by jp1822
Looks like they will be extensions of trains traveling the entire NEC to Boston and Lynchburg. I had originally though they were looking for a Northeast Regional train that turned at NYC rather than Boston, but I suppose the times don't match up.
What I find somewhat detrimental is the fact that the new trains 171/176 will be scheduled so close to train 19/20. Local traffic from 19/20 will certianly be offloaded onto 171/176. This may help free up some coach space needed on 19/20 south of Lynchburg for example. But still one would think the trains would be spaced out a little to offer some flexibility for passenger choice. Even if 171/176 (although they wouldn't be numbered that) had a 9:00 a.m. departure from Lynchburg, returning at 6:30 p.m. to perhaps avoid some of the VRE and MARC commuter rush hour.
The current scheduling reminds me of when the Three Rivers and Pennsylvanian used to operate so closely together from Pittsburgh to NYP. If the Three Rivers was late (in this case it would be the Crescent) one was often on the markers of the other. I even remember being aboard when the eastbound Three Rivers was held outside Altoona for the eastbound Pennsylvanian. The Three Rivers was supposed to be dispatched ahead of the Pennsylvanian - the later making more stops and being more of a "local train" - but when we were "nose to nose at Pittsburgh ready to depart," the Pennsylvanian was dispatched ahead while we waited another 10 minutes for it to get further down the line. Our dwell time aboard the Three Rivers was 30+ minutes.
I also noticed that 171/176 is carded for a Mon-Fri slot at present, or at least two timetables ago when NEC schedules were printed. I noticed it doesn't have a weekend running schedule. Is it supposed to - or just weekday? The train actually may have more riders towards the weekend as people look for weekend trips in this current economy.
At any rate, it's good to see the "extension" of this train to serve Lynchburg! It doesn't require any more coaches for Amtrak to operate - just an extra P42 diesel engine to handle the train south of Washington DC. Better utilization of equipment!
Hopefully the other Virginia trains traveling to Richmond will have similiar operations (extension of existing trains south of Washington DC to serve Richmond).
What I find somewhat detrimental is the fact that the new trains 171/176 will be scheduled so close to train 19/20. Local traffic from 19/20 will certianly be offloaded onto 171/176. This may help free up some coach space needed on 19/20 south of Lynchburg for example. But still one would think the trains would be spaced out a little to offer some flexibility for passenger choice. Even if 171/176 (although they wouldn't be numbered that) had a 9:00 a.m. departure from Lynchburg, returning at 6:30 p.m. to perhaps avoid some of the VRE and MARC commuter rush hour.
The current scheduling reminds me of when the Three Rivers and Pennsylvanian used to operate so closely together from Pittsburgh to NYP. If the Three Rivers was late (in this case it would be the Crescent) one was often on the markers of the other. I even remember being aboard when the eastbound Three Rivers was held outside Altoona for the eastbound Pennsylvanian. The Three Rivers was supposed to be dispatched ahead of the Pennsylvanian - the later making more stops and being more of a "local train" - but when we were "nose to nose at Pittsburgh ready to depart," the Pennsylvanian was dispatched ahead while we waited another 10 minutes for it to get further down the line. Our dwell time aboard the Three Rivers was 30+ minutes.
I also noticed that 171/176 is carded for a Mon-Fri slot at present, or at least two timetables ago when NEC schedules were printed. I noticed it doesn't have a weekend running schedule. Is it supposed to - or just weekday? The train actually may have more riders towards the weekend as people look for weekend trips in this current economy.
At any rate, it's good to see the "extension" of this train to serve Lynchburg! It doesn't require any more coaches for Amtrak to operate - just an extra P42 diesel engine to handle the train south of Washington DC. Better utilization of equipment!
Hopefully the other Virginia trains traveling to Richmond will have similiar operations (extension of existing trains south of Washington DC to serve Richmond).