The Orange Line: Boston's Elevated Railway

While the Tremont Street Subway was America's First Subway, Boston had taken the elevated railways from New York, Chicago, and Berlin to make their own. Today, we'll look at how the orange came about and how, before, it was once an elevated railway to a completely grounded one.
References:
Boston Elevated Railway Company, Main Line Elevated Structure (HAER):
www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Boston...)
History of the Boston Landfill Project: How Boston Lost Its Hills:
historyofmassachusetts.org/ho...
Boston's Made Land:
www.hiddenhydrology.org/bosto...
Think Like an Archivist: A Public Historian Processes the Washington Street Corridor Coalition Collection:
www.archivespublichistory.org...
Orange Line (MBTA):
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_...)
Charlestown Elevated:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles...
Atlantic Avenue Elevated:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanti...
Washington Street Elevated:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washing...
Boston In Transit Map:
bostonintransit.com/
List of Stations (current):
Oak Grove - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak_Gro...
Malden Center - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malden_...
Wellington - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welling...)
Assembly - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembl...
Sullivan Square - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulliva...
Community College - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communi...
North Station - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_S...)
Haymarket - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haymark...)
State - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_s...
Downtown Crossing - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtow...
Chinatown - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinato...)
Tufts Medical Center - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tufts_M...
Back Bay - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_Ba...
Mass Avenue - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massach...
Ruggles - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruggles...
Roxbury Crossing - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxbury...
Jackson Square - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson...
Stony Brook - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stony_B...)
Green - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_S...
Forest Hills - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_...)
Decommissioned Stations:
Everett - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett...)
Thompson Square - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompso...
City Square - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Sq...
Pleasant Street - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasan...)
Dover Street - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dover_s...)
Northampton Street - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northam...)
Dudley Square - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nubian_...
Egleston - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eglesto...
Videos Used:
Peter Kingman - / pkingman
TheHamradio - / thehamradio
Photos Used:
Boston Elevated Railway (BERy)
Boston Rare Maps
Boston Street Cars
Christof Spieler
City of Boston Archives
David Wilson
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
Harv Kahn
Joe Testagrose
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)

[@HayastAnFedayi]

The silver line is a slap in the face to those who were robbed of the orange line...it truly is an abomination lol!! Great video buddy as always! Keep it up!

[@maxtransit3526]

It's ridiculous to me that the state was able to somehow find funding for the Southwest Corridor and Inner belt Highway projects, but as soon as the people along Washington Street were promised an equal or better service to replace the El, the community was completely ignored. It's one of those things where when people say how expensive a public transit project is, I have to remind them how we literally somehow had endless supply of money for all the highway/road infrastructure projects. It really irritates me. But thank you very much tavarish, I will keep it up!

[@sostdm617]

@@maxtransit3526 your exactly right

[@qjtvaddict]

@@maxtransit3526 we stopped taxing rich people

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@maxtransit3526 they also had infinite money for the Central Artery / Tunnel Project, a.k.a. "The Big Dig." Now they're again crying poverty, this time on commuter rail electrification and a promised North-South Railway Link while forging ahead on the Mass. Pike replacement project in the old Beacon Park Yard and next to Soldiers Field Road behind BU!

[@interstellarphred]

They also scrapped the 01100 series cars before the end of their useful life; They were great cars, quiet, rugged and reliable. Then it was claimed there was not enough rolling stock to operate a Dudley spur. getting suspicious? the MTA, and the "T" was controlled by the Southie Irish

[@eugeneking1462]

I visited Boston in 2007 and rode the Orange Line. I'm a Chicagoan who loved watching St. Elsewhere. As a railfan I was saddened that the Washington elevated was replaced by BRT.

[@maxtransit3526]

It is quite sad Boston no longer has an elevated structure unless we count the Lechmere viaduct.

[@shawnwatson2shawnwat]

I like the video. I grew up riding the Orange line. You didn't mention why the Orange line was named the Orange line. It's because before 1824, Washington st was called Orange st.

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you for liking the video! On the subject on naming the Orange Line, supposedly it was named because Washington St was called Orange St but it also has to due with the T trying out to see if the rolling stock looked good in Yellow. Since the yellow looked weird, they opted for Orange instead.

[@himbourbanist]

man Boston's transit history is so all over the place

[@coolwoof2700]

Very good video max transit I don’t much about Boston subway system. keep up the good work

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you so much! I will do my best!

[@chenzenzo]

I literally live on Washington Street at Forest Hills. I'm Italian black and English and just found out that my 5th Great grandfather goes waaaay back!

[@maxtransit3526]

That's incredible! Quite the dynasty you have from Forest Hills!

[@JohnnyBawlz]

I recently moved to Boston and have been fascinated by the public transit (studied infrastructure in college). I would love to do a collab with you, because I have thoughts. And also, RIP trackless trolleys.

[@eddie_alabama7997]

I always wished the Orange Line was extended further down Hyde Park Avenue ending in Cleary Square.

[@maxtransit3526]

Or end at University Park maybe

[@charlesfranklinhall]

There was talk about one point of doing that or having it take over the Needham Line.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Originally in the 1970s it was planned to go to all the way down to the Route 128 commuter rail/Amtrak station in Westwood with a branch going out to Needham Heights!

[@Bobrogers99]

Very interesting and well-presented. The maps were great! As a kid I would ride the streetcars (later replaced by trackless trolleys) from West Roxbury to Forest Hills to get the Elevated (or to Arborway to get what is now the Green Line) into Boston. The trains were noisy and not too clean, but it was a cheap, easy way to get into the city.

[@Bobrogers99]

/

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you so much! I wish to go back in time to ride all these transit marvels. It's great people have documented them and the Seashore Trolley Museum holds some of the old rolling stock.

[@stationhat6977]

I really enjoyed watching this. Thank you for putting in the work involved and for posting it for the rest of us to see. Most excellent work Sir!

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it! There is more to come!

[@HayastAnFedayi]

You should do a video on the Redline and the original terminus of the old Harvard Station and also the original plans to extend it all the way to 128/Hanscom Field

[@maxtransit3526]

Damn right I will! But that's gonna take some time before I post. It's on the list, but not next in line (pun intended).

[@foxfff123123]

In my time living in Boston, the Orange line was always my favorite ❤️

[@maxtransit3526]

The Orange Line is incredible and glad to hear it's your favorite!

[@craigdavis5407]

At 0:20 Don't forget the Philly El Train!!!(Market Frankford Line)

[@maxtransit3526]

That is true. Sorry, it wasn't at the top of mind at the time.

[@craigdavis5407]

@@maxtransit3526 👍👍👍

[@maxtransit3526]

If Alan Fisher is watching this video, this is how you squat 5:00 . Love you bro.

[@alanthefisher]

👀

[@edwardmiessner6502]

I heard his joints crack! 😖🤢😳

[@jackotothemax]

I love these videos! You always make the best quality stuff about the T!

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you, that's very kind of to say!

[@katepppppp1]

I am loving the slav squat hehe. A great video overall!!

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you so much! It's in my jeans to squat.

[@12KevinPower]

Excellent history video!!!!

[@maxtransit3526]

You are very welcome! I hope this may help in anyway :)

[@TheFourFoot]

Great video man! I definitely learned a lot more than I knew previously! I shared this video on my new Discord, feel free to stop by!

[@maxtransit3526]

John, where is the link to your discord??? I've been literally trying to find it for the past 30 minutes! Also, thank you very much man! I'm glad you got some new information :) (also make me mod *cough cough*)

[@TheFourFoot]

@@maxtransit3526 discord.gg/PtJq5pNn

[@TheFourFoot]

@@maxtransit3526you got it boss lol

[@maxtransit3526]

@@TheFourFoot Thank you man!

[@jamallhayden2512]

Great video!

[@maxtransit3526]

Why thank you!

[@michaelrivers5213]

Good job!

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you so much my dude!

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

So much fun to watch!I love how your shirts match the transit line color! 👍

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you! If you look closely, they also contain the vehicles of the transit lines.

[@MichaelCook-bw4mr]

@@maxtransit3526 I totally noticed that too! Rock on,man!!

[@AutumnBosco]

Great video!!! Loved the sound effects too, added some nice charm.

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the added effects!

[@CJaguar265]

Rip Elevated subway

[@someidiot4570]

I love this content but you really don't need all those sound effects

[@maxtransit3526]

*insert Marge Simpson "I just think they're neat" meme*

[@Modeltnick]

Got family in JP. Hope to get back into town to ride the Orange Line!

[@NickDaltonYT]

I fucking love the Minecraft sound effects used here lmao

[@maxtransit3526]

Foreshadowing, maybe. I don't know, but I do like there effects and thank you for the compliment good friend!

[@PrismaxMan]

bravo

[@maxtransit3526]

Thank you!

[@BostonByRails]

9:08, couldnt stop laughing hahaha. This is such a well made video! Keep it up!

[@maxtransit3526]

STOP LAUGHING AT MY PAIN!!!! (love you

[@NickDaltonYT]

@@maxtransit3526 HAAAAA SUFFER

[@maxtransit3526]

@@NickDaltonYT bro you suffered with me, don't even @ me.

[@meme_buster6227]

I feel your pain. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@80__HD]

Lmaooooo your reaction to the buses is amazing. Freaking "silver line"...🤮

[@luislaplume8261]

Chicago began its L train system in 1889 on Lake and Canal streets. Both cities had uncovered 3rd rail.And both cities also had PCC type L trains only that Boston had sliding doors and Chicago had blinker doors.

[@mr_godoy2008]

It began at 1901 and ended at 1987

[@maxtransit3526]

It so odd, when you think about, that the majority of the original "Orange Line" is gone

[@kenmills4739]

@@maxtransit3526 What's even odder is running a still current liquor store, but no elevated train stop, at Thompson Square

[@maxtransit3526]

@@kenmills4739 the more you know hahaha did not know that! thank you for sharing! What's it called btw?

[@kenmills4739]

@@maxtransit3526 I don't know what the name of the liquor store, but I do remember seeing it while walking along Main Street towards City Square enroute back Downtown after looking around Sullivan Square (this was in 1998), there was little sadness in my heart because the elevated train as a whole was gravely underappreciated throughout its entirety: all I see/hear are pictures, stories, memories, videos. . .arrived in Boston for the first time in 1990 to taste transit glory, so being that the El had long since been gone (1975 in Charlestown, 1987 in The South End/Roxbury/Forest Hills), only Columbia Road/JFK-UMass station compensated crosstown (omigosh, I love that layout), even when I revisited in 1993, already mentioned 1998, lasted visited in 2005, I still managed to taste transit glory; when I first heard about the controversial Southwest Corridor, I was under the impression the route would be like NYCT's Brighton Subway: tunnel, open cut, embankment especially to compensate the el's removal, but when I saw this edifice, I was shocked: walls-n-wires (the latter for Amtrak and commuter trains) until Back Bay/South End's panoramic views and the tunnel to Downtown (if I were claustrophobic, I wouldn't have enjoyed the 'new' reroute at all.).

[@MontanaTrackless]

At what point has the MBTA ever cared about the public. The Watertown and Arboway lines closed only temporarily. Will you live long enough to see the Blue/Red Line connected? Why be surprised about Washington Street? For your information I-95 was to go from Peabody through Boston southwest to 128. It was never part of the Inner Belt. I have never taken the new Orange Line to Forest Hills, only the Elevated!

[@interstellarphred]

Will it ever return? no it never returned, and once more we all got burned, Take that Kingston Trio!

[@ani2595]

If Boston wanted to could they rebuild the elevated line or have that portion go underground? It would be good for them to do an expansion there that went till Nubian Square or to Mattapan

[@maxtransit3526]

Excellent question! To try to rebuild the elevated segment today would be difficult without demolishing any buildings to make the portal. There is a new development that sits on top of where the El used to poke out from Chinatown. However, making a subway along the former El is potentially more viable, depending on underground utilities and some other things I may not be aware about. I think it's definitely worthwhile to realign the Orange Line to the former route underground, and you could branch from Nubian Station to have a route go towards Forest Hills and the other to Mattapan. Why not?

[@AchaWifehouse]

"The big dig"

[@qjtvaddict]

The silver line should be eliminated with the tunnel turned into a green line branch and a return of the elevated into the tunnel then extended to Charleston

[@maxtransit3526]

That's a pretty good proposal to have. I've always thought the Silver Line tunnels would benefit from light-rail. We would probably run a mix of SL and GL because the SL needs to get to the airport and Chelsea. But Gl could replace SL2. Charlestown maybe trickier but maybe benefit more if it had streetcars replacing the 92 and 93.

[@durrburgerdennis4030]

Yeah i definitely saw you with that hat a little bit ago

[@maxtransit3526]

Were you the guy from the Charlestown Maintenance yard?

[@durrburgerdennis4030]

@@maxtransit3526 no i was from everett, i tried to get you to take a sign, but you said no!

[@maxtransit3526]

@@durrburgerdennis4030 Yeah I remember you! Great to see you here guy! As soon as you said PCC there was no one else who I would ask that hahaha! Hope all is well with you!

[@durrburgerdennis4030]

@@maxtransit3526 well everything is alright but those pccs suck ass and will never be finished

[@blakemcnamara9105]

Wouldn't it be nice if they could rebuild the El?

[@maxtransit3526]

All 3? Yes please!

[@nickinca4317]

Yes that would be great and awesome for Boston.

[@meme_buster6227]

Hey max, say Sauce but take out the a and replace the ce with an S.

[@maxtransit3526]

There is an imposter in my comment section.

[@nickamezq8867]

They should have left the elevated orange line alone it was Fine. Now they got all these tunnels collapsing from within now the new orange line is a Joke.

[@meme_buster6227]

12:14 I agree, the mbta is actually dumb. The silver line isn’t any better. Plus, Why cut the old leachmere from the new one, they could’ve just fucking built off of it. The are really dumb.

[@luislaplume8261]

I suggest to hire Germans for future transit projects.

[@anthonywilliams7110]

Personally, I loved the Washington Street and Charlestown elevated! It was a part of my childhood. The "so-called " improvements are HORRIBLE! Dudley is now called Nubian........SERIOUSLY?

[@luislaplume8261]

You mean motorman, not driver.

[@maxtransit3526]

*Motor person