Talk:Blue Line (MBTA)

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[edit] Rolling stock

Thanks for the nice addition of the new "Rolling stock" section!

Atlant 13:34, 23 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Power

The article states that "Blue Line cars are unique among rapid transit vehicles in Boston in that they use both third rail and overhead pantograph current pickup. The line switches between the two at the Logan Airport station where it transitions between running in a tunnel and running above ground." I believe that the power is switched at the Maverick Station, not at the Logan Airport Station. Can anyone verify this? It's been awhile since I was on the Blue Line, so I'd like the benefit of some additional comments before editing the document. Thanks. --abl 13:51, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

No, the power switch definitely used to occur at Airport Station, not Maverick. I think it still does, even with the reconstruction of Airport Station. -- Atlant 14:42, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Definately still at Airport. I watched the pantographs going up and down there only two weeks ago. The continuous overhead lines stop just on the inbound side of the platforms, although there did appear to be remnants of earlier overhead lines heading inbound into the tunnel mouth, so possibly the transition was once at Maverick. -- Chris j wood 16:56, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

The power switch has occured at either location over the years. I remember it happening at Maverick years ago, before the Hawkers. I remember because lights and AC cut out for several seconds during the transfer. Airport I believe is the standard place now, but while the new Airport station was being constructed, it was done at Maverick. Doconeill 00:03, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Strange sentence - what does it mean

The third para of the intro section says:

The northward extension project would either run on the ex-Boston and Maine Railroad Eastern Route Main Line or the ERML in combination with narrow gauge.

which seems a bit odd. There is no other reference in the article to narrow gauge, and 'in combination with narrow gauge' could mean any number of things. I don't think the Blue Line is currently narrow gauge, and there doesn't seem to be any logical reason to contemplate building the extension in a different gauge to the existing line, so maybe I'm misreading this. -- Chris j wood 16:56, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

The new Siemens cars definitely claim to be "Standard Gauge" so that's not the answer to the mystery: the author can't be talking about the Blue Line cars.

Atlant 00:01, 26 July 2006 (UTC)

I believe the author means that the extension could involve just the ERML or a combination of the ERML with the remainder of the old narrow-gauge right of way which is still owned by the state - the old BRB&L right of way. It was a 3ft narrow gauge line. I think the confusion is because unless you follow the BRB&L article, you won't know that it was narrow-gauge. I recommend replacing "with narrow gauge" with "with the remainder of the BRB&L right of way". Doconeill 00:02, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

It's been a while, and no objections, so I'll make the change. Doconeill 22:57, 13 April 2007 (UTC)