Trolley Running - Well, Sort of...(Mattapan High Speed Line)

[djimpact1]

3048 has been long gone and wouldn't have been a candidate for the original rebuild program anyway.

Thank you typesix & sery! I went back & self-confirmed it was 3087 involved, as well as sery's other listed PCC. I guess my mind was on turkey & stuffing...my apologies for the error.

[MBTA3247]

Were you able to see how bad the damage to the cars was? I don't think the High Speed Line can afford to lose 2 cars for any length of time.

EDIT: looking at the news footage on Boston.com, the damage appears to be largely cosmetic.

[Martin Baumann]

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinio ... _collision

[F-line to Dudley via Park]

Were you able to see how bad the damage to the cars was? I don't think the High Speed Line can afford to lose 2 cars for any length of time.

EDIT: looking at the news footage on Boston.com, the damage appears to be largely cosmetic.

"Hard coupling" collision. From the way the cars were touching headlight-to-taillight there might be a mashed coupler/drawbar assembly under there that made them difficult to pry apart. But doesn't look like the carbodies themselves put any mutual dents in each other.

[Gerry6309]

Another oops on the High Speed Line today. A rear ender but minor damage. Type 7s would have been two total losses. 7 people to the hospital, minor injuries. It happened in the cemetery, they had to cut the fence and climb down the embankment to reach the spot.

[Adams_Umass_Boston]

I think this one shows some minor damage.

[Tom6921]

If both cars were able to operate under their own power following the collision, I guess it's a good sign that the cars will be able to be returned to service.

In 2001, I was on a PCC streetcar charter in Toronto and the car #4549 rear ended CLRV #4062. No damage to either car and both operated under their own power after plus 4062 was in service the next day.

Any idea how fast 3087 was going when it hit 3238?

[Gerry6309]

If both cars were able to operate under their own power following the collision, I guess it's a good sign that the cars will be able to be returned to service.

In 2001, I was on a PCC streetcar charter in Toronto and the car #4549 rear ended CLRV #4062. No damage to either car and both operated under their own power after plus 4062 was in service the next day.

Any idea how fast 3087 was going when it hit 3238?

The speed had to be low, as the ends are designed to collapse somewhat in serious collisions. Fortunately these cars were well rebuilt in the late 1990s and early 2000s and most deteriorated components replaced. In the past, the battery compartment under the rear seat would have been a mass of rust, which was encouraged by the old lead-acid batteries. The present batteries were alkaline types and are less likely to leak and corrode the body.

Note all of the leaves on the ground, This area is known for slippery rail due to leaves. If the wheels slide for any reason, the dynamic brakes drop out, the air brakes come on and the wheels lock. The only way to unlock them is a complete release, difficult in tight quarters. If this incident was inbound, can't tell from the photos, the grade would have contributed also.

[typesix]

The Herald today is reporting that one car rolled backwards into the other:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/11/operator_error_probed_in_trolley_fender_bender

Today's Globe newspaper is also reporting same.The out of service car rolled backwards into a stopped car.

[Gerry6309]

The Herald today is reporting that one car rolled backwards into the other:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/11/operator_error_probed_in_trolley_fender_bender

Today's Globe newspaper is also reporting same.The out of service car rolled backwards into a stopped car.

This indicates that the accident was outbound, and that the car may have been unable to start due to wheel spin. One way to deal with that would be to let the car drift back onto better rail to gain traction. I think that the Mattapan cars now have an anti-rollback switch (very simple on a Boston PCC), but no wheel slip protection. If so, the backward motion may have been deliberate.

[MBTA3247]

The accident was on the inbound track. One of the photos on the previous page clearly shows the Adams St bridge ahead of the cars.

I've never noticed it, but I suppose it's possible that there's a slight downward grade from Cedar Grove through the cemetery until you reach the uphill grade for the flyover above the rail-trail

[Gerry6309]

The accident was on the inbound track. One of the photos on the previous page clearly shows the Adams St bridge ahead of the cars.

I've never noticed it, but I suppose it's possible that there's a slight downward grade from Cedar Grove through the cemetery until you reach the uphill grade for the flyover above the rail-trail

Are you certain it is the Adams St. bridge and not the cemetery bridge?

Of course there is no such thing as zero grade, especially with roller bearings.

[MBTA3247]

The accident was on the inbound track. One of the photos on the previous page clearly shows the Adams St bridge ahead of the cars.

I've never noticed it, but I suppose it's possible that there's a slight downward grade from Cedar Grove through the cemetery until you reach the uphill grade for the flyover above the rail-trail

Are you certain it is the Adams St. bridge and not the cemetery bridge?

Of course there is no such thing as zero grade, especially with roller bearings.

There are also houses visible in the same photo, something you wouldn't see looking from Adams St into the cemetery.

[Tom6921]

Someone keep their eyes out to see when the cars are back in service.

[typesix]

Official as operator error:

http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/12/mbta_operator_error_caused_trolley_crash_that_sent_7_to_hospital