Boston Subway Question

[6 Lexington Ave]

Hi everyone,

I have a question regarding the Boston subway. More specifically the heavy rail subway lines like the Red and the Orange lines.

Why is it that trains have red lights even on the “front”? Isn’t it the case that the front lights have to be white?

Thank you 
 

[R10 2952]

Can't recall the exact details, but generally MBTA policy does not mandate that the subway headlights be on continuously.  The red lights in the front however are considered something akin to marker lights, and those must stay on (unless their policy has changed for whatever reason).

[checkmatechamp13]

On 4/18/2021 at 2:08 AM, R10 2952 said:

Can't recall the exact details, but generally MBTA policy does not mandate that the subway headlights be on continuously.  The red lights in the front however are considered something akin to marker lights, and those must stay on (unless their policy has changed for whatever reason).

Sounds rather dangerous. I would think the headlights would have to be on so that the train operator has the maximum visibility to respond to something on the track.

[R10 2952]

3 hours ago, checkmatechamp13 said:

Sounds rather dangerous. I would think the headlights would have to be on so that the train operator has the maximum visibility to respond to something on the track.

From our NY perspective, a lot of the things the MBTA does are potentially dangerous, to be honest.  The subway headlights being off, even in the tunnels, is just the tip of the iceberg.  Most of their third rails have no cover, their commuter railcars are mostly manual doors, frequent speed-related streetcar collisions and derailments (Mattapan and Green Line), and then of course that messy derailment on the Red Line back in June 2019 due to a damaged axle.  They also have yet to figure out a way to properly ventilate Back Bay Station- several years ago Amtrak ordered its own personnel out of the ticket booths there permanently on account of all the diesel exhaust fumes.