MBTA Blue Line - Possibly the US's weirdest subway.

In Boston, the blue line runs from the east of the city to the Centre of the city. And this line is really weird. while it operates somewhat normally, the power sources switch midway through the line. In addition, it runs through an over 100 year old line. Join me today as we explore this transit oddity.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

yes guys i pronounced bowdoin wrong😢 i misread the name when i was recording the audio

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Actually "Bodowin" is a perfectly valid pronunciation of Bowdoin. My partner used to work with old Boston area townies who always referred to Bowdoin as "Bodowin Squeah". 😊

[@rjdoucette]

😁

[@metropod]

That “new technology” that keeps the lights on is… A battery.

[@mytitle97]

The lights stay on in the cars during the power switch because each car has batteries in them to supply power for the lights and other equipment onboard for when the train goes over a dead zone like a switch or in this case a change of power source

[@yomarpenadelacruz6851]

The third rail goes down the entire Airport platform. The contact shoes are also still in contact when the 0700s are stopped at Airport during the switchover, but if its somehow not supplying power than the battery will

[@kristiansvalland4595]

This is how the Metro North New Haven commuter line works too just before Pelham stop. It does the switch from 3rd rail to cantanary while it’s still moving.

[@blaksham]

the New Haven line of NYC's Metro-North system also runs on both catenary and third rail. The switch takes place between Mt. Vernon East and Pelham stations - while the train is at speed!

[@kristainviayoutube500]

I believe it’s only M8 cars that do that though, it’s pretty cool!

[@1575murray]

The switch used to take place west of Mt. Vernon East station but it was moved east some years ago.

[@blaksham]

@@kristainviayoutube500 Currently yes - they are descended from the Budd "Cosmopolitan" M2 cars built in the early 70's

[@dieseldragon6756]

If you think that's quick, you should see it when a Class 373 Eurostar is changing over from SNCF 25kV~ to SNCB 3KV=... ⚡🚄💨😉

[@kristiansvalland4595]

Damn, beat me to it. LoL

[@boston_and_maine]

only a new englander would bother to add in the new england flag on their thumbnail 😁

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

Least patriotic New Englander 🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[@arsenicCatnip413]

@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45 SO TRUEEE 🌲🔴🌲🔴🌲🔴

[@mikerasnick3988]

She's not a New Englander with that accent!

[@arsenicCatnip413]

@@mikerasnick3988i am i just dont have the accents becos my parents are midwesterners and i rarely hung out with locals when i was young, but i was born here!!

[@erik_griswold]

The switch to Pantograph and Third-Rail used to happen at Maverick and I think the Siemens cars have better battery technology than the Hawker-Siddeley fleet or the previous 1951 St. Louis or 1924 Pullman-Standard cars P.S. Regarding the loop terminal in Boston,it is pronounced “Bow-Din” not “Bod-Win”.

[@dieseldragon6756]

Dual- (And even Tri-) voltage units are quite commonplace here in the UK because different sections of our railway were constructed by different firms/departments to different standards, but now we have trains that routinely travel from parts of the network with one supply system to another. A ready example are the Thameslink trains from Bedford to Gatwick/Brighton via London Blackfriars, which use 25Kv AC overhead Bedford to City Thameslink, and 750v DC third rail all points south of there. ⚡ Not far from me is a line where we were going to get Class 769 tri-power sets (25kV, 750v and diesel) because the line (An old branch of the South Eastern railway) cuts through several short electrified sections, but that project didn't work out in the end. 😔 Is dual voltage operation really that uncommon in the USA though? Given how much variance there is around the UK alone (1/100th the size of the continental US!) I'd be quite surprised if the T blue line was the only place in the US where it happened! 😇

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

Electrification is rare in North America, but a few lines do use multi-system trains. Two of Chicago’s former Interurban lines, the Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin, and the Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, as well as several lines of the CRT/CTA Elevated network used to switch from third rail to overhead wires, the last of which (the Skokie Swift/Yellow Line) was only converted to all third rail in 2004.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Experienced this when I lived in Boston in the 1990s. Took the Orange line from Medford to the Airport a number of times, and the AC went off every time but the lights stayed on due to batteries during the switch. When I moved to Braintree and took the Red line to the Blue line the same thing happened. MIT designed the technology back when this was built for the reasons built in the video.

[@InverhavonRailways]

In the UK, it's common to switch between 3rd rail and overhead supply, as most lines south of London are 3rd rail and North is overhead. In fact the North London Line starts on overhead, switches to 3rd rail and then to the 3rd and 4th rail system when it shares part of the London Underground to Richmond.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

is that so? that is interesting. I never would've thought they do it like that. UK rail is so odd (in an interesting way i mean) to me and i learn more about it every day, I've only been on it a couple times (riding TfL when i was 11 on vacation with my family in London) but I really wanna ride it again someday. It's interesting how four different major terminals exist in london and also how its all under national rail but also not at the same time (but than the consituates have their own operators like TfW and ScotRail), I find it really cool how UK rail is.

[@de-fault_de-fault]

A closer example to Boston: New Haven Line trains leave New York’s Grand Central Terminal using the rather weird, ex-New York Central, under-running third rail at 750V DC, but switch to 12.5kV AC (60 Hz) upon joining the Northeast Corridor at New Rochelle. As far as a metro system per se, Chicago’s yellow line formerly had an overhead line segment at its northern end but ran like other L lines on third rail at the southern end. All of it is now third rail, though.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

@@de-fault_de-fault i LOVE the stokie swift

[@sabersz]

@@arsenicCatnip413 heh, I work for Network Rail in a third rail area... Every time I'm up in London and see the fourth rail on the tube it's just weird. Getting maintenance done on those tracks is an absolute nightmare I'm sure

[@rutheliz75]

The first time I rode the blue line there was a rollercoaster near the Wonderland station .

[@arsenicCatnip413]

What really? when was that? that’s so cool!

[@rutheliz75]

@@arsenicCatnip413 1972

[@nafisali2434]

The reason the T had to purchase these modern trains because due to rusting. The Blue Line had a similar fleet identicle to the old orange line cars. Which retired in 2009 after 30 years of service 1979-2009. So when storing them at Orient Heights Garage they got rusted from salt from the ocean. The switch over was formally at Maverick

[@rogercarroll8764]

As a blue line rider for many years, I can say that the cars have limited space in the tunnel, thus the need for the third rail and the overhead lines outside.

[@KnightSanguinius]

I know other people have already mentioned the commonality of switching from third rail to overhead in London but there is one line that just mirrors the blue line in an uncanny way: the Northern City Line

[@Mike_Plays]

Great video! Bowdoin is one of the few stations I've not been in on the Blue Line. Very cool to see it.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

glad you enjoyed! If you can, you should go to bowdoin one day, its a neat station and its also walking distance from north station and government center

[@lars7935]

Many trains in Europe use different electrification standards. Especially when going international. 1.5KV and 3KV DC, 15KV 16.7 or 16 and 3/2hz and 25KV AC 50 50hz are the most common standards. Vast regions of the southern UK also use 750V DC third rail. And some rapid transit systems also switch from 3rd rail to catenary.

[@evan22303]

The Blue Line is my favorite line on the T. I had plenty of fun riding it back in December 2023.

[@dieseldragon6756]

One thing that bugs me about the T, personally, is that the logo for it seems _worryingly_ close to one used by a certain dianetics-based organisation which styles themselves like a religion and makes use of heavily overpriced „E-meters“. If they want to name the system after Britain's national drink (Made in China 😉) why don't they just change the logo to a Union flag teapot? 🫖🙃

[@brianthetruth6055]

I got off at Bowdoin once to go to the Whole Foods down the street. I’ve always called it “Bow Doin”😂.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Thanks for the memories! The last time I took the full length of the Blue Line was years ago in the 80s I think and you could see the beach from Wonderland Station. Unfortunately it was winter and the water was cold so I didn't go swimming! It's a cool transit line and Bodton is one of only two cities in the US where you can take a (heavy rail) subway train all the way to the beach, the other is New York City.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

Really glad to see you enjoyed! Also i did not know that only Boston and NYC can take you to the beach (well, i knew you could get to far rockaway on the A line of NYC but i did not know these were the only two in the US) It’s really cool to hear stories from others who took these lines long ago and hearing their stories from the time, thank you for sharing and i’m glad you enjoyed!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@arsenicCatnip413 You're welcome 🤗

[@haweater1555]

The "Skokie Swift" in Chicago is an extension of a subway line but on-grade with level crossings on public roads. It used to serviced with dedicated dual-mode third rail / overhead trains. However, several years ago the wires came down and was converted to third rail only.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

oh the wires came down? i thought that it still used them

[@thechannelofrandomvideos3256]

I rode mbta for the first time last year January. And i must say while service is not that fast or great, it's alot cleaner than most of the nyc subway. Even my local metro rail in buffalo ny is somewhat cleaner but it don't go nowhere. Awesome video BTW.

[@yomarpenadelacruz6851]

If you see slowzones compared last year to today its WAY better

[@donarmstrong5872]

Once again there is a push to extend this line to connect with the Red line at MGH station. The tracks are only several hundred feet short of the Red line because there used to be a surface connection to transfer cars from red line to the blue line for maintenance. That connection would provide a full circle inside downtown Boston. The tunnel extends beyond this station and is often used to store train sets in inclement weather.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

yeah, i’ve read the documents and i do think it should happen once eng finishes fixing the primary issues.

[@moishglukovsky]

"Bo-d'n", not "bod-win."

[@TheTheo58]

Overhead wires on subways, light rail vehicles (LRV's) and long distance trains are not immune to problems with ice build-up. Where I live in the PNW the recent snow storm last month shut down the entire MAX system for nearly ten days due to ice build up on the overhead cantenary wires, on the tracks, in addition to tress falling onto the tracks. In past years MAX has been able to keep running during the snowy weather, with clearing tracks and running trains to keep the overheads wires free of ice build up. The Portland Street Car was also affected with ice build up on the tracks, overhead wires.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

yeah, i wonder how they keep the catanary so good out in switzerland where they have it in the alps, maybe the portland wires are outdated? idk.

[@RAdaltonracer]

The difference here is it’s not ice from weather they’re concerned about building up on the third rails, but the ocean directly, and from the ground below. Much of that part of the blue line sits directly at or even a little below sea level. And much of it runs through marshes. So during periods of extreme high tide, and major storm events, the tracks do tend to flood more than a bit.

[@counterfit5]

​@@arsenicCatnip413they avoid it on the Glacier Express by not running in winter at all.

[@TheTheo58]

I recall during a heavy rainstorm in N. CA in 2002 one of the BART stations which has a below street concourse level, and a elevated platform had to shut down due rain flooding the tracks, this system has a 3rd rail. @@RAdaltonracer

[@TheTheo58]

The MAX system was opened I believe in 1986 a lot of the original trains are still in use however being retired with the new ones coming on the rails. There have been two major extensions of the lines since 2006, a 3rd one completed last year from the airport to the GateWay TC. And one underway connecting the tracks to a future line. I recall during one snow storm crews were hearing the overhead wires to keep the ice build up from forming. @@arsenicCatnip413

[@JasonBentrosnowqube]

Athens M3 does this as well.

[@user-wr7cv1ny5r]

2 National rail lines crossing London do that as they cross regions, 25,000AC overhead to 750DC third rail.

[@LeonSuperman-vb7ex]

So cool

[@jayfielding1333]

This is actually such a well done video for someone so young. Title totally sucked me in.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

thank you so much!!! i appreciate it!

[@straightpipediesel]

Another factor is overhead lines require more space than third rail, so it raises the cost of underground sections, where you have to dig a bigger tunnel. However, overhead is safer than third rail, and can be run at higher voltages, making it more efficient. So overhead is better when lines are out in the open, and third rail is better underground, and when you have systems that have major sections that have both, then switching between the two makes sense.

[@simonsv9449]

The RTA Red Line in Cleveland is weirder. It feels like a mix of commuter rail and subway.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

yeah i’ve seen mile’s video on it, and it looks really odd. there is a chance i’ll actually be moving out to northern ohio later this year so if so i’ll make a video on it.

[@mobiletransportvideo]

6:38 It would be the pantograph that the driver raises and lowers.

[@Thedeliveryguy3263]

Basically because the blue line ones next to the ocean third rail wouldn't of worked from wonderland to airport and the salty sea air would of created problems so it's pantograph from wonderland to airport and third rail airport to Bowdoin I believe though the over head catenary does go down into maverick

[@micosstar]

came from youtube recommend, subbed - mico

[@arsenicCatnip413]

glad that you enjoyed!

[@johnli25]

That platform looks like a triangle lol

[@LarryButler-kp3se]

Started to get seasick after 45 seconds of cam swinging around. STAND STILL DAMMIT!

[@arsenicCatnip413]

i appreciate the feedback!!

[@jaydioxide]

8:34 well theres a thing we know as the battery which could be installed onto trains

[@mynorthshore]

The pantographs go up and down to reach the catenary.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

yes and?

[@monica012077]

Oh wow, a subway line with overhead and third rail power. I wonder if the M8's could run there? 😂

[@R211TOnTheGLineWHEN]

Quite frankly u can take the Blue Line from Bowdoin to Gov Cntr

[@arsenicCatnip413]

i have taken it from Government Center to Bowdoin before! I was the only one in the railcar!

[@olentangyriver1191]

The filming is making me dizzy..

[@bigmart932]

I reckon you could use this guy’s filming as a simulation of what an earthquake would look like in Boston

[@arsenicCatnip413]

@bigmart932 LMFAO

[@arsenicCatnip413]

my bad for the filming i try to be stable but it was hard as in the beginning of this video i was holding a coffee at the same time

[@joshuafajardo5697]

It should be fully 🥉🛤️

[@mikerasnick3988]

It's "BOW-Din" Station.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

check the pin comment

[@josephbille-volkenborn5597]

Bo-dun, not Bo-doo-win, and East Boston, not Eastern Boston.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

yeah many people have told me i got the pronounciation wrong

[@rogercvc6768]

The T’s own announcement says BOW-DN.

[@pgchase4578043026]

Thank you for making the video, but please work on not bobbing the camera around; it makes for difficult viewing.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

appreciate the feedback!

[@amiranore1707]

Probably batteries lol

[@WhatAreColors]

4:09 OwO

[@arsenicCatnip413]

omg... are you a homestuckie.. :3

[@WhatAreColors]

Sorry, no. I had to look it up just now. I just wanted to recreate the face in my comment. @@arsenicCatnip413

[@fishfighter2]

Love the video, but please buy a gimbal or something.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

what is that? (genuine question) is it like a tripod or something?

[@counterfit5]

It's a handheld (usually) stabilizer for phones or cameras.

[@salimaslimane2372]

When you've been to every train station and every bus stop in this world guess what stop I would ride from. If you get it wrong I'll tell you the real answer

[@arsenicCatnip413]

beachmont!

[@gtavstepfordcounty1733]

Until they build another bus stop and train station 😂

[@jamescampbell2190]

The narrator alienated every Bostonian by mispronouncing the terminal’s name. It’s pronounced “Boden”, not “Bodwin”.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

i am bostonian myself😭😭😭

[@arsenicCatnip413]

i also misread the sign name when recording this audio and thought it spelled “bodwin” - my bad

[@cats0182]

The camera work is insufferable. The sound is barely intelligible. And there's no story. The Skokie Swift chaned from 3rd rail to pantograph until 3rd rail was laid to the end of the line. Before the Skike Swift, the North Shore Line used overhead wire and 3rd rail. MetroNorth Railroad's New Haven Line changes between 3rd rail and pantograph.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

I appreciate the feedback, and i am actually getting my tripod for the next set of videos i am filming, following other’s feedback on this video.

[@arsenicCatnip413]

in addition, i should’ve done slightly more research before this video on stuff such as other lines doing it. as for the story part, its hard to add a story to a video about a metro line (much harder than it is for a hsr or intercity line), but i will take that in account for when i make videos on other boston T lines and the nyc subway. once again, thank you for your feedback!!