Amtrak Empire Service pre 1991

[46Dover]

When Amtrak was serving Grand Central Terminal, where did the trains go for servicing?

 

[CCC1007]

Albany maybe?

 

[railiner]

Albany for the majority of the trains. The Lake Shore was based in Chicago. There was a small mechanical force at NYG that could do minor repairs, as well....

IIRC, there was also a mini-commissary to resupply certain items, ...

 

[the_traveler]

Also, there was a commissary in ALB (although I'm not certain when it closed).

 

[jis]

AFAIK, the primary servicing of Empire Service trains still takes place in the Rensselaer Shops. Of course Commissary stocking happens only in Sunnyside now.

The Commissary in Albany was discontinued when food service on NYP - ALB service was discontinued.

I believe one difference from the NYG days is that the Lake Shore New York Section is now based out of New York and not out of Chicago. Its consist occasionally gets interchanged with the Star or the Meteor and such. Chicago basically does roll in roll out servicing of it, which probably is just as well. except that they seem to be able to leave them out in the cold without HEP connection in the winter for far too long anyway.

 

[railiner]

Way back in the New York Central days, long distance trains were towed back to the Mott Haven shops for servicing. When Amtrak ran the Lake Shore into NYG, they turned the train on the loop track, and serviced it in the Terminal. Now that the train goes to NYP, it is serviced at Sunnyside....

 

[Thirdrail7]

Albany for the majority of the trains. The Lake Shore was based in Chicago. There was a small mechanical force at NYG that could do minor repairs, as well....

IIRC, there was also a mini-commissary to resupply certain items, ...

Albany was the calendar day inspection point for this service. Since NG was designated as a turnaround point, the mechanical forces could concentrate on running gear issues. Non running gear issues looped back to ALB. In the case of a major problem and PM needs, the cars were actually shipped to BOS.

AFAIK, the primary servicing of Empire Service trains still takes place in the Rensselaer Shops. Of course Commissary stocking happens only in Sunnyside now.

The Commissary in Albany was discontinued when food service on NYP - ALB service was discontinued.

I believe one difference from the NYG days is that the Lake Shore New York Section is now based out of New York and not out of Chicago. Its consist occasionally gets interchanged with the Star or the Meteor and such. Chicago basically does roll in roll out servicing of it, which probably is just as well. except that they seem to be able to leave them out in the cold without HEP connection in the winter for far too long anyway.

The only thing I would add is ALB does PM/Overhaul on the baggage cars and P-32 fleet. Anything regarding the amfleets is shipped to WAS via NYP.