A peek into East River Tunnel Line 2 before it re-opens - August 2026
The East River Tunnel Line 2 has been closed for rehabilitation since May 2025 and should re-open this week. The eastern end of the platform for Tracks 11 and 12 in Penn Station allows you to see directly down Line 1 and Line 2 to the curve on the eastern side of Manhattan. Line 1 is due to close this year for similar rehabilitation.
Amtrak's block signal application from 2025 shows new signal names and grades. The entirety of this Manhattan section of the tunnel is on a downward grade going east although there is a gentler section in the middle.
Tags: New York, Penn Station, Northeast Corridor, Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, Long Island Railroad, East River Tunnel, Line 2
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From Track 10 looking east towards JO (interlocking) and Lines 1 and 2
The same view towards JO, zoomed in
From Track 12 looking east at a barricade and down Line 2
Almost entire cross-section of Line 2 including 580E signal with new "C" light
Signal boxes BP 2E03, BP 2E04 (block points)
A person sits on the low bench wall
Same with clearer view of new milepost signs
Another attempt to look at the signal box labels
Last attempt to look at BP 2E04