Amtrak Announces Restoration of Empire Service in Time for the Holiday Season

Governor Kathy Hochul, Amtrak and the New York State Department of Transportation today announced a restoration of Amtrak’s Empire Service that will aid passengers during the upcoming holiday and winter travel seasons. In October, Amtrak announced the decision to reduce service by two daily round trips between Albany and New York City and implemented additional operational modifications to the Maple Leaf and Adirondack lines while it undertakes a rehabilitation of the East River Tunnel which was flooded during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

After reevaluating all possible options, and in collaboration with commuter partners that utilize Penn Station, Amtrak is enhancing the Empire Service schedule in effect during construction work impacting Amtrak’s terminal in New York City. Beginning Monday, December 2, the new schedules will ensure that the trains used historically by more than 98 percent of Empire Service customers will be in service until Amtrak’s major tunnel work begins in the Spring. This includes:

The Adirondack and Maple Leaf will again operate as separate trains between New York City and Albany and allow for reduced wait times in Albany for Upstate customers.
Trains 235 and 238 will be restored.
Amtrak will add a fifth train car to the following trains: 233, 234, 235, 238, 244 and 245.

These measures will be effective through Sunday, Mar. 2, 2025. Amtrak will continue to evaluate the service plan, including additional capacity, to see if there are any new possibilities for making improvements, restoring service or modifying it based on future development.

The tunnel work, an essential infrastructure improvement project and a $1.6 billion investment for New York State, will improve train service reliability both within New York State and throughout the Northeast Corridor. It is a vital project that will restore two of the four tubes of the ERT that were badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. When complete, this project, as well as several others throughout the Northeast and nation, will benefit travelers and fortify our rail network for the first time in 100 years to last for the next 100 years.

Phase One Milestone of MTA Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a major Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) milestone with the completion of bridge replacement work on Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project. Through 128 bridge installations, the project replaced 8,240 track feet of the aging 132-year-old structure, all without disrupting Metro-North service. Thanks to strong project management and an innovative construction approach, the project as a whole is $93 million under budget and 51 months ahead of schedule.

Historic Railroad Equipment Display at Hoboken Terminal

On Sunday, October 12, the public is invited to Historic Hoboken Terminal to join NJ TRANSIT in celebrating New Jersey’s rich railroad history with some of the agency’s iconic heritage locomotives and railroad equipment – all while learning about career opportunities available on the railroad. “Meet Our Rail Fleet” will be held on Sunday, October 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. near Track 17 in Hoboken Terminal. Admission is free.