On Friday, April 10, 2015 at 8:34:45 PM UTC-4, Stephen Sprunk wrote:   
      
   > A mini high block requires bridge plates if it's not going to conflict   
   > with freight trains, and that slows boarding--and unpredictably so,   
   > which is worse.   
      
   Many high platform stations require bridge plate because for wheelchairs (1)   
   the gap between the platform and doorway is too wide and (2) the doorway and   
   platform are not in vertical alignment.  On NJT in the NEC, there could be as   
   much as a 6" step up    
   to the train car.  Apparently ballast gets higher over time, and this is   
   nothing new (I've seen it over 40 years).  On SEPTA low platform stations they   
   had to add step boxes, and other carriers have done so, too.   
      
      
      
   > With a mix of platform heights, the crew still has to operate the doors   
   > and traps, which adds time to every stop.  It also increases labor   
   > costs--money that should be invested into capital improvements.   
      
   On SEPTA, the short platform lengths require manual operation by the crew to   
   ensure only desired doors open on long trains (e.g. a six-seven car train at   
   the typical four car platform).  Since the crew is ready at the doors, it does   
   not add any dwell    
   time.   
      
   FWIW, the SL 5 cars have powered traps for low platform use.   
      
   Until SEPTA has the substantial capital funds to build--and maintain*--every   
   station to full length high platform, it will need bigger crews.  *Maintenance   
   will include lighting, repair, and snow removal and these are added costs.   
      
   FWIW, MNRR, LIRR, and NJT all have converted most of their networks to full   
   length high level platform, and, run much longer trains than SEPTA (10-12   
   cars), yet still have large train crews.  Indeed, NJT tried cutting back crew   
   sizes and found it didn't    
   work out.   
      
   SEPTA may reduce railroad crew size when it introduces its new fare collection   
   system.   
      
       
   > > Further, high level paltforms get out of alignment (visit Princeton   
   > > Jct) and cease being an improvement.   
   >    
   > That some operators are incompetent does not prove the idea bad.   
      
   True, but are the other operators (eg NJT, LIRR, and MNRR) truly incompetent   
   or just working in the real world?  For instance, NJT doesn't control ballast   
   height on the NEC, that's a function of Amtrak.  I believe it is not an issue   
   in places like Penna    
   Station or Newark where the tracks are set in concrete; likewise in SEPTA's   
   downtwon stations.   
      
   --- SoupGate/W32 v1.03   
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