Metro-North Railroad Announces Restoration of Weekend Service to Wassaic

Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief

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. 

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