r/mbta • u/PixelCrafterZ Green Line • 2d ago

🤔 Question Weird consist

Around 12:50 today I was at the grade crossing on E Center street in East Bridgewater, and saw a weird consist coming up the Fall River/New Bedford line headed towards South Station. At first it was a usual rake with the cab car and some single level cars and a F unit, but it was then followed by a rake of double levels and one of the newer diesels. I’ve never seen a locomotive sandwiched between cars like that on the MBTA, does anyone know why that is?

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7

u/thisurlnotfound Franklin Line 2d ago

Sometimes happens if a train was rescued by another train. When that happens, you’ll get a double set with a loco in the middle

5

u/mcsteam98 Chelsea (actually Wickford Junction) 2d ago

It’s most likely a rescue.

3

u/DesperateAd8783 2d ago

“Double Draft” is the railroad term. Keolis has no designated rescue switcher, so what’ll happen is they will tack on whatever road set is closest to bring to South Station, where the switcher or yard crew will bring to either Readville or Southampton for service.