I lived in Boston for 4 years after living in the South my whole life. I gushed over the T I loved it so much, and native Bostonians would always scoff at me. There is even a whole local play about how much people from Boston hate the T. I think they’re crazy and spoiled. No idea how good they have it.
@@timgwallisI grew up in the Boston area and have traveled to and lived other cities extensively and ridden many other transit systems. MBTA management and funding have been a mess for many years. The agency was quite corrupt and many projects simply were not completed for one reason or another. As a result, the system was allowed to deteriorate and become quite unreliable… probably some of the worst service in the country. Things are starting to get better now with track and signal work being done as well as new rolling stock, but we’re a long way from getting back to the former glory of the network.
Thanks for another great video and more memories. As I mentioned in previous comments, I spent much time on the various Green Line routes in my youth. Your description of Boston's areas and stations are fantastic. I loved the info on Government Center (which was named "Scollay Under" when I was there.) I never knew the exact layout. In thinking about it, one of the reasons I enjoyed riding the trains and trolleys back then was that I was aware of their history. I guess my railfanning started early. Here's a funny tidbit you might appreciate: When I was a kid, I was kind of a loner and would just ride around the city for the fun of it. I knew the subway system quite well and which stations had cross platforms so I could easily change directions and take other routes. (You're probably the only person with whom I've ever communicated who understands what I'm talking about.) By the way, it looks like "CharlieCard" is the T's daily pass. If so, it must be a reference to the Kingston Trio's song, Charlie on the MTA. Are you familiar with it? (There's a great video of them on TH-cam.) Thanks again and keep up the great work.
I wondered where the “Charlie” reference came from and I’m sure you must be correct. The Kingston Trio was a big part of my life as a little kid around 1960 so I know the song well.
FWIW the main reason the green line is slow is because it doesn't have signal priority at street level. It's constantly getting stuck at traffic lights with cars. Luckily, they're working on fixing that.
@@amfm889A chunk of the issue is that most of the street running is not in Boston - it’s in the close suburbs like Brookline and Newton, which are somewhat less transit friendly than Boston proper.
The MBTA is a troubled system these days mostly because of decades of neglect coming due, but it's got a fantastic history and could be good again. It's just a matter of spending the time, money and effort. And it seems like some of that is finally happening. The Green Line is fascinating to me because it's a remnant of Boston's old streetcar system, which used to be vastly more extensive than our rail transit is today. So in some ways it's like a step back in time, even with updated equipment. When I first came to the Boston area, the Green Line was mostly running Boeing Vertol SLRV trams similar to the ones used on the San Francisco Muni in the same time period--they're all gone now. They had roll signs indicating the route instead of dot-matrix displays. The Kinki Sharyo ones were first introduced not too long after.
(I still think it's a bit weird that those trolleys were made by Boeing's helicopter division, but consider that their big product was the Chinook, a military helicopter with a rail-car-like shape, and the Vietnam War was over. The SLRV was extremely trouble-prone and it ultimately killed Boeing Vertol's rail efforts. But the Type 7s were clearly built to be not too physically different from them.)
@@MattMcIrvin there's quite a bit written about how badly designed those cars were. They got the contract for those because of the loss of business with the government from the cold war. The engineers were very arrogant and would not learn what a good streetcar benchmark was. A new PCC car would have been cheaper and much better. Boeing cars aren't even running in San Francisco at this point.
I was a daily commuter on the Green Line for many years. The service downtown is frequent but slow and often very crowded. Sometimes it was just easier to get out and walk in good weather anyway. Nice video with some good information.
Type 8s are the worst rail cars ever built in the United States. They’re very ugly, and were horrendously unreliable (they took 10 years to fully enter service). The seating layout is also very uncomfortable.
Yeah they just seem to have made a bunch of design flaws. The type 10s, however, if they actually turn out the way the artists impression shows, will be the best-looking light rail vehicles in the country. In my opinion at least.
One problem with the Type 8s are that when a wheelchair passenger gets on or off, the operator has to leave the cab to turn a key to extend a ramp. It took a year and a half to raise the platforms at Park St. about 6 inches to accomplish this. This defeats the whole purpose of a "low floor" vehicle which is supposed to allow wheelchairs to get on and off without assistance. On one occasion, a train got stuck because the ramp wouldn't retract.
The Green Line is probably my most used line on the entire system. My earliest memory of riding the T was taking the Green Line from Riverside to Fenway for a Red Sox game with my family. I've used it fairly often in my many visits to the city, especially compared to the other three lines.
Man this makes me want to return to Boston/ the green line. While it is confusing to navigate sometimes, it sure is a cool train. I much preferred type 7 over type eight though. I would’ve liked to try type 9 though. Anyways, great video once again.
North Station used to be even more interesting. Green line trains to Lechmere had an elevated platform on a viaduct that continued over the river, while trains terminating at North Station were on the street level. There were stairways between the two levels and the underground orange line, all within the fair paid area, enabling connections between the lines without paying another fare (even though you had to go outside).
The idea at the current North Station is also that a customer arriving into Boston on the Commuter Train and Downeaster at North Station can just take what ever southbound service is departing first. The Orange Line and the Green Line run very close to each other in downtown Boston from North Station to Copley/Back Bay.
@@TramTrafficLightMan I would need a few extra years myself. I only very vaguely remember riding past the Gahden before it was replaced by the Fleet Center
North station used to have a turnaround route years ago before the LRBs came in into existence and that was before the green line was placed underground
Love the Green Line in Boston! Especially the C Branch out to Brookline. Some riders wanted to sue the MBTA because of the squealing wheels at Boylston. They claimed hearing damage. I think they were nuts!
I grew up in Boston and returned after college for 15 years, and I have fond memories of the MBTA, except for the train wheels' screeching when it went around sharp corners. The first time, I rode the Red and Green Lines with my family from Ashmont to Kenmore with a change at Park Street to watch a Red Sox game (Go Sox!). I've ridden all the lines since then except, sadly, the full length of the Riverside 'D' Branch, but only out to Newton Corner or Newton Center. If I ever were to return to Boston, even to visit, you bet I'll ride to Riverside!
Thank you for your videos, Thom. I just discovered your channel. I watch a lot of train videos, have traveled US trains all of my life...even worked for the New York Central a summer in the '60's. I read that there have been negative comments about your videos. I lived in Chicago many years...road all of the trains there. I have learned something from every one of your videos. I was a history teacher for fifty years and appreciate all of the history lessons. I have been binge watching this weekend. Your brother and wife are lucky they get to tag along with you! Wish I could.
Thanks for this comment, it really made my day! You have a gift of encouraging people. That’s so cool you worked for the NYC! Were you on-board staff or did you work on the ground? I’d love to hear more!
The orange trolley is a Pullman product from 1951 and is the last new PCC type trolley for Boston, all others were War baby from the 1940s and pre war from 1938.
Mega interesting! Firstly I'm surprised the AnsaldoBreda ones are still working... And it looks like a great system, frequent and very well used! The whole thing, especially the trams have a very central/eastern European feel to them 👍🏻
The Breda cars are still working because the MBTA had to spend $100 million to fix them. I remember for many years they were all stabled at Cleveland Circle (was it?) until they could figure out why they wouldn't get around the curves. Would have been very smart move on the part of the T to find that out before they took delivery. Or maybe write a specification that contained the necessary requirements. One must presume that the rains met spec, because it was the T that had to cough up the money fix them. 10 years and $100 million before they could finally use them
In my early days riding the Green Line, there was another station, Adams Square, between Government Center (Scollay Square) and Haymarket Square. I remember it as an unmanned station where the train stopped only if signaled or if there was someone on the platform to board. Back then I rode the Huntington Avenue line through Jamaica Plain to its terminal at Arborway, where I could get the trackless trolley that stopped at the Forest Hills elevated station and went on through Roslindale to West Roxbury (the Charles River line). As a kid I remember that trolley line as old-time streetcars with reversible seats.
Wow, a signal stop! That’s fascinating, thanks for sharing. I wonder if it’s still visible running through the tunnels? I love comments like these, people sharing their experiences on lines from the past. Also, rip Boston’s trackless trolley.
@@Thom-TRA As we move toward phasing out diesel buses, the trackless trolleys should still have their place in the scheme of things. They did have their share of problems. The overhead switches in Roslindale Square sometimes sent the trolleys going in one direction while the vehicle went in the other. In winter they couldn't use tire chains, and sometimes they slid too far from the overhead wire.
As a youngster, I would get off at Adams square and go exploring in the abandoned tunnel because the plan was to bypass that station. It was too close to Government Center and Haymarket. As an aside part of that station is located under Boston City Hall. The city archivist has run tours exploring that route.
@@Thom-TRA The remnants of the Adams Square loop tunnel (pre early 1960s rebuild of Scollay Square station, now known as Government Center, which simplified and straightened out the track layout to what it is today, if you can believe it) are still in existence underneath City Hall Plaza and Boston City Hall. The City now owns them and uses them for storage, but they do occasionally open them up for tours. I work at City Hall and keep missing the opportunity, haha. Also, the Tremont Street tunnel extends just under a half mile south of Boylston Station into the Theatre District, where several lines (basically today's 43, SL4 SL5, 9, 10, and 11 buses) from the South End, Roxbury, and South Boston used to converge into the Central Subway.
Great vid! As a student in Boston, I've never seen a type 7 hooked up to a type 9, and I remember hearing somewhere that that's because the new type 9s don't couple with the type 8s or 7s, but will only be able to couple with the type 10s when they're out. Also was neat to see one of the old OL trains running.
I love the Green Line, its so unique! My favorite oddities it has are the true street running section on the E branch between Brigham Circle and Heath Street, and also the underground pedestrian grade crossing on the tracks between platforms at Park Street Station. It’s too bad that you didn’t get to ride the Blue Line. Not only is it unique because it switches between third rail and overhead power, but because of the short platform at Bowdoin, entire trains can’t fit in the station and doors need to be open with buttons like on European trains.
That was good- a very enjoyable video. I had not used the subway on my previous visits to Boston (port), but when I took my wife there for her first trans-Atlantic vacation, we used it a lot, staying in a hotel very close to Copley station on the Green Line. We loved the city and the people- so friendly and helpful. The Green Line was and still is my favourite of the lines, although we did use others and the Commuter Rail. The Boston subway featured in the 1950 sci-fi story " A Subway Named Mobius" by A. J. Deutsch, the plot revolving around the complexity of the system.
I visited Boston twice in the '70s and loved the Green Line. I would love to see a 3-D map of it because I swear at one point we were going in circles while changing elevation. This was when they still had the old style street cars.
Here's something of note when you leave Haymarket station, in the tunnel you'll see a series of switching tracks and if you look real carefully, you can see the original Haymarket station after the current Haymarket stations location
Without a doubt my favorite rail line(s) in Boston. They're unique -- barring their issues -- and have a classic theme to them. I always enjoy riding & recording and definitely have to get back up Boston ever since the GLX has been completed. Silver Lines is pretty interesting as well
Thanks for the history and city info in the video. Back in the day when I came to Boston for college the fare was 25 cents, and you could put quarters in the turnstiles! The Green Line- and the T- gets a lot of grief, sometimes deserved. It's old, it's new, it's bureaucratic, it's underfunded, but Boston would grind to a halt without it. There's a lot to like about the T. Re. the closely-spaced trains: the lack of an automatic signal system wasn't a problem until operators started rear-ending each other (or overspeeding). A number of crashes caused injuries and major trolley damages. As a result the T is having one designed and installed. By the way: Chicago's “L” trains also ran line-of-sight for years- no signals! The rule was: don't hit the train in front of you.
Don’t hit the train in front of you sounds like a pretty good rule to me lol. I can’t believe the fare was only 25 cents. That’s crazy to think about. I really like your assessment of the T. It’s fair but it highlights the good parts as well. Very helpful how you put it into words. Thanks for that!
I arrived in the days when it was 75 cents and the system used brass-colored tokens with the T logo. There were still a lot of older ones circulating that said "Metropolitan Transit Authority" instead. I was accustomed to the Washington DC Metro, which had a variable-fare system with magnetic-stripe farecards similar to the current CharlieTickets from the beginning, so it seemed like a technological step back. But it was simple. The French pre-euro 20 centime piece was almost exactly the same size, shape and color (it was just slightly thinner) and occasionally you'd get one when you bought tokens; they wouldn't work in most of the turnstiles though.
Hi there!!! Your video was really helpful. I'll be in Boston in a few days and I'll need to use the green and blue lines. You helped me a lot. Tks and keep it up.
I went to the Museum of Fine Arts earlier this month, and I learned that it has it's own dedicated station on the E branch. Cool how a museum has a direct connection to public transportation, basically unheard of in Chicago.
I love the green line too Thom. As a kid took many trips to Kenmore Sq and North Station. North Station had a turnaround loop at street level and an elevated station for through trains to Lechmere. Also the OL was elevated at North Station too. More unique and interesting back in the day. Wonderful video!
Could you do one on the new Surfliner inspired METRA Cars . These are the ones with two sets of sliding doors per side and a regular upper level (as opposed to the ubiquitous Gallery Cars) with the Amtrak-inspired split lexan Window panels, and I think they should have kept the operating cans upstairs like they are in the case of Gallery Cars, Surfliner, California Cars, & the Hyundai-Rotem Cars used on Matrolink and Tri-Rail.)
Thank you Thom for the video! Very knowledgeable! I enjoyed learning some new facts/history about the Green Line. I didn't realise it's the oldest rapid transit line in the US! London has the oldest system in the world - 1863! :-) Looking forward to the next video!
Yep, London has this place beat by quite a few years (and in overall quality, I would imagine). Glad you enjoyed the video! Next week, special report from Chicago…
@@Thom-TRA The London Underground is an amazing, monumental system--and not just the Underground, their entire transport network. Every transit geek should experience it. I was just back there for the first time in decades, and went out of my way to ride the central section of the new Elizabeth Line, which gave me dreams of the often-proposed but never-built North-South Rail Link for Boston. We could do so much more.
First came to Boston for a year in 1980. It has been interesting to watch the growth of the City and it's transportation systems. I am starting to use it more now that I am retired. Thanks for your excellent videos. Keep up the good work.
Hi, just came across your video, and I have to say it's very well thought and fantastic! It brings back memories when I visited Boston in 2002, I overall like this transit system. Forget about the critics, this line is certainly worth the video.
I work in the Back Bay and from time to time have to go “in town” (Park Street, Government Center). The Green Line is frequent enough that I will use it even though it’s a walkable distance. Beyond Kenmore is a different issue, hence the griping from commuters. Good video.
As someone who lives on the green line and takes it multiple times a week, the downtown core is cool but I do think they need to either widen the tunnels downtown and run skip stop service. Or even build a second tunnel underground for some routes. There is a ton of traffic between Kenmore and Govt Center and the trains frequently get stuck just outside stations waiting for the previous one to leave.
It would be great if the MBTA could get some $$ to either bury or elevate the B Line at least as far as Packard's Corner in an effort to speed up service a little.
I rode all Green Line branches as a tourist in May 2022 and did enjoy same as you 😊. Thanks for explaining the loop at Government Center, i was wondering about this unused track.. 👍.
I’m glad I discovered your channel. You are very honest and in-depth. Clearly you do your research. Boston has a lot of history and a strange transit network, when compared with other cities.
I also love the Green Line. Boston is a city which has so much historic charm. I am sure glad the green line remains part of that charm! It also sure beats driving and parking in Boston! Thom, Superb job as always covering all aspects of transit lines. Best report ever on Boston's Green lines.
The Type 7's are my most favorite. Fun fact the Type 7's litterley rescued the T from corruption. In the 1980's the T Currently had a rolling stock of 256 out out 344 PCC Streetcars built by Pullman Standard from 1945 to 1951. 144 cars which were built by Boeing Vertol of Pennsylvania. Which these were the first streetcars to be 71 feet long, with a folded wall in the middle. In which these were the Boeing LRVs. The Boeing LRV's were purchased to replace the PCC Streetcars. First arrived in September of 1976, and first ran revenue service on the D Line on December 30 of 1976. Couple weeks later the new onee derailed on the D Line, and were removed from service in April of 1977. Constant brake downs, derailments, and propulsion failures occurred. The original order was for 175 but the T sued Boeing and recieved $40 Million back in 1979. By 1983 they had 144 delivered. With 35 set as disabled. The T lost over 4000 riders in 1983 due to the corrupted Beoing LRV's. Anyways the T contracted Kinki Sharyo of Asaka, Japan to construct 100 new cars which are the Current Type 7s. These had all new flexible, steel wheels, and improved technology. The Type 7s rescued the T from corruption. Although the Type 7s did not replace the entire boeing fleet. In whih the Type 8s did in 2007. Although the Type 8s had problem, they had an incorrect wheel axle causing it to derail. It took 9 years for them to be fully placed in service. You should do the Red Line in Boston. The red line currently operates subway cars built in 1969 to this day as of 2024.
The Green Line has a mix of recordings and text-to-speech, its announcements are by far the least polished automated announcements in the system (unsurprisingly, IIRC they're also the oldest recordings, and have had to be altered and added to a lot over the years). As for the outward-folding doors, the now-retired Boeing-Vertol US Standard Light Rail Vehicles, built 1970s, had plug doors that were very unreliable, so they were eventually refit with bifold doors like the PCCs they had replaced. The T kept this design across the next two models ordered, though they seem to have finally lost their aversion to plug doors, as the brand-new Type 9 cars have them. Amusingly, the plug doors on the Type 9s mean they're not currently allowed to run on the E branch, as they lack the stop sign markings present on the outward-folding door panels of the Type 7/8 cars, which are needed when the E runs in mixed traffic. Not sure why they didn't solve this problem by giving the Type 9s a folding stop sign like you'd find on a school bus or something, but whatever.
Would you mind if I talk about Government Center? In order to explain Government Center green line platform, you need to go back in time, to a time before Boston City Hall was built, to a time where the station was called Scolley Square. The green line platform was Scolley Square Upper while the blue line platform was Scolley Square Lower. Anyway, at the time, trolleys had three tracks at Scolley Square Upper but two of the tracks went to a station that no longer exist, Adam sSquare. Southbound trolley would go from Haymarket to Scolley Square to Park Street while northbound trolleys would go from Park Street to Scolley Square to Adams Square to Haymarket. The other track was a loop from Haymarket southbound to Scolley Square to Adams Square back to Haymarket northbound. Adam Square also seem to be a terminus station so add that to the confusion. With that said, the third track at Government Center follows the original track that leads to Adams Square. Of course, the new layout takes a sharp turn to connect to the northbound track. It is said that the original tunnels to Adams Square (underneath Cornhill) is still there and is covered by the wall that is present at the platform. Fun Fact: Adams Square may no longer exist as a standalone station but it is still there. Adams Square was absorbed into modern day State Street station. If you go all the way to the end of the orange line northbound platform, there is a set of stairs that leads into Boston City Hall (only open when city hall is open). That small portion of the platform and stairs is what is left of Adams Square station.
Great job on research of the green line. I learned some new facts. I love riding the t. I used to just ride for fun during lunch breaks when I worked in the city.
GRRRRR! every time I've ridden the Green Line,and now seen your awesome video, I get jealous of what could have been done with Philly's subway-surface lines, especially post 1950s extension in West Philly. Other than "green" there is just no comparison between the two, but Septa had the potential and just lost it.
It is silly to get so angry about something so trivial as a train line. As a train enthusiast that recently found your channel I go a lot of watching to do!
I used to tend bar near Fenway-At shift end Id take the Green to the old North Station which still looked like throwback to the 40s with antique wood benches and ornate ticket windows. From there the commuter line up to Lowell. They were still running F units on commuter train. Once at end of line in Lowell I had to walk up the tracks to my plebe apartment on the north side of Lowell. F I was lucky a slow moving g North bound freight would roll by and I could go hobo up the tracks…. Was an unusual way to ‘ride the rails’ back in the day (early 80s)…
The challenge with low floor trams is they have lower capacity than high floor trams given they have to have space taken up to accommodate machinery for the train. In a perfect world, the stations would be retrofit to make them accessible, like with commuter rail stations, raising the platform height. Converting trains to low floor sort of locks in a lower capacity in perpetuity. Anyways great video as always Thom!
When I was working on the MBTA from 1978 to 1988 the Green Line was PCC Boeing LRV and the Type - 7 cars when the Boeing LRV’s were causing problems the MBTA rebuild the best of the PCC ‘s the first PCC was car # 3072 the loop at Government Center was the old Adam Square loop that was used until the early 1950’s now it’s used the turn cars around from Union Square Somerville
The Green Line has the same problems any other light rail/subway hybrid has, but I’d say it’s no worse than most in that category. It might even be above average for what it is. In fact it’s not even any worse than Boston’s other lines, which all suffer from long headways and too many stations packed too close together. If you’re only traveling a short distance it’s easy to have the dreaded “I should have just walked” realization upon reaching the platform and seeing the next train is far away.
@@Thom-TRA I am originally from Boston, but I have met 2 people from the Midwest :) By the way, in the old days, Summer Street Station subway almost ran right into Jordan Marsh, but hard to find a picture of that now. Keep up the good work!
Green line has one of the most confusing stations. When I was there, it was a nightmare to navigate as a tourist. I forgot the name of the station, but it basically has 4 platforms and 4 trains coming at same time, its cramped, and intimidating.
I have so many memories of the Green Line. My brother used to live in Boston from 2010 until 2017 when he moved to NYC. I used to visit him twice a year (January and July), and he lived very close to the Hynes Convention Center station. I used to go meet him for lunch every day near the South Station, so I would take the green line and transfer at Park st. Really fun time. Sometimes if I was feeling too lazy I would even get the line E just to hop 1 station to go to Prudential Mall. Also, my hearing was never the same after taking the green line every day for 2 weeks. Every turn the ear burns!
I was in Boston last year and what confused me was the downtown destinations frequently changed and didn't match up with what they were supposed to be sometimes. Pethaps due to track congestion? Also found maps that were different, perhaps not updated? Did you find this?
@@Thom-TRA at government centre I saw 2 next to each other that were different! Thanks for explaining the weird track layout there. I couldn't figure it out when I was there
1981 (ish). My Dad and I took a fan trip. We transferred 5734 and 3295 from Watertown to Boylston via a fan trip across the network. I got to operate 5734 into Park St. I have my Dad’s photos packed away.
Great tour. I didn't know that about the colors of the lines!I lived in Boston from 81-88 and I loved the green line because it went everywhere I lived; Lechmere and Brigham Circle on the E, Babcock St and BC on the B. Govt Center for work and Copley for nights out. I endured the original Boeing Vertol LRVs, I remember the pshhhh, pshhhh, pshhhh of the faulty air doors and the engineer having to get out and push them closed! And those old PCC's than ran on the E with their clattery fans and leaky doors, had to have a nip of JD just to keep warm lol Wow, how Beantown has changed...but seeing the weird loop again at Govt Ctr and that familiar squeal brings all the memories back, thank you!
I enjoyed watching this because, looking through my back window behind the screen, I was able to watch the green line trains passing. I live just outside Newton Highlands, so the trains tracks are essentially in my backyard. And the Highlands station is just at the corner. Yes, it's slow but downtown traffic can be slower.
19:17 many people don't know that the bruins play here I had to remind them every single time ugh If you don't know what the bruins are I will tell you The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference they also play at the TD garden.
Thank you very much for the great diagram of the loops in Government Center. I believe there are also loops in Park Street and Kenmore. Hopefully another person commenting will expand on those. As similar aside, a diagram of the Boylston Station would also be interesting , as that was where a now disused line to the theater district branched off (as another commenter noted). The very screeching curve is where the currently used tracks pass over the disused line passing under. Between Bolyston and Kenmore there is a wide area in the tunnel where a ramp used to take the line up to street level. Remnants of other route changes / abandoned sections are covered in other TH-cam videos, but I mention them just for your own interest. Your videos are great as is, but for your future study....
Thank you! I mostly covered stations that I was able to see during my trip, as I balanced videoing with visiting friends and spending some good ol quality time with my wife :)
What an insightful and informative video Thom! I was born in Boston, and my first home was on Beacon St. I have lots of memories on this line, because my first local rail station was Hawes St. on the C line. I can only find one issue in this video, I think the Type 7s only run with Type 8s and not Type 9s. At least, that's how it was the last time I visited! I also agree with you on the 8s being ugly.
Bostonians are the only people in the world who would be MAD at you for LIKING something in their city 🤣
I lived in Boston for 4 years after living in the South my whole life. I gushed over the T I loved it so much, and native Bostonians would always scoff at me. There is even a whole local play about how much people from Boston hate the T. I think they’re crazy and spoiled. No idea how good they have it.
@@timgwallisI grew up in the Boston area and have traveled to and lived other cities extensively and ridden many other transit systems. MBTA management and funding have been a mess for many years. The agency was quite corrupt and many projects simply were not completed for one reason or another. As a result, the system was allowed to deteriorate and become quite unreliable… probably some of the worst service in the country. Things are starting to get better now with track and signal work being done as well as new rolling stock, but we’re a long way from getting back to the former glory of the network.
Lives in Boston for several years -loved it. I miss public transit living in Houston
I’ll bet you miss it!
Thanks for another great video and more memories. As I mentioned in previous comments, I spent much time on the various Green Line routes in my youth. Your description of Boston's areas and stations are fantastic. I loved the info on Government Center (which was named "Scollay Under" when I was there.) I never knew the exact layout. In thinking about it, one of the reasons I enjoyed riding the trains and trolleys back then was that I was aware of their history. I guess my railfanning started early.
Here's a funny tidbit you might appreciate: When I was a kid, I was kind of a loner and would just ride around the city for the fun of it. I knew the subway system quite well and which stations had cross platforms so I could easily change directions and take other routes. (You're probably the only person with whom I've ever communicated who understands what I'm talking about.)
By the way, it looks like "CharlieCard" is the T's daily pass. If so, it must be a reference to the Kingston Trio's song, Charlie on the MTA. Are you familiar with it? (There's a great video of them on TH-cam.)
Thanks again and keep up the great work.
I wondered where the “Charlie” reference came from and I’m sure you must be correct. The Kingston Trio was a big part of my life as a little kid around 1960 so I know the song well.
@@hebneh Yeah, they mention the "Scollay Square station" by name in that song.
FWIW the main reason the green line is slow is because it doesn't have signal priority at street level. It's constantly getting stuck at traffic lights with cars. Luckily, they're working on fixing that.
@Calvin Pomerantz Good to hear! No excuse for the City and the T not to work together on that.
@@amfm889A chunk of the issue is that most of the street running is not in Boston - it’s in the close suburbs like Brookline and Newton, which are somewhat less transit friendly than Boston proper.
The MBTA is a troubled system these days mostly because of decades of neglect coming due, but it's got a fantastic history and could be good again. It's just a matter of spending the time, money and effort. And it seems like some of that is finally happening. The Green Line is fascinating to me because it's a remnant of Boston's old streetcar system, which used to be vastly more extensive than our rail transit is today. So in some ways it's like a step back in time, even with updated equipment.
When I first came to the Boston area, the Green Line was mostly running Boeing Vertol SLRV trams similar to the ones used on the San Francisco Muni in the same time period--they're all gone now. They had roll signs indicating the route instead of dot-matrix displays. The Kinki Sharyo ones were first introduced not too long after.
(I still think it's a bit weird that those trolleys were made by Boeing's helicopter division, but consider that their big product was the Chinook, a military helicopter with a rail-car-like shape, and the Vietnam War was over. The SLRV was extremely trouble-prone and it ultimately killed Boeing Vertol's rail efforts. But the Type 7s were clearly built to be not too physically different from them.)
@@MattMcIrvin there's quite a bit written about how badly designed those cars were. They got the contract for those because of the loss of business with the government from the cold war. The engineers were very arrogant and would not learn what a good streetcar benchmark was. A new PCC car would have been cheaper and much better. Boeing cars aren't even running in San Francisco at this point.
I was a daily commuter on the Green Line for many years. The service downtown is frequent but slow and often very crowded. Sometimes it was just easier to get out and walk in good weather anyway. Nice video with some good information.
Yeah the distances seem very short. Just like Chicago. Travel within the loop, you walk. Travel out of the loop, train.
Type 8s are the worst rail cars ever built in the United States. They’re very ugly, and were horrendously unreliable (they took 10 years to fully enter service). The seating layout is also very uncomfortable.
Yeah they just seem to have made a bunch of design flaws.
The type 10s, however, if they actually turn out the way the artists impression shows, will be the best-looking light rail vehicles in the country. In my opinion at least.
One problem with the Type 8s are that when a wheelchair passenger gets on or off, the operator has to leave the cab to turn a key to extend a ramp. It took a year and a half to raise the platforms at Park St. about 6 inches to accomplish this. This defeats the whole purpose of a "low floor" vehicle which is supposed to allow wheelchairs to get on and off without assistance. On one occasion, a train got stuck because the ramp wouldn't retract.
The Green Line is probably my most used line on the entire system. My earliest memory of riding the T was taking the Green Line from Riverside to Fenway for a Red Sox game with my family. I've used it fairly often in my many visits to the city, especially compared to the other three lines.
Well, the green line is actually 4 lines
Man this makes me want to return to Boston/ the green line. While it is confusing to navigate sometimes, it sure is a cool train. I much preferred type 7 over type eight though. I would’ve liked to try type 9 though. Anyways, great video once again.
Yeah the Type 8s are ugly
North Station used to be even more interesting. Green line trains to Lechmere had an elevated platform on a viaduct that continued over the river, while trains terminating at North Station were on the street level. There were stairways between the two levels and the underground orange line, all within the fair paid area, enabling connections between the lines without paying another fare (even though you had to go outside).
The idea at the current North Station is also that a customer arriving into Boston on the Commuter Train and Downeaster at North Station can just take what ever southbound service is departing first. The Orange Line and the Green Line run very close to each other in downtown Boston from North Station to Copley/Back Bay.
I love the old photos of the former elevated rail with the old Boston Garden in the background
I wish I was born at least 10 years before I was born to see the original North station.
@@TramTrafficLightMan I would need a few extra years myself. I only very vaguely remember riding past the Gahden before it was replaced by the Fleet Center
North station used to have a turnaround route years ago before the LRBs came in into existence and that was before the green line was placed underground
6:45 love how full the train is. I’m glad that some people in the US prefer public over private transport :)
As a dc’r as sketchy as the metro can be metro>>>>>>>any other transit
Love the Green Line in Boston! Especially the C Branch out to Brookline. Some riders wanted to sue the MBTA because of the squealing wheels at Boylston. They claimed hearing damage. I think they were nuts!
When steel wheels go around a sharp curve, they always squeal.
I grew up in Boston and returned after college for 15 years, and I have fond memories of the MBTA, except for the train wheels' screeching when it went around sharp corners. The first time, I rode the Red and Green Lines with my family from Ashmont to Kenmore with a change at Park Street to watch a Red Sox game (Go Sox!). I've ridden all the lines since then except, sadly, the full length of the Riverside 'D' Branch, but only out to Newton Corner or Newton Center. If I ever were to return to Boston, even to visit, you bet I'll ride to Riverside!
Thank you for your videos, Thom. I just discovered your channel. I watch a lot of train videos, have traveled US trains all of my life...even worked for the New York Central a summer in the '60's. I read that there have been negative comments about your videos. I lived in Chicago many years...road all of the trains there. I have learned something from every one of your videos. I was a history teacher for fifty years and appreciate all of the history lessons. I have been binge watching this weekend. Your brother and wife are lucky they get to tag along with you! Wish I could.
Thanks for this comment, it really made my day! You have a gift of encouraging people.
That’s so cool you worked for the NYC! Were you on-board staff or did you work on the ground? I’d love to hear more!
@@Thom-TRA YOU keep up YOUR good work! I just subscribed.
@@jazrobean1 thank you!!!
You are very underrared. I learned something new and you deserve more viewers. Very good video
Thank you, I really appreciate you saying that!
I second that!
The orange trolley is a Pullman product from 1951 and is the last new PCC type trolley for Boston, all others were War baby from the 1940s and pre war from 1938.
Mega interesting! Firstly I'm surprised the AnsaldoBreda ones are still working... And it looks like a great system, frequent and very well used! The whole thing, especially the trams have a very central/eastern European feel to them 👍🏻
The Breda cars are still working because the MBTA had to spend $100 million to fix them. I remember for many years they were all stabled at Cleveland Circle (was it?) until they could figure out why they wouldn't get around the curves. Would have been very smart move on the part of the T to find that out before they took delivery. Or maybe write a specification that contained the necessary requirements. One must presume that the rains met spec, because it was the T that had to cough up the money fix them. 10 years and $100 million before they could finally use them
In my early days riding the Green Line, there was another station, Adams Square, between Government Center (Scollay Square) and Haymarket Square. I remember it as an unmanned station where the train stopped only if signaled or if there was someone on the platform to board. Back then I rode the Huntington Avenue line through Jamaica Plain to its terminal at Arborway, where I could get the trackless trolley that stopped at the Forest Hills elevated station and went on through Roslindale to West Roxbury (the Charles River line). As a kid I remember that trolley line as old-time streetcars with reversible seats.
Wow, a signal stop! That’s fascinating, thanks for sharing. I wonder if it’s still visible running through the tunnels?
I love comments like these, people sharing their experiences on lines from the past.
Also, rip Boston’s trackless trolley.
@@Thom-TRA As we move toward phasing out diesel buses, the trackless trolleys should still have their place in the scheme of things. They did have their share of problems. The overhead switches in Roslindale Square sometimes sent the trolleys going in one direction while the vehicle went in the other. In winter they couldn't use tire chains, and sometimes they slid too far from the overhead wire.
As a youngster, I would get off at Adams square and go exploring in the abandoned tunnel because the plan was to bypass that station. It was too close to Government Center and Haymarket. As an aside part of that station is located under Boston City Hall. The city archivist has run tours exploring that route.
@@Thom-TRA The remnants of the Adams Square loop tunnel (pre early 1960s rebuild of Scollay Square station, now known as Government Center, which simplified and straightened out the track layout to what it is today, if you can believe it) are still in existence underneath City Hall Plaza and Boston City Hall. The City now owns them and uses them for storage, but they do occasionally open them up for tours. I work at City Hall and keep missing the opportunity, haha. Also, the Tremont Street tunnel extends just under a half mile south of Boylston Station into the Theatre District, where several lines (basically today's 43, SL4 SL5, 9, 10, and 11 buses) from the South End, Roxbury, and South Boston used to converge into the Central Subway.
Great vid! As a student in Boston, I've never seen a type 7 hooked up to a type 9, and I remember hearing somewhere that that's because the new type 9s don't couple with the type 8s or 7s, but will only be able to couple with the type 10s when they're out. Also was neat to see one of the old OL trains running.
I love the Green Line, its so unique! My favorite oddities it has are the true street running section on the E branch between Brigham Circle and Heath Street, and also the underground pedestrian grade crossing on the tracks between platforms at Park Street Station.
It’s too bad that you didn’t get to ride the Blue Line. Not only is it unique because it switches between third rail and overhead power, but because of the short platform at Bowdoin, entire trains can’t fit in the station and doors need to be open with buttons like on European trains.
Next time the Blue line is my priority!
That was good- a very enjoyable video. I had not used the subway on my previous visits to Boston (port), but when I took my wife there for her first trans-Atlantic vacation, we used it a lot, staying in a hotel very close to Copley station on the Green Line. We loved the city and the people- so friendly and helpful. The Green Line was and still is my favourite of the lines, although we did use others and the Commuter Rail.
The Boston subway featured in the 1950 sci-fi story " A Subway Named Mobius" by A. J. Deutsch, the plot revolving around the complexity of the system.
More American Revolution history please!
💚 The Green Line
👍👍 👍👍
The Green Line "*IS*" Boston. You cannot love it or hate it. You accept it s an integral part of the city.
I think you can love it if you can love Boston
I visited Boston twice in the '70s and loved the Green Line. I would love to see a 3-D map of it because I swear at one point we were going in circles while changing elevation. This was when they still had the old style street cars.
Bring back all the streetcars as a supplement for the subway lines
Here's something of note when you leave Haymarket station, in the tunnel you'll see a series of switching tracks and if you look real carefully, you can see the original Haymarket station after the current Haymarket stations location
I’ll have to check that out next time!
Without a doubt my favorite rail line(s) in Boston. They're unique -- barring their issues -- and have a classic theme to them.
I always enjoy riding & recording and definitely have to get back up Boston ever since the GLX has been completed.
Silver Lines is pretty interesting as well
Us New Yorkers call the Green lines underground trolley tunnel. For us a subway runs trains not light rail or trolleys. Same is true for Philadelphia.
Thanks for the history and city info in the video. Back in the day when I came to Boston for college the fare was 25 cents, and you could put quarters in the turnstiles! The Green Line- and the T- gets a lot of grief, sometimes deserved. It's old, it's new, it's bureaucratic, it's underfunded, but Boston would grind to a halt without it. There's a lot to like about the T. Re. the closely-spaced trains: the lack of an automatic signal system wasn't a problem until operators started rear-ending each other (or overspeeding). A number of crashes caused injuries and major trolley damages. As a result the T is having one designed and installed. By the way: Chicago's “L” trains also ran line-of-sight for years- no signals! The rule was: don't hit the train in front of you.
Don’t hit the train in front of you sounds like a pretty good rule to me lol.
I can’t believe the fare was only 25 cents. That’s crazy to think about.
I really like your assessment of the T. It’s fair but it highlights the good parts as well. Very helpful how you put it into words. Thanks for that!
I arrived in the days when it was 75 cents and the system used brass-colored tokens with the T logo. There were still a lot of older ones circulating that said "Metropolitan Transit Authority" instead. I was accustomed to the Washington DC Metro, which had a variable-fare system with magnetic-stripe farecards similar to the current CharlieTickets from the beginning, so it seemed like a technological step back. But it was simple. The French pre-euro 20 centime piece was almost exactly the same size, shape and color (it was just slightly thinner) and occasionally you'd get one when you bought tokens; they wouldn't work in most of the turnstiles though.
People shit on MBTA too much
Hi there!!! Your video was really helpful. I'll be in Boston in a few days and I'll need to use the green and blue lines. You helped me a lot. Tks and keep it up.
Enjoy your stay! It’s one of my favorite US cities
I went to the Museum of Fine Arts earlier this month, and I learned that it has it's own dedicated station on the E branch. Cool how a museum has a direct connection to public transportation, basically unheard of in Chicago.
I love the green line too Thom. As a kid took many trips to Kenmore Sq and North Station. North Station had a turnaround loop at street level and an elevated station for through trains to Lechmere. Also the OL was elevated at North Station too. More unique and interesting back in the day. Wonderful video!
Don't worry about it. I'm stuck in NYC and miss the Boston trains.
Could you do one on the new Surfliner inspired METRA Cars . These are the ones with two sets of sliding doors per side and a regular upper level (as opposed to the ubiquitous Gallery Cars) with the Amtrak-inspired split lexan Window panels, and I think they should have kept the operating cans upstairs like they are in the case of Gallery Cars, Surfliner, California Cars, & the Hyundai-Rotem Cars used on Matrolink and Tri-Rail.)
Thank you Thom for the video! Very knowledgeable! I enjoyed learning some new facts/history about the Green Line. I didn't realise it's the oldest rapid transit line in the US! London has the oldest system in the world - 1863! :-) Looking forward to the next video!
Yep, London has this place beat by quite a few years (and in overall quality, I would imagine). Glad you enjoyed the video! Next week, special report from Chicago…
@@Thom-TRA The London Underground is an amazing, monumental system--and not just the Underground, their entire transport network. Every transit geek should experience it. I was just back there for the first time in decades, and went out of my way to ride the central section of the new Elizabeth Line, which gave me dreams of the often-proposed but never-built North-South Rail Link for Boston. We could do so much more.
The green line is Americas first subway and one of Americas oldest running streetcar lines at the same time
It’s really cool
First came to Boston for a year in 1980. It has been interesting to watch the growth of the City and it's transportation systems. I am starting to use it more now that I am retired. Thanks for your excellent videos. Keep up the good work.
Glad you’re enjoying the transportation!
The green line is how I got to high school, 1964 - 68, then I used it get around for college and work. No complaint here.
Hi, just came across your video, and I have to say it's very well thought and fantastic! It brings back memories when I visited Boston in 2002, I overall like this transit system. Forget about the critics, this line is certainly worth the video.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed
I work in the Back Bay and from time to time have to go “in town” (Park Street, Government Center). The Green Line is frequent enough that I will use it even though it’s a walkable distance. Beyond Kenmore is a different issue, hence the griping from commuters. Good video.
North station used to be elevated. The Charlestown kids mostly Irish were there to mug you when you got off the train back in the 70's lol.
As someone who lives on the green line and takes it multiple times a week, the downtown core is cool but I do think they need to either widen the tunnels downtown and run skip stop service. Or even build a second tunnel underground for some routes. There is a ton of traffic between Kenmore and Govt Center and the trains frequently get stuck just outside stations waiting for the previous one to leave.
The worst subway company in the world and beyond.
It would be great if the MBTA could get some $$ to either bury or elevate the B Line at least as far as Packard's Corner in an effort to speed up service a little.
I live in Brighton, MA on the Green line. I love the green line.
I rode all Green Line branches as a tourist in May 2022 and did enjoy same as you 😊. Thanks for explaining the loop at Government Center, i was wondering about this unused track.. 👍.
Thanks for the comment! I was there in May 2022 as well!
Imo I think the new trains aren't ugly but sleek they look so futuristic. The green silver and black make me think of mint girl scout cookies lol
He knows more about the trains than I do, and I live here! 😂
I used to be scared of the green line because our train broke down, Which is normal on that line, And we were stuck four 3 hours.
Green like heath street is normally a terrible time for me… so busy, yet so slow and so many delays
Loved the video. So much good information. I rode the Green Line several times when I was in Boston. Mostly the D branch to Riverside.
Thank you! I like the D branch too, some friends of mine live close to it.
I remember taking a Green line to Fenway Park home to the Boston Red Sox
The whole fleet should be replaced with type 8 cars and the upcoming type 9 cars
I’m glad I discovered your channel. You are very honest and in-depth. Clearly you do your research. Boston has a lot of history and a strange transit network, when compared with other cities.
I’m glad you discovered it too! Thanks!
I also love the Green Line. Boston is a city which has so much historic charm. I am sure glad the green line remains part of that charm! It also sure beats driving and parking in Boston! Thom, Superb job as always covering all aspects of transit lines. Best report ever on Boston's Green lines.
Thank you! The green line is a lot of fun
The Green Line loves you too!
The Type 7's are my most favorite. Fun fact the Type 7's litterley rescued the T from corruption. In the 1980's the T Currently had a rolling stock of 256 out out 344 PCC Streetcars built by Pullman Standard from 1945 to 1951. 144 cars which were built by Boeing Vertol of Pennsylvania. Which these were the first streetcars to be 71 feet long, with a folded wall in the middle. In which these were the Boeing LRVs. The Boeing LRV's were purchased to replace the PCC Streetcars. First arrived in September of 1976, and first ran revenue service on the D Line on December 30 of 1976. Couple weeks later the new onee derailed on the D Line, and were removed from service in April of 1977. Constant brake downs, derailments, and propulsion failures occurred. The original order was for 175 but the T sued Boeing and recieved $40 Million back in 1979. By 1983 they had 144 delivered. With 35 set as disabled. The T lost over 4000 riders in 1983 due to the corrupted Beoing LRV's. Anyways the T contracted Kinki Sharyo of Asaka, Japan to construct 100 new cars which are the Current Type 7s. These had all new flexible, steel wheels, and improved technology. The Type 7s rescued the T from corruption. Although the Type 7s did not replace the entire boeing fleet. In whih the Type 8s did in 2007. Although the Type 8s had problem, they had an incorrect wheel axle causing it to derail. It took 9 years for them to be fully placed in service.
You should do the Red Line in Boston. The red line currently operates subway cars built in 1969 to this day as of 2024.
Ive done the red line. You should check out the video!
Why do their modern trains look so old when interors are up to date?
Do they just use some old text-to-speech program for the announcements on the trains?
Also, it's interesting that doors on the trains fold outwards...
The Green Line has a mix of recordings and text-to-speech, its announcements are by far the least polished automated announcements in the system (unsurprisingly, IIRC they're also the oldest recordings, and have had to be altered and added to a lot over the years). As for the outward-folding doors, the now-retired Boeing-Vertol US Standard Light Rail Vehicles, built 1970s, had plug doors that were very unreliable, so they were eventually refit with bifold doors like the PCCs they had replaced. The T kept this design across the next two models ordered, though they seem to have finally lost their aversion to plug doors, as the brand-new Type 9 cars have them. Amusingly, the plug doors on the Type 9s mean they're not currently allowed to run on the E branch, as they lack the stop sign markings present on the outward-folding door panels of the Type 7/8 cars, which are needed when the E runs in mixed traffic. Not sure why they didn't solve this problem by giving the Type 9s a folding stop sign like you'd find on a school bus or something, but whatever.
Boylston used to be only slightly brighter than a black hole
Who made the propulsion systems for Type 9?
Trains are awesome is the best channel on TH-cam .
Hahaha thanks
Would you mind if I talk about Government Center? In order to explain Government Center green line platform, you need to go back in time, to a time before Boston City Hall was built, to a time where the station was called Scolley Square. The green line platform was Scolley Square Upper while the blue line platform was Scolley Square Lower.
Anyway, at the time, trolleys had three tracks at Scolley Square Upper but two of the tracks went to a station that no longer exist, Adam sSquare. Southbound trolley would go from Haymarket to Scolley Square to Park Street while northbound trolleys would go from Park Street to Scolley Square to Adams Square to Haymarket. The other track was a loop from Haymarket southbound to Scolley Square to Adams Square back to Haymarket northbound. Adam Square also seem to be a terminus station so add that to the confusion. With that said, the third track at Government Center follows the original track that leads to Adams Square. Of course, the new layout takes a sharp turn to connect to the northbound track. It is said that the original tunnels to Adams Square (underneath Cornhill) is still there and is covered by the wall that is present at the platform.
Fun Fact: Adams Square may no longer exist as a standalone station but it is still there. Adams Square was absorbed into modern day State Street station. If you go all the way to the end of the orange line northbound platform, there is a set of stairs that leads into Boston City Hall (only open when city hall is open). That small portion of the platform and stairs is what is left of Adams Square station.
I’m going to look for Adams Square next time I’m in Boston!
The green line was my favorite. An awesome variety of landscapes and modes.
I see theyre still using those crappy Boeing cars, though.
They're not though. The Boeing cars were retired in 2007.
my fav train twink
sorry thom
5:37 why does that propulsion sound like R160s from the NYC subway??
r142A’s not r160’s
Great job on research of the green line. I learned some new facts. I love riding the t. I used to just ride for fun during lunch breaks when I worked in the city.
Thanks!
They actually used the extra platform at Government Center earlier this year when there was construction work downtown on the Green Line.
Cool! Wish I could have seen that
GRRRRR! every time I've ridden the Green Line,and now seen your awesome video, I get jealous of what could have been done with Philly's subway-surface lines, especially post 1950s extension in West Philly. Other than "green" there is just no comparison between the two, but Septa had the potential and just lost it.
Would you believe it if I told you I rode the MBTA green line today?
@@Thom-TRA yes. it's a great system. Post any updates to your next video
It is silly to get so angry about something so trivial as a train line. As a train enthusiast that recently found your channel I go a lot of watching to do!
People are crazy! I’ve gotten threats on other videos
I used to tend bar near Fenway-At shift end Id take the Green to the old North Station which still looked like throwback to the 40s with antique wood benches and ornate ticket windows. From there the commuter line up to Lowell. They were still running F units on commuter train. Once at end of line in Lowell I had to walk up the tracks to my plebe apartment on the north side of Lowell. F I was lucky a slow moving g North bound freight would roll by and I could go hobo up the tracks…. Was an unusual way to ‘ride the rails’ back in the day (early 80s)…
Well I am a transit fan
The challenge with low floor trams is they have lower capacity than high floor trams given they have to have space taken up to accommodate machinery for the train.
In a perfect world, the stations would be retrofit to make them accessible, like with commuter rail stations, raising the platform height. Converting trains to low floor sort of locks in a lower capacity in perpetuity.
Anyways great video as always Thom!
When I was working on the MBTA from 1978 to 1988 the Green Line was PCC Boeing LRV and the Type - 7 cars when the Boeing LRV’s were causing problems the MBTA rebuild the best of the PCC ‘s the first PCC was car # 3072 the loop at Government Center was the old Adam Square loop that was used until the early 1950’s now it’s used the turn cars around from Union Square Somerville
The Green Line has the same problems any other light rail/subway hybrid has, but I’d say it’s no worse than most in that category. It might even be above average for what it is. In fact it’s not even any worse than Boston’s other lines, which all suffer from long headways and too many stations packed too close together. If you’re only traveling a short distance it’s easy to have the dreaded “I should have just walked” realization upon reaching the platform and seeing the next train is far away.
Wow breda tram look weird
I love your Boston train / subway videos, Thom. I miss Boston and the T system. They are slow as molasses, but I don’t care. It’s all charming…
18:17 - It the singular "Garden" not the plural "Gardens." NIce job overall, though :)
Clearly have never met somebody from the Midwest before!
@@Thom-TRA I am originally from Boston, but I have met 2 people from the Midwest :) By the way, in the old days, Summer Street Station subway almost ran right into Jordan Marsh, but hard to find a picture of that now. Keep up the good work!
Then came the big deg
Green line has one of the most confusing stations. When I was there, it was a nightmare to navigate as a tourist. I forgot the name of the station, but it basically has 4 platforms and 4 trains coming at same time, its cramped, and intimidating.
I didn't think I as a Chicagoan would be confused by a transit systems layout but here I am
13:04 I met my wife while she worked at this store
That’s so cool!
I have so many memories of the Green Line. My brother used to live in Boston from 2010 until 2017 when he moved to NYC. I used to visit him twice a year (January and July), and he lived very close to the Hynes Convention Center station. I used to go meet him for lunch every day near the South Station, so I would take the green line and transfer at Park st. Really fun time. Sometimes if I was feeling too lazy I would even get the line E just to hop 1 station to go to Prudential Mall.
Also, my hearing was never the same after taking the green line every day for 2 weeks. Every turn the ear burns!
It is definitely very loud!
I was in Boston last year and what confused me was the downtown destinations frequently changed and didn't match up with what they were supposed to be sometimes. Pethaps due to track congestion? Also found maps that were different, perhaps not updated? Did you find this?
I did find a few outdated maps here and there
@@Thom-TRA at government centre I saw 2 next to each other that were different!
Thanks for explaining the weird track layout there. I couldn't figure it out when I was there
@@timallardyce1216 you’re welcome! I had to study several maps to make my own
The Green Line is great and fun to ride, as long as you aren't using it to get to somewhere at a specific time. Ha ha.
Green line means the nicest places in Boston where I lived for 13 years I miss it so much
I just rode them all , the blue line goes to Revere Beach which is very beautiful
1981 (ish). My Dad and I took a fan trip. We transferred 5734 and 3295 from Watertown to Boylston via a fan trip across the network. I got to operate 5734 into Park St. I have my Dad’s photos packed away.
Good memories!
Great tour. I didn't know that about the colors of the lines!I lived in Boston from 81-88 and I loved the green line because it went everywhere I lived; Lechmere and Brigham Circle on the E, Babcock St and BC on the B. Govt Center for work and Copley for nights out. I endured the original Boeing Vertol LRVs, I remember the pshhhh, pshhhh, pshhhh of the faulty air doors and the engineer having to get out and push them closed! And those old PCC's than ran on the E with their clattery fans and leaky doors, had to have a nip of JD just to keep warm lol Wow, how Beantown has changed...but seeing the weird loop again at Govt Ctr and that familiar squeal brings all the memories back, thank you!
You’re welcome! The Green Line truly is in a class of its own
I enjoyed watching this because, looking through my back window behind the screen, I was able to watch the green line trains passing. I live just outside Newton Highlands, so the trains tracks are essentially in my backyard. And the Highlands station is just at the corner. Yes, it's slow but downtown traffic can be slower.
Glad you enjoyed. I had a great time in Boston.
Great video. I learned a few things Thank you.
19:17 many people don't know that the bruins play here I had to remind them every single time ugh If you don't know what the bruins are I will tell you The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference they also play at the TD garden.
The Bruins not only predate the Celtics in Boston, they OWN the TD Garden. The Celtics are their tenants.
Thank you very much for the great diagram of the loops in Government Center. I believe there are also loops in Park Street and Kenmore. Hopefully another person commenting will expand on those. As similar aside, a diagram of the Boylston Station would also be interesting , as that was where a now disused line to the theater district branched off (as another commenter noted). The very screeching curve is where the currently used tracks pass over the disused line passing under. Between Bolyston and Kenmore there is a wide area in the tunnel where a ramp used to take the line up to street level. Remnants of other route changes / abandoned sections are covered in other TH-cam videos, but I mention them just for your own interest. Your videos are great as is, but for your future study....
Thank you! I mostly covered stations that I was able to see during my trip, as I balanced videoing with visiting friends and spending some good ol quality time with my wife :)
Nice video, very informative
Thanks! I enjoyed making it
What an insightful and informative video Thom! I was born in Boston, and my first home was on Beacon St. I have lots of memories on this line, because my first local rail station was Hawes St. on the C line. I can only find one issue in this video, I think the Type 7s only run with Type 8s and not Type 9s. At least, that's how it was the last time I visited! I also agree with you on the 8s being ugly.
Also, I don't know if you know this, but the Orange line was named so because it used to be an elevated line over Orange Street.
Out of curiosity, why do the branches go B-E, instead of A-D like you'd typically expect?
There used to be an A branch, which closed. It’s a good question!
Tom where's the new green line extension that opened yesterday
I filmed this in May
@@Thom-TRA just busting your chops good stuff
@@thrjfi5360 haha thanks!
Took the green line extension yesterday from Riverside. Wow.. long trip. But good for sightseeing.
I’ll have to go back to try it!