A federal judge dismissed Amtrak’s request for an injunction seeking access to Metro-North’s Hudson and New Haven lines for non-revenue train movements. The request aimed to allow test and supply trains, including new Acela cars, to travel along Amtrak routes. The dispute arose after Metro-North refused to allow non-revenue Amtrak trains despite 1991 Hudson and New Haven agreements that Amtrak cited as guaranteeing access for non-commercial purposes. Metro-North argued that Acela trains caused infrastructure damage, including overhead wire destruction and fires that disrupted service. Metro-North also said it required Amtrak to accept responsibility for any damage. Amtrak alleged delays in passenger service tied to the reneged agreement.
"A federal judge ruled on Friday that the MTA does not need to allow Amtrak access to commuter railways in upstate New York and Connecticut for non-commercial train movement. U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff dismissed Amtrak's request for an injunction that would allow it to use the Metro-North's Hudson and New Haven lines to transport test and supply trains along its routes."
"The case stems from Metro-North's refusal to allow non-revenue Amtrak trains, such as the new Acela cars, to travel on its rails; this is despite the 1991 "Hudson Agreement" and "New Haven Agreement" between Amtrak and Metro-North, which the federal rail service argued guaranteed it access to lines between New York City and Poughkeepsie and New Rochelle and New Haven for non-revenue-generating purposes, like testing the new Acela trains."
"The MTA argued that the Acela trains destroyed New Haven line overhead wires in January and caused fires in Penn Station in May. Spokespeople for the transit authority said that both incidents caused service disruptions. "We are pleased that the Court denied Amtrak's petition for an injunction," said MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan. "Metro-North is committed to keeping customers safe and protecting our vital infrastructure, and it is entirely appropriate for Metro-North to require Amtrak to agree to accept responsibility for any damage their trains may cause to the Metro-North network.""
"The MTA believes that Amtrak pre-empted a possible operating agreement that would have allowed Amtrak Acela trains over its tracks, and Amtrak cut that process short when it filed suit on April 23. Amtrak's lawsuit claims that, as a result of the reneged upon agreement, Amtrak has experienced delays in passenger service in New Yor"
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