Whenever NJ Transit blames a delay or problem on Amtrak, commuters call shenanigans.

But this time, it's for real.

Amtrak track work has closed Track 5 in Newark Penn Station, displacing Raritan Valley Line riders who usually depart from that location.

The disruption has forced them to crowd on to platforms and tracks serving other NJ Transit lines during rush hours.

Amtrak workers replace ties on Track 5 in Newark Penn Station.

What's causing the Track 5 chaos is work by Amtrak to replace the ties that hold the rails in place, said Jason Abrams, an Amtrak spokesman.

Amtrak owns the Northeast Corridor tracks that pass through Newark Penn Station.

"We are working together with NJ Transit as Amtrak forces (add) new block ties on Track 5 to ensure a more reliable customer experience," Abrams said. "We expect the work to be complete before 2019."

The work also forces RVL riders to play a game of duck, duck, goose to find their trains. In Newark Penn Station, that involves a Super Mario like commuting game of running up and down stairs to different platforms.

Telling us the RVL is boarding on track 4. It ISNT. It's a Trenton train with its doors open that was supposed to have left 3 min ago...people are confused. Rightfully so. pic.twitter.com/W5DNIRvcV9 — Alexandria Pisauro (@alexpisauro) November 5, 2018

Besides creating some confusion for RVL riders, commuters also complained closing Track 5 has lead to severe overcrowding on the remaining tracks during the afternoon commuter rush.

@NJTRANSIT when is track 5 at Newark Penn reopening. Track 3 and 4 are a daily nightmare. Only a matter of time before someone gets hurt — RL1323 (@RL1323) November 6, 2018

Almost a riot at NPS because of delays. So much chaos with track 5 being down. People getting on the wrong trains daily and unbelievable delays. A little 10% discount is not enough for these nonsense! — Bernadette McCrea (@DetteMcCrea) October 30, 2018

Some commuters asked why Raritan Valley Line trains can't leave from Track A in Newark Penn which seems to be underutilized?

How come track A isn't being used for RVL trains since track 5 is closed? Instead of forcing tracks 3/4 to also accommodate RVL trains? Track a is used in morning so clearly it works... — Alexandria Pisauro (@alexpisauro) November 5, 2018

Some Newark bound RVL trains do use Track A, said Jim Smith, an NJ Transit spokesman. But it's more difficult for westbound RVL trains that start from Newark to use Track A, he said.

That is because Track A is on the wrong side of the Northeast Corridor line for westbound RVL trains, which would have to cut across four tracks of that NEC to access Raritan Valley Line tracks that exit the Corridor from the right.

It would be similar to a car leaving the left shoulder of a highway and cutting across four lanes of traffic to get to an exit on the far right side.

"They'd have to cut over a number of tracks from Track A to get to the Raritan Valley Line and there are too many trains to cut across it on a weekday," Smith said.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

