Question About the Circus Train/GMS

13:41. It should he at HAROLD by now, being handed over to Amtrak. Saw it at Queens Village and passed it… twice! Once at Jamaica, and again around Forest Hills!

14:35. Train just passed through NYP on track 12. See you next year!

what Kind of motive power pulled it through Penn? Diesels are a no-no.. just wondering...

When the LIRR assembled the train, who performs the brake test? Train crew, car knockers, or circus personel?

Another first (At least in a while) was skipping their trip to MSG, so the train had to be put together in one piece. They caused some massive traffic thanks to some arogant drivers.

wilsonpooch wrote:what Kind of motive power pulled it through Penn? Diesels are a no-no.. just wondering...

I believe Amtrak HHP8s are in charge after Harold..

2 HHP8s took over the train at Harold, LI power pulled clear to Hunterspoint Ave. and then returned to Jamaica. Usual lashup of 4 1500s with an additional chase unit that followed.

Leaving the Garden Mitchell and proceeding west, then the power sitting in HPA.

Nice shots. Did anyone get any video of the train pulling west?

Out of curiosity, has Amtrak & LIRR ever considered using DM engines to allow the exchange closer to GMS? With their better track record, I would guess Amtrak DMs could be used with a LIRR pilot? Remember, just asking if ever considered and what such an arrangement would need (personnel & equipment).

hrfcarl wrote:Out of curiosity, has Amtrak & LIRR ever considered using DM engines to allow the exchange closer to GMS? With their better track record, I would guess Amtrak DMs could be used with a LIRR pilot? Remember, just asking if ever considered and what such an arrangement would need (personnel & equipment).

I don't believe the P32ACDMs can run through the Hudson River Tunnels without having a electric motor pulling them. Also, Amtrak doesn't have enough P32s to run that and run their regular trains, so that also kills that.

The current system has worked for many years. Until something changes (Possibly having NJT DMs in the future?), I think they are fine with how the current operation works.

Changing power in Harold works, because there is a lot of space to work. The tracks are spread out, so the crews can work without too much worry of trains on adjacent tracks. Plus, you can do this power swap without tying up traffic too much, as there are a lot of options to route other trains around the track the circus train is on. The MP15s are ideal for handling the circus train too, as opposed to a passenger engine, as you can control the train a lot better. The visibility in the cabs of the M15s is great for switching too.

SlackControl wrote:Nice shots. Did anyone get any video of the train pulling west?

I did, though technically, the train was being pulled west.

Westbound through Queens Village
#172 bringing up the rear
View of the train as train #103 passes it
Passing through Penn Station

what does the LIRR charge the circus for the use of their time, equiptment, people, and track?

hammerfang wrote:what does the LIRR charge the circus for the use of their time, equiptment, people, and track?

Must be a pretty penny, it's a high profile move with a lot of resources used. Usually 5 engines, two full train crews, management on hand, all the police forces that are used for traffic control, and there's probably track and signal maintainers on hand, and maintenance of equipment forces at the ready to ensure minimal delays.