track speeds may be changing for the MBTA

an engineer told me that the track speeds may be changing again for the passenger trains (i think just MBTA) up here between Boston and Providence

faster or slower?

one of the coolest parts of riding the train to providence is when it zooms by some of the platforms at top-speed.

Top speed is 80 for MBTA coaches. Most of the NEC already allows MBTA trains to do 80MPH.

The MBTA loco's can operate at either 100 or 110MPH (except for #1921 which is restricted to 60MPH), if for example they were pulling Amtrak coaches, in the rare case of loco shortages.

Does anybody know the top speed on the Lowell line? Don't forget there is a long straight away between Wilmington and North Billerica. There also doing alot of track and tie replacement between Anderson and Lowell.

North of Wilmington the highest max speed is 60MPH according to the MBCR timetable. Between Boston and Wilmington max speed on track #1 is 70MPH, while track #2 is 60MPH.

the engineer didn't mention if they were going to be slower or faster, but remember, they weren't sure if this is even going to happen, it might

it seems they're doing tie replacements on the worcester line too. The trains were delayed over an hour today because of 'track work,' which I can only assume was tie replacement since they've had stacks of them next to the tracks for about a month now.

Tie replacement must be going on this week. Sign boards at Ashland had all trains running on Track 2 (Outbound track ) today between 7am-7pm.

From MBTA Web site:

Framingham/Worcester Line
Track work - Outbound Track
Between Westborough and Framingham
Beginning Sunday, October 3, 2004, the CSX Railroad will be performing track maintenance between Westborough and Framingham on the OUTBOUND (No. 1) track. Some trains may experience delays of 10 to 15 minutes.

The first phase of the project will begin in Westborough. The work will progress toward Framingham over the next two weeks.

The impact to Westborough, Ashland and Southborough Stations is detailed below.


Westborough Station – Boarding on the INBOUND (No. 2) Track
Beginning Sunday (October 3, 2004) passengers at Westborough Station will be boarded on the INBOUND side of the station from 7 a.m. until 7 pm.

It is anticipated boarding on the INBOUND side will continue through Wednesday (October 6, 2004).

The track work will affect boarding at Southborough and Ashland as it progresses. Dates for boarding on the INBOUND track at these stations will be posted here when known.


Ashland Station – Boarding on the INBOUND (No. 2) Track
Please check this notice on Thursday, October 7 for information about when boarding will occur on the INBOUND Track.


Southborough Station – Boarding on the INBOUND (No. 2) Track
Please check this notice on Thursday, October 7 for information about when boarding will occur on the INBOUND Track.

Passengers are reminded that it is imperative to use the stairways and overhead bridge when going from one side of the station to the other in order to ensure personal safety and the safety of others.

Lynn Station currently has slow order signs posted at either end. Apparently the concrete slab track is spalling in places under the rails, hence the slow orders. Bet they're sooo glad they built it that way , instead of conventional tie and ballast trackwork Huh??

Don't forget the 70MPH section between Revere and Saugus Draw...

D