red line slowdown at harvard square?

[lentower.livejournal.com]

hi!

does anyone know why the red line has been slowing down so much long before entering and long after leaving the harvard square station? both inbound and outbound?

is it temporary or permanent?

it's adding several minutes to my trips and is way beyond being annoying.

thanks either way!

best -len

Comments

[znhoward.livejournal.com]

A long time ago I heard an as-of-yet unsubstantiated rumor that Harvard actually pays the T to move more slowly through certain sections of track abutting the station. This in addition to the 90-degree turn issue. There is a sharp turn right out of the tunnel towards Porter, but the trains never seem to slow coming inbound from Porter, so I'm not sure what's going on with outbound lethargy.

I'll ask someone on my home commute, maybe.

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

The turn on the inbound side of Harvard is much, much tighter than the turn into and out of Davis. For ~69ft long train, it's actually an insanely tight turn, but there's nothing you can do the way Harvard Sq. is arranged. I think the speed restriction is 6mph -- it's been a while since I was up to date on all that info. It's entirely possible that speed limits were issued for vibration and noise issues, although I'd be doubtful about Harvard paying. It would be possible.

[lentower.livejournal.com]

The have always slowed down outbound, coming into this turn.

But for the last several weeks, they have started the slowdown much sooner and much further from the turn and the station, as I mentioned when I started this thread.

thanks -len

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

Please see my previous post farther down in the thread reagrding reasons why a slow order might be issued. Again, the most likely reason would be ongoing construction or track work. I can't tell you how long it will last. It could be over this afternoon. It could be weeks. It could be months.