Comments on: Transit implements inclement weather plan

By: Amidst slush, Transit scales back service :: Second Ave. Sagas

Amidst slush, Transit scales back service :: Second Ave. Sagas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:43:30 +0000

[...] website. For those of you relying on the subways to get around the city tonight, check out the changes from earlier this month. The B, V and W trains will end service earlier than normal. Most express trains will run local for [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:55:50 +0000

I think stop arms are fairly standard for the sort of signal system in use here. See London, for instance:
http://www.trainweb.org/tubepr.....photos.htm

I’m not sure about switch heaters. I think there may be some, although probably not at every switch.

I don’t think ice has much of a chance to build up on the rails between trains, but you may be right in some cases.

By: Scott E

Scott E — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:48:00 +0000

Andrew,
Good information here – I hadn’t thought about the stop-arms (unique to NYC transit as far as I know). Do they use gas-powered switch heaters like the railroads do? (referring the flames that look like they come from a gas stove used to melt snow that might jam the switch).

I would think trains may run slower in snow, or more specifically, ice. Wouldn’t the rails get slick, causing the same “slip-slide” condition encountered in the fall?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:05:06 +0000

I should add – there may also be train crew shortages if crews who normally drive to work can’t get in due to the snow.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:04:01 +0000

Snow can cause major problems, especially on lines that are susceptible to snow buildup (standard elevated lines aren’t usually a problem, since the snow falls through to the street below). Snow can block the third rail, snow can get stuck in switches, snow can get stuck underneath stop arms (one of the essential safety components of the signal system; the stop arm must go down before a signal will clear, since a raised stop arm will activate the train’s emergency brakes). If the snow is wet and heavy, or if there are heavy winds, trees and tree limbs can land across the tracks.

Trains aren’t stored in yards, since most yards are susceptible to all of the problems I mention above, so instead they’re stored on underground trackage that isn’t essential for service (mostly express tracks) – that explains most of the official cold weather plan changes.

There’s no reason that trains would be moving particularly slowly in snow – if they’re moving, they should move at their regular speeds, unless they’re encountering congestion due to underground layups.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:13:46 +0000

Subways are powered by third rail in most of the world, including New York. They also run elevated for much of the way.

By: Sara

Sara — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:35:27 +0000

Ya know, I’m a recent transplant from the South, and I don’t get the fuss about the snow. I understand that it is a problem for people who drive, but in terms of public transit, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. I was living in NYC (briefly) during that storm in 2007, and that was a big deal. The water overwhelmed the system so quickly, and there was a tornado. The snow, however, is much slower and seemingly much kinder. The buses were running, the trains were running (albeit slower)–so what’s the big deal? I am proud of the MTA for getting themselves together regarding rapid information output via the website and other venues, though.

By: Transit to implement inclement weather plan again :: Second Ave. Sagas | A New York City Subway Blog

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:36:20 +0000

[...] its inclement weather plan again tonight. For more info on the service changes, check out yesterday’s summary. The B, V and W will all end early, and most routes will run local for all or part of their runs. [...]

By: Scott E

Scott E — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:04:27 +0000

Not just the flood in 2007, but LIRR keeps citing the snowstorm from just before Christmas, in which the same train broke down several times, leaving passengers stranded on-board for hours without electricity, heat, or working bathrooms. They’re saying that it’s better to be stranded in Penn Station than on a cold train somewhere.

As far as the blog standards remark, it really doesn’t bother me. Ben’s posts are among the most researched of any blog I’ve seen, and most of the commenters are quite intelligent as well (which is why we sometimes are in favor of bridge tolls, congestion pricing, and/or fare hikes while many seem opposed).

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:20:42 +0000

Actually Scott, you are half right, which is pretty good by blog standards.

I don’t particularly want to pick a fight with you, but I’ve seen this contempt as a common thread in most of your comments. If you hold blogs — or if it’s just this one — in such low esteem, why do you read and/or comments? There’s definitely a way to have a respectful dialogue even if you insist on hiding behind an anonymous handle, and I’d personally appreciate it if you could be more more mindful of that.

Other than that sensitivity to your tone on my part, you’re right about the headlines. Since that bad flood in 2007, the MTA has really been playing it safe in bad weather.