Passenger Trains > Amtrak Test Train With Modified P32ACDM #711 Running Into GCT

with the upcoming plan to route Empire trains to NYG ( Amtraks's Station Designation for Grand Central) ... a test train with P32ACDM #711, P42 #92 and amfleet I car 82524 are being run in and out of Grand Central ... the 711 is a 9 aspect equipped ACSES unit and has been modified with underruning 3rd shoes to run into NYG ... there will be 2 fleets of dual modes to run into both NYG and NYP ... but one fleet set will only be able to run into the terminal it's setup for ...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/17 15:13 by Out_Of_Service.

Will the Amtrak trains running into Grand Central require an engine on each end or is there a place to turn the train. How did Amtrak do this when they used the FL9's on the Lake Shore, Maple Leaf, and Adirondack into GCT before moving to Penn.

The old NYC-PC electrics and Amtrak turbos were bidirectional and MNCR is either bidirectional or push pull so other then the Amtrak FL9 equipped trains nothing into GCT probably needed to be turned in recent times.

There are loop tracks at GCT.

PCCRNSEngr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There are loop tracks at GCT.

Thank you. Can the loop tracks be accessed from the center tunnel tracks?

Posted from Android

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PCCRNSEngr Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > There are loop tracks at GCT.
>
> Thank you. Can the loop tracks be accessed from
> the center tunnel tracks?
>
> Posted from Android

Yes.

push pull is still an option and being assessed ... also there will be tests for Amtrak trains including Acelas to run into Hoboken for NY terminating turns ... and trains needing high level platforms will have thr platforms modified ... NJT pilot issues have to be worked out just as with GCT with the Empire trains having MNR pilots setup ...



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/17 15:14 by Out_Of_Service.

Does this mean that some Empire Service will terminate at GCT and some at Penn? That wouldn't be too confusing, would it?

Jishnu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > PCCRNSEngr Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > There are loop tracks at GCT.
> >
> > Thank you. Can the loop tracks be accessed from
> > the center tunnel tracks?
> >
> > Posted from Android
>
> Yes.

The loop tracks Amtrak would use run off the platforms on the west side of the Upper Level. I believe these tracks were primarily used by Amtrak before it moved out in 1991, too.

Non-Turbo trains tended to arrive on GCT Loop tracks, I believe Tracks 41 or 42 (I don't remember). They tended to depart from Tracks 18, 23, and 24. At one time, everything was a Turbo except the Lake Shore and Maple Leaf (once called the Niagara Rainbow, ran to Detroit, Amfleet cars cycled from there to Chicago on what are now the Wolverines). The Adirondack was a Turbo through most of the 1980's.

I am surprised they have not thought of running Keystones into Hoboken. They are bi-directional, just 5 cars, and don't require high level platforms.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/17 15:03 by joemvcnj.

I recall that a few years ago when some Empire Service trains were diverted to GCT they arrived on Tracks 39 and 40, which are loop tracks. I don't know for sure if they went around the loop to depart north/west from NY City. I wouldn't mind riding an Amtrak train from GCT around the loop.

CPR_4000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does this mean that some Empire Service will
> terminate at GCT and some at Penn? That wouldn't
> be too confusing, would it?

At least initially, apparently only the Albany turns are slated to go to NYG. The beyond Albany trains, at least initially continue to run to NYP. But of course as things move along, things might change.

Out_Of_Service Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> push pull is still an option and being assessed
> ... also there will be tests for Amtrak trains
> including Acelas to run into Hoboken for NY
> terminating turns ... and trains needing high
> level platforms will have thr platforms modified
> ... NJT pilot issues have to be worked out just as
> with GCT with the Empire trains having MNR pilots
> setup ...

I hope that Amtrak works out an option with NJT where trains - if needed - could terminate at Hoboken. Not having high level platforms at Hoboken Terminal presents issues though. But overall, better to run trains here than terminating in Newark Penn, as the only option. 

Glad Hoboken Terminal still exists too! All the waterfront stations on the Hudson were closed over the years. Some forward thinking     should have at least kept the CNJ Terminal in reach if needed.....

I too too am surprised that the Keystone Trains aren't terminating at Newark Penn or Philly (for transfer). The contract that Amtrak has with PA, which funds the Keystones, likely keeps them in place. They are also heavily used during peak hours by Amtrak monthly pass holders. The NYP to Philly market is very much still alive! Philly is often what NYP is to Acela Express riders - huge turnover point with passengers emptying out and others boarding.

According to a few posts elsewhere, apparently there simply won;t be enough capacity to absorb a very significant proportion of the folks who travel by the Keystones, specially given that a number of Regionals are being eliminated for the duration.

Out_Of_Service Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> push pull is still an option and being assessed
> ... also there will be tests for Amtrak trains
> including Acelas to run into Hoboken for NY
> terminating turns ... and trains needing high
> level platforms will have thr platforms modified
> ... NJT pilot issues have to be worked out just as
> with GCT with the Empire trains having MNR pilots
> setup ...

Where exactly did you hear this rumour?? Running Acelas into Hoboken is pretty far fetched and I dont see how they can modify the platform into High Level.They cant really use the handicap ramps for this either..

Also, as others said terminating the Clockers there might be a fair alternative, but I think they can only use diesels right now on the Waterfront connection. However are negotiations with NJT really occurring now?? I'll believe it all when I see it!

Posted from Android

Njt4172 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Out_Of_Service Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > push pull is still an option and being assessed
> > ... also there will be tests for Amtrak trains
> > including Acelas to run into Hoboken for NY
> > terminating turns ... and trains needing high
> > level platforms will have thr platforms
> modified
> > ... NJT pilot issues have to be worked out just
> as
> > with GCT with the Empire trains having MNR
> pilots
> > setup ...
>
> Where exactly did you hear this rumour?? Running
> Acelas into Hoboken is pretty far fetched and I
> dont see how they can modify the platform into
> High Level.They cant really use the handicap ramps
> for this either..
>
> Also, as others said terminating the Clockers
> there might be a fair alternative, but I think
> they can only use diesels right now on the
> Waterfront connection. However are negotiations
> with NJT really occurring now?? I'll believe it
> all when I see it!
>
> Posted from Android

NJT and Amtrak engineers on an employee site who were discussing the operations of qualifying and the issues of feasibility so apparently it's being discussed by both companies ... if it actually happens well time will tell ... hey i'm just the messenger ...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/17 13:00 by Out_Of_Service.

There's no SE leg of the Wye at SWIFT, so the waterfront connection would be the alternative. Unless they want to back up two miles.

Do Acela have the ability to change power to NJT frequency? I'm guessing they must

Posted from Android

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Do Acela have the ability to change power to NJT
> frequency? I'm guessing they must
>
> Posted from Android

I have no idea if they do, but I believe the Sprinters might.

I remember seeing a photo of a NJT dual mode pull a string of Amfleets out of Hoboken several weeks ago, but I don't remember the reason for it.

Njt4172 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > Do Acela have the ability to change power to
> NJT
> > frequency? I'm guessing they must
> >
> > Posted from Android
>
> I have no idea if they do, but I believe the
> Sprinters might.

the Sprinters and Acelas are capable of rectifying different power sources ...

> I remember seeing a photo of a NJT dual mode pull
> a string of Amfleets out of Hoboken several weeks
> ago, but I don't remember the reason for it.


125mph certification testing for the 46 electric and 45 dual mode (electric mode only) power units for the 125mph speed upgrades for 1&4 tracks in jersey ...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/17 20:50 by Out_Of_Service.

---

---

Out_Of_Service Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Njt4172 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > >
> > > Do Acela have the ability to change power to
> > NJT
> > > frequency? I'm guessing they must
> > >
> > > Posted from Android
> >
> > I have no idea if they do, but I believe the
> > Sprinters might.
>
> the Sprinters and Acelas are capable of rectifying
> different power sources ...
>
> > I remember seeing a photo of a NJT dual mode
> pull
> > a string of Amfleets out of Hoboken several
> weeks
> > ago, but I don't remember the reason for it.
>
>
> 125mph certification testing for the 46 electric
> and 45 dual mode (electric mode only) power units
> for the 125mph speed upgrades for 1&4 tracks in
> jersey ...

Interesting. And thanks for sharing those good photos.

Njt4172 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Out_Of_Service Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Njt4172 Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Do Acela have the ability to change power
> to
> > > NJT
> > > > frequency? I'm guessing they must
> > > >
> > > > Posted from Android
> > >
> > > I have no idea if they do, but I believe the
> > > Sprinters might.
> >
> > the Sprinters and Acelas are capable of
> rectifying
> > different power sources ...
> >
> > > I remember seeing a photo of a NJT dual mode
> > pull
> > > a string of Amfleets out of Hoboken several
> > weeks
> > > ago, but I don't remember the reason for it.
> >
> >
> > 125mph certification testing for the 46
> electric
> > and 45 dual mode (electric mode only) power
> units
> > for the 125mph speed upgrades for 1&4 tracks in
> > jersey ...
>
> Interesting. And thanks for sharing those good
> photos.

---