Amtrak Downeaster Discussion Thread

[Bob Roberts]

I frequently hit heat restrictions when riding the Carolinian on the A-Line in NC (but almost never on the adjacent NS maintained NCRR tracks). The A-Lime is obviously freight dominated but does carry 8-10 amtraks per day (counting the Autotrain).

[STrRedWolf]

I won't be surprised if they push out heat restrictions on the Amtraks and commuter rail carriers, and on pure freight lines they just pull it down to restrict.

[west point]

Remember heavy freight trains are more likely to cause heat kinks than just light weight passenger trains. Also a heat kink may happen for some time after a freight has passed. It may be NS uses more rail anchors than CSX does. Around here some CSX track has anchors every 2 and then some every 3 cross ties.

[daybeers]

Each railroad has its own rules for when heat restrictions go into effect, and what the levels of them mean. The primary factor is the temperature of the rail itself, which is usually dependent on not only air temperature, but amount & strength of that day's sunlight as well.

[BandA]

wasn't the PAR track that the Downeaster uses rebuilt recently-ish? Does it have pre-tensioned CWR? Or stick rail? If the rail was prepared properly it should be good for a certain temperature range. A technical solution would be to dispatch an Advance Drone Section of the Downeaster to survey for defects. Or a simplified geometry car.

[arthur d.]

Quicktrak machine disappearance explained.
When the business hosting Exeters ticket machine changed hands, the new owners wanted nothing to do with the machine, and it was banished to the platform, residing the last few years in a recycled traffic light control box. It had frequently been OOS this past year, and disappeared several months ago. The reason? According to a member of the mostly defunct station commitee, the machine, though apparently impervious to weather, was obsolete, and the newer version of the machine is not, and Exeter will not get a new machine until they can find someone to host it or erect a suitable climate controlled shelter. Thanks Lexie's/Gerry's.

[markhb]

Quicktrak machine disappearance explained.
When the business hosting Exeters ticket machine changed hands, the new owners wanted nothing to do with the machine...

And yet they call themselves the "Trackside Cafe" (at least per GSV from 2017).

[sicariis]

Exeter train station may add upgrades for Amtrak passengers: Restrooms proposed

EXETER — The town is evaluating a proposal to upgrade the Amtrak train station at 60 Lincoln St. due to its lack of restrooms, a problem officials believe could undercut interest and support for public transportation.

Robert Hall, chair of the town’s Train Committee, went before the town Select Board Monday night proposing upgrades to the 20-year-old train station. Those upgrades include adding public restrooms, installing a ticket kiosk and a potential on-site host.

https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/ne ... 877918001/ (paywall)

[MEC407]

Only took them 20 years to figure that out. Amazing.

[arthur d.]

And yet they call themselves the "Trackside Cafe" (at least per GSV from 2017).

Trackside Cafe is actually a tenant within the store and has changed hands itself more than once since Amtrak came to town. They have no control over what the owners do with the building.

[arthur d.]

Plans for a better station have come and gone since service started. Previously, some members of the committee were fanatically obsessed with obtaining the express office portion of the old station, despite its shortcomings, while an available large storehouse on Garfield street would have offered additional parking, waiting space for literally, a trainload of passengers, space for restrooms, a ticket machine, a vendor, and the potential for a platform on the track side without the need for a wheelchair ramp. The price was deemed to be too expensive, yet the cost of obtaining the express office, (a granite block building) and making it ADA compliant, was never researched. The town would have ended up with basically, a restroom facility with a ticket machine, most of the riders would still be standing out in the cold, and it would have done nothing to relieve the most heard complaint, not enough parking. The town was wise to not go forward. Presently, the local high school kids use the station lot as a hangout, open air urinal, and place to dump their beer cans.

[swist]

There are new fare gates at North Station to get onto the platforms. Apparently too many people were getting onto crowded MBTA trains and managed to get off free before a conductor could get to them. As usual Amtrak doesn't exist as far as the MBTA goes - can someone tells me the effect on the DE trains. Do the machines accept Amtrak QR codes on phones (or paper)?

[alewife]

I haven't seen it for myself, but the MBTA's page about the new gates says that scanning the barcode on digital or paper Amtrak tickets will work.

[arthur d.]

Reports of a pedestrian killed Thursday morning at the Front street grade crossing in Exeter. Apparent suicide. According to the time given, train 681 that was involved.
Hell of a way to celebrate the anniversary of the DE service.

[MEC407]

From the Portland Press Herald:

A vehicle drove into the path of an oncoming Amtrak train after the driver was leaving the parking lot at Bruno’s Restaurant on Allen Avenue, Portland police said on Friday.

The vehicle reportedly bypassed the flashing lights and crossing gates, police said.

The vehicle was then struck on the passenger’s side by the train. The vehicle was pushed into the restaurant’s parking lot, where it collided with three other vehicles that were parked.

The man was examined by paramedics at the scene and drove himself to the hospital.

Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/01/14/ ... -portland/

Commentary: His car got hit by a train, the train pushed his car into three other cars, and the police allowed him to drive this same car to the hospital???