by byte
I notice there are several flag-stops at the new 35th station, both in and outbound on weekdays, and almost all trains on weekends. Which is really interesting because that's 79mph territory right there, and I don't see them putting up a strobe light mast like they have on the CSS&SB. Wonder how they intend on letting the engineer know someone's on the platform, without making them do a "precision big hole" at the last minute. Thankfully neither of the two Beverly inbound trains I can take in the morning will be stopping at 35th, so my snooze between Englewood and 16th street will be uninterrupted.
There are various things Metra could do to really speed up the Gresham - LaSalle portion of the Rock mainline. The cab signaling system used on the route gives them the ability to pass 79 mph as the top speed, if track tolerances are brought up to an FRA class 5 standard - up to 90 mph, which is the maximum speed for tread-braked equipment. Clearly the speed restriction at Englewood will be solved when the flyover is constructed, but no such possibility exists for 16th street. However, an FRA waiver could be obtained for the installation of a flange-bearing diamond there, giving Rock trains a smooth (and faster) path through the junction, meaning they could pretty much start accelerating up to 79 (or 90, ideally...) as soon as they leave the terminal limits of La Salle.
There are various things Metra could do to really speed up the Gresham - LaSalle portion of the Rock mainline. The cab signaling system used on the route gives them the ability to pass 79 mph as the top speed, if track tolerances are brought up to an FRA class 5 standard - up to 90 mph, which is the maximum speed for tread-braked equipment. Clearly the speed restriction at Englewood will be solved when the flyover is constructed, but no such possibility exists for 16th street. However, an FRA waiver could be obtained for the installation of a flange-bearing diamond there, giving Rock trains a smooth (and faster) path through the junction, meaning they could pretty much start accelerating up to 79 (or 90, ideally...) as soon as they leave the terminal limits of La Salle.
That old car might be worth money!