Are they shutting down the NEC (or parts of it) next week?

[jis]

I understand the security concerns, but if they are truly worried, why not have all Northeast Corridor trains terminate in Baltimore and just shut down Union Station entirely. Only cancelling the Virginia service seems a little strange to me.

Amtrak suspends some service south of DC ahead of inauguration (msn.com)

The concern is not Union Station. The concern is the 1st Avenue Tunnel under the Capitol. Why is that so hard to understand?

 

[railiner]

The concern is not Union Station. The concern is the 1st Avenue Tunnel under the Capitol. Why is that so hard to understand?

Maybe they could route the thru trains via CSX's Virginia Ave. Tunnel instead? Change power in Philly?

 

[adamj023]

The concern is not Union Station. The concern is the 1st Avenue Tunnel under the Capitol. Why is that so hard to understand?

Has nothing to do with it being a “tunnel”. It has to do with controlling traffic flow from the south of DC to Virginia. One bridge is closed and a second bridge is partially closed from what I can tell. Yes there is a ”tunnel” that is being used to control traffic flow in and out of DC to Virginia In addition to the bridges.

 

[user 14106]

So the only option for Richmond is 97/98 on Tuesday and 97/98 and 89/90 on Wednesday. Lynchburg you can do 19 on Tuesday.

 

[MARC Rider]

Union Station is in the most restricted zone of downtown DC. There's no access to cars, taxis, ubers, buses, the Metro station is closed. So if you need to use Union Station, you have to be dropped off several blocks away and walk in. (Or walk out to get picked up.) If I were riding into the area during the shutdown, I would get off at New Carrolton, where one has access to connecting transit, cars, taxis, etc. and one could avoid any potential trouble.

There much be some operational reason why Amtrak is finding it better to run the trains all the way to Union Station rather than terminating in New Carrolton and running the empty train down to Ivy City to turn it. I suppose because the Amtrak trains are only half full or less (with a reduced consist, anyway), and the MARC trains are cancelled, the number of potential troublemakers that can enter DC via rail from the north is very limited.

 

[WWW]

Union Station is in the most restricted zone of downtown DC. There's no access to cars, taxis, ubers, buses, the Metro station is closed. So if you need to use Union Station, you have to be dropped off several blocks away and walk in. (Or walk out to get picked up.) If I were riding into the area during the shutdown, I would get off at New Carrolton, where one has access to connecting transit, cars, taxis, etc. and one could avoid any potential trouble.

There much be some operational reason why Amtrak is finding it better to run the trains all the way to Union Station rather than terminating in New Carrolton and running the empty train down to Ivy City to turn it. I suppose because the Amtrak trains are only half full or less (with a reduced consist, anyway), and the MARC trains are cancelled, the number of potential troublemakers that can enter DC via rail from the north is very limited.

Would there be a security pass given to congressional officials to ride the train and have an escorted pick-up to the Capitol area ?
This if the train has to transit the station to wye the return - may as well make the best of the limited revenue and required operation.

A lot of unanswered questions ?
Probably for the best to thwart the radical terrorist minded planning !

Very troubled times we live in - and all that could have been avoided -"IF" a B-I-G "IF" - but can't comment further crossing the politics line of the forum !
But I am sure that the member readers know what I am inferring - - - - something about a smooth peaceful transition of power.

 

[jis]

Would there be a security pass given to congressional officials to ride the train and have an escorted pick-up to the Capitol area ?
This if the train has to transit the station to wye the return - may as well make the best of the limited revenue and required operation.

Two points:

1. Acelas don't have to Wye. They are very often turned at the platform.

2. Regionals coming from the North don't have to "transit" Union Station to Wye. The Ivy City Wye is between New Carrolton and Union Station. They do have to get to pretty close to Union Station to enter the Ivy City Yard though, but do not need to get into the platform area.

 

[adamj023]

It looks like Amtrak will be expanded and fully funded with more spending. As for Union Station being ”restricted” yet still no access from the south.