jonnhrr wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:42 am
Seems like a good reason to bring back the Clockers which logically should be run by NJT. If MBTA can run into Rhode Island and SEPTA into Delaware there should be no reason something can't be worked out to have NJT run to 30th St. Then it could service all these intermediate stops and leave Amtrak to concentrate on Trenton, Metropark and Newark, speeding up intercity travel.
Jon
I think this was brought up back around 2005 when NJT "took over" the Clocker service from Amtrak.
I used the quotations because NJT never actually ran PHL to NYP. At best a number of ALP-46 locomotives were used to power a few Amtrak Clockers, but those were Amtrak trains not NJT trains.
Correct me if I'm wrong but here were a few issues why NJT didn't run PHL - NYP:
- Politics, NJT was given a tough time building a train yard in Morrisville, PA which is a mere 2 miles away from Trenton. Imagine running into PHL.
- Lack of demand. In my experience SEPTA's Trenton line trains are typically 2-5 cars, with the exception of a handful of 6-7 car trains during peak times Mon-Fri. NJT's NEC Line trains are typically 8-10 cars, with some 12 car Arrow 3 sets. As convenient & cost effective it would be to take NJT commuter rail PHL to NYP, the stretch from TRE to PHL might not be financially worth it. Even when I took NJT from NYP to TRE to transfer to SEPTA, almost everyone got off at Trenton. Barely anyone got on SEPTA to PHL.
You made good points that I agree with, but the powers that be don't see it like we do unfortunately.
As evidenced by my username, I'm a Man who's a fan of trains in the Northeast US.
Check out my YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@northeasttrainman for various Train Videos, both virtual & real life.
Be good & cheers.