Transit Planning $h!tposting (Ideas so bad, they're good)

[F-Line to Dudley]

If we're crayoning the state rail map across Central MA with abandon... I have two thoughts. Mostly, I think you'd get 90% of the connectivity benefit, if not more, by just running a proper Providence-Worcester-Lowell, if it's speedy enough and timed to meet the Fitchburg at Ayer. I know that as far as MA Intrastate rail goes we're really focused right now on East-West and compass rail, but I really do think a PVD-WoR-Lowell service would complement it beautifully.

I would hope that in the distant future we can get it with a combo platter with DMU Ag Branch service all the way from Mansfield via the Framingham & Fitchburg subs to Leominster, meeting every 30 minute Regional Rail transfers at each crossing line? Juicy interwoven rail network please.
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For the Mansfield to Leominster line, I'm thinking DMUs with station stops of Mansfield (stub track in parking lot) Foxboro Center, Gillette, Walpole, Medfield, Framingham, (platform on the Wye), Framingham Center, Marlborough Junction / Southborough, Northborough, Clinton Union, N. Leominster, Fitchburg) rejoining the Fitchburg Line by running alongside I190 from Pratts Junction to North Leominster - I'm envisioning this along the lines of a 2 car, maybe even low floor DMU dinky, (I know there isn't a FRA compliant one, let me dream) in the vein of those thin European branch lines. the chief appeal to me being these are old railroad towns, and that particular alignment of towns and cities is actually kinda annoying to drive.

Crossing at Clinton Junction, a Providence-Worcester-Lowell line could serve as RI Intrastate, but if it originates in Providence, I'm thinking station stops at Lincoln/Cumberland, Woonsocket, Uxbridge, Northbridge, Millbury, your choice of Worcester Infills, W. Boylston, Clinton Union, Devens, Ayer, Westford, Lowell.

I don't have good news for you about the travel times. The NYNH&H State of Maine took 1:23 Worcester-Lowell in 1941 with only an Ayer intermediate stop. That's obviously going to be slower with more intermediates. The ROW geometry is really bad for working up any head of steam, and DMU's aren't going to put enough of an acceleration dent in the deficit given that you have fairly wide stop spacing. Providence-Woonsocket with intermediates at Pawtucket, Cumberland, and Manville is projected in the 2009 RIDOT study as taking 27 minutes on upgraded track...pretty good. NYNH&H in 1949 then took 1:00 between Woonsocket and Worcester with intermediates at Blackstone, Millville, Uxbridge, Whitins, Northbridge, Farnumsville, Saundersville, Wilkinsonville, and Millbury. Obviously that can go a little faster with fewer intermediates, but it'll never be fast-fast. But you're still looking at something like 2:45+ on rail for what's a 78-mile expressway trip between the 3 cities. Providence-Worcester may be a viable future rail market especially if Wickford-Providence-Woonsocket intrastate takes off, but the Worcester-Ayer-Lowell leg is where the travel times go totally to spit and are utterly, totally uncompetitive with a coach bus on the highways.