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MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Fri May 22 13:19:42 2026

Trains Magazine

MTA seeks proposals for 252 new Metro-North commuter coaches

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday asked passenger car manufacturers to submit proposals to build 252 single-level coaches for the Metro-North Railroad.

The request for proposal includes an option for an additional 377 cars to support potential expansions of the Metro-North service area.

The base order would replace coaches from the 1980s and 1990s that run on the Hudson and Harlem lines and represent 23% of Metro-North’s active passenger fleet. This is the first new Metro-North rolling stock coach purchase in decades.

“It’s time to upgrade the Metro-North passenger experience, with more modern, more reliable railcars,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “And this RFP is designed to get manufacturers and suppliers to think outside the box so they can deliver faster, better and cheaper than in the past.”

“Replacing the aging Shoreliner coaches from the 1980s will give Metro‑North’s riders the comfortable and convenient ride they deserve and operators the modern and flexible equipment they need to support reliable service for the next 40 years,” said MTA Chief of Rolling Stock Jessica Lazarus.

“Investing in new passenger coaches is a cornerstone of our commitment not only to the 250,000 customers who rely on Metro‑North each day, but also to the economic vitality of the region,” said Metro‑North Railroad President Justin Vonashek. “This competitive RFP invites railcar manufacturers to bring forward their best ideas and engineering solutions so we can deliver coaches that are more reliable, more accessible, and more comfortable for our riders.”

The new passenger coaches are being funded by the MTA’s 2025-29 capital plan, which received a historic $68 billion in the latest state budget. This capital plan features a $12 billion investment in new rolling stock across the MTA system and includes $6 billion specifically for Metro-North.

Three types of cabs in Metro-North order: cab cars with toilets, trailer cars with toilets, and trailer cars without toilets. Each seat approximately 100 riders.

The RFP technical specifications include two ADA-designated wheelchair areas per train car, ADA-compliant toilet access, higher quality announcement systems featuring an audio inductive loop for hearing impaired, high-resolution digital information screens, passenger wi-fi, device charging outlets, bike and luggage racks as well as onboard security cameras.

The new coaches will also improve reliability with a higher mean distance between failure — a measure of how long a car can operate without issues, repairs, or maintenance. Current cars have an average MDBF rate of 430,000 miles, compared to the new coaches, which will have an MDBF rate of 570,000 miles.

Proposals will be accepted through October 2026. The contract will be awarded in early 2027, with new passenger cars anticipated to be put in service in 2029.

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(1648551)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by cortelyounext on Fri May 22 19:22:39 2026, in response to MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Fri May 22 13:19:42 2026.

Thanks for sharing the informative article. I initially thought it was a heypaul post until I realized the subject line still had 10 vacant and available spaces for characters.

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(1648629)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Tue May 26 17:10:13 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by cortelyounext on Fri May 22 19:22:39 2026.

Looks like there aren't going to be any bilevel cars on Metro-North, then.

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(1648636)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Catfish 44 on Tue May 26 21:42:21 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by cortelyounext on Fri May 22 19:22:39 2026.

🤣

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(1648649)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Catfish 44 on Wed May 27 20:52:32 2026, in response to MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Fri May 22 13:19:42 2026.

Those must be the cars I saw working at Clemente Park today.
I have to take a ride on them before they’re gone for good.

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(1648650)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Wed May 27 21:09:31 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Tue May 26 17:10:13 2026.

Nope. Too many height restrictions in the Park Ave Tunnel and once in GCT, they'd never fit around the upper level loop.

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(1648651)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Wed May 27 21:37:58 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Wed May 27 21:09:31 2026.

The P32AC-DMs and SC42-DMs are 14' 4" above rail; a bilevel such as the Bombardier MLVs that NJT, MARC and Exo (Montreal) have stand 14' 6" above rail. Could be conceivable that a bilevel that is two inches shorter than that product may be made.

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(1648652)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Wed May 27 21:44:07 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Wed May 27 21:37:58 2026.

PS. Although the M8 cars are 14' 4" above rail along the roofline, the height with pantograph locked down is 14' 7½" above rail.

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(1648667)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Fri May 29 01:18:01 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Wed May 27 21:44:07 2026.

Also, the FL9s were all about 15' above rail.

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(1648673)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Fri May 29 10:05:14 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Fri May 29 01:18:01 2026.

Its the height of the car coupled with the 85'length that would cause problems negotiating the switches. Also, the length plus height would restrict it from using any loop tracks. The MTA would frown on any equipment that wouldn't go around the loop. Kills a cretain amount of equipment flexibility.

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(1648707)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Mon Jun 1 00:42:21 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Fri May 29 10:05:14 2026.

The upper loop should be fine.

The lower loop is kaput because it got abandoned and repurposed for pedestrian access to that absurd "Grand Central Madison" that ended up costing over three times as much as it was originally estimated to cost. Not that you could run too many different kinds of equipment around it, mind you.

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(1648713)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR ISSUES an RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by TRAIN DUDE on Mon Jun 1 07:34:56 2026, in response to MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Fri May 22 13:19:42 2026.

To be accurate. RFP is a "Request For Proposal". You do not seek a RFP. You issue an RFP and wait for a response from interested companies who wish to submit a proposal.

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(1648715)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR ISSUES an RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Mon Jun 1 12:45:15 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR ISSUES an RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by TRAIN DUDE on Mon Jun 1 07:34:56 2026.

Better tell the foamers at Trains Mag that.

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(1648716)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Mon Jun 1 13:48:46 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Mon Jun 1 00:42:21 2026.

IIRC they ran a few test runs of the C-3s into GCT years ago and it was determined that they could only use tks 1 & 3 in the Park Ave Tunnel and platform at tks 23 & 24 on the upper level. In other words, a straight shot from the tunnel to the platform with minimal if any switching. This level of restrictions was determined to be unacceptable for regular commuter service.

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(1648718)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by AlM on Mon Jun 1 15:07:08 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Mon Jun 1 00:42:21 2026.

The lower loop is kaput because it got abandoned and repurposed for pedestrian access to that absurd "Grand Central Madison"

I'm not understanding.

The Lower Level access to GCM is at the latitude of 45th Street, and most of it existed long before GCM - most of it was part of "Grand Central North," which was completed in 1999. The Lower Level loop is south of 43rd Street.

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(1648719)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Mon Jun 1 16:15:58 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Mon Jun 1 15:07:08 2026.

Regardless of where it is, the LL loop tracks are out of service. Thats the point.

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(1648720)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by rkba on Mon Jun 1 16:17:24 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Mon Jun 1 16:15:58 2026.

no sense trying to explain anything to al. he's one of our most mentally retarded posters.

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(1648721)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Train Dude on Mon Jun 1 16:44:56 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by rkba on Mon Jun 1 16:17:24 2026.

IAWTP

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(1648724)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by AlM on Mon Jun 1 17:48:49 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Mon Jun 1 16:15:58 2026.

Thats the point.

That's one point. But Olog is specifically blaming the death of the loop on GCM, and my guess is that he's just lying because he likes to make GCM look bad.

But someone might be able to prove me wrong. Feel free to give it a try.



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(1648727)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR ISSUES an RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Q4 on Mon Jun 1 20:49:45 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR ISSUES an RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by TRAIN DUDE on Mon Jun 1 07:34:56 2026.

To clarify further, the company who issued the RFP does not wait for a response from interested companies who wish to submit a proposal unless it is a two step process where they send in their qualifications first which are then evaluated. Those who make the cut, can then submit a proposal. This appears to be a one step RFP process where qualifications and proposals from interested parties are submitted and evaluated as part of the same process.

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(1648729)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Mon Jun 1 22:53:44 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Mon Jun 1 17:48:49 2026.

The lower level loop was expendable. It was rarely used. If it had to be sacrificed to make way for GCM, then so be it. Losing the LL loop in GCT had zero effect in service.

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(1648731)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Mon Jun 1 23:16:31 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Mon Jun 1 22:53:44 2026.

For 3½ times the original cost estimate?

Would have made more sense if eliminating the lower level loop was for the purpose of building the Alternative G of Access to the Region's Core, which was intended to connect to NY Penn and the Northeast Corridor et cetera.

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(1648734)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by AlM on Tue Jun 2 09:12:11 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Mon Jun 1 22:53:44 2026.

If it had to be sacrificed to make way for GCM, then so be it.

I would agree. But if it is true that pedestrian access to GCM killed the loop, I'd like to hear how that was cause and effect. And if it isn't true, then it shouldn't be posted.

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(1648735)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Tue Jun 2 09:16:10 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Mon Jun 1 23:16:31 2026.

What comes in underbudget nowadays? My idea was to punch thru the existing Park Ave Tunnel and give tks 113-117 to the LIRR. That would have saved a ton of $$$. But no. They had to build this elaborate monstrosity that may never reach its ridership potential.

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(1648736)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Q4 on Tue Jun 2 09:27:16 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Tue Jun 2 09:12:11 2026.

The main concourse of Grand Central Madison is in the area of what was Metro North’s Madison Yard and a portion of the lower level loop track.

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(1648737)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by irtredbirdr33 on Tue Jun 2 10:24:17 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Tue Jun 2 09:12:11 2026.



Once upon a time there were two loops on the lower level. The inner loop had a very tight radius and could not accommodate 85 foot cars. It was taken out of service sometime in the sixties. The outer loop was rarely used even when I was working down there.

Larry, RedbirdR33

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(1648740)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Tue Jun 2 11:42:25 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Tue Jun 2 09:12:11 2026.

Cause and effect doesn't apply here. Its practicality and reality that prevails. If it is more practical and more realistic to use where the LL loop and the Madison Ave yard were to make their station more accessible, then thats what they did. Nobody is making an issue of losing the LL loop. This goes back to when Amtrak left all those years ago that freed up more tracks on the upper level that made the LL loop expendable.

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(1648741)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by AlM on Tue Jun 2 11:52:38 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Q4 on Tue Jun 2 09:27:16 2026.

Ah OK, thanks, that makes sense. When Olog said "pedestrian access" I interpreted that as meaning the corridor from GCT lower level to GCM.



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(1648742)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by AlM on Tue Jun 2 11:55:50 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Tue Jun 2 11:42:25 2026.

Cause and effect doesn't apply here.

Actually, Q4 explained how it does apply. Sometimes it can take a lot of replies before a simple question gets answered. If the original statement had just been a little more clear I would have understood the reason from the very beginning. :)

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(1648749)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by terRAPIN station on Tue Jun 2 21:25:14 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Tue Jun 2 11:55:50 2026.

Or, you could have not stupidly questioned an easily verifiable statement of fact. There may be plenty of posts of his to question but this clearly wasn’t one of them.

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(1648754)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Wed Jun 3 01:27:55 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Tue Jun 2 11:42:25 2026.

This goes back to when Amtrak left all those years ago that freed up more tracks on the upper level …

Amtrak did not free up too many slots. Not like they had NEC-level frequency on GCT-Rensselaer or GCT-further west on what became the Empire Corridor. Not to mention, those slots suddenly reappear whenever problems with the Harlem River/Canal bridge manifest.

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(1648755)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR issuing RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Wed Jun 3 01:28:43 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Mon Jun 1 17:48:49 2026.

Olog is specifically blaming the death of the loop on GCM

Didn't say that.

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(1648756)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by randyo on Wed Jun 3 02:44:13 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Tue Jun 2 09:16:10 2026.

AFAIK, it was the original intent for the LIRR to claim some of the trackage in the original GCT but of course that changed.

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(1648757)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by AlM on Wed Jun 3 06:58:56 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by terRAPIN station on Tue Jun 2 21:25:14 2026.

Or, you could have not stupidly questioned an easily verifiable statement of fact.

It doesn't look like most other people knew the answer either. Besides, the original post I responded to was easy to misinterpret as referring to the 45th street passageway and not the GCM Concourse.

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(1648758)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Fisk Ave Jim on Wed Jun 3 09:28:54 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Wed Jun 3 01:27:55 2026.

At one time, tks 24-23-18 & the upper level loop tracks we more or less "dedicated" to Amtrak since those tracks had auxillary HEP standby power via jumpers. All other tracks only had ground steam.

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(1648759)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR issuing RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by Olog-hai on Wed Jun 3 13:21:49 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by randyo on Wed Jun 3 02:44:13 2026.

The MTA is a laugh a minute.

For what was spent on GCM, both the LIRR and Metro-North could have been converted to overhead wire electrification. And Alternative G could have been built. The 63rd Street tunnels would have had to find different use, of course . . .

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(1648770)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by terRAPIN station on Thu Jun 4 00:51:44 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by AlM on Wed Jun 3 06:58:56 2026.

No, you’re completely wrong. It was quite clear what he meant. And as anyone who’s been there can attest, as well as anyone who’s spent any time looking at the GCM plans during the 18 years of construction can attest, as well as anyone who took a tour or tours of the GCM caverns during construction can attest, as well as anyone who’s looked at the Lexington Ave ie line station improvement project plans can attest, GCM clearly took over the lower level loop area to provide pedestrian access and connectivity.

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(1648771)

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Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners

Posted by terRAPIN station on Thu Jun 4 00:52:55 2026, in response to Re: MTA Metro-North RR seeking RFP for 252 new push-pull cars to replace 1980s-era Shoreliners, posted by Olog-hai on Wed Jun 3 01:27:55 2026.

No, you mean the Inwood Movable Bridge.

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