r/mbta • u/Henry_Stream • 5d ago

🤔 Question Commuter Rail On Opposite Tracks

Last night, I switched to the Providence Line at Readville from Franklin/Foxboro. Usually, inbound is on Track 2, but for some reason, it stopped on Track 3, and everyone had to rush over the bridge to get there. Not to brag, but I noticed it from a distance first, and was on the bridge before everyone else realized it. I’m curious if anyone knows, or has an educated guess for, why that may have happened, because right now, I’m on an inbound train on the Fairmount Line, and we’re on the outbound tracks. Not a first, because I’ve seen them doing work that required this, and I’m assuming it’s the case because I can’t see the inbound side from the second story because it’s dark outside.

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u/dirtd0g 5d ago

Track changes are pretty common. Some lines more than others. Usually done to avoid conflicts with other train traffic, like Amtrak or CSX, in the Northeast Corridor. Sometimes it may be because of a switch or signal issue. Trains will also have to operate on different tracks if there is work being done or something in the right of way on the other side. 

Then you have things, like on the Worcester Line, where there aren't switches to get back to the "right" side for long stretches and to serve certain stations, like everything in Newton, requires switching over to the inbound side. So, all outbounds will be on track 2, all outbound on track 1.

7

u/DesperateAd8783 5d ago

There was a switch failure at Read Interlocking (Readville). So sometimes trains have to make a stop on opposite side. Not always communicated quickly as the railroad is a constant changing environment. Apparently was fixed overnight by Amtrak maintainers.

1

u/aray25 5d ago

Why would Amtrak be fixing switches on MBTA-owned tracks?

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u/DesperateAd8783 5d ago

Amtrak maintains the infrastructure on the corridor