15 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Note that I have made a minor change to the Itinerary, to take in the bustitution of the southern portion of the Downeaster route.   This is based on the times for the Downeaster train and substitute bus on the e-tickets.  The only notable difference is that the bus leaves North Station 5 minutes earlier (11:45 AM) than the train would have. 

 

Also they don't give much time to transfer between bus and train, or train and bus, in Exeter so I assume that the schedules are padded and the first conveyance will arrive in Exeter earlier than noted.   There is no way they would be able to offload a train or bus and load the other within 1 or 4 minutes.

 

I'll try to work on the participant list this week.   Please let me know if you're interested in the Friday or Monday Foxboro trips.  If we have nobody on one or the other, then I don't have to go twice.

[steve4031]

I will not make either Foxboro trip. B

[saxman]

Just sent in the email. I'll be there and looking forward to having a fest again.

[KevinKorell]

The good news about the Downeaster bustitution is that it's nonstop between Boston and Exeter -- that is, it won't be deviating to the Woburn or Haverhill stations.

[steve4031]

The good news about the Downeaster bustitution is that it's nonstop between Boston and Exeter -- that is, it won't be deviating to the Woburn or Haverhill stations.

A bus is a bus is a bus and bus spelled backwards is sub as in substandard.  I will enjoy the new mileage north of Portland though.  

[KevinKorell]

Just as Amtrak Downeaster gave us a snag to our plans, now MBTA has done the same.   Pardon my being busy for not doing my homework to check alerts in advance, but I found out from a posted announcement on the door to the Park Street station when I was already in Boston walking in the Common. 

 

 

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The note says that the Red Line will not be running between the Kendall/MIT station in Cambridge and JFK/U-Mass, a segment that includes the entire downtown Boston section (South Station, Downtown Crossing, and Park).    Therefore rather than using the subway to get from South Station to North Station we would need to do one of the following:

 

• Use the Red Line's dedicated substitute bus to Haymarket, then walk to North Station (would be silly to wait for Orange or Green Lines for one stop, literally a few blocks)
• Walk to Downtown Crossing and take Orange Line to North Station
• Walk whole way (mostly following the surface street where the depressed Central Artery now is)
• Taxi or shared ride

 

We have about 47 minutes to accomplish this... and remember we have to find the Downeaster substitute bus at North Station.

 

MBTA  site:

 

 

 

• Shuttle UPCOMING

  Shuttle buses replacing Red Line service between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass the weekend of Apr 22 - Apr 23 due to track and tie replacement work.

   
  About this work:
  This service change will allow MBTA crews to perform rail and tie replacement work to alleviate speed restrictions near South Station.
  
  Affected stops:
  Kendall/MIT
  Charles/MGH
  Park Street
  Downtown Crossing
  South Station
  Broadway
  Andrew
  JFK/UMass

  Updated: 4/19/2023 8:46 AM