The RVL is very essential to keep on schedule - many meets are either at the west side of Aldene on RVL (if things are running well, trains usually pass in Cranford), inbetween High and Hunter on the NEC, and inbetween Somerville and Raritan.
One train being late in any one of these places will most times make another train late as well. An eastbound train late coming off the Lehigh (for whatever reason) will make the westbound waiting at High late. Then that delayed westbound train might make the eastbound waiting at Cranford/Aldene late as well. Conrail very rarely holds westbound trains on the LL for an eastbound to come up the ramp, usually its the other way around. A train late leaving Raritan yard will hold the westbound up from going into the yard, a late westboudn yarding might hold an eastbound from leaving.
Even though the RVL is double track, its almost run like a single track railroad. The meets are in locations where they can adversely affect other trains. Throw in single tracking anywhere in there, and there goes the schedule..........some padding is necessary in someplaces so conections aren't blown on a constant basis (eastbound at least)
One train being late in any one of these places will most times make another train late as well. An eastbound train late coming off the Lehigh (for whatever reason) will make the westbound waiting at High late. Then that delayed westbound train might make the eastbound waiting at Cranford/Aldene late as well. Conrail very rarely holds westbound trains on the LL for an eastbound to come up the ramp, usually its the other way around. A train late leaving Raritan yard will hold the westbound up from going into the yard, a late westboudn yarding might hold an eastbound from leaving.
Even though the RVL is double track, its almost run like a single track railroad. The meets are in locations where they can adversely affect other trains. Throw in single tracking anywhere in there, and there goes the schedule..........some padding is necessary in someplaces so conections aren't blown on a constant basis (eastbound at least)
On the RR, "believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see"
John, aka "JTGSHU" passed away on August 26, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.
John, aka "JTGSHU" passed away on August 26, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.
