#7 line - signals are all supposed to be new, yet constantly break down

As I understand it, the #7 line got a new, modern signal system not long ago. But I frequently get TA alerts of signal breakdowns on the 7. Anyone know what is behind this?

On LIRR when they did a new signal system at Jamaica, things seemed to get a lot worse, including botched repairs after a storm. Do we have a like situation here?

Ah, you mean CBTC (constantly broken take cab) system.

The whole process was rushed (yes, even for the MTA's long process). It was never properly tested (they figured that if it worked on the L, there would be no problems on the 7). The systems on both lines are similar but not identical.

Before CBTC the 7 was already running on close headways (sometimes 2 minutes or less at times). CBTC really did not change that.

The 7 line has been the victim of poor planning and lousy upgrades. The concrete viaduct section had to be done and redone so the problems with the signal system is not surprising at all. It would also not be surprising if the R142A car upgrades to R188 specs are probably fouled up as well.

Even the 'new' section - Times Square to Hudson Yards has had many problems requiring weekend truncating to Queensboro Plaza.


As for the LIRR, Positive Train Control is a whole other issue (but was rushed so the MTA could meet Federal deadlines).

Lovely

Allan wrote: ↑Fri Jun 10, 2022 10:01 am It would also not be surprising if the R142A car upgrades to R188 specs are probably fouled up as well.

It was done in Yonkers and other than some upgrades, the R142As were unchanged, cosmetically or in the
public eye. The only other example of a R-class designation being "reclassified" was the R11 overhaul
to R34 spec in 1965 (excluding work equipment).

I am aware of that. It is the new R188 'C' cars that I am leary about.

For those who haven't followed the R142As on the 7, the 'A' car is the operating car at each end of the 5 car set, the 'B' car is a motorized trailer. The 'C' car contains the computer equipment needed for the CBTC system to work on that trainset. It is inserted as the 2nd car of the Flushing bound end of the train. This makes up the 11 car train on the 7.

An 11 car consist is made up as A-C-B-B-B-A A-B-B-B-A.

Fleet numbers:
R142A conversion to R188 7211-7590
New R188 cars 'A & B &C' cars 7811-7898 (in 6 car and 5 car sets).
New R188 'C' cars 7899-7936 (for insertion to the converted R142A sets).

Source info:

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/New_Tech ... A_Division


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R188_(New ... ubway_car)

These combinations appear that if any one car in a section the whole section becomes OOS. Way too complicated causing more spare sets in this case needed .

west point wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 5:50 pm These combinations appear that if any one car in a section the whole section becomes OOS. Way too complicated causing more spare sets in this case needed .

During the deferred maintenance era of the 1980s NYCT had the R62, R62A, R68 and R68As built as single unit MUs
for redundancy and to reduce risk of car failures. Prior to 1959 (R26) most cars were single MU types, then pairs
(even/odd until the R42s).