The Ashmont-Mattapan High Speed Line (and other quirks of the Boston Red Line)

[@erik_griswold]

The PCCs on the Mattapan line are also interesting because they were approved for construction during WW2. That meant special consideration to divert materials from the war effort to building new streetcars, and this was not something done casually.

[@tylerkochman1007]

To be fair, it made sense to do that because the more people riding public transit, the less automobiles being used and the more fuel spared for use by the troops. Yes, metal was also valuable, but using it to preserve fuel during the war effort was clearly a justifiable use

[@josephpadula2283]

Also rubber for new tires were rationed.

[@robertknight4672]

My best friend is an MBTA bus driver. He's only been working for them since 2019 but he did get to drive the trolley buses before they were retired from service

[@Thom-TRA]

That’s sad

[@robertknight4672]

@@Thom-TRA I miss typed he actually did get to drive the trolley buses.

[@beanpole256]

I live in Mattapan, and use the high speed line frequently, i found this video while looking for a video game that included this line in its contents, but am happy to see that others appreciate its beauty!😌

[@Thom-TRA]

It’s a great little line !

[@JerkWarlord]

What video game includes the Mattapan High-Speed line in its gameplay?? Please illuminate me!

[@EddieLeindecker-re1hg]

I especially love how they make the audio announcements in the station, telling passengers how long it will be until their train arrives

[@Thom-TRA]

That is very convenient, especially for people with vision impairments!

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Growing up in Boston in the 50s and 60s, I spent quite a bit of time on the subway and trolleys including the Mattapan-Ashmont line. (I lived in Mattapan off of Blue Hill Ave.) It was during those years I became a rail fan - and several PCC trolleys now run on my model railroad layouts. (It's so neat that the PCC cars were saved.) Enjoyed the video. Good job! And thanks for the memories.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m glad I could bring you some nostalgia! Boston has a great little train system, compared to what I’ve seen in other parts of the country. Hopefully others will cherish the history like we do.

[@lindaterrell5535]

Used to live off River St

[@Pauley_in_GP]

@@lindaterrell5535 IIRC, that was close to Mattapan Square, where I spent much time. Did you ever go to the Oriental Theater?

[@eugeneking1462]

Visited Boston in 2007 and rode the Red, Orange, Blue and Green Lines. Unfortunately the A-M High Speed Line was closed for repairs. I did get to ride the #71 trolley bus though.

[@erik_griswold]

The chimes at Kendall were installed almost 40 years ago so its not surprising that they aren’t in working order anymore. Fun fact: they were designed by Henri Matisse’s grandson.

[@andrew_ray]

They still work on the northbound platform as of March 10. The sound ones have been broken for years.

[@pimparoojr.7524]

@@andrew_rayi worked as a ta in Kendall and only one side is broken, the other side is still working. you can also see a plastic bag covering a wire, if you stand on the bench and pull the bag down you can get the other side working too!

[@dennisdownes9319]

Great video. I grew up at Ashmont station!

[@erik_griswold]

Before the extension up Mass Ave to Porter Square, Davis Square and Alewife, the tracks headed under Boylston Street (now JFK Street) to a Yard where the Kennedy School of Government now stands. That meant that the double-stacked Red Line tracks lined up with the bus tunnel for easy transfer between the Streetcars and later Trackless Trolleys to the Red Line Trains in both directions.

[@Rabbitrails315]

Fun fact: every door chime on the older red and orange line trains are different depending on the car

[@junesilvermanb2979]

The Ashmont-Mattapan High-Speed Line, commonly referred to as the Mattapan Trolley, is a partially grade-separated light rail line which forms part of the MBTA's Red Line rapid transit line. The line, which runs through Boston and Milton, Massachusetts, opened on August 26, 1929, as a conversion of a former commuter rail line. It exclusively uses PCC streetcars, supported by a maintenance team of blacksmiths and metalworkers who make parts for the historic rolling stock. Passengers must transfer at Ashmont to access the rest of the Red Line, which uses heavy rail metro rolling stock. The trolley's 2.6-mile (4.2 km) route is used only by streetcars and has just two public grade crossings. All stations have low platforms, but all except Valley Road have been retrofitted with wheelchair lifts or wooden ramps for accessibility. Unlike most heritage streetcar lines, it is an integral part of the modern MBTA transit system rather than a tourist attraction.

[@jglackey2]

I had no idea the bus station was underground in Harvard Square. I was visiting Boston and tried to get on a bus there but couldn’t ever find where the bus actually stopped. Apple Maps didn’t tell me I needed to go underground!

[@Thom-TRA]

Apple Maps loses it whenever 3D is involved haha

[@grampafitness9732]

You saw the Harvard Square station at a pretty good time, it is definitely spacious and cool, but it's gotten a lot grungier over the years. Maybe the pandemic allowed some time to clean it up. And as someone else already mentioned, those large cars on the main Red Line can get completely packed during rush hour when all the local colleges and universities are in session. The Red Line is the first subway I ever rode, way back as a pre-school child, when the former Harvard Square station was still housed in the building that became "Out of Town News" for a couple of decades. Some of the escalators still had old-style wooden treads. I was in college right across the street when the current station was being built in the early 1980s. I don't think I've ever ridden the Mattapan line, but I'm old enough that I'm pretty sure the PCC cars were still the standard rolling stock on the Green Line when I was a kid. I share your affection for those little circular lights; they're similar to what was in the Red Line's cars of the same era. If you ever get back to Harvard Square and take the Red Line towards Boston again, or come in from Boston, try looking out the windows on the side of the train near the tunnel walls just as you enter or exit that tight bend in the track on the 'Boston' end of the curve (where the train wheels scream really loud). If you can cut out the glare from the interior lighting, sometimes you'll be able to see vestiges of the temporary platforms from the 1980s, when the new station was under construction.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for the tip!

[@amfm889]

Thanks for pointing out the musical-art at Kendall/MIT. The chimes are called "The Kendall Band", and I always made a point to "play" them when at the station. In the past the T has called in the artist who created it, and the two others, the gong and the rattling sheet, to repair them when needed. Time for another call!

[@kevinwason6762]

Thom....... I always learn something when watching your clips, Please keep up the good work.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you, I will!

[@BobNWFA]

Absolutely wonderful! I especially love your explanation, with maps, of the history of the line. Thank you!

[@jamieryall8341]

I lived in Mattapan & Roxbury in the '50s as a kid & remember traveling with my mother on the cars.

[@mikeappignani4383]

Boston has an awesome T SYSTEM 👏. Amazing That those old Trains are RUNNING 😊

[@clearlycut_]

Ashmont trollies are technically apart of the green line system since its light rail. Even though the ashmont trollies connect with the red line as an extension. Heavy rail conductors are not trained to operate the ashmont trolles, green line operators are.

[@Thom-TRA]

Just because they use the same pool of staff doesn’t mean they’re part of the green line system

[@andrew_ray]

It's high-speed because unlike the other streetcar lines, it ran in a dedicated right-of-way. This meant it could run as fast as 25MPH, while other lines were limited to 10-15MPH.

[@Thom-TRA]

Interesting!

[@Tubes12AX7k]

And limited stops, as well. The Philadelphia and New Jersey suburbs also have some good remaining high speed lines for rail fans.

[@ryan225360]

@@Tubes12AX7kNorristown high speed line!

[@CameronLandels]

Hi Thom. I really enjoyed the video! Thanks for sharing with us the history of both lines and the fun facts. It must feel like you stepped back in time whilst riding the PCC cars. I know the Newark Light Rail used PCC cars until 2001. I do like the look of the new rolling stock for the Orange, Red and Green lines. Looking forward to the next video from Boston. 🙂

[@Thom-TRA]

The next video will be the green line! My personal favorite (although the Ashmont-Mattapan line is a close second). It was a blast from the past! Though there were a lot of PCCs in the Netherlands in the last century, I never actually rode one until here in Boston. They run in Kenosha, Wisconsin, too. Planning to go there maybe in the fall. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@G-Forces]

Actually part of the reason they didn't use heavy rail on the Mattapan line is because of it's level crossings. Heavy rail was deemed to dangerous because it would be much harder to stop the train in emergencies, such as a car being stuck on the track.

[@joshc2650]

7:33 Im used to the Doors Closing announcment on the L instead of the T

[@ljones436]

Although I grew up in Tennessee, my Mum is from Milton. When we'd go to visit my grandparents in Milton, the thing I looked forward to the most was going downtown, taking the trolley from Lower Milton Mills to Ashmont and then the subway into downtown. It is the coolest transit line in the nation, in my humble opinion.

[@Thom-TRA]

It is very cool! A museum and a metro all in one

[@ck4426]

As always, we really enjoyed this video and learned a lot!!! We love that they were made in 1945-46 and still at work!!! Wonderful!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

I really hope they stay around for a while yet, I think it’s such a cool nod to the past. I’m glad you enjoyed the video, this one was a lot of fun to film!

[@jonnyfennessy9812]

The former head house of Havard Sta. Was used as a news paper stand called Out of Town news. The M.B.T.A over the M.T.A in 1966. Changing names of some stations, & using color codes to differentiate the lines. Blue, Orange, etc. When the T expanded to the South shore, the used silver cars instead of red.

[@TheBostonR]

Note, I believe the 'high speed trolley', is the only train service in the US to pass through a cemetery. I live in Milton, but it's only a 7 min walk to Mattapan Sq from my house.

[@chrisdobrowolski2783]

@BostonR, the San diego trolley orange line goes through a cemetery.

[@Anon21486]

Regarding the PCC... my understanding is that the major issue for the replacement of the PCC with new light rail is that the bridges the Mattapan line runs through can not support a lot of weight. To put into perspective, the newer Green Line trolleys are too heavy for the bridges. I also think that the new trolleys may be too wide for the existing infrastructure, including the loop at Ashmont...

[@Edgeworthian]

The PCC cars on the Ashmont-Mattapan line are the oldest still in revenue service. Boston is one of about half a dozen agencies in North America that still use PCCs in some type of revenue service. The four cars still in operation were originally purchased for service on what is now the green line.

[@SebisRandomTech]

Any plans to come to Pittsburgh? You might find the light rail system here to be rather interesting.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve always wanted to. No plans as of yet.

[@SebisRandomTech]

@@Thom-TRA Get out here as soon as you can. The Library Line in particular is super cool and very scenic similar to the Mattapan - Ashmont line. It may be endangered soon due to low ridership. The rest of the network is pretty neat in its own right, still using broad “Pennsylvania Trolley” gauge and a mix of high and low level platforms. If you’re lucky you might also get to ride on the Allentown Line while they’re running detours - the line is entirely street running and has a lot of sharp curves and steep (up to 9.5% I believe) grades but is only used during reroutes.

[@ChrisH-1952]

Excellent in every way: informative (I learned about Harvard and where it is), well videoed and edited (great use of cutting in shots from other places and times), clear commentary and explanations (the graphics really helped my understanding of somewhere I know nothing about). Well done once again. Pity the musical 'art' wasn't functioning, but you can't have everything. By the way, I forgot to mention before that I noticed the upgrade to your opening titles a few weeks ago so they match the HD of the rest of the presentation. Attention to detail 👍

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve been working hard on my videos, so it means a lot to me to hear that you’ve noticed it! A friend of mine made the new title thing, he’s really talented! I think the art installation was installed about a decade or so ago, and then the MBTA never paid to keep it up. There’s obviously better things for them to spend money on, but it’s still kind of sad.

[@CABOOSEBOB]

Rip trolleybus, bring back them or the streetcars

[@Thom-TRA]

Bring back everything!

[@Jayjames7642]

My dad works at William Ravis, Wich is at central ave. I was obsessed at watching the trolley when i went there

[@hirampriggott1689]

Wow! I haven't been down there in years! So many memories!

[@PeterWarner-yz7tb]

San Diego has two active PCC cars and one heritage Siemens U-2 model car. The two PCC cars are former NJTR 10 (now SDER 530) AND former SFMR 1122 (now SDER 529) And the U-2 is former San Diego Trolley 1001.

[@chrisdobrowolski2783]

How do you know about those trolley cars

[@ClassyWhale]

Loving your videos, Thom! You should've met up with Miles in Transit in Boston :)

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha, I was on a well-earned vacation with my wife! Maybe next time

[@pepperpillow]

I don’t know why but I thought Cambridge was like, further away from Boston then that. I had no idea Harvard and Boston had freaking subway stations!

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah, Cambridge is basically just an extension of Boston, just across the River! Both areas are really fun and beautiful, and I’d definitely include Cambridge in your sightseeing plans for Boston.

[@tommarino1056]

Thanks for an enjoyable and informative video.

[@eugeneking1462]

What did you think of the Red Lline subway trains running red lights in front?

[@Thom-TRA]

It’s definitely a strange sight at first! since the red line doesn’t mix with other lines I don’t think it’s too much of a problem, but it would seem to me that red light doesn’t provide as much illumination at night/underground as regular lights would.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@Thom-TRA except the red lights are additional to regular headlights

[@paulinojs1994]

Thanks for sharing.

[@briansivley2001]

4:43 I would say maybe waiting for the train that Charlie is on😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉.

[@Thom-TRA]

Poor Charlie. Wanted to give him a nickel but I’m afraid the fares have increased more than that since then!

[@travgames0113]

You timed the red line proper right. It can get so crowded you feel like sardines. And just a note, the red line currently does not have a blue line connection, supposedly it is being built as part of a MGH project, and downtown crossing has an orange line connection. Oh, and the tracks at JFK/UMass serve 3 commuter rail lines, and the station has a weird configuration. Braintree and Ashmont trains split/merge before/after JFK/UMass and each branch as an inbound and outbound platform, and one commuter rail platform.

[@e12310]

Was that Tommy T playing the harmonica at Harvard Square Station?

[@ani2595]

Do you think the line should extend to past Mattapan and into Roslindale?

[@IaHarbour]

It’s worth noting that the branches actually split before JFK/Umass, so there are two separate platforms for each line. This gives the station a unique situation where announcements for Alewife bound trains include which platform the service is arriving on, as they could arrive on one of two disconnected platforms.

[@Thom-TRA]

That is a really cool setup. I'll have to check it out next time.

[@ronniemosley3968]

Gotta come again they have newly built pcc with modernized features and that old pcc style everyone loves

[@lindaterrell5535]

Another nice one is te Riverside line that goes trough Brookline

[@Notsorussianuser]

Cleanest station I've ever seen in my life lmao

[@johnkolassa1645]

Great video. Too bad about the trolley busses.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah, at least the Silver line is still around. But welcome to the US of A, where even in 2022 electric transit is replaced with gas…

[@erik_griswold]

The branches split after Andrew, but later on a platform was added to the Braintree Branch at Columbia, now JFK/UMass.

[@londonwhaley8690]

I enjoyed the video👍👍

[@meltrain]

Why are the subway trains showing red lights at te front? It really confuses me.

[@Thom-TRA]

Red line

[@Qboro66]

And yet, the operating ends are equipped with sealed beams...🤔

[@NortheastCorridorFilms]

@@Thom-TRAuntrue, they have red marker lights on most of the time rather than headlights if they know another train is passing them

[@TravelsByTransit]

I love your vids!

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m glad!

[@TravelsByTransit]

@@Thom-TRA Do you plan on going to Boston anytime soon?

[@joshthomas8986]

Boston is A great city!

[@Thom-TRA]

I love it!

[@jack615]

Also there are 3 commuter rail lines that parallel the Red Line Middleboro Kingston and Greenbush

[@nickleonardo5474]

Next time you come to Boston let me know

[@EmilePoelman]

Nice video, again! Why is this tram called a trolley,Thom?

[@Thom-TRA]

In America, old trams are called trolleys. Trolleys collect electricity differently than normal trams or trains, using a trolley pole rather than a pantograph. In fact, that’s why they call it trolleybuses, because these buses collect electricity in the same way that trolleys do.

[@dalecaldwell]

Did Charlie ever get off?

[@Thom-TRA]

I hope so

[@elefante8572]

He never returned, no he never returned and his fate is still unlearned (as the song goes, look up “Charlie on the MTA” the song has a great history)

[@lindaterrell5535]

Mattapan trams used to be bi directional. With controls on each end

[@waltertomashefsky2682]

😊 So… how come the Red Line cars are painted Orange at Ashmont? Did somebody run out of red paint? Actually it looks like they ran out of orange paint too. And that cream color for the interior. Send these PCCs to San Francisco - they know how to take care of their old fleet on Market Street. And how can they call a 2.5 mile line with 8 stops "high speed"? I come from the Boston area and rode the T many years going to school, and then working in Boston, so I think I’ve earned the right to poke fun at them. I used to ride orange-painted PCC cars on the Green line and I have a soft spot somewhere for them - and it’s a shame that the T has let them go to seed like that.

[@Thom-TRA]

The High Speed dates back to when there were trolley lines on the streets and faster lines that ran on dedicated rights of way.

[@lloydsheck1268]

​@@blue9multimediagroup very true it pays homage to the MTA days

[@mtasubwaymartasubway]

It's a shame there's no video's of the Boston transportation back in the early 1900s like nyc subway

[@Thom-TRA]

A real shame

[@1jamarks]

You're showing me that google maps does a piss poor job of showing "transit" options. When you enable the "show transit options" layer in google maps it's showing the redline but not this Mattapan Trolley. It's the same for that new Redlands extension you recently reviewed. I thought it was because it was new and they hadn't updated it yet. This Mattapan line clearly isn't new. I guess I need to find another map program.

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re right, the Google maps option is just terrible. There are entire systems just not shown. Apple is slightly better in my experience. But still, a good transit map is the best.

[@ASHMONT1757]

Welcome to Boston And that's my dog's name Ashmont the trolley is part of the green light

[@tonymento7460]

The Ashmont Mattapan line had Type - 4 cars during the rush hour was Type - 4 with center entrance trailers they were replace with the Type - 5 cars then the All Electric PCC ‘s with some Type - 5 cars used in the rush hour in 1959 the Type - 5’s and the All Electric cars were replace with the X - Dallas cars from Dallas Texas they stayed until the 1980’s they were replace by the picture window cars that were built by Pullman Standard they were the last PCC cars built by Pullman Standard then in 1986 these cars were replaced by the rebuilt PCC cars that were rebuilt back in the early 1980’s these were rebuild by the MBTA at the Riverside shops then in 1990 they were rebuild again at the Riverside shops with A/C Brookville car company has been building parts for the PCC ‘s this the same company that rebuild the PCC cars for SF MUNI and SEPTA the PCC’s are going to be replace by the Type - 9 LRV’s in 2025 when the new Type - 10 110 foot long LRV ‘s come in from CAF USA Inc

[@shreddedbulgariamapperofficial]

I like the mattapan line because it’s very old school

[@jtrgames3881]

3:33 01616 RETURNS!!!!!!

[@chrisorr8601]

Fun fact about legally blonde, while it was set in Harvard it was almost entirely filmed at my UCLA

[@Thom-TRA]

Wow I did not know that!

[@lindaterrell5535]

All the antiques end up in mattapan line

[@seamusmckeon9109]

It would be interesting to see a modern Flexity streetcar or other modern vehicle on the line

[@Thom-TRA]

It would, but it would be such a shame that this piece of history disappears.

[@billmalovich9050]

I noticed your claim of getting on a clean car. I've been riding the T for 40+ years and I've NEVER been on a clean car. In fact the Orange Line cars appear to have never been washed. As for the Art exhibit at Kendall, the T has never wasted money on maintenance of any kind. Wait a few years and come back to the Red/Orange Line and you'll see my point

[@blxvkpxndx]

Wow those door chimes are bonkers 😂