GRAND' AMTRAK DETOUR

Really does not matter, Amtrak has no running rights over that portion so MNCR will not allow them to run.
Just like my Danbury to Derby qualifications over HHRC, MNCR has no trackage or running rights so HRRC declared our qualifications null and void.
Has to do with insurance.

I was curious to see how the trains are doing on the detour. I checked Amtrak's train finder option but there was no information regarding arrival times for trains going to GCT (so far 250, 252 and 280) or departing there (only 281 so far). No. 63 is shown arriving Albany-Rennsselaer 73 minutes late and 69 was 60 miniutes late. Not too bad but that really doesn't involve MNRR too much.

The thought did occur that we won't see too many Amtrak trains arriving/departing GCT anyway. Only a couple, I think. The trains orig/term at Rennsselaer will org/term at Croton-Harmon and use special Metro-North connections between CH and GCT. Besides 63/64 and 48/49 (which will go to Penn Station via Hell Gate Bridge) there's only one or two other trains from west of Alb-Renn.

Also, I looked at the Metro-North site to view the "Grand Central Departures" board but I haven't used it in a while and I couldn't find it.

Copied from Subchat:

Departures from GCT

2008-10-18 NYG to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0281 10:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1233 12:45 CONN W/ #0233 @ CRT
#0285 14:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0291 15:45 ETHAN ALLEN
#1253 17:45 CONN W/ #0253 @ CRT
#1257 19:45 CONN W/ #0257 @ CRT
#0259 21:45 EMPIRE SERVICE

Arrivals at GCT

2008-10-18 ALB to NYG
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#0250 08:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1252 09:35 CONN F/ #0252 @ CRT
#0236 10:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0280 12:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1238 14:35 CONN F/ #0238 @ CRT
#0284 15:25 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0292 16:25 ETHAN ALLEN

And for Sunday, I've got you covered, too.

Departures from GCT

2008-10-19 NYG to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0261 00:10 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0281 10:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1233 12:45 CONN W/ #0233 @ CRT
#0285 14:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0291 15:45 ETHAN ALLEN
#1253 17:45 CONN W/ #0253 @ CRT
#0257 19:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0259 21:45 EMPIRE SERVICE

Arrivals at GCT

2008-10-19 ALB to NYG
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#0250 08:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1236 10:45 CONN F/ #0236 @ CRT
#0254 12:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0238 14:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1256 15:35 CONN F/ #0256 @ CRT
#0286 17:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0296 22:25 ETHAN ALLEN
#0288 23:45 EMPIRE SERVICE

As for service from Penn Station, who's got your back? That's right!
2008-10-18 NYP to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0063 07:15 MAPLE LEAF
#0069 07:15 ADIRONDACK
#3281 10:20 BUS TO #0281 @ NYG
#3233 12:20 BUS TO #1233 @ NYG
#3285 14:20 BUS TO #0285 @ NYG

2008-10-18 ALB to NYP
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#3250 09:10 BUS FROM #0250 @ NYG
#3252 10:00 BUS FROM #1252 @ NYG
#3236 11:10 BUS FROM #0236 @ NYG
#0048 20:15 LAKE SHORE LIMITED
#0064 22:25 MAPLE LEAF
#0068 22:25 ADIRONDACK

2008-10-19 NYP to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0063 07:15 MAPLE LEAF
#0069 07:15 ADIRONDACK
#3281 10:20 BUS TO #0281 @ NYG
#3233 12:20 BUS TO #1233 @ NYG
#3285 14:20 BUS TO #0285 @ NYG

2008-10-19 ALB to NYP
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#3250 09:10 BUS FROM #0250 @ NYG
#3252 10:00 BUS FROM #1252 @ NYG
#3236 11:10 BUS FROM #1236 @ NYG
#3254 13:10 BUS FROM #0254 @ NYG
#0048 20:15 LAKE SHORE LIMITED
#0064 22:25 MAPLE LEAF
#0068 22:25 ADIRONDACK

Thanks for the info, Dutch.
Also, Mr. Meehan -- here's the link to the online GCT departure board: http://as0.mta.info/mnr/html/bigboard.cfm

I'm sure the Albany turns will end in CRT, but it doesn't mean that Amtrak action won't be seen on the Hudson between Spuyten Duyvel, and the Mott Haven Wye. As there is no wye in CRT, Mott Haven would be the logical place in terms of turning the Amtrak sets.
As of now, I'm going to be photographing at the following stations: Spuyten Duyvel, Marble Hill.

I was thinking about photographing 49 at one of the Harlem Line Bronx stations, but that might be tough. I think I will photograph it within the vicinity of Marble Hill.

Just got back from GCT. There were 2 Amtrak consists, using tracks 34 and 35. One had a NH Genesis leading an Amtrak Genesis - the other had 2 NH's leading the Amtrak. Amtrak has an information area set up outside the Station Master's office where they're organizing ticketing/baggage/shuttling. Took a few slides, though the photo-ops aren't spectacular as the platform is really narrow, but did manage to get the GCT sign in there with the Amtrak locos.

Was thinking of venturing up to the Park Ave viaduct to get a set coming out of the tunnel. I'm sure there are many others out there documenting as well.

DutchRailnut wrote: Those Empire trains that won't go to GCT, but are connecting with MNCR trains, will still head for MO under own power, to be wyed and returned to Croton Harmon.

I am not saying that Amtrak won't do it this way but it would make much more sense to simply put an engine on the rear out
of Albany and just change ends at Harmon to go back north.
Noel Weaver

JamesRR wrote:Was thinking of venturing up to the Park Ave viaduct to get a set coming out of the tunnel. I'm sure there are many others out there documenting as well.

You're better off going to 125th Street for that...

-otto-

Harlem Line to Southeast wrote:Thanks for the info, Dutch.

I second that!

Also, thanks to Harlem Line to Southeast for the GCT Dpt Board link. Btw, Mr. Meehan was my father, I'm Tommy.

I stopped at Yonkers this afternoon to check on things. Just missed a pair of Amtraks, one north one south, but they were both pretty much on time. They had a temporary "GCT" schedule posted but no copies I could take. One thing I did notice, the scheduled running time to GCT is exactly the same as to Penn.

Noel, Not enough power to go around, but you are right, definitely the way to go

Noel Weaver wrote:

DutchRailnut wrote: Those Empire trains that won't go to GCT, but are connecting with MNCR trains, will still head for MO under own power, to be wyed and returned to Croton Harmon.

I am not saying that Amtrak won't do it this way but it would make much more sense to simply put an engine on the rear out
of Albany and just change ends at Harmon to go back north.
Noel Weaver

I have seen several Amtrak sets go by with no MNCR unit attached so it seems they are indeed doing as DRN said.

And now for next weeks Photo tip, see Otto's post here:
http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewtopi ... 93&t=55829

Amtrak train 250 behind NH P32ACDM's with Amtrak 703 at Spuyten Duyvil Saturday morning
combined trains 63 and 69 with Amtrak 716 and ten cars
Amtrak train 236 with NH 228 and Amtrak 707 at 125th Street
Amtrak train 281 with NH 230 at 125th Street and beyond

But what about:

49 Lake Shore Limited
New York, NY
- Penn Station
(NYP)
3:45 pm
19-OCT-08

??????

DutchRailnut wrote:Copied from Subchat:

Departures from GCT

2008-10-18 NYG to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0281 10:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1233 12:45 CONN W/ #0233 @ CRT
#0285 14:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0291 15:45 ETHAN ALLEN
#1253 17:45 CONN W/ #0253 @ CRT
#1257 19:45 CONN W/ #0257 @ CRT
#0259 21:45 EMPIRE SERVICE

Arrivals at GCT

2008-10-18 ALB to NYG
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#0250 08:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1252 09:35 CONN F/ #0252 @ CRT
#0236 10:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0280 12:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1238 14:35 CONN F/ #0238 @ CRT
#0284 15:25 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0292 16:25 ETHAN ALLEN

And for Sunday, I've got you covered, too.

Departures from GCT

2008-10-19 NYG to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0261 00:10 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0281 10:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1233 12:45 CONN W/ #0233 @ CRT
#0285 14:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0291 15:45 ETHAN ALLEN
#1253 17:45 CONN W/ #0253 @ CRT
#0257 19:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0259 21:45 EMPIRE SERVICE

Arrivals at GCT

2008-10-19 ALB to NYG
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#0250 08:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1236 10:45 CONN F/ #0236 @ CRT
#0254 12:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0238 14:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#1256 15:35 CONN F/ #0256 @ CRT
#0286 17:45 EMPIRE SERVICE
#0296 22:25 ETHAN ALLEN
#0288 23:45 EMPIRE SERVICE

As for service from Penn Station, who's got your back? That's right!
2008-10-18 NYP to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0063 07:15 MAPLE LEAF
#0069 07:15 ADIRONDACK
#3281 10:20 BUS TO #0281 @ NYG
#3233 12:20 BUS TO #1233 @ NYG
#3285 14:20 BUS TO #0285 @ NYG

2008-10-18 ALB to NYP
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#3250 09:10 BUS FROM #0250 @ NYG
#3252 10:00 BUS FROM #1252 @ NYG
#3236 11:10 BUS FROM #0236 @ NYG
#0048 20:15 LAKE SHORE LIMITED
#0064 22:25 MAPLE LEAF
#0068 22:25 ADIRONDACK

2008-10-19 NYP to ALB
TRAIN DTIME NOTES
#0063 07:15 MAPLE LEAF
#0069 07:15 ADIRONDACK
#3281 10:20 BUS TO #0281 @ NYG
#3233 12:20 BUS TO #1233 @ NYG
#3285 14:20 BUS TO #0285 @ NYG

2008-10-19 ALB to NYP
TRAIN ATIME NOTES
#3250 09:10 BUS FROM #0250 @ NYG
#3252 10:00 BUS FROM #1252 @ NYG
#3236 11:10 BUS FROM #1236 @ NYG
#3254 13:10 BUS FROM #0254 @ NYG
#0048 20:15 LAKE SHORE LIMITED
#0064 22:25 MAPLE LEAF
#0068 22:25 ADIRONDACK

Nice pics, chuchubob....

Anyone - any reason why the CDOT-owned P32AC-DMs are running on these trains? Newest (tried & tested) and therefore the most reliable units? Why 2 on some trains? Again, to make sure these "extras" get over the road and don't "block the box"?