Just a little bit of information to share since I don't think anyone else here is a regular north-of-Baltimore rider.
The fence at Aberdeen has been cut and 2 over-track platform extensions installed on either side...though there was already one from track 3 (center I think) to the NB platform so it's really 3 that were added.
It's a bit odd because at various times I've ridden all of the afternoon trains. Compared to the pre-2013 (?) schedule, there's no longer been a need to use the center track at that station. At least not that I've seen. And, obviously, if you have to use it all for a NB train, it means that there's a good chance something is lurking on the mainline that needs to get past in a hurry, automatically raising the likelihood of a holdout requirement. I once reported here on a close-call I observed some years ago. So, maybe they want to be able to empty a NB MARC train on the _other_ side of the station, letting an Acela speed by on 2 track (?) w/o worrying about doing a holdout. That would be nice, if it meant avoiding the disgusting urine and sometimes blood filled tunnel that is an absolute disgrace to both Amtrak and the city of Aberdeen.
The fence at Aberdeen has been cut and 2 over-track platform extensions installed on either side...though there was already one from track 3 (center I think) to the NB platform so it's really 3 that were added.
It's a bit odd because at various times I've ridden all of the afternoon trains. Compared to the pre-2013 (?) schedule, there's no longer been a need to use the center track at that station. At least not that I've seen. And, obviously, if you have to use it all for a NB train, it means that there's a good chance something is lurking on the mainline that needs to get past in a hurry, automatically raising the likelihood of a holdout requirement. I once reported here on a close-call I observed some years ago. So, maybe they want to be able to empty a NB MARC train on the _other_ side of the station, letting an Acela speed by on 2 track (?) w/o worrying about doing a holdout. That would be nice, if it meant avoiding the disgusting urine and sometimes blood filled tunnel that is an absolute disgrace to both Amtrak and the city of Aberdeen.