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Technically, Cape Rail is not a new service since it is the same as the existing Cape Flyer. So whatever the present PTC requirements are should carry over. The regulation is "No new intercity or commuter rail passenger service" and not just any passenger service. The Cape Flyer is not ei...

I'll also point out that even if they wanted to go with just 4 trips (2 round-trips) a day over the existing dark territory they have to petition the FRA and get approval for an MTEA under a Limited Operations exception. There will need to be paperwork filed, updates to the PTCIP, PTCSP, etc. It'll ...

Regarding the location of Buzzards Bay, I stand corrected, I've always regarded Cape Cod as beginning at the canal. Regarding service to it; No, what's mentioned in the study is NOT what I'm talking about, and as I said before it most certainly NOT dependent on SCR Phase 2 as has been suggested her...

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t see any sources pointing to the Mbta looking to buy electric locomotives. Not saying it isn’t happening, but I can’t find anything indicating it’s going forward anytime soon. If there is one, please link it and I’ll read it. I'll start with the lengthy post I put...

Don't see how the capital investment south of NY applies here, I'm not talking about major upgrades or significant overhauls - those aren't operating costs which is what this discussion has been about. I'm referring to the top 3 items in that plan (descriptions are on page 2). Inspection/Monitoring,...

That determination was made as part of the transition into PTC and is no longer available, consider it a 1-time "grandfather" situation. The regs clearly state that any new commuter or intercity service that intends to start after Dec 31, 2020 requires PTC. 236.1005 Requirements for Positi...

I agree that the numbers will be difficult to come by to directly compare the costs because there are so many variabilities. I want to emphasize that I said operate/maintain because there is more to it than just not having to replace wire or not having the wire available. For example: A dedicated po...

Yes it's cheaper to operate/maintain an electric than diesel locomotive. There are fewer moving parts. But it's not a fair comparison, just like it's not fair to compare MMBF between the two. A true comparison is the cost of operating/maintaining a diesel (shop, parts, etc) plus fuel (diesel) compar...

The MBTA's 80-coach Rotem order from 2019 includes enough control cars (31) to replace the remaining MBBs and then some. Here's the presentation from the Board meeting. In short, 80 coaches with 31 CTC and 49 BTC - 31 new, 2 to replace wrecked cars, 16 for South Coast Rail The MBBs are obsolete, hav...

I don't think it's whining to point out that the T courts people in Prides Crossing more than it course people in Lawrence or Brockton I'll point out Prides Crossing has been closed since March 2020. Putting aside the larger no-fare discussion and assuming fare revenue remains it costs money to ope...

Buzzards Bay is not on Cape Cod, and service to it is not related to the further plans ONTO the Cape correlating to SCR Phase 2. Service to Bourne and beyond is not what I'm talking about. The Cape Rail Study explores both Buzzards Bay and Bourne options. So what we're talking about is exactly what...

The MBTA committed to piloting electric service on the Providence line. This dates back to the fall of 2019 when the Rail Vision report was released and the FMCB adopted several resolutions. As CRail notes track 4 at Attleboro was already electrified, and track 3 was not but has the overhead structu...

There are no plans to demolish the existing Middleboro station, and the Cape Flyer is still intended to stop there for the foreseeable future once regular service shifts to the new location. Not sure if they'll run a shuttle between stations or what, but it's not going anywhere and should be "t...

With PTC requirements now they have to be careful to make sure it's still considered a tourist or seasonal operation. If it starts to look like regular service it'll be dead without PTC.

I'm hearing service to Buzzards Bay will begin as soon as SCR opens. Seems there's a logjam of things MassDOT wants to do that are held up by SCR being first in line. See MassDOT's report on Cape service which was just released this past November. It'll start after SCR, and another $70M+ in investm...