Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Big Bucks for Fast Amtrak Trains

The Federal Department of Transportation is putting $745 million toward rail projects that will allow Amtrak trains to avoid a congested rail junction in the Sunnyside Yards.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the funding late last week. About $450 million will be used to upgrade electrical systems and tracks between Trenton and New York so that Acela Express trains will be able to get up to 160 mph.

About $295 million will be used to construct a flyover and upgrade electrical systems at the Harold Interlocking rail junction at the Sunnyside Yards in Queens.

The Sunnyside Yard is owned by Amtrak, and is also used by New Jersey Transit as well as the Long Island Railroad. The shared tracks of the LIRR's Main Line and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor pass along the southern edge of the yard.

A balloon track northeast of the yard is used for "U-turning" Amtrak and NJ Transit trains which terminate at Penn Station. Near the south side of the yard, this track switches off and turns under LIRR and Amtrak tracks, before merging with Sunnyside yard track and turning the train west toward Penn Station.
  
The Harold Interlocking is the busiest rail junction in the United States. The new "flyover" will separate Amtrak from Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit trains, easing congestion.

By TheElectricWeb.com
August 28, 2011 

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