Unlike many prior years, the LIRR will not be providing any extra trains this Thanksgiving, however, Metro-North will be putting up a show of extra trains on all of it's lines.
Thanksgiving Eve - Wednesday, Nov. 27
Long Island Railroad:
On Thanksgiving Eve, the LIRR will operate on a normal WEEKDAY schedule.
Train #14, the winter version of The Cannonball will run.
The Hudson Line:
Metro-North is much more interesting, starting off in the AM rush hour when trains #718 (the 7:08 from Tarrytown) and #720 (the 7:09 from Croton-Harmon) will be combined to form #4720 which will make the combined stops of both trains.
Train 836, the 7:03am super-express from Poughkeepsie will be annulled.
A new train will depart Poughkeepsie at 8:50am, making New Hamburg & Beacon, followed by Peekskill, Croton-Harmon, Harlem-125th St, and Grand Central Terminal.
To roundoff The Hudson Line on Thanksgiving Eve, Metro-North will operate 3 holiday-eve trains for people looking to get out of work early. 2 of these are 1:18 and 2:18pm super-expresses to Poughkeepsie, along with a 1:51p local to Croton-Harmon. In addition, train #736 (the 5:36pm from Grand Central making Tarrytown and all stops to Croton-Harmon) and train #761 (the 5:39 from Grand Central making Greystone, and all stops to Tarrytown
The Harlem Line:
On The Harlem Line, train #520 (the 7:57a from Crestwood) and train #522 (the 7:53a from North White Plains) will combine into a new train titled #4522 which will depart North White Plains at 7:44 AM.
Train #729, which makes all stops from Southeast to Goldens Bridge, then North White Plains - Scarsdale, and Grand Central Terminal will be annulled outright.
Interestingly, train 509, which conveniently departs Grand Central at 7:44am and makes White Plains and North White Plains only will be annulled outright.
Trains #551 (the 4:45 pm making Harlem-125th St followed by Crestwood and all stops to NWP) and #351 (the 4:48 pm making Harlem-125th St followed by Mount Vernon West and then all stops to Crestwood) will be combined into #4551 which will depart at 4:45 and make the combined stops of both trains. I’d also like to point out that #573, the 7:08 pm express train that makes Hartsdale and all stops to North White Plains will also be removed from the schedule.
The New Haven Line:
The New Haven Line is much bigger and more complex, but I'll try my best to explain today's changes as best as possible. Train #1417 (the 6:48a from South Norwalk) will not run, and neither will Train #1419 (the 6:30 from Bridgeport). They will both be combined into a new train #3419 which will make the combined stops. In addition, train #1427 (the 6:59am from Bridgeport) and Train #1437 (the 8:28am from South Norwalk) will both be annulled outright.
Two holiday eve extra trains, one titled #3541 which leaves New Haven @8:24am and makes Bridgeport, Stamford, & Grand Central only, and the other one which departs New Haven at 5:14pm and also makes the same stops with Harlem-125 added will run.
On the outbound side, the morning is the same but like usual, a couple of early afternoon holiday-eve trains will run. The first one #3536, will depart Grand Central Terminal at 2:28pm promptly, making Harlem-125, then running nonstop to Westport, and then make Fairfield and all stops to New Haven. The second train departs GCT at 2:56 pm and then makes Harlem, Larchmont, and all stops to Stamford.
In addition, #3538 & #3540 (the 3:03 & 3:27 holiday-eve trains from Grand Central) will also run and both make the same stops as #3536.
Shore Line East's through train from Stamford to New London will not run.
Trains #1254 (the 5:18 pm from Grand Central making Harlem-125th St, New Rochelle - Harrison getting there at 6:00pm) and #1256 (the 5:21pm local from Grand Central to New Rochelle) will be combined into #3254 which will make the combined stops, but will only run on 11/27's holiday eve, and I think this combination is a very smart move on the MTA's part.
Trains #1560, #1568 to New Haven, & #1470 to Bridgeport will be combined into a 5:21 pm making all combined stops. And finally, train #1572 (the 6:44p to New Haven) will not run.
Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, Nov. 28
Long Island Railroad-
When I originally wrote this, they hadn’t posted the information, but to my pleasant surprise they posted the schedules yesterday.
The LIRR will operate on a HOLIDAY schedule.
The LIRR will operate a total of six additional westbound trains early Thursday morning for those going to see the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
On the Babylon Branch heading WB, the first extra is #6143 which will operate just 5 minutes behind #6207 and will depart Babylon at 6:24 AM, make Lindenhurst at 6:29am, and make all stops to Rockville Centre, and Penn Station at 7:34. The second extra, #6243, will depart Babylon at 7:02am, make all stops to Rockville Centre, Jamaica, and Grand Central Terminal at 8:14am. The third and final extra, #6145, will depart Babylon at 7:27, make all stops thru Rockville Centre, Jamaica, and Penn at 8:41. I think these extras are timed perfectly for the parade! I even think the first one should be a regular train and replace #6207.
On the Ronkonkoma Branch, heading WB, the first extra, #7941, will depart Ronkonkoma at 6:15am, make all stops thru Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica, and Penn Station at 7:37am. The second extra, #8141, will depart Farmingdale! @7:01am, make all stops to Jamaica, and Penn Station at 8:02am. The third extra, #8041, will depart Ronkonkoma at 6:48am and make all stops to Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica, and Grand Central at 8:11.
Their will be eight additional extra eastbound trains for those coming home from the parade in the early afternoon.
On the Babylon Branch heading EB, the first extra, #6140, will depart Pennsylavania Station at 11:32am, and stop at Jamaica, before making Lynbrook and every single stop to Babylon. The second extra, #6142, will depart Penn Station at 12:08pm and make Jamaica, Rockville Centre, and all stops. The third extra, #6240, will depart Grand Central at 12:28pm, make Jamaica, Lynbrook, and all stops to Babylon. The fourth and final extra, #6242, will depart Grand Central at 12:48pm and make Jamaica, Rockville Centre, and all stops.
On the way home on Ronkonkoma, the first extra, #7940, departs Penn Station at 11:20, Jamaica, New Hyde Park, and all stops to Farmingdale arriving there at 12:22pm. The second extra departs Grand Central Terminal at 12:13pm, makes Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, and all stops to Ronkonkoma besides Pinelawn. The third extra, #7942, departs Penn Station at 12:34pm, makes Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, and all stops to Ronkonkoma. The fourth and final extra, #8042, departs Grand Central at 12:51pm, makes Jamaica, Mineola, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, and all stops to Ronkonkoma, arriving there at 2:10pm. There’s also one extra train that departs Grand Central at 12:42pm, and makes Jamaica, New Hyde Park, and all stops to Huntington, but there’s no WB equivalent.
The Hudson Line-
There will be 3 additional trains out of Poughkeepsie early for the parade. There will also be one additional inbound train out of Poughkeepsie at 7:38pm making New Hamburg, Beacon, Peekskill, Croton-Harmon, Harlem-125, and GCT.
A Thanksgiving-only train, #4817, will depart Grand Central Terminal at 10:48am and then stop at Harlem-125th St, Croton-Harmon, and all stops to Poughkeepsie. They will also operate an additional train departing GCT at 10:52 and it will make Harlem-125, then run express to Marble Hill before making every stop to Croton-Harmon.
2 trains to Poughkeepsie, #4119 & #4821 will depart Grand Central 20 minutes apart (11:28 & 11:48) and then will make Harlem-125, and all the regular stops to Poughkeepsie. They will then operate an extra train, train #4725, departing the crowded train shed at 11:52 and then making Harlem, Marble Hill, and all stops to Croton-Harmon.
A Thanksgiving-only train, #4823, will depart Grand Central Terminal at 12:08pm and make Harlem-125, Croton-Harmon, and all regular stops to Poughkeepsie, followed by #4825 making the same stops exactly 20 mins later, and #4127 also 20 minutes later. Then there’s #4729, which makes Harlem-125, Yankees E 153rd St, Marble Hill, and all stops to Croton-Harmon. I’ve decided not to continue after this as it’s just so difficult to cover all these extras
The Harlem Line-
On The Harlem Line, MN is assigning three extra trains into Grand Central. These trains will depart Southeast at 5:29, 6:29, and 7:29, and the first one will make all stops to White Plains before Harlem-125 & New York. The other two will make all stops to Crestwood, and then fly into Harlem. These trains will arrive GCT at 7:10, 8:10, 9:10am.
Heading back from Grand Central, a new train, #4219, will depart Grand Central at 9:40, make Harlem-125, White Plains and all stops to Southeast besides Mount Pleasant.
The 10:12am trip from Grand Central to Crestwood will be annulled for an unknown reason. And, a new extra, #4221, will depart Grand Central at 10:40, make Harlem, White Plains, and all stops. The next extra train, #4223, will depart Grand Central at 11:00am, make Harlem-125th St, White Plains, Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Crotonfalls, Brewster, Southeast.
A new extra train, #4221, will depart Grand Central at 11:40, make Harlem, White Plains, and all stops.
Following that, #4227, will depart Grand Central at 12:00pm make Harlem, White Plains, Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Crotonfalls, Brewster, Southeast.
Following that, #4229, will depart Grand Central at 12:31pm make Harlem, White Plains, Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Crotonfalls, Brewster, Southeast.
Following that, #4231, will depart Grand Central at 1:00pm make Harlem, White Plains, Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Crotonfalls, Brewster, Southeast.
The Danbury Branch-
Metro-North will operate one thru-train each on this special day. The inbound train will depart Danbury Union Station at 6:08am, make all stops to Stamford, then Harlem-125 and NY-Grand Central at 8:17.
The outbound train will depart Grand Central at 12:19pm, then make Harlem-125, Stamford, and all stops to Danbury.
Black Friday - Friday, Nov 29
Long Island Railroad-
The LIRR will operate on a normal WEEKDAY schedule.
Train #2710, the off-season Cannonball will run.
Off-peak fares will be in affect all day.
The Hudson Line:
Metro-North is much more interesting, starting off in the AM rush hour when trains #718 (the 7:08 from Tarrytown) and #720 (the 7:09 from Croton-Harmon) will be combined to form #4720 which will make the combined stops of both trains.
Train 836, the 7:03am super-express from Poughkeepsie will be annulled.
A new train will depart Poughkeepsie at 8:50am, making New Hamburg & Beacon, followed by Peekskill, Croton-Harmon, Harlem-125th St, and Grand Central Terminal.
To roundoff The Hudson Line on Thanksgiving Eve, Metro-North will operate 3 holiday-eve trains for people looking to get out of work early. 2 of these are 1:18 and 2:18pm super-expresses to Poughkeepsie, along with a 1:51p local to Croton-Harmon. In addition, train #736 (the 5:36pm from Grand Central making Tarrytown and all stops to Croton-Harmon) and train #761 (the 5:39 from Grand Central making Greystone, and all stops to Tarrytown
The Harlem Line:
On The Harlem Line, train #520 (the 7:57a from Crestwood) and train #522 (the 7:53a from North White Plains) will combine into a new train titled #4522 which will depart North White Plains at 7:44 AM.
Train #729, which makes all stops from Southeast to Goldens Bridge, then North White Plains - Scarsdale, and Grand Central Terminal will be annulled outright.
Interestingly, train 509, which conveniently departs Grand Central at 7:44am and makes White Plains and North White Plains only will be annulled outright.
Trains #551 (the 4:45 pm making Harlem-125th St followed by Crestwood and all stops to NWP) and #351 (the 4:48 pm making Harlem-125th St followed by Mount Vernon West and then all stops to Crestwood) will be combined into #4551 which will depart at 4:45 and make the combined stops of both trains. I’d also like to point out that #573, the 7:08 pm express train that makes Hartsdale and all stops to North White Plains will also be removed from the schedule.
The New Haven Line:
The New Haven Line is much bigger and more complex, but I'll try my best to explain today's changes as best as possible. Train #1417 (the 6:48a from South Norwalk) will not run, and neither will Train #1419 (the 6:30 from Bridgeport). They will both be combined into a new train #3419 which will make the combined stops. In addition, train #1427 (the 6:59am from Bridgeport) and Train #1437 (the 8:28am from South Norwalk) will both be annulled outright.
Two holiday eve extra trains, one titled #3541 which leaves New Haven @8:24am and makes Bridgeport, Stamford, & Grand Central only, and the other one which departs New Haven at 5:14pm and also makes the same stops with Harlem-125 added will run.
On the outbound side, the morning is the same but like usual, a couple of early afternoon holiday-eve trains will run. The first one #3536, will depart Grand Central Terminal at 2:28pm promptly, making Harlem-125, then running nonstop to Westport, and then make Fairfield and all stops to New Haven. The second train departs GCT at 2:56 pm and then makes Harlem, Larchmont, and all stops to Stamford.
In addition, #3538 & #3540 (the 3:03 & 3:27 holiday-eve trains from Grand Central) will also run and both make the same stops as #3536.
Shore Line East's through train from Stamford to New London will not run.
Trains #1254 (the 5:18 pm from Grand Central making Harlem-125th St, New Rochelle - Harrison getting there at 6:00pm) and #1256 (the 5:21pm local from Grand Central to New Rochelle) will be combined into #3254 which will make the combined stops, but will only run on 11/27's holiday eve, and I think this combination is a very smart move on the MTA's part.
Trains #1560, #1568 to New Haven, & #1470 to Bridgeport will be combined into a 5:21 pm making all combined stops. And finally, train #1572 (the 6:44p to New Haven) will not run.
Saturday & Sunday - Nov 30 & Dec 1
Long Island Railroad-
The LIRR will run on a WEEKEND schedule.
The Hudson Line-
The Hudson Line will run on a WEEKEND schedule, with no changes.
The Harlem Line-
As with the Hudson Line, no changes.
The New Haven Line-
Unlike her counterparts, The New Haven line will offer a couple of trains today in both directions. These trains are scheduled to run Saturdays only 11/30 through 12/28. The first four trains, #3515, #3517, #3521, & #3523 will depart New Haven at 8:05, 8:29, 9:26, and 9:58am respectively, and the first two will make all stops to Fairfield, then Westport, South Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Harlem-125, and Grand Central. The latter two will make New Haven, West Haven, Bridgeport, Fairfield-Metro, Fairfield, South Norwalk, Stamford, Harlem-125, and Grand Central.
Heading back to New Haven, the first extra train will depart Grand Central at 4:53, make Harlem-125, then run nonstop to Westport, Fairfield, and all local stops to New Haven (getting there at 6:46pm). The second extra train will depart Grand Central Terminal at 5:59pm, make Harlem-125, then run nonstop to Westport, Fairfield, and all local stops to New Haven (getting there at 7:53pm). The third & fourth extra trains will make the same stops as the previous one, except departing at 6:59pm & 7:59pm and arriving New Haven at 8:53 and 9:53pm.
The Saturday & Sunday following Thanksgiving are usually known to be the busiest weekend for rail travel in the country. While it may not be as busy as a usual day on commuter railroads such as LIRR, Amtrak, for example, gets floods of reservations for people wanting to go home all over the country. In some cases, there is so much demand that they operate extra trains!
I apologize for any typos I have made, or if this is confusing, this has been a very rewarding but difficult post to make, so, I urge you to also check the official timetables.
So if your travelling this Thanksgiving season, whether to see family on 11/27, the famous parade on 11/28, or even to make use of the Black Friday deals on 11/28, try taking the train this holiday season as there's good & reliable service almost everywhere that will be perfectly willing to get you places just as fast, or faster!
