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 ?
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?
HENRY: Since all regionals are cancelled between BOS - NYP should be no problem for passenger cars.
Might be a shortage of dual mode locos ? Can borrow P-42s from shuttle trains for BOS - ALB ? Run one shuttle NH - SPG with extra locos ?
Several crews based in BOS though normally assigned to shore line are qualified to ALB so no need for CSX crews.
Previous closures of shore line east of NH have had one or 2 Round trips BOS - WOR - Springfield … That may indicate space available WOR - Springfield - ALB. ? Anyone know max number of freights on this route ? ? Certainly can add extra cars to rear of Lakeshore ?
No matter what this closure of the shore line indicates additional planning for closures on the shore line. As well the NYP - WASH line needs more planning for unplanned closures ?
MBTA BOS - WOR is certaainly running a lot of trains now.
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.
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.
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?
The latest Amtrak post suggest that Amtrak passengers can get on MNRR at NH and get themselves from GCT to NYP
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Alert_C&pagename=am/AM_Alert_C/Alerts_Popup&cid=1251623842138
If we did not think reservations could get any more confused the Amtrak reservations for MON list some trips cancelled and others sold out NYP - BOS
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.