Passenger Trains > Amtrak talks turkey about the NEC

Relax, relax, this report from Amtrak is not Political (thank, God).

Some interesting "railroad talk" here about the condition, capacity, and operating problems of the NEC as it exists today---like the NEC is in a "crisis of success". It's "legacy capacity" inherited from the Pennsylvania Railroad is all used up; because the number of trains being handled today, far exceed the wildest dreams of the original builders.

Service deterioration; speed reductions, all loom in the future. (my view is that tracks are getting rough already).

Joe




http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/353/907/NEC_Investment_Crisis_ATK-13-033.pdf

NO, read this report, not Amtrak's p.r. BS: http://www.oig.dot.gov/library-item/6087

Much of this crisis is Amtrak's own doing, though.

For example, the tie laying machine is removing defective concrete ties on track 4 in NJ. Although only about 1/2 mile is actually involved, the track 4 is out of service from COUNTY to MIDWAY about 15 miles. There are no intervening crossover points.

The result is local trains have to move from 4 to 3 (the express track), and stop on 3 to deposit passengers at Jersey Avenue. The slower running commuter then holds that main track to MIDWAY. So it waits for all faster running trains to run past before it makes the Jersey Avenue stop.

#2 track, the eastbound main, could be used as a run around (move the Acela etc 3 to 2 at COUNTY) for several intervals with the faster train regaining 3 track at MIDWAY. At other intervals there's an opposing train on 2. That could be switched to 1, and run to COUNTY, etc.

With dispatchers covering such a wide zone, I wouldn't be comfortable watching two trains moving against the usual flow of traffic with a work crew in the area but it's done every day in Europe. Removing crossovers at NASSAU (PJC) creates the same problem south of MIDWAY so once the track layers get down there it will happen again in the area MIDWAY - HAM.

To recap, there's a lot that Amtrak could do to get better use of the capacity it already has. It's not adding a new B&P or North River tunnel or another track in northern Maryland, but it could be a good start.

Someone has no sense of humor, or just complain and .......

BIG LOL.

Bob