by NealG
Any idea if/how this will affect Downeaster service this weekend? So far, nothing has been posted by Amtrak or NNEPRA.
Railroad Forums
Moderators: sery2831, CRail
octr202 wrote:Haven't seen anything yet about the Downeaster. In the past, there have been instances where the Downeasters ran but commuters did not - I guess just thinning out the train traffic was enough to create enough working windows.That pretty much sums it up. Expect a few delays here and there to Downeasters particularly Saturday, but they're running.
insider485 wrote:this morning I noticed at Andover station, a new fence between the running rails. I guess we will not be allowed to cross over to the new station platform once it goes in!Safety/accessibility standard for new construction. Doesn't matter much at a grade crossing situated station because built-to-code street crosswalks do the job and absorb the majority of ped traffic by default. But they're no longer allowed to do unprotected track crossings at platforms anymore, especially mid-platform track crossings. Grandfathering of track crossings stops at first whiff of station-mod or station-repair construction action triggering the new safety requirements, so you are witnessing that triggering "whiff" right now at Andover. If a track crossing is needed on the opposite end they have to install a signalized protected ped grade crossing like several of the Old Colony stops which corral their egresses to fenced and flasher/gate-protected sidewalks. Mass Architectural Board actually prefers full up-and-over grade separation whenever possible a la Littleton despite its position at a grade crossing. But they aren't as draconian about side platforms in constrained real estate and in-situ mods in constrained real estate as they are islands and/or cleanroomed property. Ballardvale and Andover won't be held to the extreme standards that relocated Littleton and semi-relocated South Acton were.
octr202 wrote:Saturday morning saw a tamper and ballast regulator getting ready to work around the JK area...they were actually down near the site of the former Frost interlocking in Shawsheen village.I think you mean Frye, octr. Frost, in Lawrence is quite active.