The Interborough Express (IBX)

I think the Bay Ridge Branch was two and four tracks in places between Fresh Pond Junction and 65 Street Yard in Bay Ridge, especially during the electrified operation days up until Penn Central took over in 1968.

Tens of thousands of people work at JFK... restoring LIRR access isn't just about passengers flying in and out.

Hells Gate can't accommodate freight and passenger traffic without the extra clearance afforded by removing that fourth track. Safety first, expansion last.

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If this doesn't end up in the "great idea box in the sky," one really has to wonder what type of entity would run it? My money for any advancement would be on a light rail system like NJT maybe not even manned by MTA personnel? Think the NICE Nassau County bus system that was spun off by the MTA years back. I could see New York and Atlantic Railway relegated to like 10pm to 5am on that 11 mile section of the Bay Ridge maybe? See where we are maybe 2 years down the road in this thread when the stimulus money runs out!

I think the capacity and the potential for not having to time-separate would dictate heavy rail, personally.

Could run it like PATH as a railroad but more like heavy rail.

IMO the best solution would be, again, a S-Bahn system.

ConstanceR46 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 1:22 pm IMO the best solution would be, again, a S-Bahn system.

What would a S-Bahn system entail? Not very familiar with German transit.

The key characterics are a subway-type car configuration -- i.e., lots of sliding (or plug) doors and level boarding -- but capable of sharing track (and voltage and frequency) with standard railroad equipment.

The MTA just released this new video about the project --

Introducing the Proposed IBX
https://youtu.be/dtmLMSaSCa0

that's a Class 450 in Metro North livery at 2:18???

"To build a new transit connection between Brooklyn and Queens, a streetcar may be what the MTA desires.

Transit officials have identified light rail train cars as the easiest way to realize Gov. Hochul’s proposed Interborough Express, which aims to bring passenger service to a 14-mile set of freight tracks from Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights.

Officials since January have also examined using the line for conventional commuter trains like those on the LIRR or Metro-North. The construction of a dedicated roadway for buses is also on the table."

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/new ... onths-away

Too bad they can't rebuild the 4th track on the hell gate bridge and run this out to the Bronx. But they are "constraints" for the heavy rail options.

Why can't the 4th track be restored? It looks like there is room in photos.

So they are leaning towards light rail for this project? That's exciting but scary as NYC has no modern experience of dealing with a light rail system. Would love to see a Stadler trainset here though.

scratchyX1 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 27, 2022 2:36 pm Why can't the 4th track be restored? It looks like there is room in photos.

Cost and willpower?

nyrmetros wrote: ↑Tue Oct 04, 2022 12:12 am So they are leaning towards light rail for this project? That's exciting but scary as NYC has no modern experience of dealing with a light rail system. Would love to see a Stadler trainset here though.

This would work best as an operation like on staten island, they seem to want light rail to use street running in places.