An NJT train tiptoes through “A” Interlocking’s work zone on the west end of Penn Station on June 20, 2017. This summer “JO” Interlocking on the east end of the station will be rebuilt.
NEW YORK — Continued infrastructure work at New York’s Penn Station will lead to changes in service this summer for Amtrak, the Long Island Railroad, and NJ Transit, the passenger railroad and commuter carriers announced on Thursday.
The project will take two tracks at Penn Station out of service, and involve work at JO Interlocking, which handles Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, and NJ Transit trains entering and exiting the East River tunnels. Work at the interlocking will take place between June 28 and Sept. 2. The total cost of the project, which began in summer 2017 and resumed in summer 2018, is estimated at $30 million.
For Amtrak, schedule changes will include the cancellation of two Northeast Regional trains, No. 110 from Washington to New York, and No. 127 from New York to Washington; early departures for southbound Keystone train No. 653 and, on weekdays only, the westbound New York-Washington-Chicago Cardinal, No. 51; and changes for two other Keystone trains. Northbound No. 640 will terminate at Newark Penn Station, while southbound No. 643 will originate at Newark Penn Station. Also, the Maple Leaf (train No. 63) and Adirondack (train No. 69) will be combined and run on the Maple Leaf’s schedule (with a 7:15 a.m. departure from New York) before being split at Albany, N.Y.
The full Amtrak release on the project is available here.
NJ Transit changes will begin June 17. Some Midtown Direct trains on the Montclair-Boonton line and one on the North Jersey Coast line will end at Hoboken rather than New York Penn Station, with a limited number of outbound trains beginning at Hoboken rather than New York Penn. Midtown Direct trains on the Morris and Essex line will not stop at Newark Broad Street Station.
More on the NJ Transit changes, including a list of frequently asked questions and details of which trains will be affected, is available here. The changes are weekdays only; weekend and holiday schedules will be unchanged.
On the Long Island Rail Road, schedule changes begin July 1, and will lead to the cancellation of seven morning rush-hour trains and seven evening trains. Five trains will be added outside of peak periods, and some trains will operate with expanded consists to maintain overall seating capacity.
Other changes on the LIRR will see some trains diverted from Penn Station to Atlantic Terminal and some originating or terminating at Jamaica.
Trains operating on the Babylon, Far Rockaway, Hempstead, Long Beach, Montauk, and Ronkonkoma branches will be affected. A branch-by-branch list of operating changes is available here.
