by BandA
But nobody is considering the need to connect the Grand Junction towards the south-east. Presently all north-south equipment moves (which is all they are using it for now) require at least one backup move.
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BandA wrote:But nobody is considering the need to connect the Grand Junction towards the south-east. Presently all north-south equipment moves (which is all they are using it for now) require at least one backup move.Yeah, when the Grand Junction is upgraded to 40 mph (one of the options being considered - can hear the NIMBYs now!), and IF a SE leg of a wye is built during this project, the Downeaster could run to South Station saving Amtrak money and offering much better connections through Boston. It's really a once in a lifetime opportunity.
GP40MC1118 wrote:Still requires a backup move at North Station. No way to directly connect the Lowell mainline to the GJ connection at Swift.That connection (Lowell - Grand Junction) is being built right now with the GLX.
Only way would be for them run via Reading.
bostontrainguy wrote:This is a complete clean-room replacement of all the transportation infrastructure in the interchange! All you need right now is to plan for a balloon track in the basement of future parking garage & some ventilation fans. (Maybe a little more complicated but not much). Actually they also need to plan for increased highway lanes, haven't seen the drawings but I bet they aren't!!!BandA wrote:But nobody is considering the need to connect the Grand Junction towards the south-east. Presently all north-south equipment moves (which is all they are using it for now) require at least one backup move.Yeah, when the Grand Junction is upgraded to 40 mph (one of the options being considered - can hear the NIMBYs now!), and IF a SE leg of a wye is built during this project, the Downeaster could run to South Station saving Amtrak money and offering much better connections through Boston. It's really a once in a lifetime opportunity.
ceo wrote:Go look at Google Maps (here) and tell me how you're going to build an eastbound connection from the Grand Junction to the B&A mainline.As planned the Mass Pike viaduct is going to be removed and the roadway lowered to ground level. Then the Grand Junction is going to cross over the Pike on a new bridge. If the plan instead lowers the Mass Pike one level below ground level the Grand Junction could cross over it on a NE wye bridge under the Comm Ave bridge. It would join the B&A main just north of Montford Street. There would still be a NW wye bridge as planned. It is possible.
BandA wrote:What I am proposing, and so far I seem to be alone in this, is a balloon or loop track somewhere where Beacon Park used to be. I suppose some local trains might want to stop at West Station, wherever that will be, so I guess this loop would have to be to the west of West Station. I haven't seen the state's proposed layout, but somehow trains have to cross over or under the ground-level Mass Pike alignment. Trains obviously will have to slow down for a sharp curve.There actually is (was) a loop around the old CSX engine house but that will soon be history or already is. Actually the Downeastern could run "Backwards" to West Station and then forward over the Grand Junction to Maine very easily since it is bidirectional.
Alternatively, you could build a curve/loop in the middle of the Charles River, with a diamond on the Boston side. That would be the best you could do if you need to add the loop after the Brighton interchange is designed.
GP40MC1118 wrote:There is no direct connection being built from the Lowell mainline to the Grand Jct as part of GLX or not.Perhaps not direct per se but it will certainly be possible without a reverse move when yard 10 is finished for access to BS&G post yard 8.