Empire Service

Empire Service
An Empire Service train passing through Briarcliff Manor, New York in June 2023.
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
LocaleNew York
PredecessorNew York Central corridor trains
First serviceDecember 3, 1967 (1967-12-03)
Current operator(s)Amtrak in partnership with NYSDOT
Former operator(s)
Annual ridership
  • 1,244,276 (Albany–NYC, FY23) Increase 22.0%[a][1]
  • 452,711 (Toronto–Albany, FY23) Increase 17.6%[a][1][b]
Route
TerminiNiagara Falls, New York
New York City, New York
Stops16
Distance travelled460 miles (740 km)
Average journey time8 hours, 51–58 minutes[2]
Service frequencyTwelve daily round trips (Albany–NYC)
Three daily round trips (Niagara Falls–NYC)
Train number(s)230, 232–241, 243–245, 250, 252–253, 256–257, 259–261, 280–281, 283–284
On-board services
Class(es)Coach Class
Business Class
Disabled accessAll cars, all stations
Catering facilitiesCafé car
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Technical
Rolling stockAmfleet coaches
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed52 mph (84 km/h) (avg.)
110 mph (180 km/h) (top)
Track owner(s)MNRR, Amtrak, CSX

The Empire Service is an inter-city rail service operated by Amtrak within the state of New York in the United States. The brand name originated with the New York Central Railroad in 1967. Trains on the line provide frequent daily service along the 460-mile (740 km) Empire Corridor between New York City and Niagara Falls via Albany, the state capital.

During fiscal year 2018, the Empire Service carried 1,150,498 passengers on the line between New York City and Albany, while services between Albany and points west, including the Maple Leaf and Lake Shore Limited, carried an additional 366,696.[3] Ticket revenue on the New York City–Albany section in FY2016 was $49,361,545, an increase of 1.4% from FY2015, while revenue on the Albany–Toronto route was $22,143,803.[4]


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  1. ^ a b "Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  2. ^ "Amtrak Timetable Results". www.amtrak.com. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Amtrak FY18 Ridership" (PDF). Amtrak. November 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "Amtrak FY16 Ridership & Revenue" (PDF). Amtrak. October 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2019.