North East Corridor (NEC) speeds, new stations and state of repair (2025)

[pennyk]

From January 2, 2025 forward, please post comments discussing North East Corridor (NEC) speeds, new stations and state of repair here. For previous posts regarding North East Corridor (NEC) speeds, new stations and state of repair, please refer to this thread, which is currently locked:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/thread...ew-stations-and-state-of-repair.78814/page-13

 

[Amtrak25]

I much rather they re-focus their effort on simply replacing catenary to constant tension north of the Brunswicks so that it doesn't get ripped down every week or two when the temperature hits 85. Very few people care about increasing speed limits to save Acela 80 seconds.

 

[B&Ofan]

I much rather they re-focus their effort on simply replacing catenary to constant tension north of the Brunswicks so that it doesn't get ripped down every week or two when the temperature hits 85. Very few people care about increasing speed limits to save Acela 80 seconds.

It's not just the speed advantages of constant tension catenary, it's the reliability it provides. The problem is people don't notice when things just work as expected. Think about all the delays from down wire north of New Haven, well I can't think of any. Serious I totally agree that fixing the overhead should be top priority.

 

[NE933]

Smoothing and tightening up the tracks are also important. Going thru Harrold interlocking is a rock and roll ride, in both directions.

 

[jis]

Smoothing and tightening up the tracks are also important. Going thru Harrold interlocking is a rock and roll ride, in both directions.

Harold Bypass for Amtrak has been nder construction for over ten years now.

 

[Amtrak25]

Didn't funding from Harold Bypass come out of the MTA ESA budget, which David Gunn insisted upon for affecting Sunnyside Yard with its construction ?

 

[jis]

Didn't funding from Harold Bypass come out of the MTA ESA budget, which David Gunn insisted upon for affecting Sunnyside Yard with its construction ?

No. It was a separate federal appropriation

 

[west point]

Amtrak is going to receive an very improved P-95 track renewal machine. With second P-95 maybe the NEC will get improved track?

https://www.railwaygazette.com/infr...newals-train-ready-for-delivery/68085.article

 

[George Harris]

It's not just the speed advantages of constant tension catenary, it's the reliability it provides. The problem is people don't notice when things just work as expected. Think about all the delays from down wire north of New Haven, well I can't think of any. Serious I totally agree that fixing the overhead should be top priority.

Let me say what you did one more time: "The problem is people don't notice when things just work as expected." Having spent most of my working life on railroad and transit civil engineering, I have long since learned that good design and maintenance is the invisible science.

Couple of examples: At Memphis there are three closely parallel bridges across the Mississippi River at 200 feet centers and identical spans: They are the Frisco bridge, opened 1892, single track railroad, originally planked level with top of rails so wagons could use it between trains. Some significant track support work done about 30 years ago and west approach steel trestle replaced recently. Owned operated by BNSF, without load restrictions. Second, the Harahan Bridge to the north. Opened 1916, two tracks inside the truss and cantilevered roadways both sides outside the trusses. Northside roadway now bide and walking path. Southside roadway closed. Owned operated by UP without load restrictions, and so far as I know without anything done to it other than routine maintenance. Third, the Memphis and Arkansas Bridge, opened in 1949, four lane highway with sidewalks. Originally, the M&A bridge also had all US river crossing highway numbers applied to it. Since then it has also been designated for I-55 and sidewalks closed, so if you ain't on wheels, you ain't crossing the river. (I-40 crosses the river on a six lane bridge a few miles to the north. This bridge built in the 1970's.) The M&A bridge is now scheduled for replacement, apparently using the same piers. Supposed to be some pretty cable stayed structure, but presumably with the same number of lanes. An even worse example of unnecessary bridge replacement is the eastern half of the San Francisco Bay bridge. At a cost of somewhere in the Billions the existing 1930's built structure was rebuilt completely on a new alignment with the same number of lanes as that replaced.