Amtrak Autumn Excursion 2016 - 10/29 & 30 - Confirmed

[Thirdrail7]

Sorry, I read the article yesterday and forgot that it mentioned the speed. I still think that Harrisburg is the more likely location for the change. The article could be inaccurate (the Amtrak website says nothing about top speed) or it is also possible they could have non-Amfleet cars in the consist that restrict speed. In the past they have used Horizons. Business cars on the end are also possible.

All Horizons are good for 125mph. I wonder what American View is limited to. Maybe it is still 110.
Yeah, it is entirely possible that the loco change will be in Harrisburg.

The American View is still rated for 110mph. It is unlikely you'll see an engine change at HAR as the diesels are needed back in NYP for the next trip.

As long as we're speculating, what speed is Sandy Creek rated for?

If it travels over the NEC, it has to operate at 110mph.

Next year's excursion will be more geographically advantageous to you. Sources deep inside Amtrak tell me the 2017 Autumn Express will simply be a re-route of the Lake Shore Limited through Michigan.

Harrisburg line isn't rare mileage for me. Lol!!! I was qualified all the way to GI8 aka the Fuel Pad.

Excellent. You'll act as a pilot...as one of the "volunteers."

A question for the insiders here...the blurb says the Autumn Express will follow the route of the "Queen of the Valley" so I assume it's going through Reading and Hershey to Harrisburg. Will it be turned on the Rockville Bridge (as in 2014) or on the NS bridge downtown? (FWIW, when Amtrak sent out the survey after the 2014 AE and asked for new routes, this was my top choice, except that I would have sent it down the Schuykill from Reading and onto the Trenton Cutoff.)

We'll know for sure in a few days, but I don't think it will turn on either. I believe they are planning to use the bridge that Amtrak uses to wye their trains at HAR.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Inquiring minds want to know .

Wondering what time the train would arrive in Harrisburg and whether I could catch the westbound Pennsylvanian there and head home a day early?

Since I have ridden the Keystone HAR to PHL several times, I would enjoy the new mileage on the Autumn Excursion and then hop off at HAR and do the 43 and 29 back to CLE that afternoon and evening.

Wonder if they have developed a timetable for the AEX? :unsure:

It is my impression that you will not be in the position to intercept the Pennsylvanian at HAR, However, the final timetable is not out since there are a few minor details pending.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Inquiring minds want to know .

Wondering what time the train would arrive in Harrisburg and whether I could catch the westbound Pennsylvanian there and head home a day early?

Since I have ridden the Keystone HAR to PHL several times, I would enjoy the new mileage on the Autumn Excursion and then hop off at HAR and do the 43 and 29 back to CLE that afternoon and evening.

Wonder if they have developed a timetable for the AEX? :unsure:

It is my impression that you will not be in the position to intercept the Pennsylvanian at HAR, However, the final timetable is not out since there are a few minor details pending.

Maybe they have it planned for the trains to meet in Harrisburg and exchange locomotives. Without turning the train, the diesels from the excursion would be facing westbound (same direction as Pennsylvanian). The ACS-64 would be facing the wrong direction, but they are bi-directional so it could work. It is likely that the locomotives would come from PHL anyway because I see no reason NYP would have any P42s and PHL is the next closest terminal.

 

[jis]

Inquiring minds want to know .

Wondering what time the train would arrive in Harrisburg and whether I could catch the westbound Pennsylvanian there and head home a day early?

Since I have ridden the Keystone HAR to PHL several times, I would enjoy the new mileage on the Autumn Excursion and then hop off at HAR and do the 43 and 29 back to CLE that afternoon and evening.

Wonder if they have developed a timetable for the AEX? :unsure:

It is my impression that you will not be in the position to intercept the Pennsylvanian at HAR, However, the final timetable is not out since there are a few minor details pending.

Maybe they have it planned for the trains to meet in Harrisburg and exchange locomotives. Without turning the train, the diesels from the excursion would be facing westbound (same direction as Pennsylvanian). The ACS-64 would be facing the wrong direction, but they are bi-directional so it could work. It is likely that the locomotives would come from PHI anyway because I see no reason NYP would have any P42s and PHI is the next closest terminal.

I guess you did not bother to read Thirdrail's posts a few before yours? Just in case you are unaware Thirdrail works for Amtrak and knows the actual facts. You are just guessing based on some theory in your mind.
What is PHI?

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Inquiring minds want to know .

Wondering what time the train would arrive in Harrisburg and whether I could catch the westbound Pennsylvanian there and head home a day early?

Since I have ridden the Keystone HAR to PHL several times, I would enjoy the new mileage on the Autumn Excursion and then hop off at HAR and do the 43 and 29 back to CLE that afternoon and evening.

Wonder if they have developed a timetable for the AEX? :unsure:

It is my impression that you will not be in the position to intercept the Pennsylvanian at HAR, However, the final timetable is not out since there are a few minor details pending.

Maybe they have it planned for the trains to meet in Harrisburg and exchange locomotives. Without turning the train, the diesels from the excursion would be facing westbound (same direction as Pennsylvanian). The ACS-64 would be facing the wrong direction, but they are bi-directional so it could work. It is likely that the locomotives would come from PHI anyway because I see no reason NYP would have any P42s and PHI is the next closest terminal.

I guess you did not bother to read Thirdrail's posts a few before yours? Just in case you are unaware Thirdrail works for Amtrak and knows the actual facts. You are just guessing based on some theory in your mind.
What is PHI?

Sorry about PHL-I'm not a morning person. I fixed it. I read the entire thread, but I was not aware that ThirdRail worked for Amtrak. The wording sounded unsure as if it was just another theory. I realize they need the locos back in NWK Saturday night, but I thought it made sense to put them on the Pennsylvanian on Sunday. You are right, it was just a guess that made sense given that I didn't know we had inside sources.

 

[railiner]

Inquiring minds want to know .

Wondering what time the train would arrive in Harrisburg and whether I could catch the westbound Pennsylvanian there and head home a day early?

Since I have ridden the Keystone HAR to PHL several times, I would enjoy the new mileage on the Autumn Excursion and then hop off at HAR and do the 43 and 29 back to CLE that afternoon and evening.

Wonder if they have developed a timetable for the AEX? :unsure:

It is my impression that you will not be in the position to intercept the Pennsylvanian at HAR, However, the final timetable is not out since there are a few minor details pending.

The previous excursion thru Harrisburg did not stop at the station allowing passenger's off or on...

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

I read something about it stopping in Lancaster. Is it planned to stop anywhere else?

 

[Railroad Bill]

Inquiring minds want to know .

Wondering what time the train would arrive in Harrisburg and whether I could catch the westbound Pennsylvanian there and head home a day early?

Since I have ridden the Keystone HAR to PHL several times, I would enjoy the new mileage on the Autumn Excursion and then hop off at HAR and do the 43 and 29 back to CLE that afternoon and evening.

Wonder if they have developed a timetable for the AEX? :unsure:

It is my impression that you will not be in the position to intercept the Pennsylvanian at HAR, However, the final timetable is not out since there are a few minor details pending.

The previous excursion thru Harrisburg did not stop at the station allowing passenger's off or on...

O.K. sounds like my plan will not work. I remember the first Autumn trip via Harrisburg did stop at the station area to get rid of trash, etc. but I do not think it was on a track near the station platforms?? Will wait to see what the final itinerary is. Thanks for all the insight.

 

[jis]

As I recall quite a while back I was on a Conrail excursion which among other places stopped at the Lucknow Rail Welding facility just west of Harrsiburg. That was a very nice trip.

 

[Albo5000]

Is anybody else going on Sunday?

I'm aiming for Sunday, hopefully less families because of school on Monday. But even if it is packed with kids it will be great no matter what.

Also, anyone know the consist yet? I see people posting about American View, if it is on the consist, will they let everyone ride in the way back? or is that just a pipe dream?

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Is anybody else going on Sunday?

I'm aiming for Sunday, hopefully less families because of school on Monday. But even if it is packed with kids it will be great no matter what.
Also, anyone know the consist yet? I see people posting about American View, if it is on the consist, will they let everyone ride in the way back? or is that just a pipe dream?

I doubt the public would be allowed in American View if it was in the consist. There will be 600-700 people on this train. It would be cool though.

However, it may be a good chance for Moorman to meet passengers. I have no sources saying he is going on the train, just saying that it would be a good opportunity for him to meet customers.

 

[jis]

Also, anyone know the consist yet? I see people posting about American View, if it is on the consist, will they let everyone ride in the way back? or is that just a pipe dream?

In case it is in the consist, which it may or may not be, in general one does not get to go into American View unless someone from Amtrak invites you there. It is mostly a pipe dream

It was in the consist of the AEM-7 farewell, and some of us, just a very few, got invited to visit while at the Wilmington Shops, thanks to someone that we know at Amtrak.

 

[Thirdrail7]

Maybe they have it planned for the trains to meet in Harrisburg and exchange locomotives. Without turning the train, the diesels from the excursion would be facing westbound (same direction as Pennsylvanian). The ACS-64 would be facing the wrong direction, but they are bi-directional so it could work. It is likely that the locomotives would come from PHL anyway because I see no reason NYP would have any P42s and PHL is the next closest terminal.

Technically, the next closest terminal is New Haven, which has diesels and cab cars for the Springfield Line. However, I get the feeling the diesels will not come from that pool. It's actually a shame the AEM-7s are retired because they would be quite useful right now. Some of them were modified so they could be completely controlled by modified P-42s. The diesel would go on top on of the electric, you'd isolate the propulsion on the diesel and use it to power the AEM-7. You could even control the pantograph. Then, when you reached the end of the live catenary, you'd drop the pantograph on the AEM-7, put the diesel propulsion back online and you'd never miss a beat.

Is anybody else going on Sunday?

I'm aiming for Sunday, hopefully less families because of school on Monday. But even if it is packed with kids it will be great no matter what.

Also, anyone know the consist yet? I see people posting about American View, if it is on the consist, will they let everyone ride in the way back? or is that just a pipe dream?

So far, it consists of 10 Am I coaches and 2 Am Cafe cars. I haven't heard anything about the 10001 or 10004 making the trip and I believe the 9800 has another commitment. However, the plan is still young.

 

[Seaboard92]

Job my memory the 9800 is what?

 

[OBS]

9800 is the Metroliner conference car.

 

[neroden]

I wonder how much it costs Amtrak, incrementally, to run this. Not counting additional food sales and assuming all passengers are adults, it seems like they raise $214560 on the two trips, which is a nice hunk of revenue. (Obviously additional cars would mean more revenue.)

 

[Ryan]

It's actually a shame the AEM-7s are retired because they would be quite useful right now.

I can think of a handful within arms reach y'all should pull out. The funny looking blue and oranges ones deserve a last trip of their own.

 

[neroden]

They should totally have someone letting people ride in American View (and look out the back) in 15 minute increments for $10/person. Think of the income. (Yes, I do think like a capitalist.)

 

[jld]

I wonder how much it costs Amtrak, incrementally, to run this. Not counting additional food sales and assuming all passengers are adults, it seems like they raise $214560 on the two trips, which is a nice hunk of revenue. (Obviously additional cars would mean more revenue.)

Probably could have saved a chunk of change just cutting out the electric portion/crew and initiate at NWK -- and holding 5 extra mins to grab the 160 and NJT (NYP) transfers -- though I won't complain since the Path is always out

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

I am trying to buy a ticket but it's not working. Weren't they supposed to go on sale at 10? Is anybody else having this problem?

 

[JoeRids]

Just tried booking online; giving me an error message doesn't recognize the arrival station. Pretty sure I'm doing it correctly.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Just tried booking online; giving me an error message doesn't recognize the arrival station. Pretty sure I'm doing it correctly.

That is the same message it's giving me.

 

[pennyk]

Just tried booking online; giving me an error message doesn't recognize the arrival station. Pretty sure I'm doing it correctly.

ditto. I am on with an agent now with no success

 

[jis]

It works only through the Smartphone Apps at present. I just got my ticket.

 

[Albo5000]

Got mine booked on the app no problem.