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Worcester Line could be in molasses mode for rest of the week
By adamg on Mon, 08/17/2015 - 2:04pm
Keolis is advising that with temperatures forecast in the 80s and 90s this week, the Worcester Line will be taking it easy - extending commutes by up to 30 minutes.
Speed restrictions are in place today for MBTA commuter rail trains on the Framingham/Worcester Line, limiting inbound and outbound trains to 30 mph on sections of track due to high temperatures. Passengers can expect delays of between 10 and 30 minutes on the line until temperatures subside.
Speed restrictions on the Framingham/Worcester Line have been a historic issue due to the nature of the rail line, which was acquired by the Commonwealth in 2012. Because no records exist about how the former freight line was constructed, the speed restrictions are a safety precaution in the event that the rail on that line buckled or shifts in high heat conditions.
Keolis and the MBTA are currently "de-stressing" the tracks, a project they say should mean the end of heat-related speed restrictions by the fall.
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Comments
"...by the fall"?
And I suppose they'll have a fix in for cold weather and snow by spring.
My blog has technical details
Shameless selfish plug for my blog, which has more nuanced and technically detailed perspective on the Framingham - Worcester heat restrictions and rail destressing project:
http://dbperry.weebly.com
Thanks, Dave!
Your blog is great!
As someone who will possibly (hopefully) be riding the Worcester/Framingham line soon, I find this information and presentation invaluable. I wish that this sort of thing was also put out by the T and Keolis, rather than just the "they won't understand" cartoon stuff.
Katy Perry said it best.
'Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up then you're moderately delayed
Goldie Locks is less picky
Goldie Locks is less picky about temperature than MBTA trains.
Suggested reading
for those who think Keolis and the T are overreacting here.
http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Pages/Derailment_of_Amtrak_Auto_Train_P0...
Note that ambient temperature on the day of that derailment was in the 80s.
Molasses?
Thank the travel gods it's as hot as it is then...nothing's slower than cold molasses.
Slippery Rail excuse in 4-6
Slippery Rail excuse in 4-6 weeks.
Molasses?!?
Too soon, Adam. Too soon.