Waterbury Branch Thread

[Jeff Smith]

In reference to JDB's comments:

Also, he hopes to replace coaches and locomotives on the Waterbury branch soon. Breakdowns are common due to the age of the trains, causing temporary bus substitutions at least several times per month.

The DOT recently purchased four used diesels from New Jersey Transit, which Redeker said will be rebuilt and rehabilitated before going into service in “one or two years.”

[Ridgefielder]

CtDOT has quite a diverse group of power, even including some old Amtrak Gennies. Supposedly the idea is to get some of the power out for rebuild/overhaul. There's nothing new on the immediate horizon. CtDOT has been adept at getting life out of someone else's "stuff". In some manner, they've behaved like a Class-III. I imply no criticism; it's been effective at kicking the can down the road. Once NHHS/Hartford Line is up and running, there'll be a lot of pressure for other service improvements and expansions, and a lot more pressure on the equipment pool that isn't part of MNRR. And at some point, "hand-me-downs" isn't going to get it.

Sometimes I feel like CtDOT is channeling the spirit of the NYNH&H in more than just their paint scheme....

[Jeff Smith]

Initial $10m funded: MyCitizenNews.com

Unable to cut and paste, but here's a brief, fair-use quote:

State approval last week for $10 million in improvements to Metro-North will mean more service for the Waterbury Line.

The signal and siding improvements will allow more frequent trains in both direction on the single-track line.
...
The $10 million figure represents only the portion of the improvement costs that the state has made available by bonding, or posting it as public debt. (It) is a special tax obligation bond and will be repaid through the state gas tax and motor vehicle registration fees...

Garrett Eucalitto, undersecretary of policy and planning, said the state will require at least $60 million more, "which it will request next fiscal year," to complete the construction. He said the $10 million available now will pay for equipment for the construction, which begins next year.
...

[Steamboat Willie]

It's going to be interesting to see how the railroad is going to find the equipment to be utilized in this additional service they speak of, never mind the funding from CDOT when it often times says it's broke. Recently the shop count has been high with the Brookville's and barely able to maintain service with spares not being available at locations such as Brewster and Stamford.

The future siding located south of Division Street have both switches installed and the land is graded already. It appears to be as long as Bethel Lower Siding on the Danbury and Wingdale on the Upper Harlem. I am a little curious if the crossing will be inside interlocking limits like East Liberty Street at CP423 being the switch is so close to the ROW.

[Jeff Smith]

Well, they've got the extra power now from NJT. It may or may not be tight on coaches with the Hartford line coming on, but they can always throw SLE equipment at it as they've done previously with that branch.

[NH2060]

Problem is -IIRC- only a handful of MNR crews out of New Haven are qualified to run the SLE sets.

[Jeff Smith]

That's a problem easily solved by qualifying more crews on that equipment. To me, the problem is the cost, which is 100% CtDOT. By devoting SLE equipment to a branch that doesn't run farther than Stamford, you free up push-pull-pool equipment which can move to the main line, potentially freeing up M8 sets for SLE. Win-Win.

[DutchRailnut]

Problem is -IIRC- only a handful of MNR crews out of New Haven are qualified to run the SLE sets.

bullshit, for last 8 years every engineer trainee was qualified on these.

[Scalziand]

I did a bit of a double take when I saw a highrail truck headed northbound in Naugatuck on Friday. Any idea what it was for?

[Backshophoss]

Most likely a track inspection run,done by a track foreman.

[Scalziand]

Thanks, thought it would be something like that.

[Jeff Smith]

Moving right along: New Haven Register

Brief, fair-use:

Derby mayor: ‘Real progress’ being made on Metro North’s Waterbury line
...
...The first of four planned sidings is currently under construction in Derby, enabling more frequent and convenient rail service, according to Dugatto.
...
“As we speak, the Connecticut Department of Transportation has started the design of signalization system for the WBL,” said Mark Nielsen, assistant director of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG), which oversees the region’s transportation networks.

Nielsen further added that “the State is committed to installing Positive Train Control along the WBL to ensure trains can operate safely.”
...
As the improvements are underway, Jim Gildea, vice president of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council, said ridership over the last six months has increased. In September, he said there was a 4.7 percent ridership increase, followed by a 6.9 percent increase in October, 9.8 percent increase in November, 8.7 percent increase in December, 10.7 percent increase in January and the biggest jump in February, a 23 percent increase in ridership.

“That is great news and certainly does justify the addition of the four passing sidings, Gildea noted. “That said, it is important that we stay diligent in ensuring the service level stays high and that issues that are of importance to the line do not stay hidden or quiet.”
...

[Ridgefielder]

Are those month-over-month or year-over-year increases?

[Jeff Smith]

Got me; I'll see if there's a council contact I can find out.

[freightguy]

Not too long ago I was in Bridgeport yard and there was a signal hut labeled CP 507. So that's definitely for the Waterbury branch I guess when PTC/CTC is up and running.