Amtrak is planning to operate some trains from Grand Central Terminal rather than Penn Station this summer.
The move comes as officials work to make emergency repairs to Penn Station.
As part of the modified Amtrak service and in coordination with New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), three roundtrip Empire Service trains (six total trains) will operate between Albany-Rensselaer and Grand Central Terminal from July 10 until Sept. 1.
In addition, Crescent trains will start and terminate in Washington. Meanwhile, tickets on Silver Service and Cardinal trains will be open to all customers, not just long-distance travelers.
According to Amtrak, renewal and maintenance recently completed includes:
- Renewal of 125 feet of station track 7 at east end limits including the replacement of 600 railroad ties
- Total switch replacement consisting of several sections within tracks 3X and 4X in “A” interlocking (west side of Penn Station)
- Wood, timber and rail replacement within “JO” interlocking (east side of Penn Station)
- Replacement of 96 block ties in Line 1 of the East River tunnels
- Replacement of block ties within station tracks 2 and 10
- Positioning of equipment in New York and New Jersey in preparation for the extensive summer work in July and August
- Daily maintenance work
