Hey, Brain Trust! (Notably those in Carolingia!)

[albreda]

When I rode the T with the kids this last summer, D wondered aloud about the organization and logistics of the track, namely is it all one track with pullouts for trains going in opposite directions to pass one another (maybe doubling as station stops?) or it it two tracks (likely each with their own pullouts) that converge only at terminal

Comments

[gryphon2k]

To the best of my knowledge, having ridden all the T lines for years, the T proper (green, red, orange, and blue lines) all are at least double tracked. The only place I know of where there is a single track in on the commuter rail. Between South Acton and Fitchburg on the Fitchburg line, for instance, it is single track. Which is why many of the trains stop at South Acton, and only a few continue all the way out to Fitchburg, because they have to time the passings. However, they are currently adding a second rail to that entire section (along with reno'ing many of the stations to allow handicap access to the trains).

re: double tracked

[etherial]

Yup. The duble track is visible from space if you know where the rail lines are above ground.

[albreda]

Thanks for the feedback! I love how Scadians *get* curious kids!

[albreda]

Thank you!

[hugh_mannity]

Double track -- easy to see on the southern end of the red line where it's all above ground

[albreda]

Sounds like the bathroom pass system I had to use in some schools to ensure that not more than one kid was out of the room at a time during tests!

Thanks for the feedback, AND the history lesson! :)

[rufinia]

Even Alewife doesn't come together- the trains are on two different tracks and then shift to the inbound track when they leave. SOme of the tunnels (Between Kendall and Central and a big part of the tunnel from Central to Harvard comes to mind) are wide enough that you can see the other track and the opposite direction trains when they go by.

They are all double tracked- as Hugh says, the logistics don't work any other way.

[albreda]

There are two tracks at Alewife, but you can get on to go inbound at the exact same spot someone else just got off going outbound, or am I totally misremembering that?

I have certainly seen double track, but wasn't sure if those were pullouts, only on select portions of the track where they have frequent repair issues, etc. I figured it was double (with other pullouts for emergencies, etc), but confirmation is always a good thing.

Thank you!