by 7 Train
As Amtrak still has mail and freight service in the Northeast, I suggested that to save costs, all freight and mail along the NEC should be on one late night/morning Regional train called the "Midnight Special". It will leave Washington at 12 AM (hence the name).
Here's my proposed schedule
Dp. Washington 12 00 AM
Baltimore 12 36 AM
Wilmington 1 27 AM
Philaldelphia 1 53 AM
Trenton 2 27 AM
Newark 3 00 AM
New York 3 25 AM (ar) 3 45 AM (dp)
New Haven 5 00 AM
Providence 6 10 AM
Boston 6 59 AM
Since this train will be very long, carrying all NEC freight/mail (at least 10 cars) it will require 2 AEM7's. (That will not be a problem for electric equipment shortage since at these late night hours almost all AEM7's will be sleeping in their barns!)
The advantages of this one train carrying alll NEC freight is obvious: it means that the trains currently doing freight and mail duties (Federal-66/67, Silver Service, Crescent and Three Rivers) along the corridor could now focus solely on passenger service and not freight.
It might be possible for this train to have several coaches for passengers as well. Riders may prefer to travel late nights when there are less passengers and and they can get to their destination early the next day.
Here's my proposed schedule
Dp. Washington 12 00 AM
Baltimore 12 36 AM
Wilmington 1 27 AM
Philaldelphia 1 53 AM
Trenton 2 27 AM
Newark 3 00 AM
New York 3 25 AM (ar) 3 45 AM (dp)
New Haven 5 00 AM
Providence 6 10 AM
Boston 6 59 AM
Since this train will be very long, carrying all NEC freight/mail (at least 10 cars) it will require 2 AEM7's. (That will not be a problem for electric equipment shortage since at these late night hours almost all AEM7's will be sleeping in their barns!)
The advantages of this one train carrying alll NEC freight is obvious: it means that the trains currently doing freight and mail duties (Federal-66/67, Silver Service, Crescent and Three Rivers) along the corridor could now focus solely on passenger service and not freight.
It might be possible for this train to have several coaches for passengers as well. Riders may prefer to travel late nights when there are less passengers and and they can get to their destination early the next day.