From: finfer@optonline.net   
      
   On 10/30/2014 9:10 PM, Jishnu Mukerji wrote:   
   > On 10/29/2014 12:47 PM, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:   
   >> On Tuesday, October 28, 2014 9:04:39 PM UTC-4, Michael Finfer wrote:   
   >>   
   >>> Now we have to work on weekend service.  Despite what NJT says, I   
   >>> believe the capacity is there.  There was one weekend, when there was   
   >>> track work on the Lehigh Line, when stub trans ran between Union and   
   >>> NYP.  Unbelievably, westbound, they did not allow passengers to board at   
   >>> NYP.  The equipment deadheaded to Newark to pick them up.  That   
   >>> seriously undermines the story that there is no capacity.   
   >>   
   >> FWIW, on my recent trip to NYC, the single tracking near Sec Jct resulted   
   in backups.  If they are doing any kind of work, there isn't any spare   
   capacity.   
   >>   
   >> On weekends, I suppose they could squeeze in a Raritan Valley slot (I don't   
   know the available time frame).  But it would be a tight fit, and if there any   
   delays-as they're often are--it will create a mess.   
   >>   
   >> I wonder how many new riders will be attracted by through service.   
   >>   
   >> As mentioned before, according to Fazio's book on Pennsylvania Station   
   railroads, the facility was originally built with expansion in mind on the   
   south side.  I wish they would do so.  Of course, New Jersey is broke, so it   
   can't contribute.   
   >   
   >   
   > When they are single tracking between SEC and NYP, there are exactly 8   
   > available slots in each direction per hour, of which Amtrak has 3 and   
   > NJT has 5. Currently 3 slots are used by NEC, one by Midtown Direct and   
   > one by NJCL.   
   >   
   > On weekends that they are not single tracking they would be able to run   
   > more trains. it is possible that the weekend Michael saw that extra   
   > train, they were not single tracking for the period of the day that said   
   > train ran.   
   >   
      
   The solution is simple.  Publish two weekend Raritan Line timetables,   
   one for track work, and one for no track work.  There are many weekends   
   when there is no track work.  It is simple these days to put out   
   advisories as to which timetable is in effect.  Then we at least get   
   direct NY service some weekends.   
      
   The weekend trains are scheduled to allow single tracking between A and   
   Bergen.  If the single track is somewhere else, it causes problems as we   
   have seen recently.  Lately, I have been driving to Staten Island and   
   using the SIRT and the ferry.  With the delays into NY, it is very   
   minimal extra time, much more reliable, and about half the price of a   
   round trip from Raritan to New York, including gas and tolls (I drive a   
   hybrid that qualifies for reduced off peak tolls).   
      
   Michael Finfer   
   Bridgewater, NJ   
      
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