Railroads Recover from Hurricane Sandy

Posted November 1, 201212 yr

11/1/2012 9:30:00 AM

Hurricane aftermath: Passenger-rail, subway service reopening gradually; USDOT provides $13 million in 'quick-release' emergency funds

Commuter-rail, light-rail and subway service is being restored gradually in New York City and New Jersey as the Northeast coast continues to dig out from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy.

Today, MTA New York City Transit restored limited subway service along segments comprising about half of the system's 26 lines, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials said in a prepared statement.

Continuing power outages mean there is no electricity for the third rail or signals south of 36th Street. As a result, there still is no service between 34th Street in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, they said.

11/1/2012 10:00:00 AM

Freight railroads make post-storm strides in the Northeast

Freight railroads operating in the Northeast continue to post progress in their post-Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.

Yesterday, CSX Corp. lifted embargoes on all traffic to all locations with two exceptions: intermodal shipments to the Elizabeth Marine Terminal, Port Newark Container Terminal and New York Container Terminal, and automobile shipments to Doremus, N.J. Portions of lines between Philadelphia and Albany, N.Y, had remained impacted by high water, downed trees and commercial power outages as of late Tuesday.

"Service is resuming slowly, due to continued commercial power outages that affect [our] signals and the inability of some customers to accept shipments," CSX officials said in an online notice posted yesterday. "Heavy snow in the higher elevations of West Virginia also is complicating train operations, but that situation is expected to moderate over the next 24 hours."

In addition, CSX Intermodal has reopened all terminals that were closed due to the storm, the last of which in Kearny, N.J., resumed operation last night.

November 1, 201212 yr

Most East Coast passenger and freight rail service returning to normal

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor

Outside of the New York Metropolitan area, passenger and freight rail service is returning to normal operation with residual delays.

Service has been restored on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority systems.

The Maryland Transit Administration restored service to its subway system on Tuesday, Oct. 30 and light rail crews are reinstalling the at-grade crossing gate arms that were removed due to the high winds in order for light rail and MARC trains to return to service on Oct. 31.

November 2, 201212 yr

Things are very bad for NJ Transit, however. See that news and others in this round-up......

Hudson Line Service from Croton-Harmon Is Restored, Along With Extension of Service to Southeast & New Haven

Working around the clock, Metro-North Railroad employees are making big strides toward the railroad's ultimate goal of restoring quickly and safely as much of its train services as possible in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Beginning Friday morning, November 2nd, Metro-North will operate the following additional service segments:

Close to regularly scheduled service on the Hudson Line between Croton-Harmon and Grand Central Terminal See Hudson Line Schedule.

Close to regularly scheduled service on the Harlem Line between Southeast and Grand Central Terminal See Harlem Line Schedule.

Close to regularly scheduled service on the New Haven Line between New Haven and Grand Central Terminal. See New Haven Line Schedule.

See the Thursday, Nov. 1 Harlem Line schedule.

See the Thursday, Nov. 1 New Haven Line schedule.

The following service segments will remain suspended:

Hudson Line service between Poughkeepsie and Croton-Harmon/Grand Central Terminal

Wassaic Branch on the Harlem Line

New Canaan, Danbury & Waterbury Branches on the New Haven Line;

The West of Hudson services (Port Jervis/Pascack Valley Lines) operated by NJ TRANSIT. See www.njtransit.com for updates.

Governor Cuomo has declared a transportation state of emergency. To encourage New Yorkers to use public transit, the Governor has directed the MTA to suspend fare collection on all subways, buses, LIRR and Metro-North trains on Thursday, November 1 and Friday, November 2. Additionally, Metro-North customers should hold onto their October monthly and current weekly tickets; they will remain valid for travel through Monday, November 5.

Transport of Rockland will provide additional TAPPAN ZEExpress bus service from the Palisades Center Mall park & ride lot to Tarrytown Station. See www.rocklandbus.com for schedule information.

There is no subway service south of 34th Street. Customers can take the following buses downtown: M5 at Fifth Ave. and West 42nd Street; M15 at Second Ave. and E. 42nd Street; and the M103 at Lexington Avenue and E. 42nd Street. See http://www.mta.info/status/1 for more information on subway and bus service.

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New Jersey Update:

Various reports stated that New Jersey Transit Rail Operation Center was flooded by 8 feet of water, an emergency generator was submerged in the center, and floodwater damaged at least 65 locomotive engines and 257 passenger rail cars, which would be about a quarter of its passenger railcar fleet. Damaged equipment may have included equipment that was brand new, just delivered and had not even been used yet for passenger service.

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The following discusses bringing VIA Rail equipment in to use and discusses some of New Jersey Transit's equipment status:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-11-01/amtrak-to-resume-limited-service-into-nyc-during-repairs

On Radio 880 news update the evening of November 1, the news break stated, "Amtrak may operate the Northeast Corridor stops for New Jersey Transit, using equipment now used in upstate New York Service and VIA Rail equipment would be used for some service in upstate New York."

My Comment:: I would assume that would be just the Adirondack, as clearly, even in the off-peak season, Via Rail does not have enough extra equipment to serve all Empire Corridor trains, nor to replace 257 damaged New Jersey Transit passenger cars.

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Some amazing pictures of NJ Transit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89454930@N07/sets/72157631895879101/show/

NJ Transit will restore limited rail service on three rail lines starting Friday, November 2.

The rail service between New Jersey and New York is waiting on information from Amtrak on its ability to operate into and out of New York Penn Station, which is likely to occur on Friday, November 2.

Northeast Corridor: On Friday, November 2, service will resume between Trenton Transit Center and Newark Penn Station, operating on a special schedule.

North Jersey Coast Line: On Friday, November 2, service will resume between Woodbridge and Newark Penn Station, operating on a special schedule. Rail service between Bay Head and Woodbridge remains suspended. An assessment of rail infrastructure has revealed significant damage across the system, including:

Raritan Valley Line: On Friday, November 2, service will resume between Raritan and Newark Penn Station only, operating on a special schedule. Rail service between High Bridge and Raritan remains suspended.

Morris & Essex, Montclair-Boonton, Main/Bergen and Atlantic City Rail lines: Service remains suspended.

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AMTRAK NEW YORK CITY SERVICE RESTORATION UNDERWAY

Modified New York service now available to points south, New York-Boston and other announcements pending

November 1, 2012

4:00 p.m. ET

Amtrak is now taking reservations for modified service starting this evening between New York City and points south, including Trenton and Philadelphia.

Before traveling to Penn Station New York, 30th Street Station in Philadelphia or other Amtrak locations, passengers should make reservations and/or use the eTicketing option with their computers and smartphones.

Amtrak services to and from New York City are subject to delay while repairs continue.

Later, Amtrak will also announce plans to provide the first modified Northeast Regional service between New York City and Boston, modified Acela Express service and plans to restore other services that have been suspended due to Hurricane Sandy.

Repairs by other track owners (Metro-North) also continue for the route between New York City and Albany-Rensselaer, with no estimate available for a restoration date for Empire Service trains between New York City and Buffalo/Niagara Falls, the Adirondack (Trains 68 & 69) to and from Montreal, Québec, Canada, and the Ethan Allen Express (Trains 290 & 291) to and from Rutland, Vt.

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It is hoped that Amtrak service between Albany and New York City, at least some, will begin the morning of Monday, November 5. Other media reports indicate that very small amount of service could begin on Sat, November 3.

"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck

November 8, 201212 yr

Amtrak to reopen three storm-damaged tunnels by late Friday

Amtrak plans to reopen by late Friday three tunnels that provide access to and from Penn Station New York (PSNY) that were significantly flooded and damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

All Amtrak PSNY tunnels then will be in operation, which will allow for expanded Amtrak and commuter-rail service north, south and west of New York City.

"The return of all tunnel access to New York City will be a major milestone in the continued restoration of Amtrak and commuter-rail service and for the larger recovery efforts of the Northeast region," said Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman in a prepared statement.

November 12, 201212 yr

Transport, logistics weather Sandy well despite glitches

By Lynn Adler

Sun Nov 11, 2012 3:06pm EST

(Reuters) - U.S. train, truck and logistics companies were among the first to get rolling in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy thanks to many lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and other storms, according to industry analysts and executives.

That quick rebound is why the shipping business is expected to be a key driver for the Northeast economy as the region rebuilds.

Customers slammed by Sandy - many still without power and fuel - need deliveries of everything from relief supplies to lumber, machinery and replacement cars.

The need for speed represents an opportunity for trucking and express delivery companies such as United Parcel Service Inc (UPS.N) and FedEx Corp (FDX.N), which began making some deliveries the day after the storm.

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Railroads Recover from Hurricane Sandy

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