http://mark0429.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] mark0429.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] davis_square2008-12-04 09:24 am
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Train's crawling to Porter

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.

[identity profile] thetathx1138.livejournal.com 2008-12-04 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
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".

[personal profile] ron_newman 2008-12-04 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
I've noticed it but don't know the answer. What noise issue at Harvard?

[identity profile] nora-rocket.livejournal.com 2008-12-04 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
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.

[identity profile] countlibras.livejournal.com 2008-12-04 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I was on it this morning and didn't notice any difference.

It's probably a Slow Order

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/ 2008-12-04 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
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).

[identity profile] hrafn.livejournal.com 2008-12-04 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been wondering that myself; it's nice to see a probable answer.