Hi! I booked a Northeast Corridor Train No 66 for Presidents Day weekend, and it seems as if every single day has been cancelled for this train. I'm curious, are these cancellations due to staff shortages, COVID, or just a general reduction in service? Was also wondering if anybody else was having the same issue. Anything?
Why does Amtrak not charge NEC states for its twice per hour in both directions Northeast Regional and Acela services between Washington and Boston, but charges every other state for its corridor services? Why does the 2008 PRIIA Act not effect the NEC states?
Not only is the weather not great there but I just imagine living in an area of the United States where about 1 in 6 Americans live on 2% of the country's land area. For me, I would get too claustrophobic and would not enjoy having to compete with millions of other people for various resources. I don't understand why one would subject themselves to such torture.
Edit: I'm referring to the literal megalopolis that is also referred to as the Northeast Megalopolis. If you're in the Northeast, you're not going to necessarily be in the Corridor.
Here's the fact sheet:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/28/fact-sheet-historic-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal/
Anyone who rides the NEC regularly knows the schedule is at about 3/5 of what it was pre-pandemic. Trains are pretty crowded these days, at least the ones I take, as people go back to business and leisure travel. I have been comforted seeing that as of January 1st the schedule would be going back to normal. It's been up and available to schedule since at least the summer. Well, now it isn't, and trains I am already booked on are just gone. I called the AGR hotline and the rep spoke to her supervisor who confirmed that's now the schedule, no ETA on when things will be back to normal. I am so frustrated and angry, not just because my trains are so crowded and there's less choice of trains, but because my Monday morning train which has been off the schedule for a year+, requiring me to get up at 4:30am to get to my destination on time, now isn't coming back for the foreseeable future. I'm sure there are staffing issues on top of ridership not being all the way back, but this is just so frustrating.
Both new and unopened. 25 for Northeast, 20 for The Nightfly. Domestic shipping free if you get both, you pay shipping if you get one.
Does anyone know where the album picture was taken? It kind of looks like The Orpheum @ Boston?
News from steelydan.com - https://www.steelydan.com/#!/news/299826
Announcement in Rolling Stone - https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/steely-dan-absolutely-normal-tour-1201991/
Tour schedule - https://www.steelydan.com/#!/events?page=1
Album preorders - https://steelydanshop.com/
Reelin' in the Years Live on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/6xSTRr6xgFY231N1BYe0pw?si=5292f3663e4845fb
IGY Live on Spotify (thanks u/YourGoldTeeth - https://open.spotify.com/track/0QLesobR30qxSg3Jzmp16n?si=b623f735d1054676
With all the high wind today here in Maryland, I am curious if y’all think it’s a good time to go hunting tomorrow or would high winds not really produce what a storm surge like after a big storm would. Thanks!
Steely Dan's new live album is a cracker, but you knew it would be from the pre-release tracks. It's their first officially released live album since 1995's Alive in America. That's a long time between live Dan albums, though I've enjoyed the Two Against Nature DVD in the meantime (as well as many boots to boot). The sound quality on Northeast Corridor is excellent, almost matching their immaculate studio recordings. Well mastered, the instrument separation is great, and you certainly feel like you're there. All tracks are choice cuts, Donald is in fine voice, and the band is on fire.
The album is comprised of highlights from their last tour (2018 I think), the first since Walter's passing, and though we miss Becker's immortal patter and tasty licks, Donald carries on as best he can, and the results are outstanding. Can't say too much else since I just got the damned thing, but all the hits sound great. The three Aja cuts sound particularly good, as well as a major Any Major Dude, a crackin' Kid Charlemagne, a darling Rikki, a smashing Hey Nineteen, and a rollicking Reelin' and Bodhisattva. As for the non-hits, Glamour Profession is groovy, Donald sings his heart out on Things I Miss the Most, and there's the new to me instrumental A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry, which is the closer for the tour.
If you were on the fence, don't be, get the album. If you get the chance to see them on the upcoming Absolutely Normal tour, please do so, they sound awesome. Now anxiously awaiting to hear The Nightfly Live.
Orange Line service suspended between Jackson & Ruggles. Providence/Stoughton & Franklin trains bypassing Back Bay, Ruggles, and Hyde Park and are delayed. Needham Line experiencing severe delays & numerous cancellations, with all trains originating/terminating at Forest Hills. Worcester service delayed. Amtrak service has now been canceled for the remainder of the day.
Update: Orange Line, Providence, Franklin, and Needham trains have resumed using their normal routes shortly after 4pm. Most lines out of South Station remain significantly delayed due to cascading effects. Amtrak service suspended between Boston and D.C., as well as to Springfield, for at least the rest of the day.
When switches (or turnouts) are set so that trains will either run straight through then, or so that trains will change tracks when the trains cross them, how are those switches set, and how are errors avoided?
It seems like ensuring that a switch is in the right direction is one of the most essential things in railroading, since a switch that is set in the wrong direction could have fatal consequences.
In the Northeast Corridor, does Amtrak have a central location where all switches are controlled?
And if someone sets a switch in the wrong direction, is there any kind of system that will correct it? For example, if a switch is in the wrong direction and a 150-mph Acela is speeding towards it, so any signals from the train automatically move the switch to be in the right direction?
I haven’t heard of a switch erroneously being in the wrong direction but surely it happens.
Thanks.
