Solari board replacement at South Station and Back Bay

[shadyjay]

I saw the smaller boards still up over the track "gates" last week... to tell you the truth I don't remember them working too well (if at all) when I would frequent SS 1996-1998. They would be a cool "buy" for railfans - if you could manually scroll through the destinations. I'd get one if they went for a reasonable amount of $.

Also nice to see giant ads for Vermont finally replacing the IPod ads. Too bad there wasn't a direct train from Boston to Vermont and the service could really be marketed with the ads.

http://shadyjay.files.wordpress.com/200 ... 09-013.jpg

[bierhere]

I recently noticed that MBTA replaced MBCR as the carrier. Anyone know when this happened?

[danib62]

I recently noticed that MBTA replaced MBCR as the carrier. Anyone know when this happened?

Because MBTA is the carrier! MBCR is just the operator.

[type 7 3704]

As of 8/17, all the mini Solaris have been removed.

[BostonUrbEx]

Today the solari boards at North Station kept making the "number flip" sound over and over and over -- nonstop!

[Diverging Route]

Today the solari boards at North Station kept making the "number flip" sound over and over and over -- nonstop!

I noticed that yesterday (Thursday) as well. Time to reboot the system...

[CRail]

I've witnessed that before. They've also clapped for no reason ever since they were installed. Not constantly, but periodically when no changes are made to the board.

[sery2831]

The board to left at North Station has been making non stop clicking noise for over 3 days now.

The boards are all linked(North, South, and Back Bay) I am told. And when one board is changing, they all click! Sort of odd if ask me, and I cannot confirm if it's true.

[boblothrope]

Today the solari boards at North Station kept making the "number flip" sound over and over and over -- nonstop!

That fake flipping noise is annoying noise pollution. They should get rid of it. If there needs to be audio notification of an update besides the announcement itself, they can use a simple ding.

[The EGE]

The flipping noise is very popular - even with those not old enough to remember the real noises the boards made. When all three stations lack enough room during rush hour to actually stand and see the board, and the announcements sounds like the adults in Charlie Brown, the flipping noise is a lifesaver. It's unobtrusive compared to any other noise, and it's a neat hat tip to railroad history.

[3rdrail]

I agree with The Egg in all his hardboiled glory. In this day of cut-backs and no frills, it's nice to see a little whimsy, especially if the subject matter is historically railroad at a railroad station. It's got to be a minimum investment to provide and it gives the place just a bit more personality. Well worth it !

[BostonUrbEx]

Agree fully with Ege here. I just wish it would only make the number flip noise when the board actually changes.

[diburning]

The problem is..... the flipping noise sounds NOTHING like the real Solari board! I remember what they sound like. The current boards sound like someone trying to start a truck.

The automated voice sounds a LOT like Frank Oglesby, but seeing how it mispronounces simple words like New Hampshire (Nuu hem-shah? is literally what it says with a somewhat surprised tone to it)

For the 12:10AM trains at North Station, those announcements are generally done by a person. I don't see why they can't simply record a person making the announcement, and then replay it. Heck, even Microsoft Sam would be an improvement over the current voice.

[sery2831]

The 12:10s are announced by the system every night.

The boards make the clicking sounds randomly(reasoning explained in a post by me above)... They should only make the clicking sound when the information is being changed on the boards to bring attention to the changing information.

[diburning]

Of the many times that I've taken an outbound train that leave at 12:10AM, I've noticed that when they board more than one train at a time, the announcement is usually (but not always) at least partially done by a person and not the automated system. (meaning the person will announce 2 trains while the automated system will announce the others)