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AMTRAK MEDIA: Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction

Discussion related to Amtrak also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corp.

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AMTRAK MEDIA: Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction

 #1631365  by Jeff Smith
 
Highlights continued high demand for more trains from customers

NEW JERSEY – Amtrak has added new stops at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction throughout the day, following a comprehensive review of its schedules to provide New Jersey travelers and residents additional travel options between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and more. Tickets are now available via Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks, and through 1-800-USA-RAIL.

“Due to increased demand for more service to New Brunswick and Princeton Junction, Amtrak is pleased to offer more trains to more people in this growing market,” said Amtrak Vice President of the Northeast Corridor Service Line Jina Sanone. “Amtrak deeply values our New Jersey customers and communities, and we look forward to meeting the needs of our customers as part of the new era of rail.”

New Jersey travelers can save on the stress from driving, lower their carbon footprint and expect the same amenities onboard as they do on most Amtrak trains. This includes free Wi-Fi, a café car, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”), the ability to travel with small pets within the US, large spacious seats with plenty of leg room and no middle seat.

“Investing in and expanding mass transit has always been one of my core policy missions which is why I have advocated to provide increased funding for Amtrak and regional train services,” said U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. “As a frequent rider of Amtrak, I know firsthand how this increase in service will benefit New Jersey residents throughout the state and along the Northeast corridor, but especially in the communities of Princeton and New Brunswick. I applaud Amtrak for its commitment to New Jersey and for recognizing the impact that reliable, affordable mass-transit has on boosting our local economies and especially supporting health care and academia and the workforce that supports them.”

“Amtrak’s decision to add more service at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction will help to better meet the needs of New Jerseyans,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker. “Expanding service along the Northeast Corridor and investing in our transportation infrastructure provides reliable, safe service for commuters while creating jobs and boosting our regional economy.”

Located in the heart of downtown, New Brunswick Station is within easy walking distance of major institutions, employers and Rutgers University. The Station accommodates Amtrak intercity passenger and commuter rail, local and regional buses, campus shuttles and has more than a dozen bike racks for cyclists.

“This is a huge benefit for both commuters and for the City,” said New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill. “Access and mobility are key in the ever-changing and fast-moving worlds of commerce, healthcare, academia and industry. Amtrak realizes that importance and has taken steps to meet that growing demand here in New Brunswick.”

Princeton Junction sits at the juncture of the Northeast Corridor and a short line maintained by NJ TRANSIT that whisks visitors directly to the southern end of the Princeton University campus. Princeton Junction is also served by local and regional buses and has ample parking available nearby for those taking their car to the station.

“I’m so pleased that Amtrak is increasing service at the Princeton Junction station,” said Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12). “Offering residents in Central Jersey commuting options that are reliable, safe, and more environmentally sustainable is a huge boost to the region.”

“I want to thank Amtrak for recognizing the importance of West Windsor’s commuter train station,” said West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe. “The Princeton Junction station has been valuable to West Windsor and surrounding communities. Expanding Amtrak service gives residents an easy option to travel between Boston and Washington DC.”

Re: AMTRAK MEDIA: Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction

 #1631409  by STrRedWolf
 
west point wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:22 am Could it be that since Amtrak has speeded up sections of the NEC that these extra stops become available without making any schedules longer?
Probably they're able to tweak it and reduce some dwell time. Still, gotta get that new B&P tunnel in.

Re: AMTRAK MEDIA: Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction

 #1631563  by NortheastTrainMan
 
Hmm, I wonder if this will lead to the resurrection of NASSAU interlocking at Princeton Jct? Or perhaps a new interlocking east of New Brunswick? How often is LINCOLN used in revenue service? I doubt a eastbound train stopping at Metropark would diverge there to overtake a NJT train then switch back to 1 at MENLO. Then again who knows?

I wasn't around when Amtrak ran Clocker trains, so I wonder what the OTP was like given they spent a good portion of their trips on Tracks 1 & 4 between Trenton & Metropark. Were there frequent jams behind NJT trains? I wonder if something like that could happen with additional trains. Maybe so, maybe no.

Here's an example of what I'm referring to. Notice in this video by Fan Railer how the Amtrak train arriving at PJC on Track 4 is RIGHT behind a NJT train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnV8kS7_L1c

The timing of the Amtrak train's horn came across like it was telling NJT to hurry up & move :P

Re: AMTRAK MEDIA: Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction

 #1631565  by NortheastTrainMan
 
STrRedWolf wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 6:36 pm
west point wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:22 am Could it be that since Amtrak has speeded up sections of the NEC that these extra stops become available without making any schedules longer?
Probably they're able to tweak it and reduce some dwell time. Still, gotta get that new B&P tunnel in.
Good points by both. The Acela can do 150 MPH from MIDWAY Interlocking to somewhere near Princeton Jct & vice versa on Tracks 2 & 3, the previous MAS was 125 MPH on those tracks. Tracks 1 & 4 (outer tracks) are suited for 100 MPH, at least that's what Train Sim World 3 says. So, Amtrak trains on those tracks are going slower than they would if they were on Track 2 or 3 (non Acelas can do 125 MPH). I'm 99% sure the Amtrak trains involved here aren't Acelas anyway. 125 MPH is quicker than 100, but unless these new Amtrak trains are skipping either Princeton Jct or New Brunswick, it's unlikely they'll hit that speed in the TRE - NBK section. I wonder if all of these trains will stop at both NBK & PJC.

It's possible the higher speeds influenced the decision, but I'm wary on how much, given Tracks 1 & 4 are still 100 MPH AFAIK, plus you're dealing with NJT traffic on those tracks.

Re: AMTRAK MEDIA: Amtrak Adds More Service for Customers at New Brunswick and Princeton Junction

 #1632700  by cle
 
Are there any specifics? It would seem logical that different trains call at one or the other - from a journey time POV and minimizing additional calls - but the other view is that they are heavily flighted/weighted to specific peak flows, ie. getting into Philly and DC for x AM - so the same trains make sense in that regard.

And trains stopping at either shouldn't also be stopping at Metropark, or it gets really silly. I'd think a Princeton Junction Acela call or two would be well used.
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