(erielack) Pocono service-Turning trains at Scranton

["David Monte Verde" <"dmvgvt_@_earthlink.net">]

Steve, The Bridge 60 Wye and all trackage on the bridge was just replaced
along with the elimination of the 4 double slip switches, taking the bridge
down to bear concrete, waterproofing, and new drainage.  The north leg of
the wye(old main line configuration of the DL) needs some minor adjustments,
but should be in full service by the end of summer.  Before Conrail left
Scranton, "Senior Management" decided that they wanted to make it impossible
for through trains to negotiate the curve, so they sold  as chunk of
property to Verrrastro's the beer distributor, for expansion.  The wye was
connected before the bridge rehab, but the curve was too sharp to bring in
the grain trains that way (they now come from Binghamton to Taylor where
they are run around, and brought up the south leg of the wye).  The actual
storage tracks for the 'oboken trains will be off of the south leg of the
wye, and the depot platform will be just over BR. 60 on the northeast side
of the bridge just off of Steamtown property.
Regards David MV

> "Inlinebob_@_aol.com" wrote:
>
> > Amtrak service makes no sens in Hobken, you are right. The whole thing
makes
> > no sense without going to New York.
> >
> > Oh well... slow running time and a weak terminal.
> >
> > Government railroading anyone?
> >
> > :-)
> >
> > Rob
> >
> > In a message dated 6/24/00 12:14:35 PM, "RRSon239078481_@_aol.com" writes:
> >
> > <<
> > Lackawanna AEM7ACs and NPCUs in Scranton as Hoboken has no turning areas
and
> > I doubt Amtrak will route Silver Service to Hoboken when all NEC service
runs
> > to  NY Penn. And also Dover Yard is too small to hold NS,NJT,and Amtrak.
>
> Actually, Hoboken does have turning facilities at the West End Wye.
Through line
> trains have been turned there before. Trains to Scranton can be turned at
Bridge
> 60 if the wye is still in place (I think there was a wye there? Its been a
long
> time)
>
> IMHO, Amtrak is a poor choice to run from Scranton to Hoboken if for no
other
> reason then the fares would most likely be significantly higher than NJ
Transit.
> NJ Transit would be a poor choice to run to Binghamton if for no other
reason
> than the crew time required.
>
> Trains from Scranton cannot get into NYP without a change of power
somewhere
> since, as it was mentioned here previously, a single dual powered engine
does not
> have sufficient horsepower on third rail power to pull a decent train out
of the
> North River tunnels and two engines increase the cost of service. We have
> certainly been spoiled by direct service into the Big City but there are
physical
> limits to how many trains will fit during the rush hour.
>
> Remember how many years passengers were content to terminate in Hoboken
and take
> PATH or the ferries across the river. Government railroading is not
significant
> in this instance because during all those years of DL&W and EL there was
no
> option but to terminate in Hoboken. For those passengers who are not bound
for NY
> it does not matter where the train terminates as long as the ride is not
too long
> or too expensive and I have seen information (whether correct of not I
don't
> know) that a significant number of PA riders will get off short of the
city.
>
> Hoboken will always be a significant player in the NY commuter scene if
for no
> other reason than a place to put the Midtown Direct trains when Amtrak
screws the
> pooch as has happened a significant number of times. Quite frankly, I am
not
> particularly impressed with the manner in which Amtrak has handled NJ
Transit
> trains, especially Midtown Direct and one delayed Midtown train can delay
six or
> more Hoboken trains causing havoc that backs up well past the commute
times.
>
> BTW, Metro North owns two ex Amtrak F40s that run in and out of Hoboken
(4191 and
> 4192) and they are pieces of track trash.
>
> Steve (planning on qualifying from Scranton when service starts)
>
> --
> Chauffeur to the Masses
> BLE Div. 171, Hoboken, NJ
> http://userweb.interactive.net/~gumby/
> http://people.csnet.net/stevekay/
>
>
>
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