Weekend Train Service Restored to Wassaic Effective Saturday, April 17, With Nine Added Trains in Each Direction
Harlem Line Weekday Service Adjustments Go into Effect April 12 to Accommodate Trackwork Near Hartsdale Station; Adjustments Anticipated to Reduce Project Schedule by Two Months
New Timetables Include Added Station Stops on Hudson and New Haven Line
Metro-North Railroad today announced new train schedules taking effect Monday, April 12 that will restore weekend service to Wassaic and include service adjustments on the Harlem Line weekday schedule to accommodate trackwork. Beginning Monday, April 12, Metro-North will begin replacing the track switches north of Hartsdale station. These track switches allow trains to be switched between the two main tracks on the line. The track switches are near the end of their expected service life and need replacement. Once completed, the project will increase train service reliability.
In order to get this work done, it will require trains to single-track between Scarsdale and North White Plains station. Metro-North accomplished similar trackwork last year near the Scarsdale station last year, advancing switch replacements while ridership was low due to the COVID-19 pandemic and completed the project in less time.
“Since the pandemic arrived last year, our main focus has been on moving essential workers. Now, with more riders returning to the system we are adjusting service levels, while still disinfecting at unprecedented levels and maintaining high levels of mask compliance,” said Catherine Rinaldi, President of Metro-North Railroad.
During the pandemic Metro-North advanced critical infrastructure work, while operating a reduced schedule, since the impacts on train service are not as significant. By advancing the project while ridership is still low compared to pre-pandemic levels, train service between Scarsdale and North White Plains will be reduced to one track in both directions for the duration of the project as opposed to weekends only. As a result, more work can be done on weekdays, which will decrease overall nighttime work as well as, the duration of the project from approximately 20 weeks to 12 weeks.
The trackwork will not affect weekend service on the Harlem Line. Weekend service to Wassaic will be restored with nine trains in each direction. Customers can change trains at Southeast for express trains to and from Grand Central Terminal. The restoration of weekend service also signals the reopening of the Appalachian Trail station, with two morning northbound trains and three afternoon southbound trains providing more access to customers seeking an outdoor activity in beautiful Dutchess County.
To help accommodate the work, Metro-North is making the following scheduling changes, reflected in the April 12 timetables.
AM Peak
- Two local Harlem Line trains between Grand Central Terminal and North White Plains will end and begin at Crestwood. Stops at Crestwood, Scarsdale and Hartsdale will be added to Southeast express trains adjacent to those local trains to serve those stations and provide connections.
- Six trains will operate between 10 minutes earlier and 7 minutes later to allow trains to pass each other outside the single-track area.
PM Peak
- Three Grand Central-North White Plains local trains will end and begin at Crestwood. Stops at Crestwood, Scarsdale and Hartsdale will be added to the Southeast express trains adjacent to those local trains to serve those stations and provide connections.
- 16 trains will operate between 12 minutes earlier and 4 minutes later to allow trains to pass each other outside the single-track area.
Other Schedule Changes
In addition to the service adjustments on the Harlem Line, the following changes will go into effect on April 12.
New Haven Line
Metro-North will add two new trains to its schedule, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There is a new early morning train from New Haven to Grand Central Terminal that will depart New Haven at 4:00 a.m. and arrive Grand Central at 6:09 a.m. The new afternoon train will run from Grand Central to Stamford, leaving Grand Central at 5:55 p.m., running express to New Rochelle then making all stops to Stamford.
New Haven Line customers will also notice the following adjustments:
- Two express trains in each direction will add a stop at Greenwich: the Grand Central-bound 6:40 a.m. and 7:18 a.m. from New Haven will stop at Greenwich at 7:59 a.m. and 8:29 a.m.; New Haven-bound trains will stop at Greenwich at 4:45 p.m. and 5:17 p.m., arriving New Haven at 6:18 p.m. and 6:38 p.m.
- New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Harrison will gain additional service from New York City, with New Haven-bound trains departing Grand Central at 4:54 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. stopping at those stations.
- The 4:59 p.m. New Haven-bound express train from Grand Central will now stop at Stamford at 5:48 p.m.
- The 5:01 p.m. local train to Greenwich will be combined with the 4:54 p.m. Stamford local, departing Grand Central at 4:54 p.m. The combined train will make all stops of both trains, connecting to a New Canaan Branch train at Stamford.
Hudson Line
The Manitou station, located near Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose, will reopen on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Six trains in each direction will stop at Manitou on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays to restore service to this popular Hudson Valley destination.
Special Service
Metro-North will provide gameday service for New York Yankees home games, operating shuttle trains to and from Yankee Stadium between Grand Central Terminal, Harlem/125th Street and Yankees/E 153rd Street as well as adding the Yankees/E. 153rd Street stop to all Poughkeepsie express trains. Harlem and New Haven Line customers can make connections to these trains at Harlem/125th Street.
On Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, and Independence Day, July 4, Metro-North will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule.