HD MBTA Orange Line cabview ride

[TheWindowdog]

Very cool

[chesterite74]

who is having the conversation, it is an interesting one haha

[2012alexg]

@chesterite74 A father and son was talking to some guy dressed as Ben Franklin :P

[chesterite74]

@2012alexg thats entertaining, what you can hear of the convo sounds really good and indepth, i couldnt tell if it was you and the operator or someone behind you, cause people who ride the T can be wicked loud

[bandboy11111]

@2012alexg ya theres a guy in boston, walks all around haymarket and teaches people

[glandryiris]

Which stop was changed to Tufts Medical Center?

[2012alexg]

@glandryiris New England Medical Center

[glandryiris]

What about the Green Line?

[glandryiris]

That's really not good! How exactly can that one person keep track of all the cars to make sure no one else is boarding the train? Have they done this with the other lines? Personally, I didn't notice anything different when I was in Boston earlier this month. I can't see very well around the station, but I could recognize the train doors because it was white (not silver).

[2012alexg]

@glandryiris Well some stations have mirrors set and some have cameras throughout the platform which the driver can see on a monitor at the end of the platform. And yes, Orange Line has been converted, the blue line never had a second operator, and the Red Line is just about to convert sometimes in the coming months or even weeks.

[glandryiris]

How many people, including the driver, are working on the train at one time?

[2012alexg]

@glandryiris One person, and that is the motorman. It was two people up until May of 2011. One to drive and one to open the doors.

[glandryiris]

I thought all four lines had trains equipped with automated announcements (I've always traveled on the red line). Also, how come the MBTA doesn't invest in getting those quieter trains for the other lines?

[2012alexg]

@glandryiris 1. The MBTA is low on money but is planning to invest it on new trains. 2. Ask for the Orange Line in particular, they are still about 3 or 4 years away from upgrading the fleet. (Source: General Manager Davey)

[markjwil]

@CircusFreakGRITZ Great observation! I remember when that part of the tunnel was used. :)

[2012alexg]

@CircusFreakGRITZ Yeah, I know. Iv'e watched the past few weekends. The doorman also takes the role of the driver at each end. I've also watched them set up the cameras.

[jhgorton]

If I were an operator, I would lose my mind every single time I pulled into State inbound and think to myself "I can SEE Downtown from here." 600 ft between stations ftw.

[hunterthompsonf]

Thank you! i did not know that! learn somthing new everyday! :) :) :)

[hunterthompsonf]

Why is he passing all those reds1

[2012alexg]

@hunterthompsonf The reds are switch markers, when a yellow is over a red, or vice-versa, it means the switch ahead is not set to cross back to the other track. If a signal has yellow on the top and red on the bottom, it means there is a crossback to the left going in the same direction. It would be like looking at the track an seeing an "N" shape, an "X" shaped crossback has two light sets, one one the right side of the track, and one in the center between the two tracks.

[2012alexg]

I miss when the Orange Line had two operators, I hope the Red Line doesn't go through with it's plan to eliminate the conductor like the Orange Line.

[parejopinto]

who made the announcements?

[2012alexg]

@parejopinto the doorman

[parejopinto]

@2012alexg Oh ok Making sure... I am guessing the Conductor also makes the announcements taking pressure and work off the Operator...

[Mcoov]

00:37 RDC's!

[mbtarider43]

at second 0018 is the last place on the orange line that's elevated. (besides malden)

[2012alexg]

yes, i suppose you could call it elevated, even though it's really kind of just a hump of the Commuter rail tracks.

[sieman700]

dam lucky this is a once in a life time chance to ride in the cab

[2012alexg]

@sieman700 i wasn't in the cab the curtain was open

[sieman700]

oh i though you were in cab well anywhere still nice shot and catch that the curtain was open

[2012alexg]

@sieman700 yea i know a driver on the green line that lets me sit in the cab.

[2012alexg]

well stand in the cab technically

[jdgator95]

cool! Did they forget to close the curtain?

[2012alexg]

i guess so, when i was at Oak Grove and started filming. i asked if i could film, and he said, just dont make any loud noises. The Oak Grove to Sullivan footage was in b&w so i just got rid of it.

[jdgator95]

Sounds like he must've been a nice guy! He could hear you ask through the door?

[TNT314159]

And how did ya do it without the operator noticing?

[2012alexg]

i just asked. PS thanks for the 10 minute cheat.

[2012alexg]

no, when he walked in. I know a driver on the green line, nicest driver ever he lets me stand up in the cab.

[2012alexg]

wait, did the blue line have and open window on the left side? cuz i know the orange line has the maps there

[TNT314159]

Usually, yes. Also on the 01800 series cars you can usually see through the left front window.

[TNT314159]

No prob

[2012alexg]

i miss the old blue line

[sieman700]

ya i grew up on the blue line 0600 and now adjusting to the new 0700's but like they say out with the old in with the new

[2012alexg]

@sieman700 out with the old, in with the new on T is a bunch of bullshit to me. They should leave it alone

[sieman700]

the old blue line train were going on 30 yrs old and rusting because of the salty air and the jet fuel in the air