⁴ᴷ⁶⁰ Exploring the MBTA Blue Line in Boston

[@tlldrkhndy]

The tunnel you see at the beginning of the clip (with the departing train) is the oldest underwater tunnel in the western hemisphere. It goes under Boston Harbor from downtown to East Boston and was built around 1897 or so.

[@alejandromorban-calcorzi3055]

Left Boston when I was 12 in 1997. After almoat 25 years I'm going back this Saturday. Can't wait. After NYC trains, cause it's my hometown, Boston subway's is my second favorite. The red line has always been my favorite....

[@Trainlover1995]

I went to Boston this past June, and used the Blue Line every day because the hotel me and my parents stayed at was right next to the Wonderland station.

[@NBPT428]

The tunnel between Maverick and Aquarium passes under the Boston Harbor and I believe is one of the oldest subway tunnels in the US.

[@dollo3077]

No the park street one is

[@NBPT428]

@@dollo3077 Thanks for that. I wasn't sure which was older.

[@DDELE7]

@@dollo3077 The Tremont Street tunnel is THE oldest in the Americas. Park Street is part of that infrastructure. But the Harbor Tunnel that the Blue Line uses is the oldest underwater subway tunnel in the Americas.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

oldest underwater tunnel but third oldest overall behind the Green Line and original IRT alignment

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@dollo3077 yes/no. the Bolyston to Park St. segment is the oldest subway tunnel but the Blue Line under Boston Harbor is the oldest underwater tunnel

[@k.h.4698]

01:40 - is that train tracking display board part of a station? Which one? I think it’s cool to be able to see where trains are flowing on the line, particularly as they relate to your current location. I wonder if this will turn into an app systemwide. New York ( and all systems i guess) could benefit from this kind of train tracker.

[@tlldrkhndy]

That board is at Maverick Station. It is a replacement. There used to be a similar but much older model there. When they remodeled the station about 13-14 years ago, they got rid of it. I was afraid it would be gone forever. I was so pleased when they put in a new one.

[@williamscoufaras7045]

Maverick

[@dfwrailvideos]

Dallas (and it's neighboring suburbs) all use an app that displays where each and every train is, their destinations and the time of arrival. It's extremely useful for anyone riding.

[@MTAfanner1872]

The LCD destination signs on those trains look similar to the ones on the R142A

[@RSTI191]

The transit system in Boston is spectacular. You can get anywhere with it in minutes..

[@bostonrailfan2427]

anyone thinking that there’s a huge platform at Maverick…you’re right, it’s because it’s the trackbed of the form trolley line that the tunnel was built for

[@matthewosman412]

This is a new one you never did Boston subways before I’m surprised

[@nyrmetros]

Oh wow 3rd rail and catenary.

[@MrStark-up6fi]

New York City Subway is not capable of catenary. Kinda rare

[@Improj69]

Pretty unique

[@F40PH-2CAT]

@@Improj69 Metro North New Haven line trains also run on 3rd rail and overhead.

[@Winst3n]

I’m excited that you’re doing trains in Boston!

[@F40PH-2CAT]

Why the dual power source?

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@F40PH-2CAT flooding. the line is at sea level and runs alongside a creek so third rail would get flooded snd destroyed easily. it’s literally 150 yards from the beach running at street level the final mile

[@tonymento3017]

I work on the MBTA Blue Line and drove the old Pullman cars ( # 0500 - # 0547 ) the St. Louis Cars ( # 0548 - # 0587 ) and the Hawker Siddeley cars from Canada ( # 0600 - # 0669 ) I even restored a 4 car train for a 1982 fan trip cars # 0504 # 0505 # 0520 and # 0521 these four cars were used for another fan trip in 1986

[@mbrproductions160]

This is hands down the best line on the MBTA for me, I wonder what you think the best is?

[@paulculler3800]

It's a tie between the Red line to Braintree and the Green line D streetcar to Riverside

[@dollo3077]

I’d say blue line cause most of the stations are modern and clean even Suffolk’s down is somewhat more modern than Sullivan and it has the worst ridership of all stations

[@bigd02118]

I love the redline when it's not crowded and no delays. That ride from Alwife to Braintree is a LONG ONE but enjoyable.

[@paulculler3800]

@@bigd02118 I visited Boston years ago when was on vacation and I was trying to find a Motel 6 outside of Boston and I was lucky enough to find one It was a Motel 6 in Braintree So I took the Red Line to Braintree and the long subway ride from South Station to Braintree was the best train ride in Boston! When I got off the train the motel was right there!

[@MattMcIrvin]

The other lines have all gotten newer rolling stock now because they were in worse shape to begin with. But I do love the weird way the Blue Line switches between third-rail and overhead power. The first time someone explained that to me I thought he was pulling my leg.

[@tf51d]

Could never understand why they don't believe in headlights on the T?

[@dollo3077]

They do most trains turn it off before entering or nearing a station

[@eamonboy28]

@@dollo3077 yes but why? Is it because it’s too bright?

[@VeeTHis]

@@eamonboy28 Yes.

[@redphone1438]

There are headlights that they use, there the smaller lights, the larger ones are the high beam lights particularly used outside after the sun sets.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

you don’t believe in blinding people in the stations? they use them where they actually work: in the tunnel and outside

[@Roland-o5c]

The best line on the MBTA

[@metropolisubway47]

The Green Line is the coolest subway line but the Blue is decent as well

[@jordan.whalen]

All blue lines are decent because its second to newest

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@jordan.whalen ironic, Boston’s is the second-oldest in the city and third-oldest in the country!

[@WHALEPSHIZZ]

Best line on the mbta!

[@MichaelG_]

Not really actually. Blue Line is more of a line that really wasn't thought through. Other lines the RL and OL are better just because they are built to better standards than the Blue Line.

[@WHALEPSHIZZ]

Well its my *OPINION*

[@MichaelG_]

​@@WHALEPSHIZZ Your opinion is flawed because it does not take into account other factors that can contribute to the reputation of the line. It requires more thinking than just saying it's the best. You need to look at how the line is being managed, the frequency of repairs, reliability, passenger experience, station design, cleanliness, rolling stock choices, frequency of trains on the line, planning of extensions, how the line impacts the population, etc. As you see, there are many factors in making it an actual opinion based on facts and evidence.

[@WHALEPSHIZZ]

@@MichaelG_ I don’t know what should i say

[@MichaelG_]

@@WHALEPSHIZZ If you don't know, then why did you type it in the first place? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@adamaviation6236]

The side of the train looks like it’s gonna give me a paper cut because it’s so sharp lol

[@CARma193]

Why are the front lights red?

[@Roland-o5c]

Because the headlights are EXTREMELY bright and they can blind passengers So for safety they use red

[@theelitez3909]

Why is the headlight red but not white in the front of the trains?

[@RailfannerMario]

They turn off headlights entering a station and the marker lights are on when they turn off headlights

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

Catenary AND 3rd Rail? WOW DJ, does this go on the old Boston and Maine lines? I have a big vague recollection of this train my aunt and uncle used to live in Winchester so I don't know I think I think I do but I'm not sure 🤣🤣 Great video!!

[@MichaelG_]

No, the Blue Line only goes to Revere. But it uses the old right of way from the old Boston and Maine lines.

[@thebobs7385]

Yes, the Blue Line uses third rail from Bowdoin to Airport switching to overhead catenary at Airport station for the rest of the route to Wonderland (since the line is so close to the ocean, there was concern that outdoors third rail so close to the ground would ice up.) The surface portion of the Blue Line is partly located in what was the right of way of the old "narrow gauge" Boston, Revere Beach, and Lynn railroad which ceased operations in January, 1940.

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

@@MichaelG_ Thank You!!

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

@@thebobs7385 Thank You!!

[@mbrproductions160]

The Blue Line runs over the former Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad route from Maverick to Wonderland. Maverick to Bowdoin was all constructed by the Boston Elevated Railway

[@1911enjoyer]

Mega Pog Dj Hammers!

[@jacobdolman3831]

Nice catch man

[@ivannogueira7892]

Muito bom o canal do Sr. DJ. Hammers Parabéns e muito obrigado.. Amigo Ivan de Suzano city Brasil país...

[@鉄道とおこぷれ大好きチャンネル]

I love MBTA Blue line

[@boredoms1]

Just connect the Blue Line to Charles/MGH already.

[@TheCloakedTiger]

Why is the blue line part 3rd rail and part overhead wires? Guess it was cheaper to build?

[@madcrowmaxwell]

The part in the tunnel has a third rail because it's cheaper, the part outside runs for a catenary because the line runs super close to the ocean and they were worried about icing. Originally the changeover from rail to wire happened at Maverick, but for some reason, it now happens at Airport, despite the catenary still continuing all the way to Maverick.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

flooding and corrosion on the third rail. the other lines aren’t as close to the ocean even if they’re on the water..the line also runs alongside the creek edge of an overflow creek making it flood during heavy rails so electrical systems would be destroyed easily

[@b45productions7]

Thanks Man this is cool

[@KOOLKIDJOE428]

The Siemens 0700 series 💯💯

[@SusanPauline365]

Any reason the entire route isnt powered by the third rail?

[@Maunico0809]

The reason is Snow, snow can damage the 3rd Rail so that’s why they use overhead wires for the above ground section.

[@DDELE7]

Yeah and also the above ground portion hugs the coast line so catenary wires handle the effects of salt water better than third rail. Its actually why they call this route the Blue Line, it travels under Boston Harbor and terminates near Revere Beach.

[@Improj69]

@@Maunico0809 not really mainly cause the blue line is very close to the ocean so the 3rd rail can freeze that’s why they built overhead wires

[@bostonrailfan2427]

flooding, corrosion…it’s 500 feet from the ocean and on the downslope belowgrade so water from storms floods the line. basically, it’s easier and cheaper to use catenary than third rail, it’s also quicker to replace the wire than the third rail

[@andrewtarr9372]

i havent been to boston in so long ugh

[@CoolTransport]

nice vid :)

[@KXSC02]

These train cars sounds like the r179s in NYC.

[@RainbowSpinDashIsawesome]

I will take them 1 day once I'll get my passport

[@cairowilliams]

awesome

[@damiancox2594]

What's the title of this song?

[@mr_godoy2008]

It never derailed

[@roneugoods1324]

It did one time back in the 1950s

[@willstrainsplanes]

The propulsions sound just like the CTA new 7000 series!!!

[@anthonybaez52]

It also sounds like the R179s in New York City MTA

[@TehBryanxx]

alwasy forget how clean other subway systems are compared to nyc. jesus

[@102A_MarkhamRoadOfficial]

your first time in boston

[@joegage5893]

i think siemens made these fleets

[@Blox_101]

That is correct.

[@SigmaRho2922]

@@Blox_101 Anyway the 700 series are the most reliable transit cars on the T besides the green line vehicles.

[@joegage5893]

@@Blox_101 im surprised that siemens made that i thought maybe bombardier or alstom lo

[@supermarionathan1426]

@@joegage5893 Nah if these were built by Bombardier, either delivery would still be going to this day or the cars will have many issues lol! I mean take a look at our Lemons (R179s) here at MTA NYCT, Bombardier screwed up those cars so bad as they delayed delivery by 2 years causing the MTA to pay money and they have many issues as well as the recent incident of these cars is that a linkbar was missing causing half the train to uncouple while in service. MTA basically got robbed with the R179 contract and banned Bombardier from bidding on the New R211 contract! The MTA chose Kawasaki to build the new R211s and they completed the prototype last year which is a big promise, although due to the pandemic Kawasaki closed all their factories like the one in New York Yonkers and Lincoln Nebraska to avoid spreading. We should’ve had these since last year but pandemic basically ruined it and delayed delivery. The cars are expected to be delivered this month in June and I can’t wait for these to start testing!

[@DDELE7]

@@supermarionathan1426 I wonder if that’s the reason Alston bought out Bombardier. Too much trouble plaguing the company so they now focus solely on aviation

[@vincentparlante6274]

Do those Subway trains ever fill up with riders? If not? Thats unfortunately a lot of money being wasted . I knoe most mass transit systems are greatly subsidized by the Federal government. But to think either Boston? Or NYC? Has all these teains in their subway trains ? Along with commuter rails ? I hope they fair pretty good from the public paying their fair share for the services provided by these great citys to help keep them rolling while in part paying itself off through time.

[@rosiebenavidez660]

they do get crowded