Keystone Service & New York City Upcoming Snow (3/8/18)

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benjibear

Conductor
Joined
Dec 9, 2011
Messages
1,078
I am traveling to New York City for a Thursday morning appointment at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I was leaving on Keystone 656 on Wednesday which would get me into New York at about 9:00PM, staying overnight, and returning later on Thursday. At least that was the plan.

Now, I am seeing they are predicting 6-10 inches of snow on Wednesday, ending about the time I arrive in New York.

First, I don't think it will be enough snow to greatly affect my travel on Amtrak. Does everyone agree?

Second, I see that Amtrak notes trains on the keystone schedule that are designated to run in severe weather. My train is not. However, the later train, 618, which is, only goes as far as Philadelphia and then you transfer to NER 188. I assume 188 would run in a severe weather schedule but looked over on the NEC timetables and they do not appear to designate severe weather trains like they do in the Keystone schedule. Thoughts?

Third, let's say I get into New York at 9:00 PM at the end of a 10" snow fall, will I be able to get a taxi to my hotel in the Time Square area?

My thought is that I shouldn't have any issues with my original plan, because while this is a major snow storn, it doesn't appear that it will be a blizzard, break any records, or be that bad. I just thought I would see what the experts here say. I do understand that there is an increased risk of a service disruption, but I don't think it is a sure thing.

It is stressful enough traveling to New York to see a cancer specialist, but with the concerns over the weather, I would appreciate any answers and help.
 
No one can guess for sure what will or will not run when it comes time, specially since the NEC is going to be very close to the sharp line dividing 12" -18" on one side and maybe 3" on the other side, that can shift with a minor jiggle in the final position of the low.

The best one can do is keep a close eye on what Amtrak plans to run and then see how things develop.

All it takes is a frozen switch or a downed wire to throw the best laid out plan completely haywire, even without a single snowflake on the ground.

Best you can do is stick to the trains that Amtrak says it plans to run, and then keep your fingers crossed, hope for the best. Remember that stressing over it is not going to change what will happen. Just go with the flow as things develop.
 
Not to say it will or will not, but generally trains have no problems in snow. The big problem is high winds taking down trees and/or wires stopping the trains from running. It is also impossible to say about taxis in NYC - it depends on driving conditions there.
 
Second, I see that Amtrak notes trains on the keystone schedule that are designated to run in severe weather. My train is not. However, the later train, 618, which is, only goes as far as Philadelphia and then you transfer to NER 188. I assume 188 would run in a severe weather schedule but looked over on the NEC timetables and they do not appear to designate severe weather trains like they do in the Keystone schedule. Thoughts?

i'd keep an eye on the website for updates. I get the sneaky suspicion that if you're planning on 618 to 188, you're going to need another plan.
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As for taking a taxi to Times Square, the subway should be operational.
 
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At the risk of stating the obvious, you may want to call Sloan Kettering and simply ask if you can (or should) reschedule. If the snow fouls up transport on the NEC, there may be a risk that the people you are meeting with won't be there, either. I'm sure the facility itself will stay open, but non-emergency functions may be curtailed.
 
Trip was OK. We ended up leaving Tuesday night catching the Keystone and needing to change trains in PHL to the Palmetto. The Palmetto was running about 30-40 minutes late. We didn't get into NYP to our hotel till between 1 and 2. It snowed in New York, but didn't stick, only some slush. Coming back on Thursday we got our Keystone at 4:47 which ran a few minutes late over the run. Trains were full with standing room only leaving NYP and PHL because many of the Keystones were canceled and the snow hit Jersey bad.
 
It was smart of you to go up a day earlier, and I'm glad you got back and forth okay. Hope you got a seat on the trains, though.
 
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