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  • PTC on Commuter Rail

  • 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

 #1551082  by twropr
 
I believe MBTA is using ACSES on its ex-New Haven lines so their equipment will be compatible with Amtrak when they run into South Station. On the Worcester Line is the "T" using ACSES? How 'bout the former B&M lines out of North Station?
Andy
Jacksonville, FL
 #1551315  by 8th Notch
 
Amtrak sent a dedicated PTC trainset to the north side for ACSES testing on the north side a week or so ago so things are coming along.
 #1551992  by Backshophoss
 
The only "kicker" is the lack of ab signals on the ex-B&M lines,part of the deal with Guilford on the sale to the MassDOT.
 #1553050  by CRail
 
ACSES doesn't require cab signals.
 #1553109  by Trinnau
 
ACSES was designed to overlay on ATC though. Why do you think MBTA is now installing ATC on the ex-B&M lines? They only got a temporary variance for use of it over the existing ABS system.
 #1553279  by lordsigma12345
 
An ACSES without ATC deployment does have some differences because of the PTC requirement to provide for positive separation and avoiding movement through misaligned mainline switches. Such a setup requires installing additional wayside interface units on all the block signals where in the standard ACSES+ATC deployment they'd only be installed at interlockings/control points. They use the ACSES positive stop functionality to provide a degree of positive separation. If a block signal displays its most restrictive aspect (stop and proceed or restricting) or if the data radio in the locomotive fails to connect to the WIU a positive stop occurs and subsequently a restricted speed limit is then enforced for the duration of the block.
 #1553318  by Trinnau
 
The MBTA's application allows a Stop & Proceed/Restricting signal to be passed at 15mph without requiring a positive stop. The radio communication failure still causes a Stop.

In either case the restricted speed limit is enforced for the entire block - or longer in some specific cases.
 #1562811  by johnpbarlow
 
Bumping this thread: MBTA Service alert as of 2/8/21 5:14PM:
ShuttleUPCOMING
On weekdays, March 2-April 30, buses will replace all Fitchburg Line trains between Littleton/495 & Alewife for a connection with the Red Line while we upgrade the signal system for Positive Train Control (PTC). A dedicated bus schedule will be in effect.
Attachments:
Fitchburg line PTC service alert 020821.JPG
Fitchburg line PTC service alert 020821.JPG (74.79 KiB) Viewed 1344 times
Fitchburg line PTC service alert 020821 2.JPG
Fitchburg line PTC service alert 020821 2.JPG (96.33 KiB) Viewed 1344 times
Fitchburg line PTC service alert 020821 3.JPG
Fitchburg line PTC service alert 020821 3.JPG (69.85 KiB) Viewed 1344 times
 #1562901  by octr202
 
This is a good and creative use way to try to accelerate this work when the system is lightly used.

Would be nice to see some of the 500-series buses restored to serve Waltham (currently none of the 5 routes are running thru to downtown Boston). Pretty large transit-dependent population in Waltham, which will basically have no options other than the 70 or the occasional commuter rail shuttle to Alewife for service to/from the city.