Amtrak Adirondack
Oct 22, 2014, 4:57 pm
#16
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
That was where things got awful. We ended up standing still for a while before Schenectady, then we sat just outside the Albany station for around an hour because there was no platform for us. Then, when we got into Albany, the train crew said we'd be there for just ten minutes to switch the engine - of course, that was nowhere near true, as we were there for closer to 40.
We finally ended up at Penn almost an hour and a half late.
Had it not been for the Schenectady/Albany problems, we would probably have gotten in on time if not even a bit early. So if the ongoing construction can mitigate the delays, this route could be a winner. But I guess it's not there yet.
We finally ended up at Penn almost an hour and a half late.
Had it not been for the Schenectady/Albany problems, we would probably have gotten in on time if not even a bit early. So if the ongoing construction can mitigate the delays, this route could be a winner. But I guess it's not there yet.
And at the station, currently there are only 3 tracks that hit a platform. However, the station was designed to have 4 tracks, two on each platform. Currently the platform closest to the station only has 1 track. Work has started on finally putting in that 4th track and reworking the various approach tracks & switches to accommodate that new 4th track.
Both of these improvements will help considerably in decreasing the types of delays that you encountered.
Oct 22, 2014, 10:39 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
Six hours scheduled for Chicago-Detroit northern suburbs with service just 3x daily, and 33% on-time perfromance at that, when one can drive in 4:30?
Delta hits about 84% on-time, within 15 minutes, for its mainline services. If Amtrak hits 80% within 30 minutes on its regional services I will again consider it a viable alternative.
Delta hits about 84% on-time, within 15 minutes, for its mainline services. If Amtrak hits 80% within 30 minutes on its regional services I will again consider it a viable alternative.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:24 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, AC
Posts: 4,220
The ongoing construction will indeed help some of the things that hurt your return trip. Between Schenectady and Albany there is currently only a single track. When trains aren't on schedule, this causes major problems as it can take 15 to 20 minutes before the track is cleared to run in the other direction. I believe that construction has started on putting back a second track that was taken out many years ago.
And at the station, currently there are only 3 tracks that hit a platform. However, the station was designed to have 4 tracks, two on each platform. Currently the platform closest to the station only has 1 track. Work has started on finally putting in that 4th track and reworking the various approach tracks & switches to accommodate that new 4th track.
Both of these improvements will help considerably in decreasing the types of delays that you encountered.
And at the station, currently there are only 3 tracks that hit a platform. However, the station was designed to have 4 tracks, two on each platform. Currently the platform closest to the station only has 1 track. Work has started on finally putting in that 4th track and reworking the various approach tracks & switches to accommodate that new 4th track.
Both of these improvements will help considerably in decreasing the types of delays that you encountered.
Oct 25, 2014, 1:54 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: UA, DL, LH, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 554
http://www.timesunion.com/business/a...ed-5816564.php
Oct 29, 2014, 2:03 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA, WN, BA, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 313
I have not seen the train packed when I've taken in. The route has higher loads during the fall season, but many people fly or drive since the train takes so long.
Nov 14, 2014, 8:54 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, AC
Posts: 4,220
Hi again 
So I'm thinking of taking the train back up to Montreal over the winter (hey, it's cheap), and I noticed that there are several days around Thanksgiving when the Adirondack turns into a bus between Albany and Montreal.
I assume this is related to the new platform/second track work they're doing? Does anyone in the area (paging cfw or AlanB
) know how long these disruptions will last?
It strikes me as odd that they'd turn this into a bus ride all the way up from Albany because of Albany-Schenectady construction - although I suppose maybe the job requires that they temporarily sever the link to the southern leg in order to work.
Anyway, just wondering. Thanks in advance for any info.
So I'm thinking of taking the train back up to Montreal over the winter (hey, it's cheap), and I noticed that there are several days around Thanksgiving when the Adirondack turns into a bus between Albany and Montreal.
I assume this is related to the new platform/second track work they're doing? Does anyone in the area (paging cfw or AlanB
) know how long these disruptions will last?It strikes me as odd that they'd turn this into a bus ride all the way up from Albany because of Albany-Schenectady construction - although I suppose maybe the job requires that they temporarily sever the link to the southern leg in order to work.
Anyway, just wondering. Thanks in advance for any info.
Nov 14, 2014, 10:28 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
Hi again
So I'm thinking of taking the train back up to Montreal over the winter (hey, it's cheap), and I noticed that there are several days around Thanksgiving when the Adirondack turns into a bus between Albany and Montreal.
I assume this is related to the new platform/second track work they're doing? Does anyone in the area (paging cfw or AlanB) know how long these disruptions will last?
It strikes me as odd that they'd turn this into a bus ride all the way up from Albany because of Albany-Schenectady construction - although I suppose maybe the job requires that they temporarily sever the link to the southern leg in order to work.
Anyway, just wondering. Thanks in advance for any info.
So I'm thinking of taking the train back up to Montreal over the winter (hey, it's cheap), and I noticed that there are several days around Thanksgiving when the Adirondack turns into a bus between Albany and Montreal.
I assume this is related to the new platform/second track work they're doing? Does anyone in the area (paging cfw or AlanB
) know how long these disruptions will last?It strikes me as odd that they'd turn this into a bus ride all the way up from Albany because of Albany-Schenectady construction - although I suppose maybe the job requires that they temporarily sever the link to the southern leg in order to work.
Anyway, just wondering. Thanks in advance for any info.
http://www.amtrak.com/adirondack-train
Nov 14, 2014, 11:52 am
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, AC
Posts: 4,220
Nov 14, 2014, 12:17 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
Didn't you ask how long the disruption would last? The link above tells you that.
Since all other trains north and west of Albany are operating normally those days, it does not appear appear to be due to ALB <-> SDY construction. (My apologies if you already knew that as well.)
Since all other trains north and west of Albany are operating normally those days, it does not appear appear to be due to ALB <-> SDY construction. (My apologies if you already knew that as well.
)
Nov 14, 2014, 7:08 pm
#26
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
I'm sure it's not related to the platform work; as the train would still need to get to the platform so that people can then board the bus.
This disruption is being caused by Canadian Pacific doing work on their tracks between Schenectady and the Canadian border.
According to the service notice at Amtrak, its only for 2 days, the 18th & 19th.
This disruption is being caused by Canadian Pacific doing work on their tracks between Schenectady and the Canadian border.
According to the service notice at Amtrak, its only for 2 days, the 18th & 19th.
Nov 14, 2014, 7:18 pm
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA GLD, AC
Posts: 4,220
I'm sure it's not related to the platform work; as the train would still need to get to the platform so that people can then board the bus.
This disruption is being caused by Canadian Pacific doing work on their tracks between Schenectady and the Canadian border.
According to the service notice at Amtrak, its only for 2 days, the 18th & 19th.
This disruption is being caused by Canadian Pacific doing work on their tracks between Schenectady and the Canadian border.
According to the service notice at Amtrak, its only for 2 days, the 18th & 19th.
Aug 7, 2018, 8:36 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: JFK LGA PBI BOI
Posts: 910
Empire Service, Ethan Allen, Adirondack and Maple Leaf Trains Will Stop at Grand Central Terminal instead of Penn Station
Effective May 26 through September 3, 2018
https://www.amtrak.com/alert/select-...t-not-nyp.html
And the late for sure Lake Shore Limited will not operate south of Albany.
While the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge span has been put back, they still working on aligning and testing it and further work on the west side "empire" tunnel is being done.
Effective May 26 through September 3, 2018
https://www.amtrak.com/alert/select-...t-not-nyp.html
And the late for sure Lake Shore Limited will not operate south of Albany.
While the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge span has been put back, they still working on aligning and testing it and further work on the west side "empire" tunnel is being done.