From: jishnu@nospam.verizon.net   
      
   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.   
      
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