CapeFlyer MBTA Engine #010 at South Station
Passenger Rail Service to Return to Cape Cod
The MBTA, Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, and MassDOT are teaming up to bring commuter rail service back to Cape Cod. There hasn’t been a passenger train service to the Cape in nearly two decades. Back in the mid-1980’s to mid-1990, Amtrak provided a weekend service called the CapeCoder. This summer weekend train would make its way to the Cape from New York City every Friday evening and return on Sunday. As for the passenger train service between Boston and Cape Cod, it’s been over 50 years. I’m happy to see passenger rail service returning to Cape Cod.
Starting this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, the CapeFlyer will provide service between Boston and Cape Cod. The CapeFlyer will run out of South Station and make its way to Hyannis via the Middleboro/Lakeville Old Colony line. Trains will run round trip on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Last weekend I was able to attend the trial run of the CapeFlyer. I haven’t been on the Middleboro/Lakeville line since my college days and the on track beyond Middleboro/Lakeville station since the days of Amtrak’s CapeCoder. On the head end was MBTA MPXpress Engine #010, one of two new engines in the MBTA commuter rail fleet. Behind Engine #010 was a customized coach with storage for bicycles and a concession counter with drinks and snacks, followed by MBTA passenger coaches.
We made our way out of the busy city of Boston, though the suburbs, then into Cape Cod via the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge. As we approached Buzzard Bay, the scenery was so picturesque, just to think little over an hour ago we were in the state’s largest city, Boston.
Learn more about the CapeFlyer at http://www.capeflyer.com
Rail Fanning with a Scanner
Approaching and leaving South Station
– Amtrak Road Channel 160.9200MHz CSQ
Quincy to Middleboro/Lakeville
– Old Colony Road Channel 161.4900MHz CSQ
South of Middleboro/Lakeville Station to Hyannis
– Mass Coastal Railroad Road (Dispatch) 160.4250MHz CSQ [Repeater]*
– Mass Coastal Railroad Road (Train) 161.3850MHz CSQ [Repeater imput]*
*Make sure you program both channels the repeater signal is week west of the Cape Cod Canal
