⁴ᴷ⁶⁰ Exploring the MBTA Red Line in Boston (2021)

The Red Line is a rapid transit line operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) as part of the MBTA subway system. The line runs south and east underground from Alewife station in North Cambridge through Somerville and Cambridge, surfacing to cross the Longfellow Bridge then returning to tunnels under Downtown Boston. It continues underground through South Boston, splitting into two branches on the surface at JFK/UMass station. The Ashmont branch runs southwest through Dorchester to Ashmont station, where the connecting light rail Ashmont-Mattapan High Speed Line (shown as part of the Red Line on maps, but operated separately) continues to Mattapan station. The Braintree branch runs southwest through Quincy and Braintree to Braintree station.
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Taken in May 2021.
NOTE: All footage recorded from vantage points located on public streets in accordance with applicable local, state, & federal laws. This channel does not claim ownership of any logos, branding, or trademarks incidentally shown in this video. Please do not trespass in non-public areas.

[@wildcattb5]

With the R32s now essentially retired, the 015/1600s of the Red Line are the oldest operating subway cars in the US, dating from 1969

[@davidng2336]

These will also be gone with the CRRC fleet now here.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

these are on their way out as well, the first true fleetwide retirement for the line

[@tinahouse6305]

@@bostonrailfan2427 Ho?

[@imagenotfound]

I miss the driver announcing the stations.

[@edwardnoble5286]

​@davidng2336 unfortunately crrc cars are quite significantly behind schedule. Full roll out won't be finished til 2025

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Only ridden the Red Line 2x. Last time in Nov 1975! I thought it odd that Park St was lit by lots of Incandescent lights and the tunnels at florescent tubes. Funny story, and I swear, this is true: Got on the Green line somewhere near BU, might have been Copley. I was going to Cambridge to meet a friend. I asked the Green Line car driver how to get there. He told me to take this car to "Pack St." I whip out my map and look and look and finally say "I can't find Pack St. He replied, "Pack Street, Pack Street, P - - - A - - - Air - - - K, Paaack St! Realized what he was telling me and said, "Oh, Park ST" To which he replied, "I told ya, p-air-k St,

[@maknyc1539]

lol

[@Improj69]

Glad to see that transit makes New Yorkers and Bostonians together 😢 warms my heart about the peace in the comments

[@Cocytus]

I remember the old white and red trains with the black "leather" seating. It was a big thing when the new silver and red scheme came to be. This was back in the late 90s going into the very beginning of the 2000s. I remember back in the 90s when a lot of the stations were getting redone and the smell of the fresh unique train station tar. Brings back good memories of when I was young.

[@imagenotfound]

And the old station decorations uncovered as they removed the thin concrete walls covering them.

[@thomasdatrain4391]

I was homeless in Boston for five years not that long ago. February of 2021 I broke into Park St at 3am to get warm and swear over anything I saw a black smoky shadow gliding down the platform right past me as it dropped down onto the tracks and into the tunnel. I knew immediately it was a spirit. I ran out and up the escalator so fast.

[@MiddleboroLakevilleRailfan]

This is a great place to visit. Glad you came to Boston!

[@Pauley_in_GP]

You've got to be a real MBTA geek to appreciate this video. Well, I am and I do. Very good video. You got some great shots. As a kid growing up in Mattapan and Dorchester, I rode the Red Line all the time. (I'm not sure it was actually called the "Red Line" back then.) As an adult, I'm still a rail fan and model railroader - no doubt inspired by those early days on the subway. (Don't get me started on the PCC cars ;)) Thanks for the memories!

[@madewithloveduh]

I was on this joint a few weeks ago for my birthday! I love trains and had a blast getting a chance to use it. I love seeing different boarding systems as well (I'm a nyc mta customer).

[@thewaflwizard]

Great content DJH. Love watching these tour videos of transit lines. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@oofyalDAMMIT]

2:03 the startup hissing is similar to the many subway cars in NYC

[@thecarwashelevatorfanatic7433]

8:40 that train to Ashmont was HAULING, literally.

[@justinspiewak1482]

It could have been late and had to hurry because more Red Line trains go to Ashmont than Braintree

[@trains_worldwide]

Great video ! I love this line and the Longfellow Bridge ! I filmed a few videos of it when I went to the US two years ago, they're still somewhere on my channel.

[@picklerick_404]

I’ve only used this line twice. But the view on the Longfellow is a nice change from tunnel lights

[@redphone1438]

Here is the Rolling stock for the MBTA Red Line: Pullman Standard 01500/01600 built 1969-1970 overhauled from 1985 to 1988. UTDC 01700 built 1987-1989 repainted from 2011-2016 Bombardier 01800 built 1993-1994 CRRC 01900 built 2019-2024

[@ClubFanByNobleUra]

Wow, I haven’t seen anyone record the mbta subway with this quality.

[@jeanneflaherty4491]

Kevin Flaherty: I mean the trains stopping with people not getting on then and off them doesn't seem normal to me at all.

[@1911enjoyer]

This makes interested more into different subway lines!

[@sagesage7167]

As I look at this I Am PROUD OF THE MTA

[@dexterroberts631]

So proud you forgot the B

[@Improj69]

@@dexterroberts631 lmao

[@robotx9285]

And the J/Z, E, W, A to Rockaway Park, Far Rockaway A whenever the swig bridge is open, the F whenever it's having a heart anttack and finally the Express.

[@SigmaRho2922]

At the time the video was filmed, the T was a few months removed from a recent derailment that involved the 1400 series cars that caused the 5 trains composed of the 1400 and 1900 series to be removed from service (40 cars in total; 12 cars were being tested as well). The side bearer pads were wearing more quickly than expected which likely contributed to the cars getting removed from service. Although only 1 of the trains was composed of 1900 series cars, the train was removed from service as a result of the derailment. The 1900 series is replacing all the cars on the Red Line; including the 1800 series (which is being retired due to structural integrity issues).

[@TheChicagoL]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears from what you're saying that the new CRRCs are still sidelined from revenue service. has MBTA given any indication of when they would return to service?

[@Admiral_Ellis]

I wish you had snuck down to Ashmont to see some PCC action, but great video nevertheless!

[@thefullspeedaheadofr160bry9]

crepper

[@mbrproductions160]

Its really cool to see you use our T system. The Red Line is my local line

[@TCORV]

I never rode the Boston t before. How is the experience from your point of view.

[@bx4671]

@@TCORV my point of view I love it, I live on the green line and the other lines red orange blue and silver! And the bus is cool to, never been on the commuter rail but I want to go on it soon!

[@TCORV]

@@bx4671 awsome

[@NortheastCorridorFilms]

@@TCORV It’s a very bouncy experience Not smooth at all, which I dont mind at all. Nice conductors, nice engineers especially the commuter rail workers are very nice! The T is a classic, and is something special to Boston

[@TCORV]

@@NortheastCorridorFilms what is the best line there

[@jmaximegelinas9479]

nice old trains

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

You know, the MBTA subway trains in Boston is Similar to the MTA subway trains back in New York. Nice video of this, DJ Hammers Trains. 👍😀🚞

[@maknyc1539]

cool

[@MHammonds18]

It sounds so... smooth

[@kangarojack3814]

Smooth ride also

[@tonymento3017]

The new Red Line cars that are being built by CRRC of Springfield Massachusetts have been grounded due to problems with the trucks on them

[@tommymorse1888]

They're built by a Chinese company, assembled in Springfield.

[@nyctransitrailfan]

Here in NYC we had problems with new subway cars, the R179 kept having breakdowns. They had to be taken out of service various times

[@rosarioyeen1371]

CTA customer here from Chicago, CRRC has it's own factory in Chicago and are making our 7000-series run of trains to replace equipment from the 80s and 90s on the Blue and Orange Lines, the issues with the Red Line cars in Boston do have me a bit concerned, but there has been rolling stock testing recently. I'll wait and see what happens.

[@beachrose88]

My 2nd fav Boston train. 1st is green line

[@user-hf1fg1pe5o]

I love MBTA Red Line

[@riolucoach]

I'm not an expert about train aignalling in the US, but are the trains really travelling with tail lights at the front? I mean, they also seem to have white lights for the front. It's just a bit odd to look at. Nevertheless, great video!

[@wxairy]

mbta is the only transit agency that does it. they turn off the headlghts entering stations for courtesy reasons

[@jeanneflaherty4491]

Kevin Flaherty: Rad line trains stopping for 8 seconds doesn't seem normal to me.

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

BTW, New York is border with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Boston, Vermont, and Connecticut. 👍😀

[@thechickenstew3716]

i never knew boston was a state 👍😀

[@Improj69]

@@thechickenstew3716 lmao

[@imagenotfound]

I probably rode those 1500 series when they were newly refurbed.

[@kangarojack3814]

not one rat in site ,AMAZING

[@paulculler3800]

Congratulations DJ Hammer Great videos on the T but you forgot The Green Line and the Silver Line (the trolley/bus)

[@trabianscantlebury8561]

Plz do more Mbta

[@joegage5893]

whats that whoo sound on the 1800 series motor igbt

[@trainsandmore2319]

Same LCDs on the R46

[@thefullspeedaheadofr160bry9]

metro zura

[@andrewnelson1511]

Thank God 🙏 we are getting more 🚆 trains and New bridges I am happy Biden is helping us with the infrastructure and I am happy we are getting high speed rail in America we need monorail s and people movers in new York city because the subway got flooded we need elevated trains in new York city

[@RobertPaniagua]

If only they brought back the CRRC 01900s

[@polution6555]

The front side of those cars reminds me R40S

[@Maxthetrainspotter85]

wow

[@thefullspeedaheadofr160bry9]

cool

[@Improj69]

yes

[@72mrblade]

Why do they operate with their headlights OFF?

[@videonut1988]

IKR?! Just have it on LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE?!?

[@redphone1438]

They do operate with the headlights on, the bigger lights are the high beams.

[@72mrblade]

@@redphone1438 The headlight are red?

[@redphone1438]

@@72mrblade yes some are

[@72mrblade]

That's cool! Is this the only system that has colored headlights?

[@MBTA123]

I didn’t know that there was a ashmont train

[@redphone1438]

The oldest Red Line trains Pullman trains are from 1969-1970 refurbished in 1985-1988 and look a lot more modern looking then the former R32 trains in NYC. To be honest R32 trains were never really nice train cars especially because of the graffiti in the 80s.

[@Kitsune9063]

The tail lights are on in the front-

[@anteliomonteiroabellan1214]

How many miles of railroads are there in Boston?

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@RedRails and that’s not including the abandoned lines still visible

[@bostonrailfan2427]

it depends on what you mean: commuter, rapid transit m freight, abandoned, trolley? just in the city or in the MBTA system? and if the system just the rapid transit or as a whole. there’s a lot more than most know, including two active freight yards, multiple retired and abandoned freight yards, several linking lines that look abandoned but are active etc…

[@MtaBus5102]

Why do these trains run around with no headlights on?

[@redphone1438]

The headlights are the smaller lights while the big ones that are bigger are the high beams.

[@brennanbussell2035]

What are your thoughts on the red line

[@dexterroberts631]

The redline sucks, every week there's a problem, either the train, the switches, or some other bullshit. Nice to look at thought

[@Frostfoxy5241]

Music?? 0:01

[@JoeSmith1962]

The size of that guy's feet @ 4:40? Wow!

[@nereidaflores7721]

WHY ARE THE FRONT RED LIGHTS TURNED ON ? WHEN THE WHITE FRONT LIGHTS ARE SUPPOSE TO BE ON AND THE RED FRONT LIGHTS SUPPOSE TO BE OFF .

[@Nakedbilove408]

ASHMONT My Brand New Dog Name💘❤️💋💖

[@DiggerDeeper01]

Man I live here and no matter how many times I see it....JFK has always looked like an old and worn out decrepit station. I don't think it needs "fancy new architecture", I actually like the current brutalist design but it seriously needs an overhaul. Fresh new concrete and stainless steel roofing to replace the rusted stuff.

[@Editorum]

these trains are driving on the wrong side

[@TheBronxFanner]

I think it's normal like that in boston

[@Improj69]

@@TheBronxFanner wait it’s on the wrong side?

[@TheBronxFanner]

@@Improj69 Yeah I'm pretty sure!

[@Improj69]

@@TheBronxFanner It’s on the right hand side tho? In NYC it’s the same

[@TheBronxFanner]

@@Improj69 sometimes

[@looking511]

What color is the ghetto line

[@dexterroberts631]

White

[@Improj69]

Wtf do you mean by ghetto line?

[@bigd02118]

There is no "ghetto" line because the MBTA is so diverse, but you can tell by the demographic of people by the stations and the area where the trains are. it's not like New York you know there's a "ghetto" line

[@andrewnelson1511]

New York city today needs monorail s and people movers and meglavs in new York city because of flooding we need to move New York city intro the 21st century and make new York city a city of the future

[@yeseniamelendez2859]

Los asientos dan hasco de susios👎

[@reimannx33]

Boston mbta is worse than many subways in the third world!! Shame on them.

[@kangarojack3814]

Not one rat in site tho

[@reimannx33]

@kangaro jack The rats in boston are smarter in that they know how to avoid visual detection. They are wicked 'smaat.'

[@kangarojack3814]

@@reimannx33 what an idiot🤣 you must love movies an not actually live in Boston

[@reimannx33]

@kangaro jack While the rats in boston are wicked 'smaat,' you are wicked dumb, 'jack in a box ," for, having among other pinhead qualities, making the low IQ move to assume the residence of someone you know nothing about. Now hop along, dummy, this time with your pinhead in your "pouch.: