Empire Service discussion

[fdaley]

In other words, even though these trains perform well the great majority of the time, they do have catastrophic failures now and then. So if it's very important to reach your destination at a certain time, it's best to start early enough that you'd have time to make a Plan B if the need arises.

One thing that concerns me is that, because of climate change, we've now had several incidents in just the past few years where intense heavy rain caused washouts or landslides that completely shut down the Hudson line -- in a couple of cases for days. Before 2010, I don't recall that ever happening going back to the '70s when I started riding those trains.

 

[Amtrak25]

I don't know about great performance.

Right now, 63 is an hour late by Harmon.

There was no 68 yesterday out of Montreal:

"Service Adjustment: As of 12:50 pm ET, Due to ongoing mechanical issues, Train 68 is canceled from Montreal (MTL) to Schenectady (SDY) and will originate in Albany (ALB). Bus transportation is currently being sourced for customers affected."

 

[Traveller]

In other words, even though these trains perform well the great majority of the time, they do have catastrophic failures now and then. So if it's very important to reach your destination at a certain time, it's best to start early enough that you'd have time to make a Plan B if the need arises.

One thing that concerns me is that, because of climate change, we've now had several incidents in just the past few years where intense heavy rain caused washouts or landslides that completely shut down the Hudson line -- in a couple of cases for days. Before 2010, I don't recall that ever happening going back to the '70s when I started riding those trains.

Yes a plan B is always good and have already started looking at Greyhound/Flixbus options too if something catastrophic is predicted for the Amtrak system in that area.

Couple of years ago we were on a train in Egypt, desert terrain. Train had to stop due to flooding!!!

 

[JoeRids]

This is a question probably not worth asking, but can anyone understand why BC on Empire Service does not have assigned seating? I mean, if they can do it on the Vermonter that has the 1/2 business class car, it should be easily doable, especially since the premium for BC vs. coach isn’t cheap. I understand Amtrak is underfunded but there are so many easy things that would cost little to greatly enhance the customer experience.

 

[PVD]

Does NYS DOT have to bless it? Vermonter spends a good bit of its time on the NEC, it is not a NYS train.

 

[zephyr17]

This is a question probably not worth asking, but can anyone understand why BC on Empire Service does not have assigned seating? I mean, if they can do it on the Vermonter that has the 1/2 business class car, it should be easily doable, especially since the premium for BC vs. coach isn’t cheap. I understand Amtrak is underfunded but there are so many easy things that would cost little to greatly enhance the customer experience.

Perhaps the question ought to be why NEC has reserved BC and nothing else does.

 

[fdaley]

Even with the northbound Adirondack restored to its regular time slot beginning Monday, capacity on the Empire Service is tighter than I can recall. As of tonight (Friday, 11/22), for Thanksgiving week travel from New York to Albany:

-- Every train on Tuesday, 11/26 is completely sold out except the 2:19p Ethan Allen departure.
-- Every train on Wednesday, 11/27 is completely sold out.
-- Every train on Thursday, 11/28 is completely sold out until the 2:19p Ethan Allen departure.

By comparison, a check of corridor trains between NYP and Boston and between NYP and WAS reveals only a smattering of trains sold out. Most have at least some seats available, albeit at very high fares.