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 

Two Injured in Electrical Fire at Brooklyn Building

Two electrical workers were injured last week, as they worked in a transformer vault below the Sovereign Bank building at 19 Montague Street, in Brooklyn Heights.

The two victims were rushed to the New York Presbyterian - Weill Cornell Burn Center in Manhattan, after suffering burns to 40% of their arms and faces. The men, aged 64 and 40, are presently recovering from their near, life-threatening injuries, hospital officials said.

An FDNY spokesman reported than an electrical mishap sparked the flash fire inside the15-story office building on Montague Street, in downtown Brooklyn.

By Peter Coyne / TheElectricWeb.com
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.

TheElectricWeb.com
August 28, 2011