west point wrote: ↑Fri Jul 21, 2023 7:24 pm
3. Amtrak will not allow anything but 60 Hz on the west side line to Spuyten. That will benefit if MNRR ever plans to run M-8 type equipment the Hudson line.
4. MNRR should also restore and install extension of its 60 Hz CAT thru the Spuyten wye. That is provide some service from CT when the Hell Gate line sooner or later is jammed up. As well it would give MNRR and Amtrak an alternate to use when West side line is jammed up. Both routes will get jammed up sooner or later for how long unknown.
5. tarting to add CAT from Croton or POU toward Albany also has much merit. Or instead start at Albany maintenance and go south. That will work well with the ICTs. You are probably correct that the CSX line will have to be purchased. Wonder if CSX will be audacious enough to try to boost price for the improvements that Amtrak has implemented?
There's two things that stood out here I wanted to quickly comment on.
The Spuyten Wye no longer exists, it hasn't for awhile. I understand that in theory why it could be put back, the resistance is that the turnouts would be in less than desirable locations. That said, I think operationally, it would add the options you mention.
The second is something I had not thought of (and honestly wasn't really an option until the current thinking on new locomotives) and that's starting "small" with catenary at Albany. Several years ago, I had exchanged some emails with Judith Enck who was a former EPA regional coordinator covering that area about at the very least installing hotel power in Albany to reduce the amount of idling the locomotives did there. At the time, with the P42DCs were the primary movers.
But with the move to new tri-power locomotives, the idea of starting with catenary in Albany, if only to reduce pollution and gradually "growing" it south and west may have some merit. I like this idea.
That said, I don't expect it to happen, sadly.
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