The new branch timetables valid from Feb 26 indicate an important change for Montauk Branch passengers:
Train 2742 is no longer a shuttle from Babylon with a timed connection from NYP, but will run directly from Penn Station to Speonk as a second PM Peak Dual Mode.
Train 164, the EMU which made the connection at Babylon so far, will cease to operate. Departure will remain 6.27 PM from NYP and all other times also seem to remain the same.
The equipment that forms 2778 (LIC - PD) and 2777 (PD - BAB) - a 5 car train according to the LIRR Ridership book - currently seems to turn onto #2742 back to Speonk in Babylon, then finally return to Jamaica as 2747. With the new timetable in effect, I guess that the 5 car set would have to return to Jamaica dead-head from Babylon after the #2777 run. Meanwhile, the 2nd Dual Mode set would fulfill the 2742 - 2747 rotation and thus also be back in Jamaica around 11 PM.
I would conclude the bespoke Dual Mode train (or an exchange set, may the original one go into maintenance) then returns to Speonk in the early morning as another equipment run to form #2733 or #2737, as is happening today, from what I have read here or elsewhere.
I think it is a commendable yet long overdue step that the inconsistency in the timetable of having two AM peak Dual Modes and only one in the reverse direction during PM rush is now being lifted, offering a couple more passengers a one seat ride and making better use of the DM locos. I hope that this is to remain and not something temporary related to Amtrak works at Penn Station or the tie replacement works between Patchogue and Montauk. A lot of empty running though. Couldn't the train swaps for maintenance purposes be undertaken while the trains are at the West end of the system anyways, 5 days of the week, in between the peaks? Well, I guess not, otherwise they could just be doing that.)
#8703 and #8706 have unchanged times on the East End although their meet at Southampton around 12.08 PM is now controlled. That's what I was looking up when I noticed the above.
Train 2742 is no longer a shuttle from Babylon with a timed connection from NYP, but will run directly from Penn Station to Speonk as a second PM Peak Dual Mode.
Train 164, the EMU which made the connection at Babylon so far, will cease to operate. Departure will remain 6.27 PM from NYP and all other times also seem to remain the same.
The equipment that forms 2778 (LIC - PD) and 2777 (PD - BAB) - a 5 car train according to the LIRR Ridership book - currently seems to turn onto #2742 back to Speonk in Babylon, then finally return to Jamaica as 2747. With the new timetable in effect, I guess that the 5 car set would have to return to Jamaica dead-head from Babylon after the #2777 run. Meanwhile, the 2nd Dual Mode set would fulfill the 2742 - 2747 rotation and thus also be back in Jamaica around 11 PM.
I would conclude the bespoke Dual Mode train (or an exchange set, may the original one go into maintenance) then returns to Speonk in the early morning as another equipment run to form #2733 or #2737, as is happening today, from what I have read here or elsewhere.
I think it is a commendable yet long overdue step that the inconsistency in the timetable of having two AM peak Dual Modes and only one in the reverse direction during PM rush is now being lifted, offering a couple more passengers a one seat ride and making better use of the DM locos. I hope that this is to remain and not something temporary related to Amtrak works at Penn Station or the tie replacement works between Patchogue and Montauk. A lot of empty running though. Couldn't the train swaps for maintenance purposes be undertaken while the trains are at the West end of the system anyways, 5 days of the week, in between the peaks? Well, I guess not, otherwise they could just be doing that.)
#8703 and #8706 have unchanged times on the East End although their meet at Southampton around 12.08 PM is now controlled. That's what I was looking up when I noticed the above.
