Blue Line

Blue Line

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The Blue Line, as we know it now, has quite an interesting history to it. The present line running from Bowdoin Square Station in Boston to its Wonderland Terminal started service on 5 January 1952. Before that the history is somewhat complex. Originally built for what appeared to be a streetcar line the East Boston Tunnel, as it was first known was one of the earliest underwater tunnels to be built around 1904. The original line went to East Boston to Maverick Square. Because of heavy crowding of the platforms it was decided to institute high platform third rail service between Bowdoin Square and a location in East Boston across the harbor where passengers could then transfer to regular surface car connections. The actual changeover took place on the weekend of 18 April 1924.

Additional expansion was suggested as early as 1925 to go beyond Maverick Square using the right of way of a former electrified narrow gauge railroad owned by the Boston and Maine. In 1951 with the building of Logan Airport and an extension of the East Boston Expressway the state legislature authorized the extension of the service to Orient Heights where the shops were also built to service the line. New service started on 5 January 1952. The success of the new line led to the construction of additional trackage eventually ending at Bath House which was subsequently renamed Wonderland in 1954 after an old amusement park that was once at that location. At the present time there is talk of extending the Blue Line further north towards at least Lynn most likely using the old narrow gauge electric line right of way. Once the extension to Orient Heights was finished the old loop at what was Maverick Square was removed along with a considerable amount of changes in transit in that area.

Because of the approximate location to the ocean and the salt breeze it was decided that cars north of Logan (formerly Maverick) would use an overhead cantenary system. Eastbound trains change from third rail to overhead while standing at the Logan station while westbound trains reverse the process on the fly before entering the subway at the same location. The only comparable system was the Chicago Transit Authority's "Skokie Swift" that, like the Blue Line, used the right of way of an abandoned electric railroad and switched from third rail to overhead on the fly. The Skokie Swift is now all third rail.

The Blue Line cars are unique in a number of ways. They are 48 feet long versus the normal 70 feet on the Red and Orange Lines. The reason is more than likely due to the tight curves and clearances in downtown Boston on the original subway dating back to surface cars. The present 0600 class, with the exception of 18 cars, is due for retirement as this is being written. The early retirement is due, in part, to the wear and tear created by the high winds and salt from the nearby ocean. In their place 94 new cars from Siemens are being delivered that will be in the 700 class. The first of the new Blue Line cars were put into operation on 20 February 2008. Together, with the remaining cars, the Blue Line will be able to run six car trains during peak hours. It is expected to have the entire new fleet delivered by July, 2009. When the cars are delivered the Blue Line will have a fleet of 112 cars.

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Top row: 1. inbound Blue Line pulling into station to pick up passengers
2. Blue Line four car train from Boston entering Wonderland Station
3. Another Blue Line train at inbound platform.
4. After crossing over inbound Blue Line train approaches platform
5. Same train with class car 0600 in the rear heading to Boston
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Bottom row:
Passenger waiting to board inbound Blue Line train for Boston

Unless otherwise noted all pictures are by Larry Mack and are copyrighted. These pictures may not be used for other websites and/or commercial purposes without the express approval by the webmaster. The "T" and subway map are copyrighted and owned by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and are used on this site with their approval. This site is not officially affiliated with the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority.

Blue Line (Orient Heights Carhouse)

Blue Line Fleet (82 cars +82 cars on order)

*Series*	*Car type*	*Built By*	*Electrical*	*Year Built*	*Width*	*Length*	*Seats*	*Cars Active*	*Cars Out of Service*
0600-0669	#4 East Boston	Hawker-Siddeley	GE	1978-80	111”	48’06”	42	68	2
0700-0793	#5 East Boston	Siemens	Siemens	2007/2008	111”	48’06”	35	12	82 additional cars on order

Blue Line Active Fleet (80 cars, operated in married pairs 68 #4 cars and 12 #5 cars ):

0600/0601 through 0622/0623, 0625/0626, 0628/0629 through 0668/0669

0702/0703, 0706/0707 through 0712/0713, 0718/0719

Out of Service, awaiting sale for scrap (2 cars):

0624/0627

Unaccepted cars/under construction (82 cars):

At Orient Heights: 0714/0715, 0716/0717, 0720/0721-0724/0725

At Wellington: 0704/0705-cars remain at Wellington to test future modifications if required, will return to Siemens for completion

At CAF plant Elmira NY for assembly: 0700/0701, 0726/0727-0792/0793

Cars are expected to be delivered at a rate of 4 per month, with completion of order in mid-2009. Cars expected to be delivered in numerical order, except for pilot cars 0700/0701, which will most likely be delivered near the end of the order.

#4 and #5 cars can only trainline within their own group and are not operated in revenue trains together

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Material in part from Wikipedia

Last updated: 17 May 2008 23:54