» Amtrak To Lease 85 Miles Of Empire Corridor From CSX

In an extremely welcomed announcement, it was confirmed on October 18 that Amtrak intends to enter into a long-term lease with CSX, to gain full operational control of the 85 route miles of the Empire Corridor between Control Point 75 north of Poughkeepsie (the north end of Metro North territory) and CP 160 at the Schenectady station. Amtrak already controls the 9 mile segment west of Schenectady to Hoffmans at CP 169 (where the CSX freight line from Selkirk Yard joins the main line heading west). CSX will retain full freight rights on the leased line.

Reportedly, the negotiations for the lease of this segment were closely tied to the recent obligation of $150 million in ARRA HSR funds, which will allow for four significant improvement projects (including the new second main track between Albany and Schenectady and the fourth boarding track at the Rensselaer station) to now proceed. In addition, the future rehabilitation or replacement of the Livingston Avenue Bridge over the Hudson River should be better facilitated with Amtrak’s lease.

The lease will give Amtrak full responsibility for the operation, dispatching and maintenance of the entire 85 route miles and it will be a major step forward in the decades-old efforts to significantly improve the infrastructure along this segment of the Corridor. Amtrak’s Board of Directors is expected to consider and approve the lease agreement at their November meeting and the formal take-over from CSX is planned for early in 2012.

Many logistical questions have yet to be disclosed, including where Amtrak’s future dispatching center for the segment will be located. However, Amtrak’s Rensselaer-based Engineering Department is reportedly already gearing up for their new maintenance responsibilities (which already include the Amtrak-owned Post Road Branch connection used by the Boston section of the Lake Shore.)