Recent content by devnull

Yeah; if you're curious for updates on that, check out: gosrpra.com

The T is starting "exploratory borings" along the Mattapan Line as part of planning what they need to do to support the Type 9's there: https://dotnews.com/2024/t-moving-ahead-trolley-line-upgrade

From that press release: I found it interesting that they're doing signal work, after the Red Line Signal Upgrade work there is marked as "complete":

Also, despite Boston not getting much actual snow, parts of Somerville have been. The area around Medford/Tufts is pretty slushy with snow laying on top of the slush:

I rode across the viaduct in both directions today, and clocked it at ~20-25mph in both directions on my phone's GPS!

I watched the recording of that board meeting to see if they had any more details about the Lechmere Viaduct speed restriction. Nothing in the slides, but this is what Phil Eng said: "Back to the Lechmere Viaduct, that currently has 2 speed restrictions, one in each direction, 10 miles per hour...

This lines up with when Angel Peña left. He was the one who always signed the weekly emails for these updates. On October 11, he sent an email to the GLT/OLT/RLT mailing lists with a farewell note:

I rode the green line between GLX stops and North Station today, and noticed something interesting. In previous closures between North Station and Government Center for garage demolition, when going towards North Station, the train would cross over from the inbound track to the outbound track...

Ron Ester, Chief Safety Officer at the T, is resigning at the end of the month: https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2023/08/15/mbta-chief-safety-officer-resign-ron-ester-phillip-eng-rod-brooks/

Globe article about the T's continued dispatcher shortage, one year in. It also includes some detail about a couple April safety incidents related to dispatching

Dorchester Reporter article reporting about the public meeting: https://www.dotnews.com/2023/mbta-proposes-razing-ashmont-station-s-trolley-loop Includes a rendering of Milton post-reconstruction, and diagrams for potential changes to Ashmont and Mattapan stations

GLX did have 40mph running sections when it opened (I clocked it a few times on my phone back then too :D), but, when the global slow zones hit earlier this month, it was down to a max of ~25mph. Great to hear it's back up to 40mph again!

This looks like a planning/design grant; what are the chances they find money (or a private developer partner) to actually construct something once they have a plan?

Interesting; thanks for the insight!

Looking for a refreshment on your next Commuter Rail trip? Earlier today I happened to spot what looks like an Amtrak cafe car (edit: not a cafe car, see below) in the middle of a commuter rail consist: I was walking across the West Fourth Street bridge (looking south), so I'm guessing it was...