Lautenberg Funeral Train

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ne52

Train Attendant
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Dec 8, 2012
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Since the other thread has drifted into the special election topic, for those who are in the area or interested, Lautenberg's office released the schedule of services today.

The way its worded looks like it will involve an already scheduled Amtrak train. I would assume it there would be an extra car attached. For that reason, I'm assuming it would be one of the regionals and that they'd use one of the Metroliner charter conference cars. Adding the baggage car would slow an already scheduled train. I don't know that you'd have any room to maneuver casket anywhere on an Acela, even in an empty car.

Will be interested to see pictures.

"3:00 p.m.: A Color Guard ceremony transferring the casket to Amtrak train en route to Washington, D.C.
Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station
Main Concourse
County Rd at County Ave
Secaucus"

The only earlier train is 2:05 so I would assume it's one of the following, likely #85 or #173:

2163 Acela Express
Departs NYP: 3:00 PM
85 Northeast Regional
Departs NYP: 3:05 PM
173 Northeast Regional
Departs NYP: 3:35 PM
2165 Acela Express
Departs NYP: 4:00 PM
127 Northeast Regional
Departs NYP: 4:05 PM
 
Today. The funeral service is going on now. I believe they are televising it on one of the CSPAN's.

As far as I can tell they are driving from the Upper East Side to Secaucus to load it there. Logistically it would make more sense to just load it at NYP.

That drive should take at least half an hour even with a police escort so I don't know if the TV coverage will stay with it that long after services are over.
 
Thanks - those hit BWI at 5:55 and 6:15, so should be off work in time.

I'm going to be tied down working until at least 4, so if anyone else nails it down further, posting here would be greatly appreciated.
 
I should be able to find out a little bit more between 4 and 5 and will post here if I do.
 
Adding the baggage car would slow an already scheduled train. I don't know that you'd have any room to maneuver casket anywhere on an Acela, even in an empty car.
Throwing him into an old and decrepit baggage car would be very wrong (CAF, can we turn them V2's a little faster...)

The Corridor Clipper or Beech Groove modified Amfleets would be very fitting, though I don't know if the vestibule doors are wide enough to allow the casket to be turned so that it can rest inside. Keeping it in the vestible would be kinda iffy.

Probably Acela is best choice since the doors are wider and it runs hourly, but we don't know if there is a whole car available for Mr. Lautenberg and what I would refer to as his entourage, on such short notice. If they determine this, when it will have to be the Business Class car with him in the space closest to the locomotive, so as to not impede normal walking traffic.
 
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This inspired a trip today. I'm on the bus to the Pascack Valley Line to Hackensack so I can make a stop at Secacus and see the festivities going on ther. I'm planning to get the train passing at Elizabeth or North Elizabeth. I'll report back.
 
There is speculation on another rail forum that the classis Pennsylvania 120, used in Robert Kennedy's funeral train, might be on tap.

Anyone out there know for sure?
 
Motorcade is about to leave so you should know pretty soon.
 
Sitting at Secaucus. Everything is running late. The Senator hasn't arrived yet. The middle platform is closed for all of the next departures. The station has 3 platforms. Only the outside two are in use for the next NJT departures. I see Joe Boardman. I assume there sending down a special train. Since the station has faregates between the upper and lower platforms (and I can only pass to the upper platforms once) I haven't gone down to see if there is a special train on the Platform. Sitting on a bench in the main concourse just watching the scene.
 
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Ceremony currently going on inside the station. Going from bagpipes to science hearing the Solari flip boards.
 
Wow, great work, SubwayNut! It is fitting that they use the 10001 special Amfleet car for him, and even a whole train.

Thanks for your great observations to report the news; I was going to try and make it to Newark via PATH after work, but with this early hour it will be long gone past.
 
Will want to know ETA at WIL & train # so that I can maybe position myself somewhere near home to try to take pics.
 
Still sitting there in Secaucus. My issue is a nearly 50 minute gap in service from Secaucus south to Elizabeth where I hoping to photograph it. Have a good spot at the end of the platform at Secaucus.
 
What's a best guess on arrival to WAS (I'll assume Odenton is about 25 minutes before that).

Regional seem to go about 2h50, Acela 2h35. Obviously the heritage bag will only do 110, but they won't be stopping. Assume the lower speed and lack of stops cancel and call it 2h30? That'd be DC at 6:45, puts it by me around 6:15?
 
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