Lackawanna Cutoff Passenger Service Restoration

Keep in mind that no figures are provided for the Cutoff portion, but still, it is optimistic.

Interesting. Some fun things:

- Study done by Amtrak, contracted by PNRRA in July 2021
- Report also still shows the proposed Allentown line down the RVL
- PA track improvement cost is 100-170M. This excludes estimates for new stations, terminal facilities, New Jersey infrastructure improvements, and reconstructing the NJ portion. Track gets upgraded to class 3 or 4 depending on the location.
- 70-90M for two train sets running 3 trains/day. Route alternates between M&E and M-B to avoid commuter train conflicts. Total travel time just under 3 hours.
- Ridership of ~470k riders/year requiring a 5.8M operating subsidy
- Schedule assumes 110 mph running on the Cut-off portion

james1787 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2023 4:55 pm This popped up today on Amtrak's website regarding the cutoff.

https://media.amtrak.com/2023/03/amtrak ... MCnTyTkcfk

Here is a link to the finding...
https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/proj ... ervice.pdf

I thought it was a typo when they mentioned including Montclair and Morristown on the same line. Apparently, they will have two branches (and basically attempt to avoid conflicts with the Montclair-Boonton Line trains). Anything that runs on that line should at least stop in Boonton to provide midday service to at least some portion of that region of the line.

It definitely sounded like a step in the right direction and Amtrak sounds like they like the project and would like to move forward. Of course, still major hurdles to go (project gets picked, funding, etc) but happy to see some sort of news.

Any idea when we can expect to see this thing completed? I'm imagining it won't be until after the Tunnels under the Hudson are completed, but that doesn't mean they can't do this project and that simultaneously.

Amtrak study says no earlier than 2028. I’d say you wouldn’t see anything until the 30s as we know it takes forever get anything done nowadays. I’d love to be proven wrong though.

Big items would be the restoration of the viaducts and getting the new stations built.

In short Mr. Canoli, if somehow Joe wins a second term and serves it out, he will be out of office before any such "expansion plans" comes to pass.

You need to remember NJT's timeline -- no service to Andover before reconstruction is completed in 2027. And no plans, or funding, for reconstruction beyond Andover to the Delaware River. Scranton service is way way in the future, if it happens at all.

NJT is rebuilding to Andover. It sounds like Amtrak will handle everything west from Andover to Scranton. Amtrak does not have to wait for NJT to finish their work to start theirs. Sure, the released report doesn't include the western part; that's likely to end up as an add on.

photobug56 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 2:44 pm NJT is rebuilding to Andover. It sounds like Amtrak will handle everything west from Andover to Scranton. Amtrak does not have to wait for NJT to finish their work to start theirs. Sure, the released report doesn't include the western part; that's likely to end up as an add on.

Yes, if the project is picked up by Amtrak they can work simultaneously with NJT doing their thing to Andover.

Not to mention NJT had the DWG, Analomink, and Tobyhanna stops, along with the Greendell MOW facility it would do on its own during that time. If they so choose to.

There does not appear to be discussion here regarding just how sound the massive viaducts remain.

All I know is that anytime I have driven I-80 through that area, I'm just as glad to have "made it" without my auto getting "beaned".

Roadgeek Adam wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 2:30 pm Not to mention NJT had the DWG, Analomink, and Tobyhanna stops, along with the Greendell MOW facility it would do on its own during that time. If they so choose to.

I'm not sure why NJT would sink any money into this (or build an MOW facility for a service Amtrak would be running). Andover is getting done, the rest would be up to Amtrak (since PNRRA presumably can't spend money in NJ). A 20% local match would be needed, though I wonder if NJT could claim that their Andover work covers the 20%.

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 4:27 pm There does not appear to be discussion here regarding just how sound the massive viaducts remain.

All I know is that anytime I have driven I-80 through that area, I'm just as glad to have "made it" without my auto getting "beaned".

Nope, and the report indeed includes zero consideration for this, apart from explicitly calling out that the cost estimates do not include any viaduct (or any other part of the cut-off) restoration work.

Then again, Roman aqueduct bridges are still standing 2000 years later so…

lensovet wrote: ↑Mon Mar 27, 2023 11:41 pm Then again, Roman aqueduct bridges are still standing 2000 years later so…

Mr. Sovet, you certainly have a point here!

But if any of those viaducts need much more than their catwalk railings and the graffiti removed, we are talking big BIG $$$ presently not factored into anyone's cost analyses.