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Switch Problems, Overhead Wire Problems, Derailments, Signal Problems and Escalators not working.
The end of a Great Facility, since neither Amtrak nor its tenants have money to invest into the failing facility. Yes the NE Corridor is deteriorating before our eyes. Fortunately for myself, my daily commute is now only once or twice a month. AEM-7’s from the 1980's continue to pull regional trains along the corridor, (usually double headed), while NJ Transit has retired 40 or so ALP-44 from the 1990's. It is heart breaking to see the remains of the Great PRR failing at such a rapid rate. And I have not addressed the major problem; the two tunnels under the Hudson River and the Portal Bridge which are over 100 years old. Wait until they fail, no service from the South into New York City. Where are the visionaries??? Regards to all Jerry
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I had the "opportunity" to ride an Amtrak Regional from Phila to Newark recently. The first coach I sat in had a low-frequency buzzing sound comming from the vestibule area that was so annoying I had to move to another car. This car was quieter, but the ride quality was exceedingly rough! The end doors also had an annoying habit of popping open and closed repeatedly for no apparent reason. This stuff reminds me of the last days of Penn Central!

About the only positive factor on the trip was that it was fast.
PRR Man, I too rode in every working day for almost 15 years. I do agree the tunnels will probably out last all of us, but the locomotives are old, and as you correctly pointed out the power system still runs at 11,000 Volts and the overhead wires use turn buckles rather than counter weights (unlike the newer NH to Boston section of the NE Corridor). The real problem will be the Portal Bridge which is the same age as the tunnels and how long that stays in operation is anyone's guess. Several years ago as you probably know there was a fire that came close to doing extensive damage to this critical structure. It's been 40 years of underfunding and very little maintenance, how long will this great rail system continue to operate?
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