lordsigma12345 wrote:Did MassDOT have PTC installed on the CT River line as part of the Knowledge Corridor project? I was under the impression that, similarly to the NECR, the particular section of track was exempt from the requirements due to traffic levels and also because even though MassDOT now owns the tracks, Pan Am still retains full freight rights and also operates the line on behalf of the state and they are a class II exempt from PTC. My understanding was also that PTC may need to be added to the line if additional corridor service is added beyond the Vermonter. Just curious if anyone has the full information on that.
The FRA main line exemptions to PTC are listed under
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/236.1019" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
For the rail corridor north of Springfield into Vermont;
(2) Passenger service is operated on a segment of track of a freight railroad that is not a Class I railroad on which less than 15 million gross tons of freight traffic is transported annually and on which one of the following conditions applies:
(i) If the segment is unsignaled and no more than four regularly scheduled passenger trains are operated during a calendar day, or
(ii) If the segment is signaled (e.g., equipped with a traffic control system, automatic block signal system, or cab signal system) and no more than 12 regularly scheduled passenger trains are operated during a calendar day.
So, that 2 round trips for passenger trains in unsignaled territory, or 6 round trips for passenger trains in signal territory; with less than 15 million tons of freight per year.