Amtrak Reports Empire Corridor Will Return To Normal Service At NY Penn Station

New York City, June 20, 2018 –

In a telephone press conference for the media, Amtrak officials reported that the Infrastructure Renewal Program on the Empire Corridor project currently underway is on target. Amtrak’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Scot Naparstek and Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Stephen Gardner took questions and led the discussion on this year’s project. Overall, Amtrak’s plan is to modernize stations, infrastructure and equipment on the Northeast Corridor.

The work is scheduled for completion by Sept. 4, when upstate trains will switch back to Penn from Grand Central Terminal (normally the home of Metro-North).

The most dramatic part of the plan was the June 14, 2018 removal of the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge that connects Manhattan and The Bronx for trains headed to Albany-Rensselaer station. One of the world's largest floating cranes, the Left Coast Lifter, was used to left the swing bridge and load it onto a barge to repair the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy. Included in this overhaul are the bridge’s electrical and mechanical systems. The crane was last used for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project.

Amtrak is replacing track in the Empire Tunnel, as well as replacing cross ties, grade crossings and 8,000 feet of continuous rail, including the track between the tunnel and the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge.

Meanwhile, NY Penn Station is undergoing other improvements.

Track 19 is currently undergoing a complete gutting and replacement and replacing three turnouts and conduct total ballasted track and wood tie track replacement.

The restrooms are being refreshed, upgrading the air conditioning in the station's concourse area, lactation suites for nursing mothers installed, and has receiving construction bids for Amtrak Ticketed waiting room and a refreshing of the ClubAcela suite.

The big announcement was the arrival of the replacement of the current Acelas after 20 years in 2021 and the replacement of the current single-level Amfleet Is that are over 40 years old and operating on FRA waiver.

                              By Joseph M. Calisi ©2018 All Rights Reserved

First Kawasaki M-8 Contract Almost Completed

New Haven, Ct, August 16, 2014 – The initial order of 380 M-8 cars between Metro-North, ConnDOT and Kawasaki is almost completed. To date, 376 have been delivered with another four on the way. A dozen of the 376 are currently being inspected for acceptance testing. The first 38 were built in Kobe, Japan while the rest made in Lincoln, Nebraska.

There are additional add-on orders with some of the last cars possibly could have a bar car configuration.

The ‘Cosmopolitan’ fleet built in the 1970s and 80s has only a handful of emus still in operation but only up until later this year.

As a footnote, Kawasaki is building M-9 commuter emu cars costing $1.83 billion for the MTA’s commuter agencies, Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road.

Photo caption: A pair of Metro-North M-8 emus in Grand Central Terminal. The initial contract of 380 Kawasaki-built emu cars is almost completed. Note that the destination on one trainset says New Haven while the other says Grand Central.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Memorialized In Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal, New York City, June 30, 2014 – The structure Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis fought so hard to save now has a permanent place dedicated to honor her - Grand Central Terminal's main entry vestibule. In a ceremony held in the adjacent Vanderbilt Hall, Mrs. Onassis’s place in the Beaux Arts century-old building is secured as you come thru the main entrance at Pershing Square (89 East 42nd Street and Park Avenue) and find the bas-relief plaque and her name on the wall to remind everyone of the former First Lady’s valiant efforts.

New features of the foyer include a 43” high and 18” wide plaque honoring Mrs. Onassis’ work to save the Terminal that is displayed on the foyer’s west wall. Her name is rendered in bronze letters on the wall and painted along the arch leading to 42nd Street. Also, there are two display vitrines rotating digital imagery that recount Mrs. Onassis’ life and the 101-year history of the Terminal, including its preservation and renovation. The historic restoration of the main entry vestibule as the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Foyer was performed for approximately $465,000.

The event

Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Thomas F. Prendergast, Chairman/CEO of the Metropolitan

Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti, William J. vanden Heuvel, Municipal Art Society (MAS) leaders Fred Papert and Kent Barwick, Chairman Prendergast said, “Grand Central Terminal, as we know it today as one of the world’s premier transportation hubs and one of New York’s top destinations in its own right, is the product of the men and women who built it. It is also the product of those who overcame great obstacles to preserve it for future generations. The rededication of the Terminal’s main entry vestibule to her is a fitting tribute to the woman who led those efforts, saving Grand Central during one of its most difficult hours.”

“The dedication of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Foyer is a significant moment for Grand Central and for Metro-North,” said MTA Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti. “Mrs. Onassis is one of America’s most cherished historical figures, and she is considered by many a renowned savior of Grand Central. This landmark building, universally acclaimed as one of the world’s great public spaces, is still here today because of her leadership. Today, Grand Central Terminal recognizes Mrs. Onassis’ achievements.”

William J. vanden Heuvel, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the 1960s, senior advisor in the Kennedy White House and close friend to Mrs. Onassis spoke about his friendship with her. He said her efforts to save GCT began with a letter to the Mayor at the time, Abraham Beame. He remarked the Mayor’s interest in saving Grand Central was wavering and that her letter gave him the added impetus to continue the good fight.

It was fitting that Ms. Onassis was recognized with a memorial in Grand Central Terminal, after all, it wouldn’t be here without her.

Photo caption:  Top-Ribbon-cutting ceremony. MTA Chairman Prendergast with the scissors. (L-R) Kent Barwick, MNR Pres Giulietti, ex-MNR Pres/MTA Chairman Stangel, GCT VP Fleisher, William vandel Heuvel and Fred Papert (Municipal Art Society)
Middle-right-The plaque on the foyer's wall.

Japan Invades Grand Central Terminal

March 6-8, 2014 – Grand Central Terminal hosts various events in Vanderbilt Hall and these three days were no exception. The annual Japan Week exhibit made its way into the grand hall with food (you need to pay for) airline and railroad exhibits.

JR East with their high-speed train models had a booth to show off their latest wares. The Series E-7 high speed train model was on display in advance of its Spring 2014 debut. A video detailing the design – inside and out – made for interesting viewing.

An N-scale model railroad club that specializes in Japan scenery came prepared with a running layout that featured Godzilla at its core. The Japan Rail Modelers of Washington DC certainly made a good accounting of themselves with this varied layout showing hillside and urban areas completely in scale. As an experienced HO-scale scratch-building modeler, it was cause for me to take a long look at this one.

It was interesting not only to see trains this small whizzing around, but these models of Japanese equipment was certainly unique for something on display within the U.S.

Other vendors were also there including Delta Airlines that offered a prize if your entry was chosen out of the many entries. In case you’re interested, I didn’t win and would have to pay for my own flight there should I choose to go there.

All things considered, it was an interestingly-spent lunch hour in one of the grandest railroad structures in the world – Grand Central Terminal.

GCT's "Whispering Gallery" Gets A Renovation

Grand Central Terminal, Manhattan, July, 2012 - One of the seven secrets of Grand Central Terminal is getting a facelift of sorts. The tile work known as the famous "whispering gallery" in front of the Oyster Bar restaurant on the Lower Level of GCT is being repaired. Historians needn't worry because the only change to occur is a simple - replace weakened mortar and reset the tiles resulting in a lot cleaner and brighter entire space. 

Metro-North currently is the sole rail user of the almost century-old structure and will be joined by Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) when East Side Access is completed. Amtrak has used the structure in the past as they moved their operations to New York's Penn Station in the early 1990s, vacated with some rare emergency uses - the last of which saw the return of the NY Central observation car 'Hickory Creek' (of the famous 20th Century Ltd passenger train) to GCT for the first time in 40 years.

It's Official - Metro-North Now Is The Top Commuter Rail Carrier In The USA

New York City, January 23, 2012 - Even with the economic downturn last year, July's heatwave, the snow storm outages and Hurricane Irene's devastation north of the town of Suffern, Metro-North posted its second-highest ridership levels in its history - topped only by 2008's figure of 83.6 million riders and became the top commuter railroad in the country and North America. It has been noted in recent months that Metro-North would supplant the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in this category. 2011 saw Metro-North carry more than 82 million commuters last year with a 96.9% on-time performance record for 209,020 train trips.

That's not all - this year's ridership figures are anticipated to be 2% higher than last year.

MTA Metro-North President Howard Permut said in a prepared statement, “This growth is gratifying because people have a choice in travel. They are voting with their feet by taking Metro-North because of the value we provide. This growth is the continuation of a long-term trend and is a result of our unwavering focus on reliability, cleanliness, customer service and safety."

Among the improvements on the railroad are the new M-8 emu (electrical multiple unit) cars [see above] and their smooth ride which I enjoy immensely into the historic Grand Central Terminal [right].

I'm a daily rider on Metro-North and always find my interactions with their front line personnel to be courteous and professional - maybe there's more to this story than just commuters voting with their feet!

Metro-North Begins Quiet Car Service on New Haven Line Starting Jan 9, 2012

January 3, 2012 - Metro-North advised its New Haven line riders that 'Quiet Car' service on trains between Grand Central and its Danbury, Waterbury and New Haven destinations with flyers. The northern-most car on am peak service and southern-most pm peak select trains will have the new offering. Reverse rush hour trains are not involved in this pilot program.

Commuters on these trains need to follow 4 rules:

• do not use cell phones
• disable sound features on computers and other electronic devices
• conduct conversations in subdued tones
• use headphones at levels that will not be heard by fellow commuters.

The New Haven line joins its sister Harlem and Hudson line trains with the new 'quiet calmute' service designated with a 'Q' on the timetable beginning January 9th.

Quiet car violators will be notified by a conductor with a quiet calmute 'shhh' card that explains the rules in English and Spanish.

The new passenger experience comes on the heels of an announced 19% six years in a row Connecticut line fare increase to cover the cost of the new M-8 emu (electric multiple unit) cars and infrastructure improvements. According to Connecticut Governor Malloy, the implemented January 1 increase is necessary to pay for dependable service and equipment.

Caption: A Metro-North push-pull commuter train from Danbury CT on the lower level of Grand Central Terminal.

An Unsung Part Of East Side Access - Metro-North Heads To NY Penn Station

Manhattan, July 28, 2011 - A great deal of the focus concerning East Side Access surrounds the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) entering a new lower level of Grand Central Terminal in a few years (hopefully). On the flip-side, a relatively little-discussed part of the project involves Metro-North (MNR).

I can predict your thoughts - what does Metro-North have to do with ESA? The answer is plenty.

The new M-8 cars you're seeing plying the rails of the New Haven line in the coming years will have an additional port to call at - NY Penn Station. The cars were designed to use both MNR's under running 3rd rail and LIRR's overrunning (dragging over the power rail like the subways).

According to unnamed sources, this hasn't reached the design phase but involves adding new LIRR-style 3rd rail so that the M-8 cars don't have to interface with an additional phase of electrical over catenary power which is something the new 'tomato cans' can't handle.

Since NY Penn Station is at complete capacity, LIRR trains would have to be displaced by MNR's equipment. One of the theories behind ESA is that the 2 agencies would engineer a train 'swap' of 2:1 or even 3:1 but this still in a pipe dream as the tunnel boring 'rock eating' machine has just completed it task. Years of work are still ahead before track can be laid and signalling put into place.

An interesting possibility is that a Metro-North M-8 could go down Amtrak's Hell Gate line and still could wind up in Grand Central but in the LIRR's new lair.

I encourage you to visit Jim Cameron's CT Rail Commuter Council blog at: www.trainweb.org/. Many concerns that crop up on the Metro-North's New Haven line are discussed on the site. This very topic can be under the banner of Metro- North Penn Station Access Study than can be found at:
http://www.trainweb.org/ct/mnpenn.htm .

Nonetheless, I look forward to any of these developments becoming reality - I just want to see them.

Metro-North Adds More M-8 Runs With Newly Issued Timetable

New York, NY, June 27, 2011 - With the new timetables issued, no major schedule changes were apparent but something was different. Additional runs with the new M-8 cars seemed to be in effect.

Weekday rush hour train #1229 out of New Rochelle (at 8:15 a.m.) previously was sent to a trainyard upon arrival at GCT but this has changed as the trainset has been turned around for a return revenue trip up the New Haven line instead. Evidence of additional operation is purely visual on my part when I saw a southbound passing thru New Rochelle at about 12:20pm on Sunday, June 26th. More evening runs for the new 'tomato cans' have also been scheduled as a New Haven-bound M-8 has been scheduled during the 9 p.m. hour.

The photos in this post show the 2 newest emu models side by side in the grandest train terminal anywhere. The blue M-7 (to North White Plains) and red-faced M-8 (to New Haven) trains await the call to duty at Grand Central Terminal.

These new cars are a great ride so enjoy them when you have the chance. But remember one thing, don't spill your coffee or mar the interior. I'd like to see these new cars keep looking new for a while longer.

Metro-North Issues New Spring Timetables

April 3, 2011 New Rochelle, NY - Metro-North has issued their new Spring timetable. I'll discuss the service changes over a period of time to show the overall scheduling changes.

As you may recall, riders 'lost' some trains due to budget and winter weather influences. For example, on the New Haven line, a 6:38 pm express out of GCT was combined with the 6:45 pm local as part of a service consolidation over the winter into a 6:42 pm departure. In the morning, the 8:29 am express to GCT briefly departed the scene forcing some to stand cheek-to-jowl into Grand Central on the 8:33 am local.

The one-month timetable (March 7 - April 2) shows the 8:31 am express, 6:38 pm express and 6:45 pm local returning to the scene, which made for less standing room usage and a more even distribution of passengers between the two trains.

Beginning today, those 3 trains are there, much to my relief - I hated standing all the way or if some large person is filling the middle seat forcing me to read his newspaper instead of mine. Some of those winter rides made me think I was on the Lexington Avenue subway all the way from NR; it wasn't very comfortable being that close to people with colds.

During March, we also saw the debut of the new M-8 commuer cars (yes, initially with that new car smell). For a period of 3 weeks, those new cars were scheduled on the 8:15 morning rush hour departure. For riders, this was a welcomed relief from the M-2/4/6 'Cosmopolitan' cars that began plying the rails about 30 yearas ago. As those cars saved the railroad back then, the M-8 cars will continue to offer great service. I just wish more bar car service would be introduced by keeping some M-2 trainsets because they make the trip home much more fun.
 
With the recent improvements on the New Haven line, better days and rides are ahead. Now with more space around me, there's nothing better than the tranquil rush hour ride on Metro-North because that's what I pay $204/month for.

What’s Old Is New – The Self-Winding Clock Is Back In Action At GCT

New York, NY (March 15, 2011) – Old reliable is back on the case. After living in mothballs following removal from above Grand Central Terminal’s track 19 bumper block, the self winding clock that told millions of commuters over the years how much time they had left to board their train – has been put back into service in a new location. The vintage timepiece made by the Self Winding Clock Co. was recently pulled out of mothballs and mounted on GCT's Lower Level concourse ceiling near the entrance to track 108. According to Margie Anders of the MTA Press Office, “It was moved there the first week of March, the oak housing was refinished and the face was repainted.”



Editors: For publication rights to the full story and photos, contact me at transprailien@gmail.com.

The Economy Is Turning Around. The Evidence? Frequent GCT Public Events.

Grand Central Terminal, March 30, 2011 - The government and media have been stating that the nation’s economic situation is turning around. The reported unemployment rate recently has dropped somewhat and it appears that more corporate money has been freed-up for feel-good events. The evidence of all this – more public relations events held in Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall.

Historically speaking, Vanderbilt Hall was once a waiting room where passengers waited to board famous trains such as the New York Central's Twentieth Century Ltd. Yes, this is the train that they literally rolled out the red carpet (giving rise to that often-used iconic phrase). It is fitting that a room that was used to physically transport passengers to other parts of the country, is now used to take visitors into different realms and places.

Within the past few weeks, many events have been held there. At first, I'll use the past week as an example, I’ll explore the happenings.

Bermuda Tourism held a day-long event that featured CBS-FM’s live morning drive program hosted by Dan Taylor with his sidekicks Mr. G (weatherman) and newswoman Debra Rodriguez. The public got a rare glimpse into seeing this popular radio program in progress in addition to being able to have autographed publicity photos of those broadcasting stars. The overall event had booths with handouts, samples of drinks and a band that played music you would expect to hear in Bermuda. This was held on the eastern side of Vanderbilt Hall.

Nintendo had a two-day event on the western half of the famed hall, allowing the public to experience 3-D gaming and other features their new technology had to offer. Even I, a noted non-computer game player, was lured into the modernistic shell to experience this new visual. My impression is that this is certainly a long wayfrom Pac-Man and other games from thirty years ago.

In a couple of weeks prior to this, NBC-TV staged an event for their latest 'reality show', America's Next Great Restaurant. The public was treated to various prepared food samples ranging from a bean salad to fried chicken in a bun. Not only were the food samples quite good, but it got me to view the program that Sunday evening (maybe it was the food that got me to watch the program).

The economic recovery has been slow but moving ahead nonetheless. With worries about inflation creeping into the economic puzzle, that is worrisome for sure – but the trip to Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall took me away from all those issues. So relaxing, it felt like Bermuda or even being in a great new restaurant with a great meal. The red carpet may not be rolled out here for 'The Century' anymore, but visitors still get the royal treatment.

The Long-Awaited Metro-North M-8 Commuter Cars Are Unveiled...WOW!!!

New York, NY (March 1, 2011) – Since 2009, the Kawasaki-built M-8 emu (Electric Multiple Unit) trains have been hiding under a veil of secrecy and wonderment. With the 1970-era design ‘Cosmopolitan’ cars reaching the end of their useful lives, the public has been praying for the huge investment in new equipment be put into service. Today, those prayers were answered with the unveiling with the maiden voyage of the long-awaited modern rendition of commuter cars.

The M-8s have been beset by seemingly endless delays before entering into revenue service, first in production then during the testing/shake-down period. From a lack of correct steel to electromagnetic interference issues, the M-8 debut was pushed back time and time again. With the first 38 cars built in Kobe, Japan at Kawasaki’s plant, those cars needed to be transported to New York and delivered to their plant in Yonkers, NY before shipping to the New Haven shop for further testing before passing the 4,000-mile mark without any defects revealing themselves. When problems occurred, ‘the mileage clock’ was reset to zero and the process begun anew.

“These cars have successfully completed extensive, systematic tests. The many challenges that were revealed during intensive, real-world operations of the most complex rail car in North America on the continent’s busiest rail corridor, have been resolved,” said Metro-North President Howard Permut. “This testing took over one year to ensure that the M-8 will provide quality service for its 30 year life. We plan to put more of these cars into service as soon as they complete individual quality assurance testing.”

In all fairness, these M-8 cars were brought into revenue service 6 months sooner than their Bombardier-built M-7 model emu commuter cars. Those M-7s were heavily tested in Canada and at the test track in Colorado, away from critical eyes and comments. With the M-7 flaws not reported in the local media, it gave the impression that the M-7 was a flawlessly-built car. However, they endured the same critical benchmark testing as the M-8 with less scrutiny. Certainly the M-2/4/6 'Cosmopolitan' car outages snowstorm-caused by traction motor failures elevated the need for the new cars to come online.

As railroad equipment, the M-8 is the most advanced commuter car anywhere. The cars also have many features not immediately visible to the public such as critical solid-state computer controlled equipment within the carbody instead of under it in addition to the redundant air conditioning/heating systems on the roof. These improved designs will improve reliability and on-time performance. The power pickup system draws juice from either the third rail or overhead catenary – which allows the cars to operate anywhere along the Northeast Corridor. On-board investigative and monitoring capabilities are important tools that give road car inspectors and shop mechanics the ability to quickly diagnose problems and return them back on the road.

The project's engineering consultant, LTK, sub-contracted Cesar Vergara to develop a ‘world class’ transportation vehicle. The overall touches Mr. Vergara has made on these cars are astonishing and creates a completely modern look for the very utilitarian function of taking commuters to and from work. His work is exemplary and should stand as a model for future passenger rail cars. In addition to using Mr. Vergara’s extensive imagination and skills, intensive customer outreach which includes acquiring comments based on a mock-up, all went into the overall design of the cars – inside and out.

These new cars are beautiful and exciting to ride in. They give a smooth and comfortable ride with all the new 'hotel amenities' the riding public now demands. The bench seats are comfortable with individual headrests and an electrical outlet so electronic equipment such as computers can run on house current instead of rechargeable battery power. Recorded messages are clear and electronic signage leaves no doubt of the train you're on and what the next stop is. LED signs are clear and easy to read in and out of the car. The curved armrests seem to be one of the most notable improvements as the ones deployed on the M-7s seem to tear clothing when the rests find their way into pockets – a definite negative. There’s even an intercom passengers can use to contact the crew in an emergency.

Summary
These M-8s were custom-designed for Metro-North and they are gorgeous and a joy to ride in. This leap forward shows that the 1970s Cosmopolitan design while still functional, have seen their better days. Hail, hail - long live the ‘old tomato can’ Cosmo cars and make way for the ‘new tomato can’ the M-8s! They’re well worth the wait!

Editors: To publish the full-length version and photos, contact me at transprailien@gmail.com.

Service is improving on Metro-North's New Haven line

Connecticut, February 11, 2011 - With the constant snowfalls seemingly abated, commuter car availability is improving on Metro-North's New Haven line. At the peak of the snowfall car failures, half of the New Haven fleet was out of service, with a majority of those cars being the 'Cosmopolitan' fleet of M-2/4/6.

The 'Cosmo' car concept came into existence when they were designed in the 1960s and built into the 80s. They saved  the railroad at the time when the inherited New York Central and New Haven equipment that was ready for scrapping years before it actually happened. All this 'vintage' equipment constantly broke down at all times of the year, making the trip into Manhattan impossible to predict. Employers were beginning to consider (and some did) moving out of Manhattan and into suburbia for this very reason. With the arrival of the Cosmo cars, reliability and on-time performance improved and they saved the railroad. This is a subject many have failed to recognize and should be noted in the media - so let me be the first!!!!

While the M-2/4/6 cars saved the railroad, they had one flaw - snow. Fine particles gets into the traction motors, causing them to short out and become unuseable. Door issues suddenly because evident because the snow would inhibit proper proper door panel movement. All this is not new - it has been reported in the media before so these issues are not new and are also common knowledge. That said, Metro-North crews work diligently to make up for the deficiencies in these 'California cars' but somtimes Mother Nature has a way of defeating the best of intentions and preventative measures.

Several years ago, Connecticut (owner of the trackage in the Nutmeg State), began a process to correct these deficiencies and the resulting design gave birth to the M-8 cars built by Kawasaki. Originally supposed to come on line in 2009, production line problems occurred when the proper steel was not available and building stopped. When the process resumed, the delivery dates kept getting pushed back. This blog chronicled their 'debut' in December, 2010, only to find the M-8s could not pass their 4,000 mile error-free testing benchmark due to a reported software issue that fouled the wayside signalling system employed by operator Metro-North. The result - the 4,000-mile 'clock' had to be restarted.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported from Greenwich, CT on February 11, 2011
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/02/11/gov-malloy-stays-on-top-of-new-haven-line-problems/

that the first cut of M-8 cars could pass the 4,000-mile 'barrier' and we might begin to see the new equipment come on line soon but obviously not all at once. This is an obvious fact that all M-8s subsequent to the first 8, would be delivered as-completed to the New Haven maintenance shop from Nebraska where those cars are being manufactured. Railroad enthusiasts (a/k/a rail fans), have photographed the delivery of these cars piecemeal. This is good news as it confirms the production line is rolling.

 

These M-8 cars share a common thread with their Bombardier-built M-7 cars that operate on Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North's Harlem and Hudson lines - their design minimizes the damage snow can cause to the traction motors, making them more reliable.

 

When the M-8s come on line, I want to be the first to ride them as they represent the most modern and reliable design in commuter railroading. Will I miss the Cosmo fleet when they're gone? Absolutely because they saved the railroad 30 years ago and kept commuting alive while revitalizing the region economically.

 

The next time you step onto a subway car or commuter coach of any type, consider the work the mechanics perform to keep them rolling. Falling prey to the pancea of saying new cars solves the problem is wrong because they still need to be maintained so they can keep rolling. This is one job that can't be outsourced overseas, thankfully.

New York Metro Area Swamped with 2-3 feet Of Snow. Mass Transit is stopped cold.

At about Noon this past Sunday, December 26th, the 6th-worst deluge of snow fell on the New York City Metropolitan area. In the area surrounding New Rochelle, NY 22 inches fell while Staten Island and parts of New Jersey received 29”. In time, autos and buses stopped rolling as the drifts reached 4-5 feet. Even rail transportation saw severe delays and even cancellations as the day wore on. New Rochelle and other municipal governments declared snow emergencies for the blizzard conditions at hand.

On Monday the 27th, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road cancelled their commuter service. New Jersey Transit suspended bus service and cross-honored those tickets on commuter trains into New York Penn Station. Air traffic never took off as entire fight schedules were scuttled and terminals became temporary residences. In New Rochelle, Bee Line buses were nowhere to be found. The Post Office began ‘not guarantee-ing’ their next day mail service as those deliveries would be postponed somewhat. Shovel snow? It didn't feel good when the flakes came back to hit you in the face. In short, it became a day to stay home as that’s all you could do.

Tuesday the 28th proved better with some rail service into Manhattan with reduced schedules and cancelled trains ruling the day. In New York City, many streets were left unplowed in the surrounding boroughs and emergency equipment unable to reach their destinations.
With warmer temperatures melting some of the snow on Wednesday, the rail transportation picture improved and Bee Line buses resumed operation that I witnessed in New Rochelle. By Thursday, normal train schedule advisories were being sent out to the public by the commuter railroads.

Let’s hope the weekend rains don’t cause floods with the melting snow. If the floods happen, it might be a good time to use that new row boat I got on the 25th.

Note: Photos were taken in New Rochelle, NY 12/28/2010.

Metro-North’s New M-8 Commuter Car Debut Postponed About A Month

December 15, 2010 - According to a story published in the Connecticut Post, the spanking new New Haven line M-8 commuter cars are not coming on line this month as promised. Owing to a bug in the software, railway signal systems were disrupted while the cars were being tested. Kawasaki, that car's manufacturer, said the problem should be corrected soon.

I can't wait for these great-looking new cars to come on line into revenue service.

Click on the link for the whole story:
http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Software-glitches-disrupt-signals-push-back-900772.php

On The Heels Of A Fare Increase, Summertime Ridership Survey Says 93% of Metro-North Customers are Satisfied With Service

New York, NY (December 14, 2010) – Metro-North riders found a note from the railroad on their seats tonight. The note was not about a service problem – it was an explanation of the 11.1% fare increase scheduled to take effect on December 30, 2010. In addition to the price up-tick for fares in New York State, the type of tickets sold and the terms they’re sold under have changed.

All WebTicket (internet purchase) discounts are being eliminated and a few types of tickets will no longer be sold via the web. Special event, ‘Getaway’, single day one-way and round trip tickets will no longer be available. The Mail&Ride 4% discount is being reduced to 2% or eliminated for travel between New York State stations. On-board step-up, ride extension and senior fares are also being increased. One-way and round trip tickets will be refundable only from 30 days of purchase, down from 6-months.
A $10 ticket refund processing fee will be implemented for redemption of unused or partially used tickets.
The life of issued tickets is being reduced. One-way and round trippers live only 14 days (reduced from 6 months) and ten-trips are reduced from 1 year to 6 months.

The bad news follows the good news Metro-North Railroad received that 93% of the customers surveyed this past June said overwhelmingly that they were satisfied with the train service overall. The poll had a range of topics from comfort, seat availability, and scheduling, to on-time performance and employee courtesy. The railroad also surpassed its sister commuter rail agency, Long Island Rail Road, for ridership last month.
"We at Metro-North are gratified that our customers are for the most part happy about taking our trains and that our front line employees continue to get extremely high ratings - 96% are satisfied with the courtesy and responsiveness of employees," said Metro-North President Howard Permut. "We will increase our efforts to improve in areas customers are least satisfied with, such as the perennial problems - toilets, both on trains and in stations, and communications during disruptions," he added.
Customer satisfaction is highest on the Harlem Line at 97% and the Hudson Line at 96%. The New Haven rating lagged at 88%, mostly due to the age of railcars and a chronic car shortage. This rating is expected to improve dramatically when 342 new M-8 fleet is introduced. Because the ratings are weighted by ridership and the low rating on the New Haven line, which is the busiest, brings down the overall satisfaction rating to 93 %.
On the two lines west of the Hudson (operated by NJ Transit under contract to Metro-North), the Port Jervis Line satisfaction rating is 84%, owing mainly to complaints about scheduling, and the Pascack Valley Line is 93%, higher because of the recent expansion of service with increased frequency.
Back on the East of Hudson side, among time periods, weekday off-peak and weekend off-peak got the highest ratings at 95% each, followed by the reverse peak at 93% and inbound AM peak at 92%. By line segment, the Upper Harlem and Lower Hudson each scored 98% satisfaction. The lowest ratings went to the Outer New Haven at 88% and the Inner New Haven at 89%.

Nat'l Railway Historical Society New York Chapter Celebrates Holiday Season

December 2, 2010, New York, NY - New York Chapter of the Nat'l Railway Historical Society celebrated the holiday season with a party and vintage videos of the railroads that called at Grand Central Terminal - the New Haven and the New York Central.

The group meets every month (except during the summer) in the Williamson Library of Grand Central on the first Thursday of the month.

Wishing eveyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Channukah (whatever your belief calls for).

Metro-North Conducts Annual Emergency Preparedness Drill

Grand Central Terminal, NY, October 16, 2010 – Metro-North Railroad conducted their 28th annual drill officially known as the ‘Emergency Preparedness Exercise’. NYPD, FDNY, Amtrak, NY State EMT and MTA PD participated in the Metro-North sponsored drill while Amtrak, TSA and other agencies observed the activity on track 15.

Metro-North President Howard Permut and MTA Chairman Walder spoke before the exercise began. The message delivered was that this time the focus would be on a railroad emergency instead of handling bomb threats as done in recent years. They added that the purpose of this real-life situation was to keep the skills of the first responders sharp.

The exercise began after every one reported to GCT’s track 15 and entered the Bombardier-built 85-foot commuter cab car and heard the instructions given to the participants, conductors and locomotive engineers being given their situational training. They were to follow the instructions on the activity cards given to them with no variation. After the observers left the car, it was show time.

In a real time accident scenario, a train would figuratively hit the bumper block and derail, and two serious and several other less-serious injuries would occur. The two ‘serious’ ones would be the engineer with severed limbs and a passenger would have whiplash. Both would be taken off the train in ‘spine stretchers’ and moved out of Grand Central on gurneys to waiting ambulances at an impromptu crisis command center on 42nd Street and fire trucks located on Vanderbilt Avenue.

In reality, various federal, state and local first responder agencies would respond and have their own jurisdictional responsibilities, but for the most part groups such as the TSA were observers.

I observed a high-level of professionalism and efficiency by the participants. Everyone performed their duties quickly and with a sense of urgency. Videographers from the different groups shot video that would be examined later for grading. From my eyes, the drill was a resounding success.