Nancy,
Because that is what it was setup to be, a commuter operation. Little to no consideration was given to other possible needs.
This is very true, and frankly, CSX wants to keep it that way. I serve on the MARC Rail Advisory Committee and if there's one thing that I've really come to understand, it's that CSX is basically against any expansion of commuter service on their tracks in the MD/DC/WVA area on principle. MARC trains are bursting at the seams, however, and the Penn Line is taking the brunt of the hit, obviously, so the MTA is pushing CSX pretty hard to get some additional mid-day frequencies on the Camden line to help with the crowds. Hopefully that'll pave the way for more service on the Brunswick line to Frederick, Harpers Ferry, and Martinsburg. Frankly, I'd love to see a morning train out to Harpers Ferry and an afternoon train back for DC tourists. Then again, I'd love to see service on the Old Main Line between Baltimore and Frederick, too.
MARC is finally going to start running weekend service? :unsure: Will that be just on the NEC or all lines?
Just NEC to start (Penn Line), between Baltimore and Washington. They haven't nailed down how many round trips they're talking about yet, or at least they haven't told us.
Very cool!Just NEC to start (Penn Line), between Baltimore and Washington. They haven't nailed down how many round trips they're talking about yet, or at least they haven't told us.
Rafi
It's about time they started weekend service, even if it is on just one line.
They threw a month out at the last meeting, but I wasn't taking notes, unfortunately. We have a meeting next Thursday, so I'll be sure to get an update.Very cool!
Any ideas on just when it might start?
Wow service to Newark finally closing the hole on the NEC. Very nice!They threw a month out at the last meeting, but I wasn't taking notes, unfortunately. We have a meeting next Thursday, so I'll be sure to get an update.Very cool!
Any ideas on just when it might start?
It's worth noting that the following improvements are coming to the MARC Penn Line (some short term, some long term), courtesy of Amtrak and the MTA:
-Service to Elkton, MD and Newark, DE, connecting to SEPTA
-Service south of DC to L'Enfant Plaza Alexandria
The complete expansion plan for all three lines can be accessed here.
-Rafi
I don't think they've nailed anything solid down on how it'll work exactly, but keep in mind that some Penn line trains do run with diesels, so that may be an easy implementation there. There has been talk that running the Camden down to L'Enfant and Alexandria will go a long way to helping relieve the Penn line, however, since it will provide a faster, more direct connection for commuters on the Blue, Yellow, and Orange lines. It does involve more of the yard than a Penn line train would (crossing from the Brunswick line would be a whole-yard-cross), but remember that the Camden line feeder track into Union Station comes in directly adjacent to the Penn Line double main from Ivy Yard to the New York Ave Metro station, so it's basically right there at the top of the yard and can go either way. And frankly, I've seen the Capitol Limited make the whole-yard cross from the Brunswick feeder track to the southbound platforms at the far end of the yard, and then have my Penn Line train depart as little as two minutes later, so I don't know that it would be a huge problem for a Camden train to make that crossing as long as it's coordinated.Wow service to Newark finally closing the hole on the NEC. Very nice!
I have to wonder though how they plan to run service south of DC? Swap motors? Or run a Camden line train south? Neither is a great choice as both cause capacity issues at WUS. The first ties up a platform, the second basically requires crossing over the entire interlocking complex and in effect shutting down access to the NEC for a few minutes.
I think that this would be a great idea - Odenton (Penn) and Savage (Camden) are just under 8 miles apart, and Odenton is the most traveled Penn Line station, so making the Camden line more attractive would go a long ways towards getting rid of the crowds at Odenton. I'd certainly drive a little farther in the morning to be able to pick up the Metro @ L'Enfant rather than Union Station.
And if they did want to run electrified trains though the Union Station tunnel heading south, there's no space for catenary + Superliners, right? Third rail is probably an option through the tunnels, but then they'd need electric locomotives that could cope with third rail on part of the route and catenary on other parts of the route, which are probably possible to build but which haven't ever been built AFAK.
They want a third track from New Carrolton to Union Station. I'm trying to understand what problem that track solves. Even if there are going to be both local and express MARC Penn line trains on 15 minute headways, doesn't that mean they have slots for an Amtrak train at least once every 7 minutes or so on that two track ``bottleneck''? And what's the greatest frequency of Amtrak trains? Something like one Acela per hour, one Northeast Regional per hour, and maybe one long distance train per hour?
Is the Old Main Line an abandoned right of way?
Is there a track diagram somewhere?I don't think they've nailed anything solid down on how it'll work exactly, but keep in mind that some Penn line trains do run with diesels, so that may be an easy implementation there. There has been talk that running the Camden down to L'Enfant and Alexandria will go a long way to helping relieve the Penn line, however, since it will provide a faster, more direct connection for commuters on the Blue, Yellow, and Orange lines. It does involve more of the yard than a Penn line train would (crossing from the Brunswick line would be a whole-yard-cross), but remember that the Camden line feeder track into Union Station comes in directly adjacent to the Penn Line double main from Ivy Yard to the New York Ave Metro station, so it's basically right there at the top of the yard and can go either way. And frankly, I've seen the Capitol Limited make the whole-yard cross from the Brunswick feeder track to the southbound platforms at the far end of the yard, and then have my Penn Line train depart as little as two minutes later, so I don't know that it would be a huge problem for a Camden train to make that crossing as long as it's coordinated.Wow service to Newark finally closing the hole on the NEC. Very nice!
I have to wonder though how they plan to run service south of DC? Swap motors? Or run a Camden line train south? Neither is a great choice as both cause capacity issues at WUS. The first ties up a platform, the second basically requires crossing over the entire interlocking complex and in effect shutting down access to the NEC for a few minutes.
No way! Its a busy eastbound line as well as handling 6 MARC trains on weekdays west of Frederick Jct.
I just caught up with this post but I must warn people about using the parking system at the Amtrak/MARC station in Martinsburg. The city is less than honest as they will sell you an inexpensive permit to park for the number of days you need and you are told (including in signs in the station) that there is parking for those holding such permits. In reality, due to illegal parking in the permit parking places, you may arrive only to find that there is no place to park--as did I. Fortunately, I arrived while the city offices were open. I went there to inquire about what to do and initially encountered a total lack of interest or concern with my problem. Finally I was told to park in a Visitor Center staff parking space near the station. I did that--to the great inconvenience of the staff who then for my 10 days away did not have sufficient parking. They were very happy to see me back.
I can vouch that parking spaces in Martinsburg (MRB) can be difficult to find. I frequently get my Amtrak tickets there at the Quik Trak machine and see first hand the inadequate parking there. My recommendation is to park at the Harpers Ferry (HFY) train station and use either MARC or Amtrak service there. The parking lot and station at HFY is owned by the National Park Service. Amtrak and MARC users are exempt from parking fees at the station. I have parked my car there overnight numerous times without an incident. It is reguarly patrolled by the National Park Service (NPS). I agree with the previous posts that weekday travel to DC should be used on one of the two MARC trains that leave in the morning. If departing on the second AM train (I believe at 7:05 AM), plan on arriving around 6:30-6:45 to assure a good parking spot. You should fill out a NPS parking permit (available right before you enter the parking lot along the sidewalk) and leave it on the dashboard and write "Amtrak/MARC User" on the slip. The ticket office in HFY is no longer in operation. Tickets will have to purchased on board. The one way fare is $11 and conductors will not accept currency above $20 bills. I also would recommend traveling back west on the Capitol Limited.
CSX. IT was part of the merger with RF&P . The fright traffic splits off south of union station and goes thru the Virginia ave tunnel in DC. CSX is adding a 3 line over the Franconia hill from ALX to Springfield to allow for more VRE trains.
