CTDOT: Hartford Line

[daybeers]

Platform canopy demolition and track reallgnment work. New power cabinets can be seen in one pic. - taken at SPG

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https://ibb.co/cXbRce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/i0OHiK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/fTOuVz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The links don't work.

[Arlington]

Platform canopy demolition and track reallgnment work. New power cabinets can be seen in one pic. - taken at SPG
https://ibb.co/j7kmce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/cXbRce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/i0OHiK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/fTOuVz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The links don't work.

Worked for me

[lordsigma12345]

MGM Springfield opens tomorrow. CTDOT and Amtrak have made preparations in case they have a surge in CTrail ridership for MGM like they did for opening day of the line. Amtrak will have additional personnel at Springfield and CTDOT has SLE rolling stock on standby in the event they need to switch the Amtrak Shuttles to bigger trainsets. In `the event they really get slammed, they are going to extend the Hartford terminating CTrail trains to Springfield via bus bridge. For those thinking of making the trip, just in case its busy consider buying the ticket from Amtrak ahead of time. The price is the same and I believe in a full train situation on the Shuttles the ticketed Amtrak passengers get priority. When riding the Hartford Line I personally have had some experience with the CTrail kiosks being temperamental so I only use them when Im using a CTrail operated train (which isn't often because Im leaving from Springfield.) If the train Im boarding is Amtrak operated I forgo the kiosk and buy from the Amtrak agent.

[lordsigma12345]

Platform canopy demolition and track reallgnment work. New power cabinets can be seen in one pic. - taken at SPG

https://ibb.co/j7kmce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/cXbRce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/i0OHiK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://ibb.co/fTOuVz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The links don't work.

Were you able to make it work? If not I will repost using another medium tomorrow. When I have a little more time I'm going to go back and try to take some better pictures. I believe from looking at a distance from the garage that track 4 (on the other side) has been fully removed and they are using its footprint to move the lifts and demolition equipment around. I would imagine they're going to wait until the demolition guys are done removing the canopy structure before they restore the track. This work has been a long time coming. Technically the project began in May but actual platform work has lagged because the actual platform construction was only awarded to a contractor in May and the wayside power work had to be completed before the old platform C canopy could come down as the old wayside power cabinets, conduits, and power panels were supported by the canopy structure. Might start seeing it come down completely next week as they are now down to the bare metal. Although they are ripping down (and then putting up a new canopy) I believe the old freight elevator head house is remaining. While the new platform will be a welcome addition keeping some of the artifacts of the historic station is also nice.

[Kilo Echo]

Might start seeing it come down completely next week as they are now down to the bare metal. Although they are ripping down (and then putting up a new canopy) I believe the old freight elevator head house is remaining. While the new platform will be a welcome addition keeping some of the artifacts of the historic station is also nice.

That's odd. I was under the impression that the Historic Commission stipulated that the canopy's skeleton was to remain.

[lordsigma12345]

I just looked up to verify that and you are right it appears they are going to be reusing the structural steel of the canopy when they reinstall it to try to maintain the historic look with new roofing materials and digital information displays. The canopy structure does have to come down in order to build the high level platform below it and add four feet on to the steel support columns in order to raise the canopy up to the appropriate height above the higher level platform. It is going to be cut up into manageable pieces that can be removed and stored during construction until ready for reinstallation. There is provisions for reinforcing the structure if necessary at the spots where the digital displays are going to go. Drawings can be found at below link:

https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/b ... entUrl=bid" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lordsigma12345]

While they did see a modest uptick in Springfield ridership yesterday it could have been better if CTrail offered a promotional coupon/voucher if you ride it to the casino. Supposedly it is in the works but you’d think it would make sense to have it ready for the opening weekend rush.

[Kilo Echo]

While they did see a modest uptick in Springfield ridership yesterday it could have been better if CTrail offered a promotional coupon/voucher if you ride it to the casino. Supposedly it is in the works but you’d think it would make sense to have it ready for the opening weekend rush.

I think the delay is part of an elaborate plan to synchronize the casino promotion with the opening of the retrofitted ADA-compliant restrooms.

[BandA]

Why would Connecticut want to promote a casino in Massachusetts? Not that the Indian reservation casinos in CT contribute much to CT's bottom line...

[lordsigma12345]

Clearly the state is overall concerned about its prescense hurting the CT casinos. However if you look at it from the folks at CTDOTs point of view if it’s an opportunity to encourage use of the Hartford Line they’re all for it. Whether they Like it or not the casino is there and is going to attract people from northern CT. They might as well try to use it to drive some usage of the line. And it does provide an alternative to drinking and driving for folks who can use it.

[Kilo Echo]

MassLive published an article about that yesterday: MGM Springfield has Connecticut gamblers riding the rails: CTrail and Hartford Line busy.

[SouthernRailway]

Why doesn't CT Rail/Hartford Line service coordinate to allow short connections with Metro-North?

Today, my Metro-North train that was to arrive at New Haven Union Station was 6 minutes late, so it arrived at 12:36.

I dashed to the next platform to catch the 12:35 Hartford Line train. It pulled out of the station just as other prospective passengers and I walked up- probably at 12:37. It couldn't wait for just 2 minutes more?

On the trip back, one Hartford Line train left State Street at 1:21, arriving New Haven Union Station at 1:28.

The 1:25 train from New Haven Union Station to Grand Central left right on time, at 1:25--it couldn't wait 3 minutes. The next train to Grand Central was at 2:45.

There were 3 people in my Hartford Line coach. No wonder, if there aren't smooth connections at New Haven Union Station to Grand Central.

[njtmnrrbuff]

That's definately disappointing about those missed connections. Probably CDOT is thinking that many people who are using Ctrail are using it to travel between Springfield and New Haven. There are probably many people who transfer from Ctrail trains to Metro North trains. Actually on weekends, I believe that MNR trains generally depart New Haven at both 25 and 45 minutes past the hour. I feel you though about missing that 1:25 MNR train especially since that doesn't make every single stop between Stamford and New Haven. As for a 12:35 Ctrail train, I don't know of any one. The next Ctrail train on Saturdays departs NHV at 2:20 and there is a MNR train that arrives into NHV at 2:08 which is supposed to provide a guaranteed connection to that Ctrail train.

[SouthernRailway]

Thanks. I'd think that they'd try to coordinate. I would expect a lot of connections between Metro-North and CT Rail.

Separately, why do the Hartford Line coaches have two things sticking up at the end of each coach, with a hole in each thing?

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Please see the roof, on each side of the horn: it's as though you could put a rope between the two holes and pick the car up that way.

[DutchRailnut]

lifting enforcement incase of derailments ?