Inspection Special Train 7/07/2021

Amtrak 10002, the Corridor Clipper, visits Montauk. 401 leads 409, C3 4055, and 10002 as they run passed Patchogue.

Rumor on various forums is that this is being done as part of a study for bringing Amtrak service to Long Island, including all the way out to Montauk. These pictures were taken on the return leg. 401 led the trainset as they went east, was turned on the wye out in Montauk so that the 10002 could view the return from it's rear windows.

Rear View as the train left Patchogue

You beat me to the punch! (And to Patchogue too! I left a few minutes minutes late to catch this historic movement).

I have a feeling that even though this was the first time Amtrak equipment has ventured onto Long Island (not counting FRA T16), this may not be the last. Since Amtrak already stated interest for service to Montauk and Ronkonkoma (oddly, Montauk isn't on the Amtrak Connects Us map) they'll likely go to Ronkonkoma sometime soon for the same purpose. So this could be the beginning of various Amtrak Inspection runs on Long Island for future service. As of now, what would make the most sense would be Montauk/Ronkonkoma to Albany (or maybe even Buffalo or Montreal!) Since dual mode P32s (or Siemens Chargers soon) cab use the third rail for both, and amtrak has not stated any plans for a tri mode locomotive between third rail, overhead wires and diesel. Any Amtrak service off of the Hudson line would require either an engine change at Penn, or overhead electrification to Jamaica and an engine change at Morris Park.

But this is still an exciting time to be a Long Island railfan with new proposals by Amtrak and North Atlantic [high speed] Rail!

I was just reading a report, with some photos, of a LIRR special inspection train from Jamaica to Montauk and return, today (7/07/2021).

Heading east, locomotive 401, Amtrak track geometry car "corridor Clipper" 10002 (running backwards), C3 coach 4055, locomotive 409.

Returning west, locomotives 401 and 409 (elephant style, which is uncommon for the modern era LIRR), C3 coach 4055 and Amtrak track geometry car "Corridor Clipper" 10002 (rearmost properly pointed).

The 401 was turned on the wye at Montauk and moved to the west end of the train for the trip back to Jamaica.

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/776274/

Eastbound special train “Extra 401 East” crossing Shinnecock Canal bridge. Photo by Gregory Grice.

From someone on another forum: This is the reason Amtrak's "Corridor Clipper" is running around on the LIRR. This is being done so that the LIRR stays in compliance with the FRA for track Geometry testing since their Geometry test car ran into the rear of a freight train.

Wonder why they didn’t use the NYCTA geometry cars? Perhaps they were unavailable. Just curious.

Trainmaster5 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:37 am Wonder why they didn’t use the NYCTA geometry cars? Perhaps they were unavailable. Just curious.

I believe the NYCTA geometry car (TGC4) is already being used for East Side Access testing since that project is almost complete.

RRspatch wrote:From someone on another forum: This is the reason Amtrak's "Corridor Clipper" is running around on the LIRR. This is being done so that the LIRR stays in compliance with the FRA for track Geometry testing since their Geometry test car ran into the rear of a freight train.

I also heard that this is for feasibility testing for future Amtrak service on the Montauk branch in a few years. I don't think it would be for the case you mentioned since the LIRR returned it to Amtrak as soon as the test run was over that day. When the LIRR's inspection car (TC82) runs on the Island, it usually runs on every branch on the system, which in this case neither the TC82 nor the Corridor Clipper has done.

I still find it interesting that they didn't hold a test run on the Ronkonkoma branch yet, since that is included on Amtrak's Connects Us map instead of Montauk, even though Amtrak stated interest in going to both destinations back in early 2019. From what I heard, this service is 90% likely going to happen, and Amtrak just needs to finalize a few results from the test run, so I feel that this is a god sign for future service.

I think most people would prefer to travel 100 miles plus in Amtrak equipment rather than an LIRR C3 Bilevel. Those bilevels aren’t meant for traveling all the way out to Montauk from NYC. The great advantage about the Amtrak is that people traveling on vacation to the Hamptons and Montauk from the city would be able to store their suitcase either on overhead racks or in a separate part of the car. The LIRR C3 overhead racks can’t handle suitcases.

njtmnrrbuff wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 4:30 pm I think most people would prefer to travel 100 miles plus in Amtrak equipment rather than an LIRR C3 Bilevel. Those bilevels aren’t meant for traveling all the way out to Montauk from NYC. The great advantage about the Amtrak is that people traveling on vacation to the Hamptons and Montauk from the city would be able to store their suitcase either on overhead racks or in a separate part of the car. The LIRR C3 overhead racks can’t handle suitcases.

Buff: Off topic - 1: The C3 multilevel cars are perfectly adequate for LIRR East End service - as they have
shown for more than 20 years. The majority of LIRR riders are not willing to pay a much higher fare for Amtrak.
Example: Would you pay $44.50 for an Amtrak coach one way fare instead of the LIRR off-peak $22.25 fare?

2: Hamptons Reserve Service is for a "niche" of travelers that are willing to pay up and above regular LIRR fares
for a reserved seat. This is the small percentage of travelers that will be ready and able to pay for Amtrak if and
when Amtrak begins any experimental Montauk Branch East End service.

One of the shortcomings of the C3 fleet is the luggage storage - the overhead racks have limited room.
There is ample space - under ALL seats - and in the "cubbyholes" that some cars have near their ends.

Let's discuss this in the LIRR Forum...MACTRAXX

RRspatch wrote: ↑Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:24 am From someone on another forum: This is the reason Amtrak's "Corridor Clipper" is running around on the LIRR. This is being done so that the LIRR stays in compliance with the FRA for track Geometry testing since their Geometry test car ran into the rear of a freight train.

RRS: The June 17 mishap was LIRR TC82 into the rear of a NYA freight train just east of the Cold Spring
Harbor Station. Leasing the Amtrak "Corridor Clipper" for further inspections makes sense being available.
This looks to be the prime reason for this Amtrak inspection car being used by the LIRR.
Has there been any further use of 10002 since this Montauk run?

This topic should be placed in the LIRR Forum for further discussion where this belongs...MACTRAXX

What was the purpose of this inspection train? Why Amtrak

http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrex ... ralist.htm UPDATE 7/07/2021 Special Inspection Train A good deal of photos, the consist, and route.
I had gathered that the use of AMTRAK geometry car #10002 was called into play as a result of the Cold Spring Harbor at Rogues Path accident on 6/17/2021 involving a NY&A freight and the Geometry car active at the time here at Rogues Path, Cold Spring Harbor, and therefore NOT for AMTRAK service over the LIRR.

nyandw wrote: ↑Sun Jul 11, 2021 1:03 am http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrex ... ralist.htm UPDATE 7/07/2021 Special Inspection Train A good deal of photos, the consist, and route.
I had gathered that the use of AMTRAK geometry car #10002 was called into play as a result of the Cold Spring Harbor at Rogues Path accident on 6/17/2021 involving a NY&A freight and the Geometry car active at the time here at Rogues Path, Cold Spring Harbor, and therefore NOT for AMTRAK service over the LIRR.

Then why would they go to Montauk?

I don't think Amtrak's Corridor Clipper was sent as a replacement for TC82. May we keep in mind that it was sent back to Amtrak as soon as the run was over that day. Furthermore, I have been informed of the following info regarding the Corridor Clipper's presence on LI from a railfan who receives info directly from LIRR drivers and employees:
"They tested to Montauk since it has older 115lb rail but Ronkonkoma has all new 136lb rail which is definitely no issue for the P42s and Amfleets so they probably won't test up to KO for now. So far, no Amtrak tests on Long Island happening in the foreseeable future."

This run was likely for track testing for future Amtrak service to Montauk within the coming years, and to see if their equipment could handle the terrain with the current track infrastructure, and if certain improvements would have to be made. From what I heard, this should be one of the only hurdles left in starting Amtrak service to Montauk. From there, I can only assume they will go to Albany due to the Hudson Line being the only route which only requires diesel and third rail power.