Penn Station in NY

[rascal68]

Hello. We have a train that arrives in NY at 1020am, then our connecting train leaves Ny at 10:50 am. i am nervous we won't make the connecting train. how busy and large is penn station? is it going to be hard to make this next train. All i keep piecturing is soem crazy subway station where noone will help you, and you have no idea where to go. any input??? and what happens if we did miss the train there?? thanks all!

 

[AlanB]

Well if your first train is on time, then it should be no problem at all, 30 minutes is more than enough time. If however your first train is running late, then things could get interesting.

The best advice is when you arrive look for the escalators that say either Amtrak or Concourse level. These will be longer escalators that you'd have to bend down in order to see the top of the escalator from the platform. If you can easily see the top of the escalator, then it's leading to the LIRR level and you don't want that one.

If something goes wrong and you miss the train, then head for the Customer Service desk to the right of the Amtrak ticket windows. They should be able to rebook you onto another train or at least tell you what to do.

 

[JAChooChoo]

Well if your first train is on time, then it should be no problem at all, 30 minutes is more than enough time. If however your first train is running late, then things could get interesting.

It appears to be a guaranteed connection from Northeast Regional 95 and Silver Star 91

 

[nferr]

Well if your first train is on time, then it should be no problem at all, 30 minutes is more than enough time. If however your first train is running late, then things could get interesting.

It appears to be a guaranteed connection from Northeast Regional 95 and Silver Star 91

Even if you miss it in NY, that regional would probably outrun the Siver Star to Washington. The Silver Star has to change engines in Washington too.

 

[Donctor]

Even if you miss it in NY, that regional would probably outrun the Siver Star to Washington. The Silver Star has to change engines in Washington too.

And, if I'm not mistaken (which I may well be), the Silver Star is scheduled for slightly longer stops along the corridor than the Regionals are.

Question: are the LD train schedules in the corridor extended because it takes longer to get the heavier trains up to speed? Do they run at restricted speeds? Or is it because baggage handling adds time?

 

[acelafan]

Even if you miss it in NY, that regional would probably outrun the Siver Star to Washington. The Silver Star has to change engines in Washington too.

And, if I'm not mistaken (which I may well be), the Silver Star is scheduled for slightly longer stops along the corridor than the Regionals are.

Question: are the LD train schedules in the corridor extended because it takes longer to get the heavier trains up to speed? Do they run at restricted speeds? Or is it because baggage handling adds time?

When I rode the Silver Meteor from NYP to MIA a few months ago, my GPS indicated max speed of "only" 110 MPH, whereas the Regionals usually get up to 125MPH or so. The sleeping equipment might not be rated for 125MPH? Just guessing there. I don't recall the station dwell times being much longer than the Regionals but could be wrong.

 

[AlanB]

Even if you miss it in NY, that regional would probably outrun the Siver Star to Washington. The Silver Star has to change engines in Washington too.

And, if I'm not mistaken (which I may well be), the Silver Star is scheduled for slightly longer stops along the corridor than the Regionals are.

Question: are the LD train schedules in the corridor extended because it takes longer to get the heavier trains up to speed? Do they run at restricted speeds? Or is it because baggage handling adds time?

All of that plays a role. And you've got more people with more luggage boarding which also slows things down, and then there is the need to find the correct car and often be assigned a seat too.

Baggage cars limit top speeds to 90 MPH IIRC. And I believe that the Viewliner's are rated only for 110 MPH.

 

[cpamtfan]

All of that plays a role. And you've got more people with more luggage boarding which also slows things down, and then there is the need to find the correct car and often be assigned a seat too.
Baggage cars limit top speeds to 90 MPH IIRC. And I believe that the Viewliner's are rated only for 110 MPH.

I think the baggages and diners are 110 and the Viewliners 125. They used to be slower on the corridor because they had the old E60 eletrics which could only go 90 (probably where you remembered 90 mph from, right Alan). The trains should be able to reach about 125 mph once the new eletrics, baggages, diners, etc. arrive.

 

[afigg]

I think the baggages and diners are 110 and the Viewliners 125. They used to be slower on the corridor because they had the old E60 eletrics which could only go 90 (probably where you remembered 90 mph from, right Alan). The trains should be able to reach about 125 mph once the new eletrics, baggages, diners, etc. arrive.

There have been discussions about the new Viewliner II order that state that the Viewliner I sleepers are currently limited to 110 mph max. The Viewliner II baggage cars, baggage-dorms, diners, and sleepers are specified to have 125 mph capability. As the Viewliner II sleepers come into service, the Viewliner I sleepers will be upgraded to 125 mph capability. That will allow the LD trains to run at 125 mph when they are on the NEC. Besides reducing travel time on the NEC part of the trip, the main purpose is to simplify track and train scheduling with the LD trains able to go the same speeds as the NE Regionals and Keystones.

 

[jis]

Coming back to the original concern, my experience is that if 95 is running behind 91 then 91 will be held at WAS for 95, since it s a guaranteed connection train and a miss would incur significant additional costs to Amtrak.