⁴ᴷ⁶⁰ Vintage 1940s PCC Streetcars on Boston's Ashmont-Mattapan Line

The Ashmont-Mattapan High-Speed Line, commonly referred to as the Mattapan Trolley is a partially grade-separated light rail line that 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. Enjoy this view of a very unusual operation!
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Taken in May 2022.

[@scottyerkes1867]

These PCC's are well maintained and have served this line for many years. I live in Philly and we had many PCC's operating on our streets. A crosstown trolley line is currently operating with rebuilt PCC's. Thanks DJHammers!!😀😀💚💚

[@darthvader5261]

Which line is that, so I can visit it lol

[@scottyerkes1867]

@@darthvader5261 The nbr 15 trolley on Girard Ave

[@Admiral_Ellis]

The amazing part is these PCCs have been running in Boston without a single break since their introduction in the 40s. It sets this line apart from a lot of similar "historic" lines in other cities.

[@sopaman1234]

It just goes to show you that equipment that was made back then was made and will last forever..

[@Made.For.a.While24]

Yea they have the trolley that are In used now we’re not originally for that line they were in use for mainlines of Boston but somewhere around the 70s or the 80s I forgot which decade the Ashmont trolleys were double ended trolleys they had cabs on both ends and due to them not being taken care of they deteriorated so some mainline Boston trolley cars were brought in to replace those trolley cars

[@TBF_1J]

Streetcars and Trolleys are so interesting.

[@stephenoleary4904]

I live in lower mills Dorchester Massachusetts and these trolleys are right down the street....have ridden them for many years now....the people here absolutely love them❤❤

[@HamHamHamHamHam]

Used to take these everyday to get to school! I remember the old cars used to break down a lot though. Im glad they replaced them

[@ElJibaro718]

Interesting that Boston had trolleys of this age in good condition, and I'm particularly impressed by the interior lighting.

[@TheosTrainsWalesOfficial]

Fair play, they've done a VERY good job on the interior.

[@graffmixer]

I'm glad you captured the first refurbished streetcar 3265 1:05 and 4:05 . I always wondered how the new ones sound like versus the old streetcars. All of them is supposed to end up like this.

[@TommyTom21]

The one thing that sucks about the refurbished cars is that cheap sounding digital bell

[@Pauley_in_GP]

I spent a lot of time as a kid on the PCC cars in Boston, including many trips from Mattapan Square to Ashmont. I remember that some of the cars were two-ended (I think they were ex-Dallas cars.) Thanks for this video - and the memories.

[@wingwalker27]

Me too and I remember those two-ended cars. I would ride from forest Hills through JP and usually get off around Longwood Ave.

[@Pensyfan19]

Great footage of this Boston wonder.

[@paulwarner5395]

Thanx for the great video. Wish I had known abut these when I was in Boston in 1990 as I would have hunted them out. Unusual design to put the trolly pole retriever above the rear window rather than below it. Must be a real pig to to rewire when the pole comes off.

[@billhershkowitz5759]

These remind me of the styling of the GM "Old Look" buses built in the 1940s and 50s

[@somecallmeelvis]

They' look in great condition 0:42 the bell sounds like a boxing ring match bell not going to lie

[@paulwarner5395]

Maybe boxing bells come from the same factory as trolly bells :-)

[@wingwalker27]

A good vantage point to see and film these are on the bridge inside Ceder Grove cemetery,

[@davidpanton3192]

Great stuff. Here in the UK such things are, alas, confined to museums.

[@MattMcIrvin]

It's funny... these were before my time (apart from when I've ridden on the Ashmont-Mattapan line itself), but the Boeing-Vertol ones that succeeded them are the cars that would probably give me nostalgic feelings if I saw them today.

[@bethisrael6427]

I was in Boston riding that this month.

[@EonityLuna]

Were these originally non-air-conditioned and later upgraded with air-conditioning? Their propulsion system also sounds like an IGBT-VVVF system, I reckon those were also refits?

[@davidng2336]

Yes they have been extensively rebuilt. 3265 has new propulsion after it was rebuilt. They're trying to maintain these as long as possible before upgrading the line with new streetcars.

[@eddie_alabama7997]

Those modern A/C units stick out like a sore thumb lol

[@Made.For.a.While24]

Fun fact: the trolley that are In used now we’re not originally for that line they were in use for mainlines of Boston but somewhere around the 70s or the 80s I forgot which decade the Ashmont trolleys were double ended trolleys they had cabs on both ends and due to them not being taken care of they deteriorated so some mainline Boston trolley cars were brought in to replace those trolley cars

[@PositiveRateAv]

I love the mattapan ashmont Line

[@marcleslac2413]

Smart idea to give the pccs new motors

[@tominnis8353]

Fantastic! Thanks.

[@davidng2336]

Hopefully these trolleys can continue running for another 10 years before they get replaced.

[@paulmartin5642]

Unfortunately i heard that these cars' days are numbered. Acording to the mbta's website the contract for the type 10 lrv has been awarded to caf usa. That means the type 7 & 8's will be retired and the type 9's transferred to mattapan after the line gets a extensive rebuild. So enjoy them while you can.

[@davidng2336]

@@paulmartin5642 honestly it’s kinda about time. I’m just happy they were allowed to run this long.

[@Pikalisi]

1:04 “American Tatra T3A”

[@SchwinnFreemontJRX2]

I love 3265 It sounds like a Lego power functions train

[@genekelly8467]

Amazing..built by Budd in Worcester still running. Now not a single American streetcar maker is left.

[@vipersnerfworks3453]

They were built by Pullman standard, not the Budd company

[@blakemcnamara9105]

The MTA should've done this with the Redbirds.

[@SchwinnFreemontJRX2]

And given them new traction motors and GTO’s right?

[@ElJibaro718]

You man turn them into streetcars, or am I misunderstanding you?

[@yaroslavyatsyk6475]

It's time to do bus abandon policy lol

[@SamSitar]

how do you pay when entering through the left side door?

[@vipersnerfworks3453]

You walk to the front of the car lol

[@jeffreyandrews6700]

Left side doors are only used on subway platforms. You pay at the turnstile before going down to the platform.

[@vipersnerfworks3453]

@@jeffreyandrews6700 the Mattapan line does not have turnstiles at any station. There's only a farebox at the front of the car.

[@jeffreyandrews6700]

@@vipersnerfworks3453 Right so they're not used on this current layout of the Mattapan high speed line. But PCC's were used on all the Green Line routes at one time so the need of left side doors for some platforms.

[@vipersnerfworks3453]

@@jeffreyandrews6700 yes. The left hand door is still used at butler st.

[@Dafuqboom3910]

2:05 h

[@nohabpapa]

👍

[@SRS223313]

VVVF Motor Sound? VVVFの動力音? From Tokyo JAPAN.

[@xViper]

Nigha what

[@lopwr1212]

Your'e not petty or cute :)