Passenger Trains > Another step completed for the Scranton / NY service

I know everyone is tired of reading about studies and how this particular proposed service is just one more step away from fruition but here is another article that says this.

May 15th is the date these applications must be submitted for the FRA to decide which corridors will be constructed.  Penn Dot completed this step according to the article and now they wait on the FRA.    This free article outlines that and many other points.  All of this said my bet is this service will not be ready in 2028 as quoted.  

https://news.yahoo.com/penndot-files-application-feds-scranton-000700228.html



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/23 06:01 by amtrakbill.

2128 maybe..............operative word " maybe" !!!   Ross Rowland 

Thought  the  deadline  was  3/27?/   No?

cutboy1958 Wrote:
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> Thought  the  deadline  was  3/27?/   No?
Article says, "Next major deadline is May 13th."

OK, so is Wilkes-Barre included in this "study" or "application?"
Remember last year PennDOT "promised" to conduct a "study"
for service to/from Wilkes-Barre, but then someone at PennDOT
decided to cancel or discontinue the "study" and never informed 
city officials, especially the Mayor, and he was pissed!  Remember that? 
Actually, the study may have been about Wilkes-Barre/Philadelphia service.

So, AMTRAKBILL - is Wilkes Barre included this time?

Don't think Wilkes-Barre (Scrantons 2nd cousin) is included.  Penn Dot failed to submit the study for WB and never told the mayor of WB they threw it out.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/23 13:40 by amtrakbill.

Here is an update from Chuck Walsh with everything.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/23 14:48 by restricted_speed.

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CPMorris Wrote:
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> So, AMTRAKBILL - is Wilkes Barre included this time?

Nope. (Pretty sure)

If you are under 10 years old you might ( operative word might) live long enough to see passenger rail service restored Scranton-NYC.  Anyone older than 10 highly unlikly .

    Ross Rowland 

co614 Wrote:
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> If you are under 10 years old you might (
> operative word might) live long enough to see
> passenger rail service restored Scranton-NYC. 
> Anyone older than 10 highly unlikly .
>
>     Ross Rowland 

I hearya Ross. I have always said "I'll believe it when I can buy a ticket".

This time it's a little different though. I think this has a decent chance of happening sooner than later.

If the Scranton to NYC Amtrak service does get approved, don't be surprised if service begins after 2028. There are a lot of things that have to be built, in addition to upgrading the Lackawanna Cutoff right of way. Stations would have to be built plus appropriate sized parking lots. Brand new signaling systems have to be put in. I saw 60-80 mph projected speeds along the right of way in PA. North of E. Stroudsburg, much of the right of way has a lot of curves, particularly closer to Mt. Pocono and Scranton. Of course, there would have to be enough Amtrak equipment to help provide the service. I know that they want to use the Airos. Come 2028, it's not like the Amfleet Is will be all retired by then.

Have a feeling NJT will have its hand out for additional "study money" even though it has all been studied to death. It's an opportunity for them to get federal grant money to apply to their system of operations.....

You're right. I forgot all about the rare eastern Delaware River spotted salamander that is an endangered species and is thought to live near where the DL&W used to have its tracks that led up to the massive bridge across the Delaware into NJ. No one has seen a rare eastern Spotted Salamander since 2002 but since it was known to call the Delaware River near the DL&W bridge home, it will require an endangered species environmental study to determine its survival. 

   That should be good for 2/3 years and a few more millions.

    Ross Rowland 

I got to hi rail the entire line as part of this study.  Quite a rollercoaster ride.  Been working on this off and on since 2003, hopefully we eventually get somewhere as others have said.  Constructing the first 7 miles in New Jersey is moving forward again.

In the service industry, there's a saying  "under promise  and over provide".  Its good words to live by.   But for some reason, in the public sector, its always "over promise, and under provide"    Its kinda like :"If we can make a big enough hoopla, its easier for us to get more money appropriated."     Which possible bc (imho) a lot of ppl are easily swayed.

co614 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You're right. I forgot all about the rare eastern
> Delaware River spotted salamander that is an
> endangered species and is thought to live near
> where the DL&W used to have its tracks that led up
> to the massive bridge across the Delaware into NJ.
> No one has seen a rare eastern Spotted Salamander
> since 2002 but since it was known to call the
> Delaware River near the DL&W bridge home, it will
> require an endangered species environmental study
> to determine its survival. 
>
>    That should be good for 2/3 years and a few
> more millions.
>
>     Ross Rowland 

Ross, you did not fully explain it. 2-3 years is just for the study and public hearings. Then you have to figure 1-2 years for offical goverment approval then add 2-3 years for the resulting lawsuits.

There's also the problem that residents and their political leaders don't want the train. There's no strong political will to get this thing done.

A project to benefit Pennsy residents is nice, but not something to spend NJ money on.

Let Amtrak pay for it, then give it to the state. Like the Atlantic City line.

Posted from Android

NJT is going to try to milk this prospective service for capacity improvements or something as they know this service needs access to their M&E lines, which are already a good functioning commuter railroad. But NJT will want to be competitive to ensure they get their funds - needed or not. 

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Ross, you did not fully explain it. 2-3 years is
> just for the study and public hearings. Then you
> have to figure 1-2 years for offical goverment
> approval then add 2-3 years for the resulting
> lawsuits.

If the studies are sufficiently thorough, that would lessen the chances of lawsuits.  Who is threatening a lawsuit against this project? 

In short - who will launch lawsuits? People who don't want it built "could" always launch a lawsuit.

It's the New York City tri-state area, so anything can happen, especially the NIMBY folks. Lots of development in NJ and PA and people think dormant rail lines will stay dormant and will still build their dream home near what is thought to be an abandoned rail ROW!