Amtrak service resumes between New York and Albany; some delays expected through Saturday

Amtrak service resumes between New York and Albany; some delays expected through Saturday

By Trains Staff | November 16, 2023

| Last updated on February 2, 2024


Work continues to return second track to operation

Train arrives at station where a large number of people wait on platform
New York City-bound Empire Service train No. 238 approaches a crowd of passengers waiting to board at Hudson, N.Y., on Aug. 21, 2022. Empire Service and other Amtrak trains are again operating between Penn Station and Albany, N.Y. Bob Johnston

NEW YORK — Amtrak has said to expect “single-tracking delays and speed restrictions” as it resumes service between New York Penn Station and Albany, N.Y., today (Thursday, Nov. 16) following four days of disruptions because of structural issues with a parking garage above its tracks in New York City.

A message on its AmtrakNECAlerts social media feed says the delays are anticipated to continue until Saturday, Nov. 18.

The first northbound train of the day, the Maple Leaf, left Penn Station on time at 7:15 a.m. and was 16 minutes late departing Croton-Harmon, N.Y.

In a Wednesday statement quoted on the NY1 news site, Amtrak said it appreciates “the patience and understanding of our customers who were inconvenienced by the structural issue at the non-Amtrak-owned parking garage. … We have been assured by the NYC Department of Buildings, and other city and state agencies that we are collaborating with, that upon the garage work completion, it will be safe again for train travel.”

Small holes were discovered in ramps at the parking garage last weekend, at least one of which provided a view through to the Amtrak right-of-way below. Further inspection found damaged and deteriorated beams [see “Some Amtrak trains between Penn Station, Albany to resume …,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 14, 2023].

The service is resuming although a Nov. 13 notice regarding the suspension between New York and Croton-Harmon remains active on the Amtrak website as of 7:30 a.m. CST today.

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