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The reality is that there is no feasible way to create an HSR corridor from NYC - New Haven on the Shoreline given the topography and population density of the surrounding area. An 'Air Line' route cutting through the interior of Connecticut and Rhode Island into Massachusetts (assuming a BOS termin...

Would have to imagine anyone north of POU is in 'Super Commuter' territory and would gravitate more towards Amtrak (express service) versus an MNCR type service making local or near local stops from POU down to Croton Harmon. RHI-NYP on Amtrak varies from 1:34-1:50. MNCR from POU to GCT 1:33-1:47 an...

MN #1419 originates at Bridgeport at 0632, makes all the stops between Bridgeport and South Norwalk. One of the few trains that skips Stamford entirely, it leaves South Norwalk at 0700 and arrives at GCT at 0702. South Norwalk is 41 miles from Grand Central, according to the public timetable. 41 mi...

I'm not sure that much of the current projects will provide meaningful increases in track speed, versus improving infrastructure reliability so as to ensure trains actually run at track speed (vs. slow orders). Constant tension catenary across the mainline would remove the need for slow orders drive...

Excuses excuses: -Expensive: Reform prevailing wage laws and Davis-Bacon regimes, competitive bidding -Complicated: Seriously, after all of what humanity has achieved in its existence building a subway tunnel is too much to bear? -Too Long: Streamline permitting and approval processes, incentivize o...

Looks to be on average 7 NYP-ALB Empire Trains in either direction on a daily basis. If the intent is to shift 3 from each direction (NYP-ALB/ALB-NYP),the question would be whether MNRR would permit Amtrak equipment to dwell in GCT for any extended period as the NY/ALB based services are concentrate...

2 hours after shoving off out of Penn we are past the derailment just East of Rye. Appears to be on Track 3, couldn't get a good look as to number of cars or secerity( wires down, other damage etc). First hot day of the season was not a kind one to MNRR. Going to be a long, rough summer if this is i...

Train derailed just outside of Rye around 430 based on twitter timestamps. Significant delays experienced across the New Haven line, compounding on earlier power and signal problems. Presently stuck on Amtrak 94 outside of SHELL. Mod Note : Use Derailment near Rye 5-18-2017 thread for the Rye posts.

When are the revised schedules expected to be released by Amtrak and the commuter agencies? Curious to see how the Empire Service will be restructured.

Fred, thanks for sharing the article. I am glad to see that there are some thoughtful ideas about increasing the reliability and usability of MNRR as a transit option, however the big issue will be how to fund all of the necessary infrastructure improvements which must be made. The movable bridges a...

Extending third rail to Poughkeepsie would be more than doubling the distance covered by 3rd rail on the Hudson line from 33 miles to 74 miles. Not sure how many additional substations would be required for such a distance. The Harlem line electrification runs 53 miles up to Southeast from GCT, by w...

I think the logical choice to operate the Hartford line commuter operation is Amtrak by a country mile. For the reasons Dutch mentioned, it would seem quite a complex task to juggle all of the stakeholder approvals and construct the required operating agreements versus just a near 'carbon copy' of t...

Think the LD discussion so far has been pertaining to the Hudson inbound LD's (Adirondack, Ethan Allen, LSL, Maple Leaf), with the solution being to run them via MNRR to New Rochelle and approach Penn from the East. As for the LDs to/from points South, the Philly/DC angle makes sense provided they c...

Would be tough to find an ideal spot for a temporary station given the ROW's position adjacent to the highway and several sections being below street level. If Amtrak and the MTA were further along in bringing a Penn option online for the Hudson line, could see some more intensive construction takin...

So to summarize the issues pertaining to Amtrak moving Empire Service to GCT: 1) Amtrak P32 Issues: 3rd Rail Shoes, No Forward Escape Hatch 2) GCT Slots and turning availability (unless cab cars are used for push/pull) 3) MNRR Crew Availability 4) MNRR P32 Pool Availability (to mitigate problem #1) ...