Quote:
Originally Posted by Mad_Nick
Freight trains isn't a big problem on the NEC, there's very little freight traffic. And the traffic that does exist obviously has to yield to any Amtrak trains.
Most of the NEC has four tracks, so commuter trains aren't really a problem either. I don't think congestion is a problem on the NEC with the exception of the tunnels into Penn Station, and that's only because trains from dozens of other lines (NJT and LIRR) converge on those tunnels.
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The issue with freight trains on the NEC is not the congestion that it causes, it is the regulatory nonsense that it brings about.
Because there is freight on the NEC, the Acela had to be built so heavily that it accelerates slowly, wears out its axles and brakes too quickly, can't tilt like it was built to, and all in all is expensive to operate.
If either the regulations were changed, or the freight removed, or both, the NEC could be switched over to lighter, off-the-shelf equipment that gets up to speed faster and can tilt more to maintain speed around curves.
I would guess that such a change would cut a substantial chunk off of the time it takes trains to travel the length of the corridor.