Train's crawling to Porter

[mark0429.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know why trains moving from Davis to Porter have been so lethargic of late? Could it be a noise issue similar to the one near Harvard?

Thanks.

Comments

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

To be honest, I've noticed no difference. I doubt it's a noise issue, though. You can barely hear the train when you're sitting on top of that glass roof in Davis. Probably it's either an issue with the trains or "schedule adjustment".

[ron_newman]

I've noticed it but don't know the answer. What noise issue at Harvard?

[nora-rocket.livejournal.com]

I'd noticed it starting Monday, and assumed it is a slow zone due to current or impending track work.

As for the slow zone as one exits or enters Harvard to or from Central, the legend(s) I'd (variously) heard was(were) that the tracks pass beneath a library/residence hall/something on campus and the noise/vibration disturbs sleep/study/whatever, so Harvard prevailed on the T to put in a slow zone. This could, however, be utter crapola.

[spatch]

Actually, the reason why the trains go slowly through that spot is because it's a very sharp curve and the 6-car trains can't physically take it at regular speed.

The curve evens out by the time it gets further on up Mass. Ave, and you can hear them rumbling by if you're in the basement section of the Harvard Bookstore.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

You can also hear them in the basement of Pandemonium at Central. It's kind of hilarious, although it makes for far too much "fun" with audio when I'm shooting down there.

Crapola, confirmed!

[nora-rocket.livejournal.com]

Thanks, internet!

[ceo]

There are those kind of theories about it? I'd have thought it was so obvious that no theorymongering would be necessary. The earsplitting screech alone ought to be a big hint.

[countlibras.livejournal.com]

I was on it this morning and didn't notice any difference.

It's probably a Slow Order

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

If it persists for a period of time, then it's probably a slow order (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_order). This is an impermanent decrease in speed limit for a given section of track.

Usual reasons for slow orders are deficient track scheduled for future maintenance. Simply put, the slow order is somewhat akin to the lower speed limit when driving through a construction zone.

However, certain sections of track have do have permanent low speed limits. The speed limit coming into Harvard Sq. on the outbound track is merely 6mph. This is due to the extremely sharp curve. All cars in the trainset must clear the curve before a higher speed can be taken, which is why people often wonder why the train is going slow before and after the curve (depending on where you are sitting).

Re: It's probably a Slow Order

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

The slowdown on inbound trains between Davis and Porter totally feels like a slow order to me. There's more bouncing and screeching on that stretch than there was when trains went at normal speed.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

I've been wondering that myself; it's nice to see a probable answer.