AM, two minutes later than planned. Chris, who had stayed out by the airport, took advantage of the City Hall option by connecting with our subway train there.
 
Given the recent rash of vicious crimes on the Broad Street Line, to say our trip was uneventful is a definite plus. The ten of us got off at Girard Avenue at 8:50 AM to wait for our trolley ride. This ended up being the lowlight of the Fest, since we had just missed a trolley and had to wait in a biting wind and snow showers for the next one to come.

Chapter 3.2: SEPTA #15 trolley, Broad/Girard to Frankford/Delaware
 
At 9:10 AM, a full 20 minutes after we had arrived at this corner by subway, a 15 trolley showed up. We left that corner four minutes later than our itinerary called for.
 
The short spur that was built down to Frankford/Delaware serves the SugarHouse Casino, which is right across Delaware Avenue. This spur is currently also the line's only eastern terminus, as the older mainline is out of service while the adjacent I-95 freeway is widened and realigned. That segment is being covered by buses.
 
Our trip took longer than scheduled. We arrived at the Frankford/Delaware loop at 9:27 AM, now nine minutes late. At the loop there was one 15 trolley car that had come in before us. Since this would be the next one to depart, we didn't have to wait outside too long and were soon allowed to board.
 
frankford.jpg

Group pauses (with some luggage in tow) at Frankford/Delaware trolley loop in Philly, across from Sugar House Casino.  Photo by John Corbett.
 
Chapter 3.3: SEPTA #15 trolley, Frankford/Delaware to Girard Station
 
Our next trip segment departed Frankford/Delaware at 9:36 AM, so we were back on our schedule since the layover was shorter than expected. We partially retraced our travels, getting off at the Market Frankford Line station, which is just west of where the new trolley branch joins the mainline on Girard. The total travel time on this trolley was just three minutes.

Chapter 3.4: SEPTA Market Frankford Line, Girard to 30th Street
 
A Market-Frankford Line train came rather soon after we got up to the elevated platform, which luckily limited our wait in the cold, windy conditions. Soon we were on our way towards 30th Street Station, leaving Girard at 9:42 AM (a full 8 minutes earlier than our itinerary).
The train got to 30th Street at 9:56 AM, so we were still five minutes early. But the walk through the subway station, up to the street level, crossing the station's namesake street, and into the rail station by the same name took some time. We had a brief rest stop here to warm up and recharge before embarking on the next part of our journey.
 
Coming over from their homes in New Jersey to meet us there were Maurice Carson of Willingboro, and Bill Magee of Cherry Hill. That brought our group to our peak for the day and the entire weekend at 12.

Chapter 3.5: NJ TRANSIT Atlantic City Line, Train #4671, 30th Street Station to Pennsauken Transit Center
 
Our Atlantic City Line train departed Philly on time at 10:17 AM. The majority of our ride was in Pennsylvania, because as soon as we went over the Delair Bridge into New Jersey, our stop came. We detrained at 10:38 AM at Pennsauken Transit Center, and with all of us being new to the facility, we followed the signs to the RiverLINE platform.

Chapter 3.6: NJ TRANSIT RiverLINE, Pennsauken Transit Center to Trenton Transit Center
 
Our RiverLINE train showed up exactly on time at 10:59 AM. Most in our group got seats, but during parts of the trip others were standing. We headed northward towards Trenton, getting there right on time at 11:51 AM. As soon as we crossed the street into the Trenton Transit Center, it was time for a well deserved lunch.

Chapter 3.7: At Trenton Transit Center
 
Lunchtime happened at Trenton Transit Center with some of the group going to McDonald's, while others opted for the Pizza Grill at the other end of the station. We lost Sloan, who would return home from Trenton to Harrisburg on Amtrak's Keystone Service train #665. The other 11 of us reconvened after filling our bellies and prepared to head north on the next NJ TRANSIT train to Newark.

Chapter 3.8: NJ TRANSIT Northeast Corridor Line, Train #7836, Trenton Transit Center to Newark Penn Station
 
We departed Trenton on time at 12:57 PM, and had an uneventful run up to Newark, where we arrived at 2:10 PM. Maurice remained on this train into New York, where he then caught Amtrak Keystone Service train #667 back to Philadelphia. That left ten of us to detrain.

Chapter 3.9: PATH Newark-World Trade Center Line, Newark Penn Station to Exchange Place
 
We went directly across the platform and entered the PATH system. We got on the next train, which departed from Newark five minutes later than expected at 2:20 PM. The trip itself from Newark to Exchange Place took five minutes longer than is should have, so once we arrived at our destination at 2:43 PM, we were ten minutes off schedule. Once off at Exchange Place, it was only a half block walk to the light rail platform.

Chapter 3.10: NJ TRANSIT Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Hoboken-8th Street Line, Exchange Place to 8th Street, Bayonne
 
Since HBLRT runs on 20-minute headways on weekends, we really didn't want to miss our connection there, since it was cold, and the area is known for its winds off the Hudson River. Lucky for us, caught the 2:54 PM trip to Bayonne, which was the trip called for in our schedule. The late PATH train actually helped to minimize our time in the cold.
 
Our trip down to 8th Street in Bayonne took 21 minutes. The trackage between 22nd and 8th Streets was new to the group and to the majority of our participants. We got to 8th Street at 3:15 PM, where we had a 14 minute layover until our car would return northbound. Some remained aboard, while others took a short walk to investigate how the old Central RR of New Jersey station was repurposed for the light rail line.

Chapter 3.11: NJ TRANSIT Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, Hoboken-8th Street Line, 8th Street, Bayonne to Hoboken Terminal
 
Our group of ten returned on the same vehicle towards Hoboken, leaving 8th Street at 3:29 PM. We had a slight unexplained delay en route, so when we got to Hoboken Terminal at 4:03 PM, we were three minutes down.
 
At this point our Fest activities for the day were over, but some would meet later in New York for dinner. Since I would be staying overnight at the Doubletree Hotel in Jersey City, I remained aboard the same vehicle once more and rode south to Harsiumus Cove. I would later take PATH from Newport to 33rd Street, and then walk to Penn Station to join the others for dinner.
 
The other nine took PATH from Hoboken to 33rd Street. Those who were staying in hotels went to check-in, and then some of them met again later at Penn Station to have dinner together. Bill returned to Philadelphia on Amtrak Keystone train #669.

Chapter 3.12: Dinner in New York City at Skylight Diner
 
Remember we left Dick in Philadelphia? He met us in Penn Station after checking in at his hotel. Jishnu Mukerji of Short Hills, NJ was unable to participate in our train activities but came into the city to meet us for dinner. Still also there from Saturday's train riding were John, Preston, Penny, Alan, and me. Once together the seven of us began the walk to dinner at the Skylight Diner.
 
Having eaten there once before on one of our previous winter Fests in New York, we chose this place again. Like any diner it offers a diverse menu selection. And it's a long block west of Penn Station, which puts it off the beaten path for tourists. They also let us split our checks. Like the last time, the service was efficient and fairly prompt, and the food was good.

Chapter 3.13: End of Saturday's activities
 
After leaving the diner, it was time for those who had remained together to go their separate ways. Alan and Jishnu went home, John went to stay with his dad in Riverdale, those in Manhattan hotels walked to them, and I took PATH back to Jersey City. It was the end of a busy day, but this Fest was only half over!

Chapter 4: Sunday, January 19, 2014
 
The second and final official day of our Fest took us north and east out of New York City, and through the suburbs that stretch into the state of Connecticut. We would travel as far east as New London, CT before returning on Amtrak to wherever our next destinations would be following the Fest.

Chapter 4.1: MTA Metro North Railroad New Haven Line, Train #6514, Grand Central Terminal to New Haven Union Station
 
Seven of us began the day by assembling in the middle of the iconic Grand Central Terminal, near the center information booth. Chris, Dick, Penny, Preston, Ed, Alan, and I boarded Metro North Train #6514 at around 9:00 AM, and departed promptly at 9:08 AM. John Corbett, who was coming from another Metro North line, joined us as our train stopped at Harlem-125th Street.
 
Despite Metro North's recent spate of negative incidents, we figured on an uneventful ride, and Metro North did deliver on that. A few new station stops have been added in recent years, so the trip is a few minutes longer than it used to be. Nevertheless, although the scheduled arrival time in New Haven was 11:05 AM, we arrived there five minutes earlier.
 
We were joined upon arrival by Jishnu Mukerji, who was unable to attend Saturday's activities. Bill also returned to the group at that time. Both of them had arrived earlier on Amtrak Regional #160. Also rejoining us from Saturday was Lou, who lives in nearby West Haven. With the addition of Lou, Bill, and Jishnu, we were up to 11 people.

Chapter 4.2: Lunch at New Haven Union Station
 
At New Haven's Union Station, the only two places to have a meal other than doughnuts are Sbarro and Subway. We divided ourselves amongst those two places, and enjoyed our lunch. We then all met up again in the waiting room.

Chapter 4.3: Shore Line East, Train #3618, New Haven Union Station to New London
 
Our group of eleven boarded our Shore Line East train, which departed from New Haven precisely on time at 12:08 PM. The trip was approximately one hour. We stopped at many stations including Old Saybrook, where we had turned around on a previous Fest. Our train got into New London at 1:09 PM, two minutes late.
 
nlc.jpg
ECRF participants take a moment outside on the platform during 20 minute dwell in New London, CT.   Photo by John Corbett.
 
There had been some concern with both a potential late Shore Line East arrival, and on which track our Amtrak train would stop. Lucky for us, the station was open, so we were able to get this information. And our Amtrak train had been delayed between Boston and here, so we had more dwell time in which people could sit in the warm station or visit its rest rooms.

Chapter 4.4: Amtrak Train #163, Northeast Regional: New London, CT to various points
 
Once the Amtrak #163 arrived, we all found seats within two adjacent coaches. The train left New London at 1:29 PM, eleven minutes late. Lou got off this train in New Haven, leaving ten of us to continue beyond there.
 
#163 arrived in New York's Penn Station at 3:51 PM, just one minute down thanks to our old friend schedule padding. Bill remained on this train back to Philly, where he arrived on time. The other nine got off this train in New York.

Chapter 4.5: End of Sunday's activities
 
Jishnu and John left us and went home. Chris, Ed, Dick, Alan, Penny, and I went into the Club Acela to decide what to do about dinner. We made a last minute decision for those of us remaining in the city to have dinner at the Stage Door Deli. Preston had become separated from us when we had gotten off the train, but he later rejoined us. After the seven of us had a great meal, we broke up. Ed caught Amtrak Northeast Regional #168 to Boston, while the rest of us went either home or to our respective hotels for the evening.

Chapter 5: Monday, January 20, 2014
 
The Fest was long over, but several people still in town continued riding the rails together a bit more. Jishnu, Penny, Preston, and I took a "points run" trip up to Croton Harmon and back, using the northbound Adirondack (#69) and a southbound Empire Service train (#236). Both trains ran on time, and we somehow found a way to endure the 53 minute layover at the tiny Croton Harmon station. Afterwards, we ate lunch at a restaurant within Penn Station before finally splitting up.
 
Preston would fly out later that day. Penny took that evening's Silver Meteor home to Florida. Jishnu and I returned to our respective New Jersey homes. Dick was also still in the area before returning to Florida later in the week on the Silver Star.

Chapter 6: Conclusion
 
In what turned out to be a brutal winter with extreme cold and abundant snow storms, we were really very lucky with the weather conditions. Aside from the time we were waiting for the trolley at Broad & Girard in Philadelphia, the weather really did not bother us. We just missed a large snow storm that hit after most had returned home.
 
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves once more as we rode the rails in many locations. We looked forward to the next winter event in January of 2015, where we would finally be able to ride those two new rail lines in Washington, DC and also be able to follow a more condensed program so that some of us would not have to drag suitcases along for the Fest train rides. Once home from ECRF, we looked forward to our next summer event, known as OTOL Rockies RailFest, which took place in July 2014.


Kevin Korell


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Lakewood, NJ


#2 GG-1

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Posted 03 April 2016 - 10:29 AM

Mahalo

 

 

Reading the report almost makes up for missing the FEST.






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