Thanksgiving 2019

[Rockingham Racer]

VIA and Amtrak used to share equipment on the Michigan Line through Port Huron back in the 80s. I used to see VIA's LRC equipment on a regular basis going by our house in Grand Beach.

[Dick H]

Downeasters #692, #694 and #696 are sold out to Boston Sunday, 12/1.


Downeasters #683 and #687 were sold out leaving Boston Wednesday, 11/27
#685 was showing sold out earlier, but must have had some late cancellations.

[STrRedWolf]

Are 1063, 1065, 1054, and 1056 sold out as well? These are the MARC commuter sets.

(And if you're brave enough to go out and trainspot in the rain/snow, they should be running today)

[electricron]

VIA and Amtrak used to share equipment on the Michigan Line through Port Huron back in the 80s. I used to see VIA's LRC equipment on a regular basis going by our house in Grand Beach.

Amtrak ran their own LRC equipment in Michigan, with stronger windows and other FRA required differences. The differences were significant enough that VIA did not acquire them when Amtrak retired them, although VIA continues to run their LRCs until today. Are you sure those LRCs running in Michigan were VIAs?

[ThirdRail7]

I note your italicized "may", but given there's hardly a seat to be had today, I'd be of the opinion that commuter extras will continue along with those possible extra Amfleets. Amtrak needs all the seats it can get its hands on today, apparently. I just did a query. You can get an Acela first class seat WAS-NYP for a mere $449.50--on a few trains only. Most Regionals are sold out today.

Is that all? Sign me up for 9...as long as it comes with Grey Poupon! Seriously, I can't imagine paying that much for a train ride from NYP-WAS.

On the Boston side, there's not one seat available until # 66 at 9:45 PM tonight. Definitely need more trains east of NYC. The Inland Route might be the answer, or longer trains, but then you get into double stopping at some places.

It would have to be longer trains instead of more slots. I believe Metro-North yielded as much prime time capacity that was available. I hope the Acelas hold up.

[dowlingm]

The US LRC coaches may have been "stored" at VIA's Montreal Maintenance Centre after they came off Amtrak lease but I don't recall seeing any mention of VIA having run them at any time.

[liftedjeep]

-Amtrak Holiday Extra #1054 (12/1) through Bridesburg in the rain, with six MARC coaches (including cab car) and one Amtrak cafe car. (My apologies for the blurred Sprinter, I was fighting rain drops on the lens):

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5226719

-Going away shot:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5226720

Ben

[Nicholas Chen]

Amtrak Holiday Extra 1054 with MARC coaches through New Brunswick, NJ: https://youtu.be/wrWxCSVMhoY

[STrRedWolf]

Amtrak Holiday Extra 1054 with MARC coaches through New Brunswick, NJ: https://youtu.be/wrWxCSVMhoY

-Amtrak Holiday Extra #1054 (12/1) through Bridesburg in the rain, with six MARC coaches (including cab car) and one Amtrak cafe car. (My apologies for the blurred Sprinter, I was fighting rain drops on the lens): http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5226719
-Going away shot: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5226720

I just love MARC II equipment hauling ass.

[gokeefe]

The Inland Route might be the answer, or longer trains, but then you get into double stopping at some places.

I would think on the Northeast Regionals you should be able to single stop a train at any station as long as the conductors seat block properly. No baggage cars to worry about and no sleepers either. At worst you're making BusinessClass walk through some coaches.

If I recall correctly the only station where you would even block car traffic momentarily would be NLC.

[gokeefe]

Is that all? Sign me up for 9...as long as it comes with Grey Poupon! Seriously, I can't imagine paying that much for a train ride from NYP-WAS.

Yes, but the revenue elves apparently know that some will!

[MACTRAXX]

Everyone:

Found this Politico article (11/29) about Penn Station New York and holiday rail traveling:

https://news.yahoo.com/why-holiday-trav ... 57035.html

Author: Marc J. Dunkelman

MODERATOR: If this needs to be moved to another topic or into its own to generate conversation please do so...

MACTRAXX

[Arborwayfan]

Call it the Home Alone fare: some desperate walk-up whose other travel plans fell through, or who got a sudden invitation, or whatever, probably bought that seat.

[east point]

Did I miss the Thanksgiving ridership figures ? There may be problems with the holiday time spanning 2 months. That I suspect that November of this years will not be as great as last year but who knows?

EDIT ------- Could it be Amtrak is waiting to post until the budget passes the Senate and President signs bill ?

[STrRedWolf]

Something also odd is... well, no Christmas/New Years special service. Maybe because those holidays are on the Wednesday and you can't really make a weekend out of it?