Lackawanna Cut-Off - Update #19: What's in Store in 2024--and Beyond

[@pw85___]

This is VERY promising news! Its been about 6 months ago when this channel's video popped up in my feed about this entire project.....sent me down a rabbit hole into railway topics and honestly has me regretting not getting into the MTA when the door was open for it in 2016 (I've been trucking since 2012) and I was to be trained as a Subway operator (motorman). Water under the bridge now, of course. But for someone whose family has been a NYC transplant to the Poconos, since 96' (I've bounced around a little bit since then individually) THIS was something i always heard grumblings about. To see/hear THIS level of progress is not just exciting, it may give me reason to stick around much longer than i had planned to. I was dead set on heading back south to TX/NC somewhere in that effect. I can always jump into NJT and then perhaps work on this line and have a direct commute service for myself. That would be game-changing for myself and thousands of other NEPA/NJ residents. I'm in my late 30's and in a bit of a crossroads career wise.....railroad seems to be calling. Let's not skip the fact that lines like this create job opportunities for these Covid era babies being born (i have a set of twin nephews who are maybe a month old) every other week lol. And if you've been paying attention, there is very quietly a new railroad boom happening under our noses. Thats a good thing in my opinion. This nation, and Pennsylvania for that matter, has FAR too much track, that isn't being used, or should be used for passenger transportation. As a trucker who has seen it all, not done it all, but seen enough......these roads are super congested. And NO, widening doesn't do a damn thing. Give people an option to park their cars and ride to their destinations. Because the roads have ENOUGH bad, impatient drivers as it is. Especially in this region!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

It would be anther option for travel to and from NEPA and NWNJ. I think it will do well and will have a positive economic and social impact. I know not everybody would agree about that, but nothing will ever get done if we wait for 100% agreement.

[@mygins5820]

When Chuck uploads you got to stop what you're doing to watch

[@konradszymanski5724]

Literally me at work when I noticed the notification of the new video.

[@andrewolson2227]

Agreed

[@michaelimbesi2314]

It’s great to see that Pennsylvania got the funding to rebuild the Slateford Bridge. I wonder if they’ll donate the old tracks to a museum or something. After all, it’s probably the last surviving intact section of track from the original Cutoff.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

I can ask.

[@M_vintage-f5b]

👍 great presentation Chuck,!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thanks 👍

[@ELAlcoRS3]

Thanks again for another great video. I hope when this gets operational they name something after you!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

We'll see.

[@johnkranick1287]

@@LackawannaCutOff The "Chuck Walsh Cut-Off!"

[@donmoore7785]

Thank you for updating us on this. You did a great job of explaining the process. And thank you to your beautiful daughter for her continued work bringing these productions to us. *edit* It is amazing to see the work on the Roseville Tunnel - having explored it about 10 years ago.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

You are so welcome!

[@Hillsidedojo]

Many NYers who commute to and from the Poccanos on Route 80 during the winter would love to take the train.

[@sevzas]

You need a car when you get to the Poconos so taking the train is pointless.

[@MarkLac]

@@sevzaslike there is not a thing such as rent-a-car 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@nickberry5520]

@@sevzas Park and Rides at the stations would solve that problem. They would take their car to their house in the Poconos, and commute to NY by train.

[@ELAlcoRS3]

@@sevzas Ride share, vans, busses. I was enlightened when I was in Atlanta on business and took MARTA. The amount of company owned vans at the Sandy Springs station used to shuttle employees between the station and the office!

[@SteveRoberts5330]

​@@sevzasonce Amtrak starts going up the mountain, best you bet there will be cabs outside the stations around arrival times - esp in the warm months! The Poconos are gonna boom again, for sure. 💯

[@camhitchcock8659]

Thank you for the update Chuck. Most appreciate all you do to keep us informed. Lots of moving pieces! Look forward to update #20.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Much appreciated

[@nickberry5520]

Someday I'll be able to take an Amtrak train from Reading to Scranton, PA, and that's pretty exciting.

[@TamiSkyMars]

I was curious as to how the Roseville tunnel was going to be restored, it's fascinating to see the work in progress. Thanks for sharing the images. Fingers crossed that everything goes as planned.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@billwhite9890]

Thanks Chuck and all involved for the updates and all the other videos. Very informative. Looking forward to more updates.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

More to come!

[@MarkLac]

Yow!! That was quick that PennDOT has the money to get that bridge for Slateford Junction replaced and open the right of way up again. And the fact that 43,000 new ties have actually been secured for the right of way on the Pennsylvania side of the Cut-Off is a shocker that I was not expecting to hear.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

They're planning ahead.

[@J3scribe]

Thanks for the interesting update, very informative.

[@BillCarson-g4n]

RIP Mike, we know your keeping an eye on the project. Im very sad. 😞

[@robinroberts3335]

Great job doing this video you and your Daughter 👍🏻😎

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thanks 👍

[@rutheliz75]

Thanks for the update Chuck !

[@LackawannaCutOff]

You bet

[@samanthab1923]

Thanks for the update 👋 have a great summer 🌞🚂

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thank you too

[@mohillic]

Really cool to see these things! Thank you for your time and effort informing us.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

You're welcome!

[@redtowlie9]

Great job to Larissa for recording these videos for 9 years!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thank you!

[@brianfalzon6739]

Keep us updated, if it gets completely restored in the future, can't wait!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Not a problem.

[@kyleschu]

amazing chuck so very sorry for loss of your friend prayers and peace + KYLE 😀

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thank you!

[@kyleschu]

You’re very welcome Chuck have a good day. Thanks again Kyle. 👍

[@micvic83]

I got to give you the utmost respect for sticking to your guns and delivering updates and also, seeing that this goes thru. This would be interesting if and when it opens.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thank you!

[@skerbs7755]

Chuck, thanks for sharing this update. To me it's exciting news! Love your update videos!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

My pleasure

[@johnkranick1287]

Thanks Chuck! You're THE MAN!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thank you!

[@thomasminetreejr4507]

Thanks for the update, Chuck.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

You're welcome!

[@dougow3061]

Thanks for the update! Always glad the see your videos, have you ever thought of doing some videos on the sussex branch, old green wood lake branch, caldwell branch? Keep up the great work

[@LackawannaCutOff]

No, there's more than enough stuff on the Cut-Off

[@brucefye3778]

Hi! New subscriber. YT put you in my mix today. Good to know that this and other rail projects are happening, thanks to $16B of our tax debt. The downside, by my understanding, is that it will all be under Amtrak? Thanks for music by Spencer Albee. Love the song. I don't recall hearing it before or him before.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Welcome aboard! Yes, under Amtrak. Albee isn't well-known. I only came across the song because it was played during the credits of a movie.

[@SuzieMorgan-m8s]

What exactly is happening inside the Roseville tunnel? What are they applying? Is the yellow “thing” we see a spray-on substance or a sort of drop cloth to catch whatever they are resurfacing the tunnel with?

[@LackawannaCutOff]

The "yellow stuff" is an impermeable barrier that will channel any water inside the walls of the tunnel into the drainage ditches at the base of the tunnel walls. That way there won't be any icicles or dripping water onto the tracks as there has been in the past. The Staycrete (or whatever form of concrete that is being applied on top of that barrier) will permanently fix the water issue that has plagued Roseville Tunnel throughout its history.

[@M_vintage-f5b]

l​@@LackawannaCutOff Chuck you sure knows yr stuff. I look forward to yr updates. Keep up the good work

[@GR-Kevin]

Do you perhaps have any idea if they will electrify the route or not?

[@johns9571]

Thank you for the update Chuck.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

You're welcome.

[@andrewcharland1658]

Larissa's in her 9th year. Congrats! Hoping she has a good pension plan.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

We're working on that.

[@josephvoorhees9353]

Has the Existing Roseville Tunnel been "Widened" for Two Opposing Tracks to date, and has the Tunnel Length been "Shortened" to bring its length under 1000 ft. to eliminate the need for Intermediate Ventilation Shafts? Thank you.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

No and yes.

[@josephvoorhees9353]

@@LackawannaCutOff So NO to Widening, and YES to Length Reduction? Widening is FAR MORE RISKY than SHORTENING! Stability Concerns that can only be answered by Coring and Testing...dangerous in itself!!! Please keep us here in Morris County informed! Thanks!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

You bet.

[@jeannettedwyer3456]

My favorite boss ever. Hope all is well Chuck

[@jeannettedwyer3456]

Love these videos.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Thank you, Jeannette! Doing well. Retired and doing videos. What about you?

[@johnalder6028]

Very interesting. Greetings from Port Saint Lucie Florida.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewolson2227]

I know this is late Chuck, but I hope you see this. You mentioned the Slateford Bridge and the two viaducts. But what is the current news on the Brooklyn Road crossing in New Jersey that is currently at-grade! What are the plans with that?

[@LackawannaCutOff]

It'll be a grade crossing, probably built when the rest of the Andover section gets tracks.

[@andrewolson2227]

@@LackawannaCutOff Thank you.

[@thoff1348]

Hi Chuck, thanks for the update. Very puzzling why PennDOT would fill in the old bridge, since they greatly benefit from this effort. ( Was it past political move in PA? ) Back to politics point, its a big factor, if one side wins all of these Transportation effort are likely going to be a slash and burn effect. ( Lets not stick our head into the sand). On the Texas_Bandit point made on corruption, pls advise on big project questions/blunders, daylight is the best medicine.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

From what I heard from a friend at NJDOT is that PENNDOT was "asked" by Conrail to take down the bridge. Conrail held tremendous sway in PA in those days, being headquartered in Philadelphia. And Northeastern PA didn't have the clout in those days.

[@josephmiele2277]

Also they had yet to film the Office, so Scranton was seen as insignificant in those days

[@f4fwildcat29]

I'm looking forward to future progress and planning coming out for the first trip of this new service! What do you think the name of the new Amtrak Route should be?

[@LackawannaCutOff]

I'm kinda torn on that question.

[@rkpower2864]

I say bring back the Phoebe Snow name.

[@JimmyZNJ]

Great update Chuck! Thanks! With respect to Roseville Tunnel, is it wide enough to potentially support 2 tracks?

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Probably not. They could choose to gauntlet the double track...but I think we're a very long ways away from having to deal with that as an issue.

[@jameskerner7782]

I'm looking forward to riding the train. It would be nice to be able to ride on a HSR, but I guess that it won't happen

[@LackawannaCutOff]

What's your question. This was never proposed as a HSR project, if you define that as 150 mph+.

[@jameskerner7782]

I'm disappointed that it won't be a HSR. But I understand that not all trains can be an HSR. Have a good weekend and I am looking forward to seeing more updates.

[@tofadeisastart]

I really enjoy these videos, it is difficult to read the bulletin points with the sub titles directly over them

[@LackawannaCutOff]

I know. There's nothing I can do about that. That is, unless you forego the subtitles.

[@njlauren]

Did they fill in when they removed the bridge with then the road is on that? If they did that they cant tunnel under the road, they would need to build a temporary road bridge, excavate then build a new bridge. Last i heard about the two viaducts is that they are structurally in decent shape,that the deck bridge and the supports had held up well, with a lot of the work being fixing where the concrete in the structure had cracked off due to water expansion. ( This is what other railfans said, i didn't see the report).

[@LackawannaCutOff]

They'll remove the fill and road and build the bridge after that. The two viaducts will need to be evaluated.

[@harrychest4303]

I’ve been hearing about this project since 1999, and they’re still talking 5 more years. I’d say it’ll happen sometime between 2030 and 2050.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

I'll only be in my early-90s at that point. No problem...Update # 325.

[@NJEsperantist]

Chuck, Will the Paulinskill and Delaware river viaducts need much repair? Are they sound, just showing their age? Thanks! -Dave Rutan

[@LackawannaCutOff]

That will be part of engineering work in FRA's Step 3. Although, both viaducts have been evaluated several times in the past.

[@stephensardos6418]

I bet you that the Slateford Junction bridge will be built with track underneath and trains running before PennDOT even considers reopening Rt 611 between Slateford and Del. Water Gap...

[@LackawannaCutOff]

611 is a disaster for the local economy...Portland and Delaware Water gap. It's also a safety valve for when I-80 has problems, which is like every other day. It's a travesty. Until there's a threat of heads rolling I suspect that this will drag on, as you point out.

[@gunrunner7224]

So will tge line be electrified or are we looking at non electric?

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Non-electrified west of Dover. Electrified from Dover to NYC.

[@gunrunner7224]

@@LackawannaCutOff Hmm so they are either gonna be running D.P. locos or they'll have to stop and swap power or they are just going to run the P42's for the whole run. This will be interesting to see when they get the route up and running.

[@Ostermond]

@@gunrunner7224I’d reckon Airo trainsets.

[@trfarmer3869]

Is the Port Morris orund house going to be a part of this rehabilitation effort.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

No.

[@dudehuh5491]

side note still the ice tunnel to me

[@LackawannaCutOff]

The ice was an issue over the years.

[@dudehuh5491]

@@LackawannaCutOff yea for trains but great place to cool off in summer be safe !

[@Aviation494]

I like your videos Chuck, but I think some of them are too long. When I’m in that area, I want to see the Lackawana cut off. It’s nice to see this old rail line turned back into an active one. Nowhere else in the United States have done this to a ripped out line.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Which ones are too long?

[@cats0182]

NICTD is returning service on the old MONON line between Hammond and Dyer, IN for South Shore Line service.

[@samcarter634]

Good information, but please organize your thoughts before filming.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Lol.

[@M_vintage-f5b]

Chuck has much to say, that comment wasn't called for . He definitely does his best

[@LackawannaCutOff]

They're organized in my head, but not always with my mouth, lol. Glad you enjoyed it despite my shortcomings, lol.

[@robertgalla3941]

WHAT ABOUT SCRANTON TO BINGHAMTON PHOEBE SNOW TRAIN!!!

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Someday.

[@ELAlcoRS3]

YES !! Maybe Chuck Schumer from NY could get behind an extension to Binghamton and Buffalo.

[@Boomer703]

Leave it be let the kids ride their toys on the old tracks

[@trfarmer3869]

Why was that material put up inside a granite tunnel? Did Roseville really need this?

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Waterproofing. Yes, it's badly needed.

[@railworksamerica]

This should be electrified

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Only to Dover, NJ.

[@railworksamerica]

@@LackawannaCutOff That’s dumb, but calling you names won’t get anywhere. You’re just the messenger

[@LackawannaCutOff]

True. If someone comes in here with preconceived notions, often incorrect, of how this all works, I can only try to set them straight. But often there's more to it than that.

[@henrylubinski2728]

Pyramids were built faster than this project. There is slow walking a project then there is this.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Unless you've been contributing to the progress of the project you have no right to criticize it.

[@danielcarroll3358]

At least you have the right of way. California High Speed Rail spent a decade just fighting NIMBYs and obtaining properties. They still have 25 properties to go in the initial construction sections, but that is minor. In the future is over 30 miles of tunneling. To this point Billions have been spent just to avoid interference to/from freight rail.

[@00Zy99]

They had better not be reducing that tunnel to single track. That would just be SO stupid. Corner-cutting at the cost of capacity is really something that we should be past by now.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

I don't see the need for a second track.

[@00Zy99]

@@LackawannaCutOff Future use by freights to get away from overcrowded existing lines? An increase in passenger traffic? Half-hourly NJT plus half-hourly Amtrak equals a train every 15 minutes. If you are building for the next 100 years, you need to acknowledge that possibility in terms of ridership growth.

[@swagner3535]

@@00Zy99Line won’t be used for freight.

[@cmphighpower]

It will be 100 years before that track sees trains

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Well, neither of us will be here to see if that prediction holds true.

[@evanstauffer4470]

Try to curb your enthusiasm! Seriously, why are you being so negative?

[@the_Texas_Bandit]

So sorry, but as long as the footdragging persists, the foot draggers will keep their positions and their high dollar , high benefits positions, and your project will keep being delayed. Graft and corruption, constant studies, new appealls, new insights, etc. etc.. . Good luck getting the project finished.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

It's the price we pay. Still, very few ever thought we would get this far.

[@josephgambino7527]

A 15 minute video to tell 3 to 4 minutes worth of on topic information of “What’s in Store in 2024”. Just get to the point without all the blathering. The presenter comes across like a full fledged federal/state bureaucrat - those individuals who take 1,000 words in what could be said with just 100.

[@LackawannaCutOff]

You try it.

[@swagner3535]

Ignorant comment. Chuck does a great job with these videos and sharing this information. If you don’t like it scroll on.

[@josephgambino7527]

@@LackawannaCutOff You surprised me with your reply - actually got your point across in a simple to the point reply in less than 1,000 words. See you can do it without all the blathering.

[@DanEakes-xm6xw]

Chuck talks to much, show more pictures and videos

[@LackawannaCutOff]

Video of what? Trains on the Cut-Off? We've got to do the work first before we can get the trains running.,