tvachon wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:37 am The closest the Fitchburg line gets to the Cambridge reservoir is about 1 mile (as the crow files).The Fitchburg line crosses right over “Foss Reservoir”: https://goo.gl/maps/fqxEvouwdsZ4awWa6
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tvachon wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:37 am The closest the Fitchburg line gets to the Cambridge reservoir is about 1 mile (as the crow files).The Fitchburg line crosses right over “Foss Reservoir”: https://goo.gl/maps/fqxEvouwdsZ4awWa6
newpylong wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 8:46 pmWhen they redid the signals on the Haverhill end,they put in a 3 block-4 aspect system. Clear-App Medium-App-Stop.That should be plenty braking distance for a 50mph freight?Trinnau wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 6:09 pmThat is a great point, and their implementation of PTC with the breaking distances effectively kills any chance of > 40 freight too...newpylong wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:35 pm Expect 50 MPH everywhere the T or the Downeaster runs. 40 is an artificial MAS imposed by PAR and Guilford before them. The T has tried to no avail to get them to run faster.Problem is the MBTA's signal system is designed for 40mph freight operations because that's all they had to design for to satisfy the deed. Going to 50mph increases stopping distance and impacts signal progression - potentially slowing down passenger trains more than needed in high-density operations.
Ken Rice wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:33 amI believe I was thinking of the Lexington Line aka Minuteman Commuter Bike Trail, and the Mass Central line, neither current problems. The Fitchburg Line does go by the Stony Brook reservoir briefly.tvachon wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:37 am The closest the Fitchburg line gets to the Cambridge reservoir is about 1 mile (as the crow files).The Fitchburg line crosses right over “Foss Reservoir”: https://goo.gl/maps/fqxEvouwdsZ4awWa6
pnolette wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 11:51 am When they redid the signals on the Haverhill end,they put in a 3 block-4 aspect system. Clear-App Medium-App-Stop.That should be plenty braking distance for a 50mph freight?Doesn't matter what the progression is, it matters how far apart the signals are and the speeds/grades. And the PTC/ATC installation is effectively shortening blocks so the MBTA can squeeze as much capacity as they can out of it.
CN9634 wrote:I find this conversation interesting in that CSX is not new to operating over passenger networks and should be a strong contributor to a more efficient joint operation. In fact, they operate over several to include the Northeast Corridor, MN, Metra, VRE (see the latest deal), NJT, MARC and MBTA South Side. Certainly no need to reinvent the wheel here, I think CSX will have a better handle on the joint territory than Pan Am ever did.I think you are forgetting CSX's lack of interest in the Worcester Line, which led to the eventual MBTA/MassDOT purchase and a subsequent substantial investment in new rail and de-stressing by the latter agency when CSX wouldn't lift a finger to improve passenger operations. Perhaps times have changed, but CSX is in the business of moving freight, and they only jump in with their checkbook when it means they benefit too (see VRE).
Ken Rice wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:33 amThe CSXT Fitchburg Running Track is Class 1 (10 MPH) the entire length anyway, and the Foss Reservoir is a back-up system that has not been used in years, and requires a boil water order if/when it is to be used again. It also runs over the Sudbury Reservoir in Southborough, another back-up water supply on a longer causeway.tvachon wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:37 am The closest the Fitchburg line gets to the Cambridge reservoir is about 1 mile (as the crow files).The Fitchburg line crosses right over “Foss Reservoir”: https://goo.gl/maps/fqxEvouwdsZ4awWa6
BandA wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 6:15 pm Yeah, 6+ miles at 10MPH in perpetuity seems like a big ask, even if it is a "voluntary" agreement. Maybe if it's only for trains with haz-mat. PS & OT - towns such as Boylston and West Boylston receive a big pile of property tax from the MWRA and their rate payers.The restriction is not an universal one. If you look at the Power Point linked previously, the 10mph restriction was proposed immediately after a derailment in the watershed for the reservoir. I recall, but can't swear, that it was dirty dirt cars, and that's why the MWRA decided to get involved.
I don't think there are similar restrictions on interstate and state highways and roads running through or next to reservoirs. Such as the Cambridge Reservoir, Quabbin, Wachusett, Worcester's, etc. The Fitchburg Line runs through or next to the Cambridge Reservoir. The Watertown Branch was in decrepit condition and used to run next to Fresh Pond, of course dumping wheat flour into the reservoir would only affect the gluten intolerant.
For a few million, New York City got Ulster County to pull up tracks & block the Catskill Mountain Railroad from running tourist trains next to a reservoir, and that was 100% passenger-only.