#275700 - 10/27/04 02:17 PM
Grand Central's loop track
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checkthedoorlight
Transport Workers Union Steward
Registered: 08/22/03
Posts: 1162
Loc: the RFW of M6 #9005 (the one w...
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before today, I never realized that Grand Central Terminal had a loop track. I had some time to kill before my train left so I was wandering around GCT this morning and went over to the west side (since I exclusively ride the New Haven line, I never board any further west than track 28). I was looking at tracks 41 and 42, and noticed that they continued to run south, underneath the main mezzanaine of GCT. I asked a conductor nearby where the tracks ran to, and he told me that they looped back around to track 10. I later walked over to track 10, and noticed that the tracks stopped at track 11, but when I walked down to 11, I noticed that there were actually 10 yard tracks east of it which also kept running under the mezz. I never realized that there were actually any tracks UNDER the main mezz of Grand Central....even the subway tracks run under 42 St, which is in front of the main entrance. Learn something new every day, I guess.
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formerly fusoya
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#275704 - 10/27/04 03:17 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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This is the train to...
Lord of the Post
Registered: 11/30/01
Posts: 10357
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As big as GCT is, you know there had to be a yard somewhere nearby.
That station moves too many trains for there not to be a rail yard nearby.
At Penn there are 2 railyards. The one in Sunnyside Queens, and the one on the west side of Manhattan.
Ironically, if you want to see the Amtrak/NJT yard take an LIRR train out of Penn, and if you want to see the LIRR yard take an Amtrak/NJT train out of Penn.
You get great views of both from the train.
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#275705 - 10/27/04 03:51 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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brooklynQ strikes back
Transportation Alternatives Organizer
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 1831
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this is what always got me about GCT is it having all those tracks. being that the MNR has only three lines, why the heck does GCT need like 80 something tracks (i know most of them used to serve cross-country trains and whatnot, but those trains aren't there anymore)? i definaley think the should send the entire LIRR to GCT, then leave Penn for NJT and amtrak. i mean, does all of GCT get good use?
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too much of anything is not a good thing.
too much brooklynQ is a great thing.
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#275706 - 10/27/04 04:42 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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Sa-Ceu
Bus Dispatcher
Registered: 04/23/04
Posts: 620
Loc: nYc
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Originally posted by brooklynQ:
this is what always got me about GCT is it having all those tracks. being that the MNR has only three lines, why the heck does GCT need like 80 something tracks (i know most of them used to serve cross-country trains and whatnot, but those trains aren't there anymore)? i definaley think the should send the entire LIRR to GCT, then leave Penn for NJT and amtrak. i mean, does all of GCT get good use?
Today, it serves its 3 branches, and it keeps busy, especially during rush hours, with over 30TPH coming in and out. From West to East, its Hudson, Harlem, and NH trains that stop according to platforms. But even if its not as busy, why would you demolish extra tracks? If the space is there, use it. I have seen trains layed up in the yard tracks. As for LIRR, it IS coming to GCT, via the "East Side Access" project. But because of 3rd rail compatability problems, the LIRR will have its own two levels, with 8 tracks each. This will alleviate some crowding from Penn, as people from the east side who need to go to LI can go to GCT instead.
w00t post 333!
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#275707 - 10/27/04 05:15 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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brooklynQ strikes back
Transportation Alternatives Organizer
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 1831
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#275708 - 10/27/04 05:40 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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USAF Pilot '07
MTA Board Member
Registered: 10/17/00
Posts: 6101
Loc: Displaced NY'er in Colorado...
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Originally posted by LI Double R:
As big as GCT is, you know there had to be a yard somewhere nearby.
That station moves too many trains for there not to be a rail yard nearby.
During peak times, they do reserve certain tracks just outside GCT as layup (but trains don't usually lay up there more than 10-15 minutes). The main layup spots, at least for the Harlem and New Haven lines, are I believe up in the Bronx by Wakefield (where the lines split), and for other Harlem lines, they just get the trains from up in White Plains, run em empty down to GCT and then run service back to White Plains.
this is why if you ever take the train back into the city on a weekday afternoon, anywhere from Woodlawn south, you'll probably see anywhere from 5-10 empty trains run by empty in a span of 30 minutes.
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#275709 - 10/27/04 06:09 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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Uptown
MTA Executive
Registered: 05/16/02
Posts: 4454
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Are there any track maps of GCT available?
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#275711 - 10/27/04 08:07 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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Sa-Ceu
Bus Dispatcher
Registered: 04/23/04
Posts: 620
Loc: nYc
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You dont understand. For one, they use two different types of 3rd rail. Next, the LIRR IS COMING TO GC, they will have their own two levels independent of MNRR. The reason for LIRR at both PENN and GCT is so that its easier for people who would rather not go crosstown to go to PENN, hence the name "EAST SIDE ACCESS"
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#275712 - 10/27/04 08:45 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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Looney Toon Local
"The Mole" Boring Machine Operator
Registered: 12/09/02
Posts: 820
Loc: Newark Broad St. Station
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Originally posted by LI Double R: Originally posted by USAF Pilot '07:
this is why if you ever take the train back into the city on a weekday afternoon, anywhere from Woodlawn south, you'll probably see anywhere from 5-10 empty trains run by empty in a span of 30 minutes.
In the afternoon, ton of trains making light moves on the ROW from Woodside to Jamaica.
Tip:
Go to Woodside to take photos one afternoon. You'll enjoy it.
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Go Sox! "Ladies and gentlemen, there is an uptown express train at 14th st Union Square, one station away." - Platform announcement at 34th st Penn Station Connecticut Rail Commuter Council
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#275716 - 10/27/04 11:27 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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N.Y.C. Statehood In Mind
NYC Council Transportation Committee Chairperson
Registered: 10/04/03
Posts: 2059
Loc: Hartsdale, NY
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I'm going to be honest with you, it is such a dumb idea, and I am inclined to question your ability to construct coherent and feasible plans. And you wonder why people dislike your ideas. Wait a minute, do you have anything good to offer here?
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#275718 - 10/27/04 11:43 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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N.Y.C. Statehood In Mind
NYC Council Transportation Committee Chairperson
Registered: 10/04/03
Posts: 2059
Loc: Hartsdale, NY
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http://www.auto-free.org/regiongc.html
Using existing GCT infrastructure, it will cost less than a billion dollars. With another level, it will come to over 5 billion.
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#275720 - 10/28/04 09:23 AM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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checkthedoorlight
Transport Workers Union Steward
Registered: 08/22/03
Posts: 1162
Loc: the RFW of M6 #9005 (the one w...
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Originally posted by Uptown:
Are there any track maps of GCT available?
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formerly fusoya
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#275724 - 10/28/04 04:09 PM
Re: Grand Central's loop track
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Sa-Ceu
Bus Dispatcher
Registered: 04/23/04
Posts: 620
Loc: nYc
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Originally posted by Grand Concourse: Originally posted by Sa-Ceu:
With the ESA, two TOTALLY INDEPENDENT LEVELS WILL BE BUILT for the LIRR... no need for capacity issues. Unless you're talking about station, not track space.
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