Special trains and equip for NEC on T-giving?

[train2]

Every year for the last decade I have been away at Thanksgiving and missed the unusual Thanksgiving holiday rush and odd equipment moves on the NEC. This coming T-giving we are not taking the annual trip so I will be home along the south end of the NEC.

Anyone noted yet what the T-giving plans may or may not be this year? I seem to remember last year, or the last two years, there was less of the borrowed equipment and extra trains than in previous past.

Anyone know that game plan? Is it to earlier to know yet?

[jersey_emt]

Well, as you already know, Amtrak has in past years borrowed equipment from commuter agencies for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, like Arrow III EMU's from NJ Transit and locomotive-hauled sets from MARC.

A quick search on the Amtrak web site for trains from New York Penn to Washington Union Station running on Sunday, November 29th revealed several extras scheduled:

#1043, departing NYP 9:50am
#3057, departing NYP 11:20am
#3099, departing NYP 12:50pm
#3045, departing NYP 3:30pm
#1135, departing NYP 4:20pm
#3167, departing NYP 8:20pm
#1167, departing NYP 8:35pm

As to what equipment will be used -- extra Amfleets or sets from other agencies -- I was not able to find any information.

[Jersey_Mike]

I'll bet that we won't see much action on Wednesday this year. The recession is bound to put a crimper on travel demand.

[chuchubob]

Well, as you already know, Amtrak has in past years borrowed equipment from commuter agencies for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, like Arrow III EMU's from NJ Transit and locomotive-hauled sets from MARC.

A quick search on the Amtrak web site for trains from New York Penn to Washington Union Station running on Sunday, November 29th revealed several extras scheduled:

#1043, departing NYP 9:50am
#3057, departing NYP 11:20am
#3099, departing NYP 12:50pm
#3045, departing NYP 3:30pm
#1135, departing NYP 4:20pm
#3167, departing NYP 8:20pm
#1167, departing NYP 8:35pm

As to what equipment will be used -- extra Amfleets or sets from other agencies -- I was not able to find any information.

The #3xyz trains are the leased commuter railroad trains.
The #1xyz trains are Amtrak trains.

[njt/mnrrbuff]

A good way to determine which type of equipment will be used on each 3000 series train is to determine the times. I noticed the ones that are supposed to do an hour and eighteen minutes between NWK and PHL, will probably have Transit Arrow IIIs. Of course, it would be nice for the Amtraks to use ALP and Comet or Multilevel sets.

[chuchubob]

A good way to determine which type of equipment will be used on each 3000 series train is to determine the times. I noticed the ones that are supposed to do an hour and eighteen minutes between NWK and PHL, will probably have Transit Arrow IIIs. Of course, it would be nice for the Amtraks to use ALP and Comet or Multilevel sets.

There is precedent. Inauguration Day Special 3181 used Multilevels with ALP46 4618.

[R36 Combine Coach]

In the 2007 and 2008 Thanksgiving special timetable, Amtrak recommended travelers to "consider Holiday Extras", incuding the 3000 series trips. "3000 series trains may have less restroom facilities than normal Amtrak trains and may not offer food service".

[njt/mnrrbuff]

If you get a transit set, as a 3000 series train, then don't look for a food service. In fact, I wouldn't count on food service cars being offered at all, on 3000 series trains. I know MARC has tacked on an Amfleet I cafe, but the cafe is OOS.

[jp1822]

A good way to determine which type of equipment will be used on each 3000 series train is to determine the times. I noticed the ones that are supposed to do an hour and eighteen minutes between NWK and PHL, will probably have Transit Arrow IIIs. Of course, it would be nice for the Amtraks to use ALP and Comet or Multilevel sets.

There is precedent. Inauguration Day Special 3181 used Multilevels with ALP46 4618.

The only thing is - for the Thanksgiving Holiday, people are likely to have suitcases and other luggage. The NJT multilevels hardly offer descent storage for suitcases or even briefcases for that matter (even on a commuter basis). This is one of their biggest downfall - storage for items brought onboard. For inauguration day - didn't the NJT multilevel make a same day turn? The Arrow III's - no problem in overhead storage, and NJT should have plenty to spare since they are pretty flush with equipment now that the multilevels have come online.

[R36 Combine Coach]

If they have any spare Comet I/I-Bs to lease out to Amtrak, that would a good choice.

[madcrow]

Interesting that the leased equipment is all being kept south of NYP. Just for kicks I looked at the schedule for BOS to NYP: not a single 3000 trip. Oh well, I guess I won't be seeing any "foreign" equipment in Boston this Thanksgiving...

[njt/mnrrbuff]

Yes, the foreign equipment on the NEC, generally stays between NYC and DC. Years back, an extra utilizing MBTA equipemt travelled between NHV and BOS.

Weather permitting, I plan to fan at various locations in NJ and perhaps cross into PA.

Guys, not only should we watch for MARC equipment, east or Perryville, or NJT equipment south of CP Morris, but there will probably be extra long Keystone Service trains.

[jp1822]

If Amtrak is going to use NJT Arrow III's, these are MU cars and therefore need the same overhead power "current" power (whatever the offical hertz or terms are). Someone can clarify me on this - please! I believe NJT Arrow III's may have trouble on the NYC - New Haven and the newer electrified portion of the NEC between New Haven and Boston. I know the electrical current from Washington DC to NYC is the same. Amtrak wanted to upgrade it but never did.

[R36 Combine Coach]

North of New Haven is 25k. The Newark Divison Arrows are 12k and only run between WAS and NHV.

[njt/mnrrbuff]

Arrows WON'T travel east of CP Harold because I don't think, they can do any of the voltage changes from there to CP Gate