csor2010 wrote:521/522 meet at CP-4 every day, and they both make Newton stops, which would indicate that 521 consistently boards on Track 1.
csor2010 wrote:As far as "single track," I'm referring to the idea that trains cannot meet on that stretch when one train is working the Newton stops.
csor2010 wrote:I passed 522 making its stop at Auburndale around 15:10 (~10" down). As I drove past CP-4 around 15:20, 521 was sitting on the single iron, and presumably had been since shortly after leaving Yawkey 15 minutes before. Additionally, when I have ridden 528 we will often get held at CP-11 until 529 is west of us, presumably waiting for them to finish their work at Auburndale before heading east.
Based on these observations, would I be correct in guessing that Newton is effectively single-track when a train is working stations? I'm presuming that this has something to do with the fact that 521 works Newton from the outbound track (passengers would be crossing in front of 522 to board). In other cases, I've seen trains take turns at Ayer and West Natick to avoid issues with the pedestrian crossings, but holding 521 all the way back at CP-4 seems a little strange; in the other cases the second train would hold just outside the station for the first to finish.
I think the train running through blows it's horn. There shouldn't be anybody standing on the track, lol. I think they've been trying to eliminate pedestrian crossovers at stations by placing fencing at some stations and making people walk much further to get to the other side.boblothrope wrote:csor2010 wrote:I passed 522 making its stop at Auburndale around 15:10 (~10" down). As I drove past CP-4 around 15:20, 521 was sitting on the single iron, and presumably had been since shortly after leaving Yawkey 15 minutes before. Additionally, when I have ridden 528 we will often get held at CP-11 until 529 is west of us, presumably waiting for them to finish their work at Auburndale before heading east.
Based on these observations, would I be correct in guessing that Newton is effectively single-track when a train is working stations? I'm presuming that this has something to do with the fact that 521 works Newton from the outbound track (passengers would be crossing in front of 522 to board). In other cases, I've seen trains take turns at Ayer and West Natick to avoid issues with the pedestrian crossings, but holding 521 all the way back at CP-4 seems a little strange; in the other cases the second train would hold just outside the station for the first to finish.
What rules does the Commuter Rail have about trains passing through (or even pulling into) a station while another train is stopped on the other track to load passengers? Do they always hold outside the station? Is it only on certain lines? I'd be surprised if an Acela Express has to stop every time it tries to pass a Providence local which is in a station.
What technology or procedures enforce this rule? Is it up to the engineer to visually spot a train stopped on the other track? Or is it enforced by the signal system or dispatcher?
boblothrope wrote:What rules does the Commuter Rail have about trains passing through (or even pulling into) a station while another train is stopped on the other track to load passengers? Do they always hold outside the station? Is it only on certain lines? I'd be surprised if an Acela Express has to stop every time it tries to pass a Providence local which is in a station.
nomis wrote:NORAC Rule 121 ...
121. Intervening Tracks at Station Platforms
a. General Requirements
When a passenger train is receiving or discharging passengers across an intervening track, trains and track cars must not pass between that train and the station platform.
...
ExCon90 wrote:Back in B&M days there used to be fixed signals of the PRR position-light type at certain locations to hold trains out if an opposing train was present or imminent; are any of those still in service?
diburning wrote:I'm not sure about other lines, but on the Fitchburg line, I have always observed the operation at Ayer when two trains meet. Only one train occupies the platform at one time, and I think it's because Ayer only has one outlet for both platforms, which is on the outbound side.
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