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I apologize if this is the wrong forum, but I think someone here probably knows: My commuter train into Boston rides the same rails on the NEC as Acela. I noticed just after MP 211, there is a big yellow sign with "DS" in white letters. About 1/4 mile later there's a black sign with "DS" in white letters, and black and white diagonal lines below it. Does anyone know what this signage means?
streets of paris Member # 521
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the yellow DS sign has an indication of "APPROACH DEAD SECTION" and the black DS sign has an indication of "DEAD SECTION". these signs are used to alert the engineer to an upcoming section of catenary that is not energized. there are four dead sections between new haven, ct and boston, ma. i believe the dead section you are referring to is in sharon, ma. anyways, the engineer is supposed to put the main circuit breaker of the power car in the OPEN position. the acela express trainset has batteries so there is very little interruption in the coaches but the regional trains' interior lights actually go out in these dead sections where the train coasts without power. hope this was informative.
chrissu55 Member # 929
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Thank you! I guess since our MBTA commuter train is typically a GP40MC we wouldn't be using the catanary to see our lights go out. Are these dead sections by design, or places that need maintenance, or out of range of the substations? Seems odd to have dead spots.
Thanks again!
streets of paris Member # 521
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believe it or not, the dead sections are actually part of the design. they occur at each substaion. go figure. hope this helps.
Kent Loudon Member # 902
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quote:Originally posted by streets of paris: believe it or not, the dead sections are actually part of the design. they occur at each substaion. go figure. hope this helps.
I'm not an electrical engineer, but I believe this has something to do with the adjoining "sections" being "out of phase". If two out of phase sections were directly connected, it could screw things up at adjoining substations. The dead sections serve as insulators.
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