Q's about Harvard-Porter

1. At Harvard and Porter stations, why is one track higher than the other?
2. Why is it that the outbound track at Harvard is higher than the inbound track, but at Porter the inbound track is higher than the outbound track?
3. Why is Porter Station so deep?
4. Whats the record for running up the stairs at Porter?
5. (not exactly transit related)What came first, the chicken or the egg?

Porter station is deep because, just north of the station, the underground tracks depart from the Mass. Ave. right-of-way and start running diagonally under people's property. So it had to be deep-bored rather than cut-and-covered.

AznSumtinSumtin wrote: 2. Why is it that the outbound track at Harvard is higher than the inbound track, but at Porter the inbound track is higher than the outbound track?

This was done because the original Harvard station was built like that so the tracks were already inplace. Also, Harvard objected to the subway being build under the Harvard Yard so this was done to allow for a tight corner.

5. (not exactly transit related)What came first, the chicken or the egg?

The rooster.

vanshnookenraggen wrote:

AznSumtinSumtin wrote: 2. Why is it that the outbound track at Harvard is higher than the inbound track, but at Porter the inbound track is higher than the outbound track?

This was done because the original Harvard station was built like that so the tracks were already inplace. Also, Harvard objected to the subway being build under the Harvard Yard so this was done to allow for a tight corner.

But why is it different at Porter Square?

I've often wondered if the platform layouts at Harvard and Porter were designed to ease passenger flow in the primary directions.

At Porter, having the inbound (which the majority of people at the station are boarding) on the upper level allows them to walk straight onto their train from the bottom of the long escalators, saving time when hustling to catch an arriving inbound train.

At Harvard, the platforms are arranged so that you always walk downhill from your platform to the main lobby if you ride in the primary direction (to/from downtown). And, if you ride the 71 or 73, you always go downhill through the station, regardless of direction -- the ultimate in lazy transit commuting!

Overall, there seems to be a lot of thought put into the Alewife extensions stations, although I'm not familiar enough to comment on the other new sections of the subway. Also, Alewife and Davis do have choke points at the turnstyles when outbound trains arrive during the evening rush, but the reversable faregates should help ease that when AFC hits.

Good explanation, octr!