Amtrak Downeaster Southbound in Medford, MA (Canal St.) With a Weird Consist

Amtrak Downeaster 686 southbound to Boston through the Canal St. crossing in Medford, MA on 02/23/11 with an extra locomotive sandwiched in the middle. Later found out that this actually isn't that unusual, but still an awesome catch!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Amtrak
• Downeaster
• Medford MA
• Canal St.
• MBTA
• grade crossing
• bell
• signal
• Lowell Line
• Boston
• Trains
• Railroad
• Greater Boston
• North Station

[TH3GR1FF13]

@trinityct Yah that would explain why they were running late. Thnx 4 the tip

[jph0917]

When the Downeaster roared passed us as we were stopped at Winchester, I thought I saw an extra car & engine but wasn't sure, it went by faster then it went by you. BTW, next time, don't stand right at the crossing signal, stay back at least 15', the Downeaster goes by a lot faster than the regular MBTA trains.

[TH3GR1FF13]

@jph0917 Yah, normally I wouldn't stand that close for the Downeaster, but since it was running so late, I didn't think that the train coming was it. By the time I did, I thought safer to hold on than to move and lose footing.

[TH3GR1FF13]

I figured because I was standing behind the gate, I would be ok, but I was holding on for my life!

[trinityct]

Nice! That must've been train #686. That's the train that they usually put extra equipment on the rear. Instead of n extra equipment move, they save some time and fuel, and tack on an extra P42, NPCU, coach, cafe, or what ever. Sometimes, they add an entire trainset to the original trainset. Then you have 2 consists coupled up to each other. That's called a double-draft! Nice catch! :)

[TH3GR1FF13]

@AuroraFoxNEC Actually, the local police said I was fine and we had a good chat. Turns out he likes trains too! He said I was fine