Amtrak NEC Delay and Service Disruption Thread

[STrRedWolf]

NJT #3963 had a fatal trespasser strike at Rahway at 7:46PM

All-track hold cancelled 8:31PM

#3879 is coming up to #3963 to take the passengers (8:38PM); passenger transfer completed at about 9:25PM.

Is it just me or is it nuts that it takes nearly an hour to transfer passengers?

The only thing that I can think of is that they were a bit full to begin with... or that they were at the station itself when the strike happened, and they offloaded onto the platform to pick up on the low platform... and there may of been a handicapped person on board (or three).

[JuniusLivonius]

Is it just me or is it nuts that it takes nearly an hour to transfer passengers?

The only thing that I can think of is that they were a bit full to begin with... or that they were at the station itself when the strike happened, and they offloaded onto the platform to pick up on the low platform... and there may of been a handicapped person on board (or three).

#3879 was waiting at Elmora after the police hold was released (8:31PM) so it could receive the new speed restriction (Rahway station limits, track B) to proceed into the incident area. #3879 accepted Elmora at 8:40PM (skipping Linden) and pulled into Rahway at 8:48PM. Additionally, police were working on the western half of the platform so only the eastern half could be used.

#3879 pulled up to #3969 for passenger transfer at 8:53PM, so it was only about 30 minutes for the transfer. They estimated 500 passengers so that's a passenger every 3.6 seconds which seems OK to me. This video of a passenger transfer is a nice reference:
https://safereddit.com/r/Amtrak/comment ... cue_train/ (remove "safe" for Reddit link)

I don't report every detail (or even incidents like this one but I was working on posting something else) so just ask if you want to know something.

[STrRedWolf]

#3879 was waiting at Elmora after the police hold was released (8:31PM) so it could receive the new speed restriction (Rahway station limits, track B) to proceed into the incident area. #3879 accepted Elmora at 8:40PM (skipping Linden) and pulled into Rahway at 8:48PM. Additionally, police were working on the western half of the platform so only the eastern half could be used.

#3879 pulled up to #3969 for passenger transfer at 8:53PM, so it was only about 30 minutes for the transfer. They estimated 500 passengers so that's a passenger every 3.6 seconds which seems OK to me. This video of a passenger transfer is a nice reference:
https://safereddit.com/r/Amtrak/comment ... cue_train/ (remove "safe" for Reddit link)

I don't report every detail (or even incidents like this one but I was working on posting something else) so just ask if you want to know something.

If they have to open the door traps and transfer opposite of the platform, then no, 3.6 seconds per passenger isn't enough. 3.6 seconds is the time it would take to take one set of steps to track level. They probably were able to line up the rescue train and open more doors.

For reference, a MTA Maryland Light Rail 3-vehicle consist takes a full 12 minutes to board. Why? It's not level boarding -- you have to go up stairs to get into the train cars.

[JuniusLivonius]

If they have to open the door traps and transfer opposite of the platform, then no, 3.6 seconds per passenger isn't enough. 3.6 seconds is the time it would take to take one set of steps to track level. They probably were able to line up the rescue train and open more doors.

For reference, a MTA Maryland Light Rail 3-vehicle consist takes a full 12 minutes to board. Why? It's not level boarding -- you have to go up stairs to get into the train cars.

I'm actually confused now and not sure what you're doubting. I think you misunderstood the numbers I gave: 1 passenger (each successive passenger, not an individual) changes trains every 3.6 seconds such that a passenger boards the rescue train every 3.6 seconds; it's not "3.6 seconds for a single passenger to change trains". Of course it might take 15-30 seconds for a single passenger to go from train to train and this is a parallel operation.

Adding additional facts just in case: this transfer was not over the platform. #3969 was 5-10 cars west into Union interlocking on track 4 (estimated by engineer) and Union interlocking begins at the west end of Rahway. That also put them east of where the Westbound Tunnel Track and Track B drop down so the transfer was swift in my judgement.

[STrRedWolf]

I'm actually confused now and not sure what you're doubting. I think you misunderstood the numbers I gave: 1 passenger (each successive passenger, not an individual) changes trains every 3.6 seconds such that a passenger boards the rescue train every 3.6 seconds; it's not "3.6 seconds for a single passenger to change trains". Of course it might take 15-30 seconds for a single passenger to go from train to train and this is a parallel operation.

Adding additional facts just in case: this transfer was not over the platform. #3969 was 5-10 cars west into Union interlocking on track 4 (estimated by engineer) and Union interlocking begins at the west end of Rahway. That also put them east of where the Westbound Tunnel Track and Track B drop down so the transfer was swift in my judgement.

Yeah, I think the actual walking from one train to another was more but it was cut that it was multiple doors opened to transfer all the cars in parallel. I can see them dumping all the passengers onto the platform and having them go over to another platform to board the next train... but that's some details that are missing -- if the train that broke down was on the platform or not.

[Jeff Smith]

[PRRTechFan]

...is Amtrak shutting down all service south of Washington, DC on there dates? It seems so. What about service to Florida?

[Gilbert B Norman]

Mr. Tech Fan, does immediately raise "the point of the day".

How will they get 91-92 and 97-98 through?

[RandallW]

Train 91 went through, which makes me think there are gaps in the MOW occupancy to allow some trains through Union Station to the south, but that Amtrak is really trying to give MOW maximum occupancy time without disrupting any VRE services.

[west point]

Jeff Smith:
When did this notice come out? What appears that this is more cancellations of the turnout work south of the station at the 1st street tunnel entrance? How much notice did Amtrak give VA DOT about these cancellations?
Is there any wye near the ALX station? If there is the cancelled trains could have turned the locos so the riders could have been bused or used the Metro and not all these cancellations.

[JuniusLivonius]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3G5_sYXpTU
New Jersey elected officials, transit leaders address Amtrak repairs
Shared October 23, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x10h0j7eXSU
New Jersey elected officials, transit leaders address Amtrak repairs
Shared October 23, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fra1C_x8hqk
Amtrak and NJ Transit discuss service improvements with NJ lawmakers
Shared October 23, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1gwq3JyydQ
NJ Spotlight News: October 24, 2024
Shared October 24, 2024


I eagerly await the November report on catenary issues. Or signal issues. Or something else, who knows until it's out?

[west point]

We know about the CAT problems. Certainly hope not but maybe some kind of problem with the 25 hZ power. Maybe solid-state frequency converters?

[Jeff Smith]

Fire in the Bronx: https://abc7ny.com/post/amtrak-trains-d ... /15540908/

PARKCHESTER, Bronx (WABC) -- Amtrak says trains operating between New York (NYP) and New Haven (NHV) are suspended Tuesday due to fires near the tracks in the Bronx.

The fire was burning near Bronxdale and East Tremont avenues around 3 p.m.

A high voltage feeder line that powers trains caught fire, causing Amtrak to shut down power to their lines.

The fire spread from Amtrak's property to a Con Edison substation next door -- setting three cars on fire in that parking lot.
…

[STrRedWolf]

Fire in the Bronx: https://abc7ny.com/post/amtrak-trains-d ... /15540908/

The substation is bordered by East Remant, Unionport, and Baker -- two track territory. Amtrak's telling folks to take Metro-North around the issue via Grand Central, and take the first train you can get to get where you need to go.

It's going to be fun getting around that.

[west point]

Will service resume Wednesday due to Hell Gate route fire? If it does not, will we have another example of the problem of no alternate route into NYP. The need for substitute bus service NYG <> NYP becomes apparent again. As well Amtrak needs to charter MNRR trains to carry passengers although the Park Avenue work might cause some to not be feasible.

https://abc7ny.com/amp/post/amtrak-trai ... /15540908/

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2024/11/a ... -city.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trans ... ngNewsSerp

https://bronx.news12.com/fdny-responds- ... isruptions