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  • GLX Impact on NH Route (Lowell Line)

  • Discussion relating to commuter rail, light rail, and subway operations of the MBTA.
Discussion relating to commuter rail, light rail, and subway operations of the MBTA.

Moderators: sery2831, CRail

 #1451128  by Arlington
 
Looking ahead, can we assume that some of the first work on the GLX will be to move the Lowell Line "outward" (away from the future GLX) along its entire run from the Washington St / Yard 10 lead, all the way out to the "early works" re-slotting that we've just seen completed at Tufts?

I'm also guessing that there some places (Broadway Bridge at Ball Sq?, which seems to have only 3-tracks' clearance right now) where there isn't enough clearance yet to actually move the CR tracks?
Last edited by CRail on Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:03 am, edited 1 time in total. Reason: Unnecessary quote removed.
 #1451134  by ceo
 
At least as of the previous iteration of the plan (you know, the one that turned out to be a bit too spendy), the plan was to single-track the Lowell Line through the construction area for the duration. I believe that's part of why they built the new interlocking.
 #1451143  by Arlington
 
Certainly they can get most of the benefits of moving the tracks just by running everything on the outbound track, but at some point they're going to have to either lay a new track in the new "outer" outbound slot (would they "donate" the inbound track to the GLX?), or drag both of today's tracks "one slot outward" into their new slots.
Last edited by CRail on Thu Nov 23, 2017 2:03 am, edited 1 time in total. Reason: Unnecessary quote removed.
 #1451711  by Arlington
 
Crews were grooming the ballast on the new inbound track today (Sunday). For the week prior, ballast had been left mounded atop thr ties on the centerline of the track. As of Sunday midday, it was groomed flush with the ties. Still no sign of the Burget Ave signal mast.
 #1452273  by Arlington
 
The Lowell line is probably single-tracked on the inbound track again this weekend as signal crews work on pulling cables alongside the outbound track.

It is hard for me to believe that they have positioned the Lowell line far enough "out of the way" (compass northeast) under the College Ave bridge--it seems like they will have to move it again in order to fit two GLX tracks and a center platform.

There's also a whole lot of empty ballast on the northeast side--the new retaining wall on the northeast/outbound side seems up to 20' away from the CR track-- more than just a place for signal conduit below and wheeled access on the gravel. Is this just being future-proof or do they intend to move the CR again once the retaining wall is done (mostly it is beams and boards, not finished concrete)?
 #1452279  by Trinnau
 
Dick H wrote:Downeasters are using the Western Route through Reading both
Saturday and Sunday, this weekend.
Unrelated to GLX, work is on the Wildcat this weekend.
 #1452286  by Rockingham Racer
 
Trinnau wrote:
Dick H wrote:Downeasters are using the Western Route through Reading both
Saturday and Sunday, this weekend.
Unrelated to GLX, work is on the Wildcat this weekend.
Would you happen to know what they're doing? TIA!
 #1452351  by MBTA3247
 
Dick H wrote:Downeasters are using the Western Route through Reading both
Saturday and Sunday, this weekend.
It's off-topic for this forum, so I posted a photo of one of the detouring trains here.
 #1452778  by Arlington
 
MassDOT says:
Beginning the evening of Tuesday, December 12th, and continuing through Thursday, December 14th, nighttime construction work is anticipated between the hours of 11:30 PM (after the last train passes) and 6:00 AM the following morning. The approximate location of this activity will run from the College Avenue Bridge to the Harvard Street Bridge along the Lowell Commuter Rail right of way in Medford.

The purpose of this work is to allow for the leveling of newly installed track. The primary machinery involved in this process is a leveling device which rides slowly along the rails while making fine-tuned adjustments to the track grade and alignment. Occasionally, trucks supporting the leveling process may trigger audible back-up alarms.
I've also seen that, in general:
1) Heavy "digger" equipment has been working on both sides of the Lowell tracks, both in the margin of ballast on the CR & truck access side, and in the wide apron of ballast that's been exposed on the future GLX side. I have not been able to tell what they've been doing.
2) At least as of mid-week, there's still no signal mast on the "outer" end of the work zone.
 #1452802  by Arlington
 
Interesting: midday today (Friday Dec 8) Lowell is single track (outbound side) between Winchester Center and North Station.
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