Amtrak Downeaster & MBTA Questions

[transitman]

The web site On-Track-On-Line (OTOL) shows the Downeaster using AAR channel 14 (160.32) between North Station & Somerville Junction. Is that information correct and if so, do MBTA commuter trains also monitor/use channel 14?

Is the name Somerville Junction still in use or has it changed?

OTOL also shows Wilmington Junction as the changeover point between Pan Am Railways and the MBTA radio channels. Is Wilmington Junction or Lowell Junction the changeover location since PAR trains merge with the Haverhill Line ?

Which MBTA frequency is used on the Wildcat Branch?

Is there a name for the junction where the Wildcat Branch and Lowell Line merge/diverge?

 

[KB1VLA]

161.415 (Terminal Dispatcher) North Station to Somerville Jct
160.590 (Boston West dispacher) Somerville Jct to Lowell Jct. (Incl. Wildcat)
160.320 is used by the Valley and Boston East dispatchers on the Haverhill Line/Western Route from "Fells" to Wilmington Jct and the Newburyport/Rockport line from Everett Jct to their ends, so the Downeaster would only use 160.320 if they detour on the Haverhill line through Reading.
The junction between the Lowell Line and Wildcat in Wilmington is just called "Wilmington".

 

[transitman]

Thanks KB1VLA for the detailed response! Not living in the Boston area, can you tell me where 'Fells' is located?
New question, another web site shows Pan Am Railways controlling the Lowell line from Bleachery to Lowell Station and west/north. If so, do MBTA trains switch to the PAR channel for this short distance?

 

[KB1VLA]

Fells is in Melrose, just north of Oak Grove station.
Yes, Keolis trains change to the PAR channel when they're in Lowell.

 

[transitman]

The web site On-Track-On-Line (OTOL) shows the Downeaster using AAR channel 14 (160.32) between North Station & Somerville Junction. Is that information correct and if so, do MBTA commuter trains also monitor/use channel 14?

Is the name Somerville Junction still in use or has it changed?

OTOL also shows Wilmington Junction as the changeover point between Pan Am Railways and the MBTA radio channels. Is Wilmington Junction or Lowell Junction the changeover location since PAR trains merge with the Haverhill Line ?

Which MBTA frequency is used on the Wildcat Branch?

Is there a name for the junction where the Wildcat Branch and Lowell Line merge/diverge?

Fells is in Melrose, just north of Oak Grove station.
Yes, Keolis trains change to the PAR channel when they're in Lowell.

Fells is in Melrose, just north of Oak Grove station.
Yes, Keolis trains change to the PAR channel when they're in Lowell.

 

[transitman]

Hello KB1VLA
Based on the replies you supplied to my questions, can you review the following Haverhill Line data and note any errors.

​ 161.415​ 87 North Station <-> Somerville Junction (Somerville) 160.32​ 14 Somerville Junction (Somerville) <-> Fells (Melrose) 160.59​ 56 Fells (Melrose) <-> Wilmington Junction (North Wilmington) 161.52 94 Wilmington Junction (North Wilmington) <-> Haverhill
I'm assuming the Boston West dispatcher handles the Fitchburg Line from Somerville Junction to Willows.​
​

 

[kb1kvd]

The Fitchburg line is handled by the Fitchburg dispatcher Monday-Friday 5am-10pm. All other times it is handled by Boston West. 160.590 (AAR 032) is Boston West and is used on the NHML (Lowell Line) and as mentioned the Fitchburg line. As for 160.320 (AAR 014) that is used for East Route (Boston East) West Route (Valley). The west route is from the Fells to WJ which falls under the Valley dispatcher 160.320 Monday-Friday 5am-10pm and then under the Boston East all other times.

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

The Fitchburg line is handled by the Fitchburg dispatcher Monday-Friday 5am-10pm. All other times it is handled by Boston West. 160.590 (AAR 032) is Boston West and is used on the NHML (Lowell Line) and as mentioned the Fitchburg line. As for 160.320 (AAR 014) that is used for East Route (Boston East) West Route (Valley). The west route is from the Fells to WJ which falls under the Valley dispatcher 160.320 Monday-Friday 5am-10pm and then under the Boston East all other times.

Anything on the MBTA South Coast Rail yet ?

Pete N1EXA

 

[KB1VLA]

160.590 is only used on the Haverhill line between Wilmington Jct and Lowell Jct. Fells to WJ is 160.320.

 

[kb1kvd]

Anything on the MBTA South Coast Rail yet ?

Pete N1EXA
[/QUOTE
Southcoast rail is expected to be using AAR 041 (160.725) for the road but it won't go into affect on that territory until closer to start of service. So for now it's still bulletined for AAR 021 (160.425) that channel will continued to be use.

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

Now its time to wait for the Trains !

Pete N1EXA

 

[EricCottrell]

Hello,

The Mass Bay RRE had a presentation on the MBTA South Coast Rail on Thursday.

73 Eric

 

[KEWB-N1EXA]

New High speed welded rail coming to the Fall River line. Frequncies used are 160.4250 AND 160.5600.

Pete N1EXA