I like this idea because it ties into 2 other ideas I've had and the fact that it's a fairly simple and I think realistic plan.
First, this ties back to my thread about expanding NYP-ALB service with extending some current Empire trains (ala what they've been doing in Virginia).
I think the current Empire Service trainsets are utilized enough it's not really possible, but if you had an additional trainset, especially perhaps on the weekend, you turn a NB train at ALB on the wye and send it to Pittsfield. I understand the wye now permits passengers on all legs. So, this works w/o needing a push-pull setup (though that's another possibility).
If NYS gets in on this deal, then they should add a stop in Chatham. Again, it's a weekend only stop, so don't need to much right away.
The second has been that I think the away for CT to get into the game is ignore the whole fantasy of multiple trains a day up the Housatonic and again start with just one train on weekends. There's a lot of weekenders that would prefer a straight shot up to the Berkshires instead of taking MNRR to Wassaic and then picking up their car.
Combine these two, and you have a "loop" that should get decent weekend traffic. And of course with more trains, you spread out your fixed costs of the station a bit more.
But the key is to start with something that's simple and realistic. Weekend/holiday only trains I think fits that bill. We're a long ways from multiple daily trains between Pittsfield and Albany or even Pittsfield and Springfield.
BUT, I do think we're headed in that direction.
First, this ties back to my thread about expanding NYP-ALB service with extending some current Empire trains (ala what they've been doing in Virginia).
I think the current Empire Service trainsets are utilized enough it's not really possible, but if you had an additional trainset, especially perhaps on the weekend, you turn a NB train at ALB on the wye and send it to Pittsfield. I understand the wye now permits passengers on all legs. So, this works w/o needing a push-pull setup (though that's another possibility).
If NYS gets in on this deal, then they should add a stop in Chatham. Again, it's a weekend only stop, so don't need to much right away.
The second has been that I think the away for CT to get into the game is ignore the whole fantasy of multiple trains a day up the Housatonic and again start with just one train on weekends. There's a lot of weekenders that would prefer a straight shot up to the Berkshires instead of taking MNRR to Wassaic and then picking up their car.
Combine these two, and you have a "loop" that should get decent weekend traffic. And of course with more trains, you spread out your fixed costs of the station a bit more.
But the key is to start with something that's simple and realistic. Weekend/holiday only trains I think fits that bill. We're a long ways from multiple daily trains between Pittsfield and Albany or even Pittsfield and Springfield.
BUT, I do think we're headed in that direction.
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