MBTA- Red Line- Train Leaving w/Sparks- N. Quincy

[PolarisUSMC]

They're fine. The connectors from the train to the rail are replaced on a fairly regular basis. Anything from water, snow, rocks, and arching transfer connection, or blown debris can cause those things to spark.

Provided that the third rail is still fine (It's a massive hunk of Steel. Not much going wrong there), the connectors are considered a sacrificial piece.

[hkfreak]

Where do you live? I hope it's somewhere other than Boston...the "T" as we call it is not really known for matinence.

[PolarisUSMC]

Oh I'm completely ignoring everything else that needs fixing on the T. Doors that only half open, those new, totally useless electronic announcement boards that only work in Park Street, and lets not forget that spring loaded noise that comes from the shock absorbers on the trucks of the cars every now and again. Reminds me of the time I got stuck in park street, a train passed buy, then set something on fire, visibly, in the tunnel.

[adelgado75]

What causes the sparks?

[hkfreak]

It's bad maintenance. The trains' attachements cause a bit too much static and friction, further pitting the rails, as bad as they are right now. The only two benefits:

I) Ionizes the air.

II) Scares rats.

[wiley207]

I thought the sparks were caused via the electrical current in the third rail.