Amtrak leaves NY without passengers

[philabos]

Apparently due to a failure to communicate, passengers were directed to the wrong platform at New York Penn Station. What is not explained is the failure of the crew to note 200 no shows on an all reserved train.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...yc-washington-dc-passengers-article-1.1890241

Amtrak train leaves Penn Station for Washington, D.C., without its passengers

An Amtrak train bound for Washington pulled away from Penn Station on Saturday without some pretty important cargo: its passengers.

Scores of travelers were stranded after the Acela Express 2253 took off from one platform about 3 p.m. — while they were waiting at another and unaware the train was leaving them behind.

Several minutes passed before the passengers even got wind of what had happened, one told the Daily News.

“They literally sent us to the wrong platform, and the conductor took off without any passengers,” said Damien Miano, 60, of Chelsea. “The right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing. It was just so bizarre.”

Miano said he and the other abandoned travelers eventually returned to the main level, where a red-faced Amtrak manager explained what happened and passed out bags of Doritos.

The manager said the conductor left without getting the okay....

 

[jamesontheroad]

There's a discussion on this over on the Amtrak Unlimited forums here: http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/60798-amtrak-ghost-train/

There were some passengers on the train. Some had already switched platforms and some were already on board from stations between Boston and New York City, so it would have been quiet but not completely empty on board.

 

[185]

Unsurprising. Amtrak still really don't 'get it' how to run a railway.

Sad, as in my opinion, they've some lovely stock, lovely destinations, great staff....

...just diabolical management who try run themselves as an airline.

 

[Via Bank]

Could the boarding system at Penn Station be a contributing factor here? I've never been but AIUI, the 'blessed' way is for pax to be held at the gates to the platforms and then shepherded down when it's time to board.

'Why' is a mystery: does Amtrak consider its passengers too stupid to allow others out of the train before they get on? Is it supposed to stop passengers stampeding between platforms in the event of an alteration? (If so, it clearly it didn't work here, since the alteration was not communicated properly.)

 

[philabos]

Actually, there is not much choice. This train was inbound from Boston and discharged passengers. The platforms at Penn Station are narrow and there is quite a jam with people hunting their way to escalators. Allowing outbound passengers access would cause chaos. The usual boarding plan actually works despite the strict confines of an inadequate facility. Unfortunately in this case, station staff either gave or heard the incorrect platform. At that stage, the situation could have been recovered with minor delay had not the train departed without receiving the light from station staff.

 

[306024]

Could the boarding system at Penn Station be a contributing factor here? I've never been but AIUI, the 'blessed' way is for pax to be held at the gates to the platforms and then shepherded down when it's time to board.

'Why' is a mystery: does Amtrak consider its passengers too stupid to allow others out of the train before they get on? Is it supposed to stop passengers stampeding between platforms in the event of an alteration? (If so, it clearly it didn't work here, since the alteration was not communicated properly.)

If you had been there you would see why. At track level Penn station is a hell hole that makes Birmingham New Street appear positively palatial. The system is OK but you can get slightly anxious if there is a bit of late running and you haven't been called by departure time.

Of course it makes seeing which loco is on the train more difficult, but I guess that doesn't bother 99.9% of the passengers.

And fortunately our delay repay refunds are not calculated in terms of 'bags of Doritos'

 

[AM9]

If you had been there you would see why. At track level Penn station is a hell hole that makes Birmingham New Street appear positively palatial. The system is OK but you can get slightly anxious if there is a bit of late running and you haven't been called by departure time.

Of course it makes seeing which loco is on the train more difficult, but I guess that doesn't bother 99.9% of the passengers.

Having recently travelled from NY to BOS, I agree that Penn Central is so wrong for Amtrak's dependence on it. The platforms are no bigger than the narrowest at New Street, it is dark, there is no indication of where trains are going nor many staff to ask. The concourse is like a 3rd world airport terminal. Everybody stands around looking at departure displays and trying to hear announcements for a specific train. Only then do staff let passengers squeeze down narrow escalators to the platforms. All this assumes that you are lucky enough not to be put through luggage screening.
It's as though the whole system was mandated by the domestic airlines to ensure fair competition.

 

[steevp]

The main station at Toronto is no better and there you also have to wait until shepherded onto the train. I also think the same thing happened when we changed trains at Montreal. Cracking trip though from Toronto to Halifax overnight - recommend it!

 

[jamesontheroad]

I can't think of a single station in a major North American city that has a pleasant platform ambience. Of those mentioned above - NYC Penn, Toronto Union and Montréal Gare Centrale are all very dark and industrial. Chicago is similar, albeit without the high level platforms of the north-east. It is in everyone's best interest to remain in the concourse until boarding is called, if only to minimise the negative impression of these stations.

Excuse the thread drift, however...

My single favourite North American railway station is Ottawa's. It replaced Union Station downtown in 1966. Although now a little shabby, it has a dramatic steel space frame roof that flies over the open plan ticket hall, and beautifully executed spiral ramps that take passengers down to the underpass beneath the tracks. A covered pedestrian bridge links the concourse to the below-grade Transitway stops outside.

Streetview: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.416727,-75.65238,3a,75y,108.14h,92.2t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1s_ZkJWpXy4vOkS8JO1_1VTw!2e0?hl=en

Pictures of the ramps: http://younesbounhar.com/2010/02/15/curves-curves-curves/

 

[philabos]

306024, Birmingham New Street would indeed be a vast improvement for the busiest station in the US, sad to say.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

I rather liked LA Union. Big, airy and nice open platforms.

 

[306024]

306024, Birmingham New Street would indeed be a vast improvement for the busiest station in the US, sad to say.

To be fair though, some if the architecture of other stations is quite stunning. LA Union is indeed good as the platforms are upstairs in the fresh air rather than underground, but the waiting area is fine too.

Chicago has an impressive station hall, as of course does Philadelphia which I guess you are more than familiar with. Seattle is pleasant, shame there aren't more trains Houston used to be good, judging by the baseball stadium tour that takes in part of the former main station, but its replacement is, to be charitable, basic.

Grand Central Terminal in New York however is the complete opposite to Penn. Join the walking tour, very interesting.

 

[ac-03]

I too agree that its safer for all concerned to stay at street level at NYP.

Best station for me would be Grand Central in NYC.

I recently travelled from Vancouver to Seattle on Amtrak. Journey was reasonable but was delayed by freight trains overtaking our service when we was put onto a branch line.

Outside of the the Northeast corridor which has a semi decent service another line really worth traveling on is the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to San Diego.

 

[GatwickDepress]

I'm always surprised at how narrow the platforms are at some stations in America. I understand why it is, but still, even the narrowest tube station isn't that bad!

 

[306024]

Outside of the the Northeast corridor which has a semi decent service another line really worth traveling on is the Pacific Surfliner from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Yes agree with that, and it links two cities that are well worth visiting too. Was talking to a San Diego driver at LA earlier this year while waiting for our train to arrive. He was quite interested in our UK rail system, good guy to chat to.

 

[ac6000cw]

I rather liked LA Union. Big, airy and nice open platforms.

I agree - and last time I was there it still had the traditional big curvaceous wooden benches in the waiting area - the southern California climate helps too

Washington DC Union Station is very nice, but Grand Central Terminal has to take first place in the 'top ten' North American big city stations.

However, my all-time favourite US station isn't any of the above - it's Fullerton, Orange County, CA. Classic 'Mission' style buildings, a platform cafe with outdoor tables, a restaurant with trackside views, palm trees, sunshine and a non-stop procession of Amtrak Surfliner, Metrolink commuter and BNSF freight trains on a triple-track mainline. What more could a rail enthusiast need ?

 

[philabos]

Yes, Grand Central Terminal is indeed a gem but it is used for suburban service only.
Perhaps, the best intercity station is indeed Philadelphia 30th Street for its ambience and the frequency of intercity train service.

 

[Jonny]

I'm always surprised at how narrow the platforms are at some stations in America. I understand why it is, but still, even the narrowest tube station isn't that bad!

Not even Clapham North (Northern Line)?