Patent ID: 8239080

Claim:
A method of operating a subway line having a single track in a direction of travel, comprising the steps of: operating a local train to travel along the track from a first express station toward a second express station; operating an express train to travel along the single track behind the local train, the express train leaving the first express station later than the local train but traveling at a faster travel velocity to arrive at the second express station at or near the time that the local train is at the second express station; and passing the local train with the express train at the second express station; wherein the second express station includes a passenger platform; wherein the step of operating the local train comprises: operating a first train to travel along the single track from the first express station, stopping for passenger transfer at least one time at a local station along the subway line between the first and second express stations; wherein the step of operating the express train comprises: operating a second train to travel along the single track without stopping at the local station, the second train leaving the first express station later than the first train but traveling at a faster travel velocity; wherein the passing step comprises: stopping the first train at the second express station to allow passengers to board and de-board the first train from and to the passenger platform; then operating the first train to proceed along the single track from the second express station as an express train; then stopping the second train at the second express station to allow passengers to board and de-board the second train from and to the passenger platform; and then operating the second train to proceed along the single track from the second express station as a local train, the second train stopping for passenger transfer at least one time at a local station along the subway line after the second express station; and wherein the step of operating the first train as an express train comprises operating the first train to travel without stopping at the local station after the second express station.