Geometry car

[misterb]

For the past few nights I've tried to catch a glimpse of the geometry car CTA is using. I'm usually up in the mezzanine and run down as soon as I hear its unique sound. Working midnight shift has it's benefits. Anyone know if CTA owns it or are they contracting a service?

[ThirdRailVision]

Does anyone have any photos (or links to photos) of this car? Never heard of it before. 

[strictures]

I used to see the 4000 that was used as the Shhhicago rail grinder, which was supposed to make the L quieter, but that train was noisier than any other train the CTA ever ran.

The only track geometry car I ever saw was from Sperry Rail Service & I would see it on what was then the C&NW Milwaukee Division, now the UP North.

I also can't see how a outside vendor could operate on the CTA with the tight radiuses in the Loop & that CTA cars are narrower than every other transit system in the country.

[Busjack]

The only thing that rings a bell is that one  of the causes of the Blue Line subway derailment (besides track inspectors not doing their job) is that the tracks were out of alignment. CTA had to do something in response, but I don't know what.

[MTRSP1900-CTA3200]

Both the Metrorail in Washington DC and the New York City Subway have track geometry cars. I'm not sure who builds them though, and if they could adapt their product to fit the CTA's train dimensions with all the equipment needed inside.

Related to CTA rail restrictions, I also recall the Blue Line in Boston having exceptionally small cars, roughly the same dimensions as CTA rail cars because the line was originally built to serve streetcar size vehicles. There's also a sharp loop in downtown Boston that might actually be on par with the turns in the Loop. Though I'm not sure it they have a track geometry car.

[andrethebusman]

Boston Blue Line subway clearances are even smaller than CTA because the subway part was built for and used by streetcars for some time before MTA electrified the Boston & Revere Beach RR.