Southcoast Rail

It's simply that if they extend all the trains from Middleborough to the Southcoast they cannot be extended to Bourne. And they can't add more trains due to the choke point in Dorchester. Someone else pointed this out a while back. They could run Middleborough to ?BUZ? shuttles...

The 2018 DSEIS explicitly discussed adding a second platform at Middleborough (on the southwest leg of the wye) for Buzzards Bay/Cape shuttle trains.

There is anticipation that Buzzards Bay service will happen shortly after South Coast service starts and the Middleboro layover facility becomes available for that service.

CRail wrote: ↑Wed Jul 24, 2024 6:42 pm There is anticipation that Buzzards Bay service will happen shortly after South Coast service starts and the Middleboro layover facility becomes available for that service.

You also said it was a realistic possibility that they’d start splitting up sets mid-trip. Aren’t you a moderator here? Shouldn’t we as posters have a responsibility to not throw irresponsible speculation out there?

You are correct, I am, and you are reminded, again, that you are not. The reason for that is I have a knowledge of things the source of which is between me and the people who put me here. Let me also remind you that quoting the previous post in its entirety is a violation of forum rules. Please review them.

Operating procedures which exist elsewhere are certainly a realistic possibility despite your preconceived notion that they aren't. I was also called crazy by members here years ago when I argued there was demand for a seasonal service which just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Your comments will age as poorly as theirs.

Crail, I have never believed that you or any moderator is crazy. You guys are just doing your jobs and I appreciate everything that you guys do! I do have a question for you Crail, where did you read that buzzards bay regular service is speculated to start shortly after phase 1 starts? Out of all the articles and the south coast rail project website, I haven’t seen or read anything about that happening. I do believe everything that you say is true, but I just wanted to read about that part specifically so that I can see that it will happen for sure. My other question is that once phase 1 starts, will they ever work on phase 2 or will that never happen? I understand about the abutters and environmental permits that needs to happen, but last I read, it was in conceptual or planning phase. Any info is appreciated!

Governor signed the FY2025 budget yesterday, only 1 month late. See how the T gets through, if Southcoast Rail starts next year and if the predicted $700M deficit for FY2026 materializes before we find out about BOS-BUZ service.

1050, you also weren't here before Cape Cod service started.

Not everything discussed here is public information. Because it isn't, it can't technically be regarded as better than hearsay. My information comes from knowing numerous players in each of the different facets of the MBTA and its operators, and deciphering the legitimacy of that information based on the credibility of the source, its position, and institutional knowledge of how similar things have gone in the past. It's not an exact science. Lots of things are discussed and decided well before they're announced. You can choose to believe my insight or not, you might even challenge it if you feel you have better or more recent information (always citing specific sources in private). We collectively know and discuss things that are not published, and that's the value of this site. Some here will have nuggets of information not everyone knows, and the nature of that information precludes a bibliography. Whether you enjoy the insight or brush it off as hogwash is up to you. Regarding Buzzards Bay service, I know of enough interest and discussion in running it that I believe with near certainty it is going to run. The only reason it will terminate at Buzzards Bay is because additional canal bridge lowerings are met with prohibitive resistance.

SCR Phase 2 is another matter. It requires capital projects that have yet to be funded beyond study stage. I certainly hope it will happen and believe SCR in its entirety will be an ultimate failure if the full build isn't completed. In simpler terms, I have a lot more faith in Buzzards Bay service than I do in SCR Phase 2.

The MBTA's COO told a Providence TV reporter that May 2025 is the latest expected opening date.

https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/se ... -advances/

This comment from him caught my eye. Is this accurate?

“If we get to test number 250 and there’s a problem, we have to start over again,” he explained. “That’s the nature of the system and testing requirements.”

wicked wrote: ↑Fri Aug 23, 2024 12:02 pm The MBTA's COO told a Providence TV reporter that May 2025 is the latest expected opening date.

https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/se ... -advances/

This comment from him caught my eye. Is this accurate?

“If we get to test number 250 and there’s a problem, we have to start over again,” he explained. “That’s the nature of the system and testing requirements.”

That is correct. I'll get more details to pass along, but that 250 # is related to the ACSES/PTC tests before the FRA can sign off on it. We went through the same thing when ACSES/PTC was being implemented on the lines. For example, Test 7 fails, got to start over, back to 0. Once you get up into those triple digit numbers, they tend to have narrowed down/eliminated the problems.

If it’s related to signaling, that makes sense. I thought they meant any error in operation of the line, including if someone threw something on the tracks and caused a derailment. I know that’s unlikely, but …

Phil Eng did an event last week and there is some info on this on the MBTA site. From the sounds of it, service is still on track to start Early 2025. The only real big issue is the East Taunton station construction. Otherwise PTC has begun and the only Certificate of Occupancy outstanding is for the Wamsutta Layover Yard.

Good news is that total number of weekday trips is going to be 32, which is up from the originally planned 26, and of that 15 are going to Fall River and 17 to New Bedford. Also of note is that Shuttle Service will operate from East Taunton to the other terminal (e.g., if a train from South Station is bound for New Bedford, there will be a shuttle service from East Taunton to Fall River, and vice versa). Also 26 Trains on the Weekend, 13 to each station respectively.

How much is the operating deficit expected to be?