I think some Metro North trains, it doesn’t have to be half ,all we ask are a few, should be directed to Penn Station with a few stops. All in favor say I !!!
I think the voltage on the Hell Gate branch is higher than the MU can handle, plus that’s Amtrak track so they would most likey want to operate the trains, if they even concidered the idea at all.
The real problem is capacity. NYP can’t handle what they’re putting in there now. The tunnels aren’t the only choke points–so are the platform tracks. NJT has substantially increased its frequencies and is looking at a new trans-Hudson tunnel as well as new platforms, and LIRR is so tight on capacity they’re underway with a plan to access GCT with a completely new set of tunnels and underground terminal oriented at right angles to GCT’s tracks. This, BTW, gets badly needed service into midtown from the LIRR.
For example, see the following links:
(NJT):
http://www.accesstotheregionscore.com/News&Events.html#Article6
(MTA-LIRR):
Penn station is saturated and there are serious issues and political turf “wars” going on over who can use what track there. The new East river tunnel to GCT will help, but there are cost and security issues that will keep work on it tied up well into the next decade. Stay tuned.