A Tour of the MBTA Green Line in Boston

[@MattMcIrvin]

The MBTA is a troubled system these days mostly because of decades of neglect coming due, but it's got a fantastic history and could be good again. It's just a matter of spending the time, money and effort. And it seems like some of that is finally happening. The Green Line is fascinating to me because it's a remnant of Boston's old streetcar system, which used to be vastly more extensive than our rail transit is today. So in some ways it's like a step back in time, even with updated equipment. When I first came to the Boston area, the Green Line was mostly running Boeing Vertol SLRV trams similar to the ones used on the San Francisco Muni in the same time period--they're all gone now. They had roll signs indicating the route instead of dot-matrix displays. The Kinki Sharyo ones were first introduced not too long after.

[@MattMcIrvin]

(I still think it's a bit weird that those trolleys were made by Boeing's helicopter division, but consider that their big product was the Chinook, a military helicopter with a rail-car-like shape, and the Vietnam War was over. The SLRV was extremely trouble-prone and it ultimately killed Boeing Vertol's rail efforts. But the Type 7s were clearly built to be not too physically different from them.)

[@NYCS19339]

​@@MattMcIrvin there's quite a bit written about how badly designed those cars were. They got the contract for those because of the loss of business with the government from the cold war. The engineers were very arrogant and would not learn what a good streetcar benchmark was. A new PCC car would have been cheaper and much better. Boeing cars aren't even running in San Francisco at this point.

[@Dogod2]

FWIW the main reason the green line is slow is because it doesn't have signal priority at street level. It's constantly getting stuck at traffic lights with cars. Luckily, they're working on fixing that.

[@amfm889]

@Calvin Pomerantz Good to hear! No excuse for the City and the T not to work together on that.

[@ryan225360]

@@amfm889A chunk of the issue is that most of the street running is not in Boston - it’s in the close suburbs like Brookline and Newton, which are somewhat less transit friendly than Boston proper.

[@averyshaw2142]

So embarrassing that it has to yield to cars

[@76_199]

​@@averyshaw2142 I don't know if that's a thing in the US or in Boston, but in Europe streetcars often have their own traffic lights. This was a loooong time ago, in the 1980s, but you can see how the cars get red while the streetcar gets a white I to cross the intersection as it approaches. -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2aVp35-qrqcmcUfeature=shared&t=158 The same system is used for police and ambulance cars, i.e. they can request a green wave as they go. That argument is usually easier to sell than "it"s for the streetcar". :) Yet another argument is that the Type 7s in Boston can go at 55 mph. They can only go that fast if you give them space. An argument for that is the KVB in Cologne (kinda like the big brother of the Green Line, it's really very similar, just more extensive): kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmmWZ52KdsiUapYfeature=shared&t=356 That train is of a similar vintage as the Type 7s. One reason we can run that fast is that we don't get sudden red lights. Another reason is that on some lines we've got railway-style "pre-warning signals", like we get a double-yellow to warn of us of a red light a mile ahead. That way we can slow down a bit, and the red light we've been warned about might already be green again. A full stop is always more costly than just slowing down a bit.

[@arielioffe1810]

@@ryan225360I’d argue that Brookline, at least, is quite transit friendly.

[@AndrewUtz3]

The Green Line was my first experience of a subway as a 13 year old kid when my family visited Boston in around 1991. The squeaky little Boeing Vertol train crawling around the old dark tunnel very slowly in Boylston station sure left an impression! My family used to joke about how ancient America’s first subway was. We would marvel that this is what Boston had as a subway. Only when returning to the city as a 27 year old needing to get from Logan to North Station (to catch the Downeaster) did I realize Boston had modern lines too! You’ve just brought these memories fully back to life!

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

The Green Line is probably my most used line on the entire system. My earliest memory of riding the T was taking the Green Line from Riverside to Fenway for a Red Sox game with my family. I've used it fairly often in my many visits to the city, especially compared to the other three lines.

[@robk7266]

Well, the green line is actually 4 lines

[@JamesDCornette]

It's far easier to get off at Kenmore than Fenway for Sox Games. Skip the stairs, and walk downhill instead of uphill.

[@suzannerickles6169]

Lives in Boston for several years -loved it. I miss public transit living in Houston

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ll bet you miss it!

[@lewisblack3053]

I was a daily commuter on the Green Line for many years. The service downtown is frequent but slow and often very crowded. Sometimes it was just easier to get out and walk in good weather anyway. Nice video with some good information.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah the distances seem very short. Just like Chicago. Travel within the loop, you walk. Travel out of the loop, train.

[@ChangeHereForServiceToDowntown]

I miss the green line actually the type it especially I really like the interior of those trains.

[@Foxy_AR]

6:45 love how full the train is. I’m glad that some people in the US prefer public over private transport :)

[@car_tar3882]

As a dc’r as sketchy as the metro can be metro>>>>>>>any other transit

[@jon123etc]

North Station used to be even more interesting. Green line trains to Lechmere had an elevated platform on a viaduct that continued over the river, while trains terminating at North Station were on the street level. There were stairways between the two levels and the underground orange line, all within the fair paid area, enabling connections between the lines without paying another fare (even though you had to go outside).

[@erik_griswold]

The idea at the current North Station is also that a customer arriving into Boston on the Commuter Train and Downeaster at North Station can just take what ever southbound service is departing first. The Orange Line and the Green Line run very close to each other in downtown Boston from North Station to Copley/Back Bay.

[@tylerkochman1007]

I love the old photos of the former elevated rail with the old Boston Garden in the background

[@TramTrafficLightMan]

I wish I was born at least 10 years before I was born to see the original North station.

[@counterfit5]

@@TramTrafficLightMan I would need a few extra years myself. I only very vaguely remember riding past the Gahden before it was replaced by the Fleet Center

[@lloydsheck1268]

North station used to have a turnaround route years ago before the LRBs came in into existence and that was before the green line was placed underground

[@redbassett]

The Green Line actually does use block signalling like other rails lines, it just has some special case signals that bend the rules. For switches, the signals will usually show white arrows pointing in the direction of the signal. While not used in operation to my knowledge anymore, there is also a signal indicating that next block is occupied, but operators may enter (to allow two trains on a dual platform). There also is a difference between a stop signal and a stop-and-wait, since streetcars can operate under operator visual line of sight better than a heavy rail train. Also signalling and switches are controlled by a dispatcher just like any other line.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

I grew up in Boston and returned after college for 15 years, and I have fond memories of the MBTA, except for the train wheels' screeching when it went around sharp corners. The first time, I rode the Red and Green Lines with my family from Ashmont to Kenmore with a change at Park Street to watch a Red Sox game (Go Sox!). I've ridden all the lines since then except, sadly, the full length of the Riverside 'D' Branch, but only out to Newton Corner or Newton Center. If I ever were to return to Boston, even to visit, you bet I'll ride to Riverside!

[@MervynPartin]

That was good- a very enjoyable video. I had not used the subway on my previous visits to Boston (port), but when I took my wife there for her first trans-Atlantic vacation, we used it a lot, staying in a hotel very close to Copley station on the Green Line. We loved the city and the people- so friendly and helpful. The Green Line was and still is my favourite of the lines, although we did use others and the Commuter Rail. The Boston subway featured in the 1950 sci-fi story " A Subway Named Mobius" by A. J. Deutsch, the plot revolving around the complexity of the system.

[@pigeonswag739]

You are very underrared. I learned something new and you deserve more viewers. Very good video

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you, I really appreciate you saying that!

[@lukestrainsandotherstuff]

I second that!

[@RailpaxScott]

I also love the Green Line. Boston is a city which has so much historic charm. I am sure glad the green line remains part of that charm! It also sure beats driving and parking in Boston! Thom, Superb job as always covering all aspects of transit lines. Best report ever on Boston's Green lines.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! The green line is a lot of fun

[@Bobrogers99]

In my early days riding the Green Line, there was another station, Adams Square, between Government Center (Scollay Square) and Haymarket Square. I remember it as an unmanned station where the train stopped only if signaled or if there was someone on the platform to board. Back then I rode the Huntington Avenue line through Jamaica Plain to its terminal at Arborway, where I could get the trackless trolley that stopped at the Forest Hills elevated station and went on through Roslindale to West Roxbury (the Charles River line). As a kid I remember that trolley line as old-time streetcars with reversible seats.

[@Thom-TRA]

Wow, a signal stop! That’s fascinating, thanks for sharing. I wonder if it’s still visible running through the tunnels? I love comments like these, people sharing their experiences on lines from the past. Also, rip Boston’s trackless trolley.

[@Bobrogers99]

@@Thom-TRA As we move toward phasing out diesel buses, the trackless trolleys should still have their place in the scheme of things. They did have their share of problems. The overhead switches in Roslindale Square sometimes sent the trolleys going in one direction while the vehicle went in the other. In winter they couldn't use tire chains, and sometimes they slid too far from the overhead wire.

[@jamesobrien5727]

As a youngster, I would get off at Adams square and go exploring in the abandoned tunnel because the plan was to bypass that station. It was too close to Government Center and Haymarket. As an aside part of that station is located under Boston City Hall. The city archivist has run tours exploring that route.

[@roxxma]

@@Thom-TRA The remnants of the Adams Square loop tunnel (pre early 1960s rebuild of Scollay Square station, now known as Government Center, which simplified and straightened out the track layout to what it is today, if you can believe it) are still in existence underneath City Hall Plaza and Boston City Hall. The City now owns them and uses them for storage, but they do occasionally open them up for tours. I work at City Hall and keep missing the opportunity, haha. Also, the Tremont Street tunnel extends just under a half mile south of Boylston Station into the Theatre District, where several lines (basically today's 43, SL4 SL5, 9, 10, and 11 buses) from the South End, Roxbury, and South Boston used to converge into the Central Subway.

[@benjaminyeiser4023]

Great vid! As a student in Boston, I've never seen a type 7 hooked up to a type 9, and I remember hearing somewhere that that's because the new type 9s don't couple with the type 8s or 7s, but will only be able to couple with the type 10s when they're out. Also was neat to see one of the old OL trains running.

[@newenglandskier13]

I love the Green Line, its so unique! My favorite oddities it has are the true street running section on the E branch between Brigham Circle and Heath Street, and also the underground pedestrian grade crossing on the tracks between platforms at Park Street Station. It’s too bad that you didn’t get to ride the Blue Line. Not only is it unique because it switches between third rail and overhead power, but because of the short platform at Bowdoin, entire trains can’t fit in the station and doors need to be open with buttons like on European trains.

[@Thom-TRA]

Next time the Blue line is my priority!

[@tomosborne8605]

Thank you for your videos, Thom. I just discovered your channel. I watch a lot of train videos, have traveled US trains all of my life...even worked for the New York Central a summer in the '60's. I read that there have been negative comments about your videos. I lived in Chicago many years...road all of the trains there. I have learned something from every one of your videos. I was a history teacher for fifty years and appreciate all of the history lessons. I have been binge watching this weekend. Your brother and wife are lucky they get to tag along with you! Wish I could.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for this comment, it really made my day! You have a gift of encouraging people. That’s so cool you worked for the NYC! Were you on-board staff or did you work on the ground? I’d love to hear more!

[@jazrobean1]

@@Thom-TRA YOU keep up YOUR good work! I just subscribed.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@jazrobean1 thank you!!!

[@MicrobyteAlan]

The green line is how I got to high school, 1964 - 68, then I used it get around for college and work. No complaint here.

[@jeanleclerc115]

Hi, just came across your video, and I have to say it's very well thought and fantastic! It brings back memories when I visited Boston in 2002, I overall like this transit system. Forget about the critics, this line is certainly worth the video.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed

[@MSP_aviation]

Man this makes me want to return to Boston/ the green line. While it is confusing to navigate sometimes, it sure is a cool train. I much preferred type 7 over type eight though. I would’ve liked to try type 9 though. Anyways, great video once again.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah the Type 8s are ugly

[@jazrobean1]

First came to Boston for a year in 1980. It has been interesting to watch the growth of the City and it's transportation systems. I am starting to use it more now that I am retired. Thanks for your excellent videos. Keep up the good work.

[@Thom-TRA]

Glad you’re enjoying the transportation!

[@Modeltnick]

Love the Green Line in Boston! Especially the C Branch out to Brookline. Some riders wanted to sue the MBTA because of the squealing wheels at Boylston. They claimed hearing damage. I think they were nuts!

[@luislaplume8261]

When steel wheels go around a sharp curve, they always squeal.

[@ridetrainz]

I love the green line too Thom. As a kid took many trips to Kenmore Sq and North Station. North Station had a turnaround loop at street level and an elevated station for through trains to Lechmere. Also the OL was elevated at North Station too. More unique and interesting back in the day. Wonderful video!

[@BeardedOneA]

I just spent nine hours touring the lines and shops with a hundred or so friends (You may have been among them) yesterday. So many changes! They ran a three car train of LRVs (A rare treat). I found your video looking for stuff from yesterday.

[@tommarino1056]

Loved the video. So much good information. I rode the Green Line several times when I was in Boston. Mostly the D branch to Riverside.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! I like the D branch too, some friends of mine live close to it.

[@markmanz8897]

I’m glad I discovered your channel. You are very honest and in-depth. Clearly you do your research. Boston has a lot of history and a strange transit network, when compared with other cities.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m glad you discovered it too! Thanks!

[@johnthompson3764]

I live in Brighton, MA on the Green line. I love the green line.

[@luislaplume8261]

The orange trolley is a Pullman product from 1951 and is the last new PCC type trolley for Boston, all others were War baby from the 1940s and pre war from 1938.

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

I visited Boston twice in the '70s and loved the Green Line. I would love to see a 3-D map of it because I swear at one point we were going in circles while changing elevation. This was when they still had the old style street cars.

[@AndrewSephiTV]

I have so many memories of the Green Line. My brother used to live in Boston from 2010 until 2017 when he moved to NYC. I used to visit him twice a year (January and July), and he lived very close to the Hynes Convention Center station. I used to go meet him for lunch every day near the South Station, so I would take the green line and transfer at Park st. Really fun time. Sometimes if I was feeling too lazy I would even get the line E just to hop 1 station to go to Prudential Mall. Also, my hearing was never the same after taking the green line every day for 2 weeks. Every turn the ear burns!

[@Thom-TRA]

It is definitely very loud!

[@josilainebrandao11]

Hi there!!! Your video was really helpful. I'll be in Boston in a few days and I'll need to use the green and blue lines. You helped me a lot. Tks and keep it up.

[@Thom-TRA]

Enjoy your stay! It’s one of my favorite US cities

[@NonstopEurotrip]

Mega interesting! Firstly I'm surprised the AnsaldoBreda ones are still working... And it looks like a great system, frequent and very well used! The whole thing, especially the trams have a very central/eastern European feel to them 👍🏻

[@ronstux4428]

The Breda cars are still working because the MBTA had to spend $100 million to fix them. I remember for many years they were all stabled at Cleveland Circle (was it?) until they could figure out why they wouldn't get around the curves. Would have been very smart move on the part of the T to find that out before they took delivery. Or maybe write a specification that contained the necessary requirements. One must presume that the rains met spec, because it was the T that had to cough up the money fix them. 10 years and $100 million before they could finally use them

[@belowtheline346]

I rode all Green Line branches as a tourist in May 2022 and did enjoy same as you 😊. Thanks for explaining the loop at Government Center, i was wondering about this unused track.. 👍.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for the comment! I was there in May 2022 as well!

[@amfm889]

Thanks for the history and city info in the video. Back in the day when I came to Boston for college the fare was 25 cents, and you could put quarters in the turnstiles! The Green Line- and the T- gets a lot of grief, sometimes deserved. It's old, it's new, it's bureaucratic, it's underfunded, but Boston would grind to a halt without it. There's a lot to like about the T. Re. the closely-spaced trains: the lack of an automatic signal system wasn't a problem until operators started rear-ending each other (or overspeeding). A number of crashes caused injuries and major trolley damages. As a result the T is having one designed and installed. By the way: Chicago's “L” trains also ran line-of-sight for years- no signals! The rule was: don't hit the train in front of you.

[@Thom-TRA]

Don’t hit the train in front of you sounds like a pretty good rule to me lol. I can’t believe the fare was only 25 cents. That’s crazy to think about. I really like your assessment of the T. It’s fair but it highlights the good parts as well. Very helpful how you put it into words. Thanks for that!

[@MattMcIrvin]

I arrived in the days when it was 75 cents and the system used brass-colored tokens with the T logo. There were still a lot of older ones circulating that said "Metropolitan Transit Authority" instead. I was accustomed to the Washington DC Metro, which had a variable-fare system with magnetic-stripe farecards similar to the current CharlieTickets from the beginning, so it seemed like a technological step back. But it was simple. The French pre-euro 20 centime piece was almost exactly the same size, shape and color (it was just slightly thinner) and occasionally you'd get one when you bought tokens; they wouldn't work in most of the turnstiles though.

[@CameronLandels]

Thank you Thom for the video! Very knowledgeable! I enjoyed learning some new facts/history about the Green Line. I didn't realise it's the oldest rapid transit line in the US! London has the oldest system in the world - 1863! :-) Looking forward to the next video!

[@Thom-TRA]

Yep, London has this place beat by quite a few years (and in overall quality, I would imagine). Glad you enjoyed the video! Next week, special report from Chicago…

[@MattMcIrvin]

@@Thom-TRA The London Underground is an amazing, monumental system--and not just the Underground, their entire transport network. Every transit geek should experience it. I was just back there for the first time in decades, and went out of my way to ride the central section of the new Elizabeth Line, which gave me dreams of the often-proposed but never-built North-South Rail Link for Boston. We could do so much more.

[@chrishuston4445]

Thanks!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you so much!

[@jessejames586]

Great job on research of the green line. I learned some new facts. I love riding the t. I used to just ride for fun during lunch breaks when I worked in the city.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks!

[@BobFrTube]

I enjoyed watching this because, looking through my back window behind the screen, I was able to watch the green line trains passing. I live just outside Newton Highlands, so the trains tracks are essentially in my backyard. And the Highlands station is just at the corner. Yes, it's slow but downtown traffic can be slower.

[@Thom-TRA]

Glad you enjoyed. I had a great time in Boston.

[@Pauley_in_GP]

Thanks for another great video and more memories. As I mentioned in previous comments, I spent much time on the various Green Line routes in my youth. Your description of Boston's areas and stations are fantastic. I loved the info on Government Center (which was named "Scollay Under" when I was there.) I never knew the exact layout. In thinking about it, one of the reasons I enjoyed riding the trains and trolleys back then was that I was aware of their history. I guess my railfanning started early. Here's a funny tidbit you might appreciate: When I was a kid, I was kind of a loner and would just ride around the city for the fun of it. I knew the subway system quite well and which stations had cross platforms so I could easily change directions and take other routes. (You're probably the only person with whom I've ever communicated who understands what I'm talking about.) By the way, it looks like "CharlieCard" is the T's daily pass. If so, it must be a reference to the Kingston Trio's song, Charlie on the MTA. Are you familiar with it? (There's a great video of them on KZbin.) Thanks again and keep up the great work.

[@hebneh]

I wondered where the “Charlie” reference came from and I’m sure you must be correct. The Kingston Trio was a big part of my life as a little kid around 1960 so I know the song well.

[@christinalemmo2332]

@@hebneh Yeah, they mention the "Scollay Square station" by name in that song.

[@stephensaines7100]

Excellent vid! It's moderately paced, and you take time to explain details, and show maps. Boston looks more inviting to visit than ever. Thank you!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks! It’s a great place to visit! I just returned a few weeks ago

[@KEYBEATZ]

Here's something of note when you leave Haymarket station, in the tunnel you'll see a series of switching tracks and if you look real carefully, you can see the original Haymarket station after the current Haymarket stations location

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ll have to check that out next time!

[@johndevine2868]

I work in the Back Bay and from time to time have to go “in town” (Park Street, Government Center). The Green Line is frequent enough that I will use it even though it’s a walkable distance. Beyond Kenmore is a different issue, hence the griping from commuters. Good video.

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Without a doubt my favorite rail line(s) in Boston. They're unique -- barring their issues -- and have a classic theme to them. I always enjoy riding & recording and definitely have to get back up Boston ever since the GLX has been completed. Silver Lines is pretty interesting as well

[@CR157-v6w]

I went to the Museum of Fine Arts earlier this month, and I learned that it has it's own dedicated station on the E branch. Cool how a museum has a direct connection to public transportation, basically unheard of in Chicago.

[@redrider917]

Its's not a direct connection, its's about a five minute walk from the station to the museum. By your example, in Chicago, the Jackson Red Line stop is dedicated to the Art Institute, which is absolutely not true.

[@savannah7382]

​@@redrider917 The MFA T stop is 500 feet from the Huntington St entrance to the MFA.....

[@daveg3056]

Great tour. I didn't know that about the colors of the lines!I lived in Boston from 81-88 and I loved the green line because it went everywhere I lived; Lechmere and Brigham Circle on the E, Babcock St and BC on the B. Govt Center for work and Copley for nights out. I endured the original Boeing Vertol LRVs, I remember the pshhhh, pshhhh, pshhhh of the faulty air doors and the engineer having to get out and push them closed! And those old PCC's than ran on the E with their clattery fans and leaky doors, had to have a nip of JD just to keep warm lol Wow, how Beantown has changed...but seeing the weird loop again at Govt Ctr and that familiar squeal brings all the memories back, thank you!

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re welcome! The Green Line truly is in a class of its own

[@dennisdownes9319]

Great video! Your map of Government center is excellent! Harvard Station used to have something a little similar as it was the end of the line at the time. I was born in Boston and lived there until age 6. To this day, subways all over the world are magical places to me. In honesty, I don't have to rely on the service for work and "real life" so the daily grind is not there for me. DD

[@bigbilly7865]

💚 The Green Line 👍👍 👍👍

[@classic287]

I love your Boston train / subway videos, Thom. I miss Boston and the T system. They are slow as molasses, but I don’t care. It’s all charming…

[@jhonesmith8642]

Green line means the nicest places in Boston where I lived for 13 years I miss it so much

[@rebeccawinter472]

The challenge with low floor trams is they have lower capacity than high floor trams given they have to have space taken up to accommodate machinery for the train. In a perfect world, the stations would be retrofit to make them accessible, like with commuter rail stations, raising the platform height. Converting trains to low floor sort of locks in a lower capacity in perpetuity. Anyways great video as always Thom!

[@TheDylanJoyce]

The Green Line loves you too!

[@dathpo]

Great video. I learned a few things Thank you.

[@TomByron-h7s]

I for one love the Green line. It's very liberating and scenic. Very comfortable ride

[@Thom-TRA]

I love it too!

[@andrew_ray]

They actually used the extra platform at Government Center earlier this year when there was construction work downtown on the Green Line.

[@Thom-TRA]

Cool! Wish I could have seen that

[@ck4426]

Excellent video, as always!!! Keep on keepin’ on!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! I will. Have something really exciting planned for next week (Chicago themed…)

[@ck4426]

@@Thom-TRA Wonderful!!!

[@EmilePoelman]

I also really enjoy your videos. Greetings from a Dutch fan!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! De groeten terug!

[@johnmcnamara1554]

Thank you very much for the great diagram of the loops in Government Center. I believe there are also loops in Park Street and Kenmore. Hopefully another person commenting will expand on those. As similar aside, a diagram of the Boylston Station would also be interesting , as that was where a now disused line to the theater district branched off (as another commenter noted). The very screeching curve is where the currently used tracks pass over the disused line passing under. Between Bolyston and Kenmore there is a wide area in the tunnel where a ramp used to take the line up to street level. Remnants of other route changes / abandoned sections are covered in other KZbin videos, but I mention them just for your own interest. Your videos are great as is, but for your future study....

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! I mostly covered stations that I was able to see during my trip, as I balanced videoing with visiting friends and spending some good ol quality time with my wife :)

[@lukestrainsandotherstuff]

Trains are awesome is the best channel on KZbin .

[@Thom-TRA]

Hahaha thanks

[@geoffreyblack3817]

1981 (ish). My Dad and I took a fan trip. We transferred 5734 and 3295 from Watertown to Boylston via a fan trip across the network. I got to operate 5734 into Park St. I have my Dad’s photos packed away.

[@Thom-TRA]

Good memories!

[@montana_guy8001]

I used to tend bar near Fenway-At shift end Id take the Green to the old North Station which still looked like throwback to the 40s with antique wood benches and ornate ticket windows. From there the commuter line up to Lowell. They were still running F units on commuter train. Once at end of line in Lowell I had to walk up the tracks to my plebe apartment on the north side of Lowell. F I was lucky a slow moving g North bound freight would roll by and I could go hobo up the tracks…. Was an unusual way to ‘ride the rails’ back in the day (early 80s)…

[@thefareplayer2254]

Bostonians are the only people in the world who would be MAD at you for LIKING something in their city 🤣

[@timgwallis]

I lived in Boston for 4 years after living in the South my whole life. I gushed over the T I loved it so much, and native Bostonians would always scoff at me. There is even a whole local play about how much people from Boston hate the T. I think they’re crazy and spoiled. No idea how good they have it.

[@risksrewardsrelics51]

@@timgwallisI grew up in the Boston area and have traveled to and lived other cities extensively and ridden many other transit systems. MBTA management and funding have been a mess for many years. The agency was quite corrupt and many projects simply were not completed for one reason or another. As a result, the system was allowed to deteriorate and become quite unreliable… probably some of the worst service in the country. Things are starting to get better now with track and signal work being done as well as new rolling stock, but we’re a long way from getting back to the former glory of the network.

[@EGPFAviation]

What an insightful and informative video Thom! I was born in Boston, and my first home was on Beacon St. I have lots of memories on this line, because my first local rail station was Hawes St. on the C line. I can only find one issue in this video, I think the Type 7s only run with Type 8s and not Type 9s. At least, that's how it was the last time I visited! I also agree with you on the 8s being ugly.

[@EGPFAviation]

Also, I don't know if you know this, but the Orange line was named so because it used to be an elevated line over Orange Street.

[@arnavsrikanth]

As someone who lives on the green line and takes it multiple times a week, the downtown core is cool but I do think they need to either widen the tunnels downtown and run skip stop service. Or even build a second tunnel underground for some routes. There is a ton of traffic between Kenmore and Govt Center and the trains frequently get stuck just outside stations waiting for the previous one to leave.

[@Nasty-News]

Don't worry about it. I'm stuck in NYC and miss the Boston trains.

[@CelineNoyce]

Took the green line extension yesterday from Riverside. Wow.. long trip. But good for sightseeing.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ll have to go back to try it!

[@joshc2650]

0:40 When I rode the whole L system, there were many people on the train talking to us about our trip. Many of those people thought the same as those people who you were talking about. I just want you to feel like you're not alone.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks Josh I really appreciate it!

[@Keys-zq1gw]

He knows more about the trains than I do, and I live here! 😂

[@usb_port]

Nice video, very informative

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks! I enjoyed making it

[@PeterWarner-yz7tb]

Could you do one on the new Surfliner inspired METRA Cars . These are the ones with two sets of sliding doors per side and a regular upper level (as opposed to the ubiquitous Gallery Cars) with the Amtrak-inspired split lexan Window panels, and I think they should have kept the operating cans upstairs like they are in the case of Gallery Cars, Surfliner, California Cars, & the Hyundai-Rotem Cars used on Matrolink and Tri-Rail.)

[@Three60Mafia]

Green line has one of the most confusing stations. When I was there, it was a nightmare to navigate as a tourist. I forgot the name of the station, but it basically has 4 platforms and 4 trains coming at same time, its cramped, and intimidating.

[@Firerobo9658]

Well I am a transit fan

[@Blank00]

Who made the propulsion systems for Type 9?

[@peterfrey6062]

GRRRRR! every time I've ridden the Green Line,and now seen your awesome video, I get jealous of what could have been done with Philly's subway-surface lines, especially post 1950s extension in West Philly. Other than "green" there is just no comparison between the two, but Septa had the potential and just lost it.

[@Thom-TRA]

Would you believe it if I told you I rode the MBTA green line today?

[@peterfrey6062]

@@Thom-TRA yes. it's a great system. Post any updates to your next video

[@hallze3737]

I remember taking a Green line to Fenway Park home to the Boston Red Sox

[@Killercutsvideo]

It is silly to get so angry about something so trivial as a train line. As a train enthusiast that recently found your channel I go a lot of watching to do!

[@Thom-TRA]

People are crazy! I’ve gotten threats on other videos

[@nafisali2434]

The Type 7's are my most favorite. Fun fact the Type 7's litterley rescued the T from corruption. In the 1980's the T Currently had a rolling stock of 256 out out 344 PCC Streetcars built by Pullman Standard from 1945 to 1951. 144 cars which were built by Boeing Vertol of Pennsylvania. Which these were the first streetcars to be 71 feet long, with a folded wall in the middle. In which these were the Boeing LRVs. The Boeing LRV's were purchased to replace the PCC Streetcars. First arrived in September of 1976, and first ran revenue service on the D Line on December 30 of 1976. Couple weeks later the new onee derailed on the D Line, and were removed from service in April of 1977. Constant brake downs, derailments, and propulsion failures occurred. The original order was for 175 but the T sued Boeing and recieved $40 Million back in 1979. By 1983 they had 144 delivered. With 35 set as disabled. The T lost over 4000 riders in 1983 due to the corrupted Beoing LRV's. Anyways the T contracted Kinki Sharyo of Asaka, Japan to construct 100 new cars which are the Current Type 7s. These had all new flexible, steel wheels, and improved technology. The Type 7s rescued the T from corruption. Although the Type 7s did not replace the entire boeing fleet. In whih the Type 8s did in 2007. Although the Type 8s had problem, they had an incorrect wheel axle causing it to derail. It took 9 years for them to be fully placed in service. You should do the Red Line in Boston. The red line currently operates subway cars built in 1969 to this day as of 2024.

[@Thom-TRA]

Ive done the red line. You should check out the video!

[@brandoncole5533]

I didn't think I as a Chicagoan would be confused by a transit systems layout but here I am

[@torikicklighter1191]

Great job

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@Anon21486]

Would you mind if I talk about Government Center? In order to explain Government Center green line platform, you need to go back in time, to a time before Boston City Hall was built, to a time where the station was called Scolley Square. The green line platform was Scolley Square Upper while the blue line platform was Scolley Square Lower. Anyway, at the time, trolleys had three tracks at Scolley Square Upper but two of the tracks went to a station that no longer exist, Adam sSquare. Southbound trolley would go from Haymarket to Scolley Square to Park Street while northbound trolleys would go from Park Street to Scolley Square to Adams Square to Haymarket. The other track was a loop from Haymarket southbound to Scolley Square to Adams Square back to Haymarket northbound. Adam Square also seem to be a terminus station so add that to the confusion. With that said, the third track at Government Center follows the original track that leads to Adams Square. Of course, the new layout takes a sharp turn to connect to the northbound track. It is said that the original tunnels to Adams Square (underneath Cornhill) is still there and is covered by the wall that is present at the platform. Fun Fact: Adams Square may no longer exist as a standalone station but it is still there. Adams Square was absorbed into modern day State Street station. If you go all the way to the end of the orange line northbound platform, there is a set of stairs that leads into Boston City Hall (only open when city hall is open). That small portion of the platform and stairs is what is left of Adams Square station.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m going to look for Adams Square next time I’m in Boston!

[@izzyci]

I just rode them all , the blue line goes to Revere Beach which is very beautiful

[@Rabbitrails315]

You're not the only one who thinks that the type 8's are ugly. I don't like them either (from what I've seen), and I'm pretty sure a majority of Boston railfans think that too.

[@tra1nsntr33s]

5:37 why does that propulsion sound like R160s from the NYC subway??

[@bronxrailfan9827]

r142A’s not r160’s

[@GoGarbage]

Awesome Video

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@luislaplume8261]

Us New Yorkers call the Green lines underground trolley tunnel. For us a subway runs trains not light rail or trolleys. Same is true for Philadelphia.

[@PtrkHrnk]

Do they just use some old text-to-speech program for the announcements on the trains? Also, it's interesting that doors on the trains fold outwards...

[@large_bean]

The Green Line has a mix of recordings and text-to-speech, its announcements are by far the least polished automated announcements in the system (unsurprisingly, IIRC they're also the oldest recordings, and have had to be altered and added to a lot over the years). As for the outward-folding doors, the now-retired Boeing-Vertol US Standard Light Rail Vehicles, built 1970s, had plug doors that were very unreliable, so they were eventually refit with bifold doors like the PCCs they had replaced. The T kept this design across the next two models ordered, though they seem to have finally lost their aversion to plug doors, as the brand-new Type 9 cars have them. Amusingly, the plug doors on the Type 9s mean they're not currently allowed to run on the E branch, as they lack the stop sign markings present on the outward-folding door panels of the Type 7/8 cars, which are needed when the E runs in mixed traffic. Not sure why they didn't solve this problem by giving the Type 9s a folding stop sign like you'd find on a school bus or something, but whatever.

[@MuckoMan]

North station used to be elevated. The Charlestown kids mostly Irish were there to mug you when you got off the train back in the 70's lol.

[@thrjfi5360]

Tom where's the new green line extension that opened yesterday

[@Thom-TRA]

I filmed this in May

[@thrjfi5360]

@@Thom-TRA just busting your chops good stuff

[@Thom-TRA]

@@thrjfi5360 haha thanks!

[@viewmaster617]

Imo I think the new trains aren't ugly but sleek they look so futuristic. The green silver and black make me think of mint girl scout cookies lol

[@de-fault_de-fault]

The Green Line has the same problems any other light rail/subway hybrid has, but I’d say it’s no worse than most in that category. It might even be above average for what it is. In fact it’s not even any worse than Boston’s other lines, which all suffer from long headways and too many stations packed too close together. If you’re only traveling a short distance it’s easy to have the dreaded “I should have just walked” realization upon reaching the platform and seeing the next train is far away.

[@CABOOSEBOB]

Bring back all the streetcars as a supplement for the subway lines

[@timallardyce1216]

I was in Boston last year and what confused me was the downtown destinations frequently changed and didn't match up with what they were supposed to be sometimes. Pethaps due to track congestion? Also found maps that were different, perhaps not updated? Did you find this?

[@Thom-TRA]

I did find a few outdated maps here and there

[@timallardyce1216]

@@Thom-TRA at government centre I saw 2 next to each other that were different! Thanks for explaining the weird track layout there. I couldn't figure it out when I was there

[@Thom-TRA]

@@timallardyce1216 you’re welcome! I had to study several maps to make my own

[@tonymento7460]

When I was working on the MBTA from 1978 to 1988 the Green Line was PCC Boeing LRV and the Type - 7 cars when the Boeing LRV’s were causing problems the MBTA rebuild the best of the PCC ‘s the first PCC was car # 3072 the loop at Government Center was the old Adam Square loop that was used until the early 1950’s now it’s used the turn cars around from Union Square Somerville

[@MisterVercetti]

Out of curiosity, why do the branches go B-E, instead of A-D like you'd typically expect?

[@Thom-TRA]

There used to be an A branch, which closed. It’s a good question!

[@kevinb6973]

Green like heath street is normally a terrible time for me… so busy, yet so slow and so many delays

[@Natalietrans]

The green line is Americas first subway and one of Americas oldest running streetcar lines at the same time

[@Thom-TRA]

It’s really cool

[@skln000]

So squeaky

[@plachenko]

9:48 orange because of the orient- ...tation toward florida.

[@LouisChang-le7xo]

Why do their modern trains look so old when interors are up to date?

[@nyrmetros]

More American Revolution history please!