Amtrak - New York Penn Station - Moynihan Train Hall opens 1 January 2021

[Shinkansenfan]

Amtrak's busiest station by ridership--New York Penn Station--is set to expand into the new Moynihan Train Hall. Opens New Year's day 2021.

Moynihan Train Hall (MTH) is a westward expansion of the station across 8 Avenue. Amtrak's ticketing offices, waiting room, baggage check in facilties and baggage claim facilities will also shift to MTH, except during overnight hours when MTH will be closed to the public and the existing station facilities will be used. This primarily affects passengers riding trains 66 and 67, the overnight train to Boston and Washington DC.





Along with MTH, there will be a new first class lounge, which has been rebranded to the original name of "Metropolitan Lounge." This was the name used before the Acela trainsets were introduced. The Metropolitan Lounge was rebranded as Club Acela, and now the original name reverts. Unlike today's lounge, which is windowless and cramped during peak hours, the new lounge will be larger, have upgraded food and beverage service, and features a north facing indoor terrace overlooking the skylit great hall with sidewalk cafe type seating, and wing backed chairs overlooking 31 Street. In between are a variety of seating configurations for individual travelers, couples, small groups and families.

In addition, to MTH a fleet of 8 new custom designed, self propelled, baggage carts that can carry 2,500 pounds of baggage will be deployed in service. The first four carts have entered service with the balance due next week.

These self propelled carts replace older self propelled carts that are approximately 70 years old, which I believe are the oldest continuously operated self propelled baggage carts at any major railway station. These double ended carts feature power steering at both ends of the cart (to eliminate the need to turn carts), regenerative braking, touch screens and computer diagnostics. The carts are designed to fit within the confines of Amtrak's baggage elevators and negotiate the eccentric platform widths that are variable, and negotiate tight turns and ramps in the back of house areas. The reason they are of a bespoke design is that an extensive search during the design stage found that there were no existing off the shelf carts that could meet Amtrak's requirements. These carts are intended to have a 35 year life span.

I'm the project manager for the design and procurement of this new fleet of baggage carts. Under a separate contract, I planned portions of the new MTH, including the ticketing area, baggage check in, baggage claim, baggage sorting room, parcel express facilities and other back of house areas.

More information on MTH here: https://www.amtrak.com/about-amtrak/future-of-rail/moynihan-train-hall.html

 

[185]

Looks amazing, and will be a great improvement on dark and soulless Penn. Wish I was over there to see it open. The old post office building is a very tidy piece of architecture.

I do hope some improvements take place downstairs too, it is a scene from hell / the Equaliser underneath Penn - many local staff said that too. Could do with new walking surfaces on the platforms and high intensity lighting down there, plus clear and resite some of the clutter / machinery.

My only concern with the new concourse is the huge numbers at rush hour, not based on models but real high numbers of passengers - time will tell if it will cope, or need tweaking.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Did anyone see that picture and think Birmingham New St (i.e. the new poshed up version)?

 

[Ianno87]

Looks fabulous! Hopefully properly sized for peak demand.

 

[Neptune]

It’s been a long time coming but will be a massive improvement over the current dark, dank station which is an awful place to be.

Looking forward to seeing it in November (COVID permitting).

 

[davetheguard]

Did anyone see that picture and think Birmingham New St (i.e. the new poshed up version)?

Yes! I've never been to Penn station, but I've heard it's pretty grim, so it looks like both the New York & Birmingham examples are big improvements on what was there immediately before.

 

[67thave]

Looks amazing, and will be a great improvement on dark and soulless Penn. Wish I was over there to see it open. The old post office building is a very tidy piece of architecture.

I do hope some improvements take place downstairs too, it is a scene from hell / the Equaliser underneath Penn - many local staff said that too. Could do with new walking surfaces on the platforms and high intensity lighting down there, plus clear and resite some of the clutter / machinery.

My only concern with the new concourse is the huge numbers at rush hour, not based on models but real high numbers of passengers - time will tell if it will cope, or need tweaking.

As someone who used Penn Station on a near-daily basis until March, chances are that the new concourse will not significantly reduce congestion in the complex. Firstly, the new concourse is located further away from the center of Midtown compared to the existing portion of Penn Station, and people aren't going to walk the extra block to avoid the crowds. Secondly, accessing the new concourse is very inconvenient for passengers coming off of the IRT at 7th Avenue, as they'd have to fight through the crowds in the existing part of the station to reach the new portion. Thirdly, the concourse is primarily designed for Amtrak passengers, and the vast majority of people who use Penn are NJT or LIRR passengers.

 

[cle]

As someone who used Penn Station on a near-daily basis until March, chances are that the new concourse will not significantly reduce congestion in the complex. Firstly, the new concourse is located further away from the center of Midtown compared to the existing portion of Penn Station, and people aren't going to walk the extra block to avoid the crowds. Secondly, accessing the new concourse is very inconvenient for passengers coming off of the IRT at 7th Avenue, as they'd have to fight through the crowds in the existing part of the station to reach the new portion. Thirdly, the concourse is primarily designed for Amtrak passengers, and the vast majority of people who use Penn are NJT or LIRR passengers.

Of course. They are the closest equivalent in this country's airport fetish.

This development is welcome (I am also a user of this station, for my sins), but doesn't come with any platform level improvements (staircases, lifts and escalators are beyond pathetic, as is Americans' use of the latter - although they are very narrow) - let alone any capacity improvements.

At a minimum, some trackworks to enable more tracks access onto the Hudson route - I do appreciate a Gateway Tunnel is not in scope and won't fall out of the sky.

Nice timing with the Avelias though, funny that. More turd polishing.

 

[nlogax]

Nice timing with the Avelias though, funny that. More turd polishing.

It is a bit, I agree. The Hudson tunnel project is of far more strategic significance, maybe it'll finally happen.

 

[cle]

It is a bit, I agree. The Hudson tunnel project is of far more strategic significance, maybe it'll finally happen.

Has a better chance under Biden than anyone! Mayor Pete is transit-friendly too.

NJT (largest current user and future beneficiary) needs a severe overhaul too. It’s a complete s—show.

 

[Shinkansenfan]

The new train hall opened to the public on New Year's day. Wandering over on an overcast, winter's day, we're greeted by a new entrance which just opened.

This entrance at 7 Avenue and 33 Street is not part of the new train hall, but instead is part of set of improvements at Penn Station to provide more direct station access for pedestrians, reduce pedestrian circulation bottlenecks and increase passenger waiting areas.

That's the Empire State Building which greets you. A map of the New York City area is splayed out, and is part of the artwork. This entrance was popular with photographers today. At night, eight different LED light patterns can be displayed. All photos in this post were taken by the author.




Until 1 January 2021, this was Amtrak's full time concourse, ticketing and waiting area at Penn Station. It evokes Euston Station or Birmingham New Street Station prior to rebuilding. Signs now redirect customers across the street to Amtrak's new facilities. Somewhat misleading (and not signposted here), between 01:00 to 05:00, Amtrak trains still board from this concourse since the new train hall is closed during those hours.

If you have a ticket, as an Amtrak, LIRR or NJ Transit customer, you can still board your train from anywhere convenient to you. Just head directly to the platform, whether from the east end near 7 Avenue or the west end at 8 Avenue or in between. The exception is if you're traveling to either Montreal or Toronto. Then, Amtrak requires you to check in with staff before boarding the train.




Next three photos: View from the Metropolitan (first class) Lounge which overlooks Moynihan Train Hall.

As can be seen, new platform access have been installed to improve circulation capacity. While some Amtrak customers may still wish to board the train from the legacy Amtrak waiting area-- which is now shared with NJ Transit customers-- others may wish to board from the new hall. This will help distribute passengers, and free up space for NJ Transit and LIRR passengers in the legacy station area.

The platforms have been brightened with new, energy efficient lighting. The platform level has been repainted and new wayfinding installed.

The terrace level hoardings to the left of the clock are temporary. Retail and food vendors will eventually occupy that space, which will visually open the train hall a bit more. This has been delayed due to COVID.





The train hall was popular with photographers and those with those who wanted to be photographed.




Ground floor looking southwest. The trusses have LEDs which cycle through different color patterns.




Metropolitan Lounge. Terrace view seating and terrace seating overlooking the hall.




Metropolitan Lounge. Seating area along 31 Street.



This is the ground floor waiting area for Amtrak and LIRR customers. You need a ticket to enter. Seating areas have USB and power outlets.

 

[306024]

Thanks for posting such excellent photographs. Looks like New York will be top of the list of destinations to rediscover when travel is permitted again.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Thanks for sharing the photos @Shikansenfan. I consider myself to be very lucky in that, despite being from Britain, my first ever trip to the USA was not by plane but by train from Montréal into New York. Arrived on a dark and rainy October night in 2005, which made the arrival into a gloomy Penn Station all the more dark, mysterious and suitably grimy.

 

[duncanp]

Did anyone see that picture and think Birmingham New St (i.e. the new poshed up version)?

As well as Birmingham New Street, I am also reminded of London Kings Cross, both before and after it was rebuilt.

The cafe terrace overlooking the concourse is exactly what is in place at Kings Cross.

 

[AM9]

Thanks for posting such excellent photographs. Looks like New York will be top of the list of destinations to rediscover when travel is permitted again.

I think that will still be lipstick on a pig. Apart from the banning of diesel operation, everything else about Penn station is a disgrace for a wealthy place like NYC.

 

[the sniper]

I do wonder whether the designers visited Birmingham, looked at New Street and Moor Street and thought, we'll do much of the former and a bit of the latter!

 

[306024]

I think that will still be lipstick on a pig. Apart from the banning of diesel operation, everything else about Penn station is a disgrace for a wealthy place like NYC.

Most likely, and there’s plenty of better reasons for visiting New York than looking at a railroad station, but having used Penn a few times it will still be interesting to see what they’ve done.

Thanks for sharing the photos @Shikansenfan. I consider myself to be very lucky in that, despite being from Britain, my first ever trip to the USA was not by plane but by train from Montréal into New York. Arrived on a dark and rainy October night in 2005, which made the arrival into a gloomy Penn Station all the more dark, mysterious and suitably grimy.

Reminds me of my first visit to NY. Had a lift to Poughkeepsie and caught the train to Grand Central. Wonderful way to arrive, slightly spoilt by walking outside the station and seeing two armed cops pointing their guns at a guy laying on the sidewalk. Time to make a swift exit.

 

[AM9]

Most likely, and there’s plenty of better reasons for visiting New York than looking at a railroad station, but having used Penn a few times it will still be interesting to see what they’ve done. ...

Yes I've done NYC three times so far, (deliberately gave Trump US a miss). As a passenger in 2014, I went from Penn Station to Boston. Although I'd got used to the 'industrial' envirnment of the MTA*, the hole under the crowded departure area at Penn. really is a shock, especially as that NW corridor is Amtrak's most successful route. Grand Central is is a far nicer environment even though most of it's custom is commuter/day trippers. It's a shame that the original Penn. shed was destroyed as recently as 1963. It must have been NYC's 'Euston doric arch' event.
* Compared to artistically cultured environment of other historic metros like Paris and London.
Must vist in NY is B&H, - the photographers/videographers dream grotto.

 

[Mojo]

Looks nice, although I always found the most objectionable thing about Amtrak is their obsession with making people wait around on the concourse until the inbound train had arrived and let off all its customers, before then allowing customers down to the platform via a narrow escalator or door in a scrum. Looking at the photos of the new concourse it doesn’t sound as if this policy will have changed much. Most infuriating of this policy is the fact that on most routes despite trains being “reservations compulsory,” the reservations are just for the train and don’t guarantee you the seats you want. Even travelling as just the two of us once we had to separate ourselves for several hours until a pair of seats became available.

 

[Shinkansenfan]

Thanks 306024, Jamesontheroad, Davetheguard, Neptune, Ianno87, 185 and others for your kind comments!

Looks nice, although I always found the most objectionable thing about Amtrak is their obsession with making people wait around on the concourse until the inbound train had arrived and let off all its customers, before then allowing customers down to the platform via a narrow escalator or door in a scrum. Looking at the photos of the new concourse it doesn’t sound as if this policy will have changed much. Most infuriating of this policy is the fact that on most routes despite trains being “reservations compulsory,” the reservations are just for the train and don’t guarantee you the seats you want. Even travelling as just the two of us once we had to separate ourselves for several hours until a pair of seats became available.

This concern has been raised before. The official party line is that the platforms at New York Penn Station are generally narrow and crowded, and to avoid congestion Amtrak would prefer that customers wait on the upper concourse level.

That said, there are several workarounds. I'll post two:

1. If you travel out of NYP in first class or sleeper, Red Caps are supposed to escort customers from the first class lounge to the platform before general boarding starts.

2. If you are traveling coach class, find a Red Cap and ask them to bring you down to the platform level a few minutes early. Be sure to tip them.


During the pandemic, Amtrak is reserving a pair of seats for each booked passenger, so you get two seats for the price of one. Great value! If traveling as a couple, you can either have four seats to yourself, or sit together and leave the pair empty.

Acela trainsets have airline style numbered seats (i.e. seat 5A, 5C with no 5B) and it was part of their marketing to say that unlike the air shuttles, Acela has no middle seats. When first introduced each Acela seat was specifically assigned. That did not last long due to people ignoring their seat assignments.

Amtrak has brought back assigned seating on certain trains, including Acela: https://www.amtrak.com/reserved-seating

 

[Bletchleyite]

Most infuriating of this policy is the fact that on most routes despite trains being “reservations compulsory,” the reservations are just for the train and don’t guarantee you the seats you want. Even travelling as just the two of us once we had to separate ourselves for several hours until a pair of seats became available.

Not only that, but they lock coaches OOU if they "don't need" them even though that would mean people could spread out for greater comfort.

I don't get why they don't reserve actual seats on compulsory reservation trains (which as you say is almost all of them). It's not like it's difficult, and the formations are consistent.

 

[nlogax]

Great photos, thanks @Shinkansenfan ! As someone else has said it's similar to pre and post improvement at Kings Cross, although slightly lacking in character in comparison. It's very 'clean' and uncluttered concourse though in the same vein as Phila. 30th St or D.C. Union.

 

[williamn]

The exception is if you're traveling to either Montreal or Toronto. Then, Amtrak requires you to check in with staff before boarding the train.

It looks stunning and while it won't fix a lot of the stations operational issues it should make it a greatly more pleasant place.

Re the above - I have always wondered whey this is necessary. It seems to have no practical purpose, particularly as passengers who get on further up the line bound for these places board with no checks whatsoever. The sole reason seems to be to put a label on your bag which no-one ever looks at.