Category: Public Transit

The Highland branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad was a former rail line running from South Station to Riverside via Back Bay, and operated as a loop with the second half being the Worcester mainline. Unfortunately, the B&A fell on hard times, sold the line, and eventually shuttered its doors, with the MTA (now the MBTA) buying the line in the ’50s.

Now, what does that have to do with the Green Line?

I’ll tell you what: the Highland branch became the D branch of the Green Line!

So, the D branch starts all the way up in Union Square in Somerville. From there, it goes down to Lechmere via the new Lechmere Viaduct, into North Station, and runs through the central subway to Kenmore. Then, it splits, and it’s very wooded from here, making various turns and whatnot with some retaining walls indicating its past as a commuter rail branch as it passes through Brookline’s and Newton’s various stations, ending at Riverside (near I-95!). In terms of how it runs, it’s very much grade-separated the entire way.

The good: It’s the fastest of the 4 branches! (Well, slow zones aside) Furthermore, traffic doesn’t affect it as it’s fully grade-separated! Take that, B and E branches! And, it’s all woodlands, in stark contrast to the urban nature of the others. The stations mostly all have indoor heated areas, too, which is nice!

The bad: Some of the stations are “meh” like they’re copy-pasted. Also, slow zones can make this painful. Some stations aren’t accessible, either.

Nearby points of interest: Brookline High is directly above one of the stations, for those that attend school there! Furthermore, Newton Highlands and Newton Centre have some interesting things around them, while Woodland, Eliot, and Waban are nice for railfanning the branch, as is Longwood.

Overall, this is pretty much the best branch. Which, is good because it’s my favorite as well. Being grade separated helps, and most of the stops are decent and among the best on the Green Line.

Rating: 9/10

Alrighty, so the B branch sucked greatly, so let’s see how the C branch stacks up.

The C branch terminates out in Cleveland Circle in Brookline, however technically it could terminate at Reservoir, if need be, due to the presence of an extra set of platforms. From here, it runs down the median of Beacon Street, through a residential neighborhood in Brookline. In fact, from here there’s several points where you can walk to get a D branch train, with Dean Road being a walk from Beaconsfield. There’s not much to remark about on Beacon Street, although there are points where the scenery looks nice. Besides, most stops here are just like the B branch, but slightly wider. For one, you have the right of way in the side of a hill between Washington Square and Coolidge Corner. Furthermore, Coolidge Corner in of itself is a pretty nice foaming spot on the branch, while you also have shopping. There’s also some churches and other old buildings lining the street as well. Neat! Eventually, St. Mary’s St. (& its on-foot transfer to Fenway) marks the end of the branch, sadly, as it goes into Kenmore and runs into the central subway to Government Center.

The good: It serves Beacon Street in Brookline! Plus, it’s relatively short.

The bad: Many of these stops are dubious (though not to the same degree as the B) and lack bus alternatives. Furthermore, they’re pretty close!

Nearby points of interest: Coolidge Corner is cool! Furthermore, the Chestnut Hill reservoir is nearby, as is the B and D branches at Cleveland Circle! Yeah, I’m at a loss with how residential it is.

Overall, it’s alright. It’s definitely better than the B branch, that’s for sure. However, I’d personally put the D and E above it.

Rating: 6/10

Ah boy, the last of the Blue Line stations! How bad is this one, is it going to be as decent as Fenway on the Green is? Let’s see.

So, the platform? Eh, it’s your standard affair. Benches, wastebins, countdown clocks. Yeah, not a lot to say here. On the side with Bennington Street, you have the station’s busway with its three connecting routes. On the other side, not much as it’s pretty much Logan Airport. However, the fact there’s an overpass accessible here makes me wonder: why not have fare control on this side? It’s got a pedestrian path so why not? You at least also get a nice shot of the Boston skyline from here as well, so you can get somewhat decent foamer shots.

The good: Eh, it’s got your usual Blue Line affair. It’s also got BUS connection.

The bad: I’m not too big on the tiled glass. Furthermore, there should be fare control on the outbound side for the Greenway.

Nearby points of interest: There’s probably a few things on Bennington Street!

Transit connections:
Blue Line
MBTA bus (112, 120, 121)

Overall, there’s not much to say here. It’s generic. Just, generic. Ugh. Well, at least I got the Blue Line done and over with. At least it wasn’t another Suffolk Downs.

Rating: 4.5/10

The thoroughbred horse is a breed of horse specifically bred for the purpose of racing. The breed came up in the late 18th century in England. However, as a result of selective breeding and performing at maximum power a lot of the time, there’s a number of incidents and health concerns, but research on the topic is still ongoing. As for aging, typically they’re consider a year older in January in the north and August in the south, however this is set for standardization reasons in the competitive scene.

Now, what in the name of the scrawny nag does that have to do with anything I talk about here?! I’ll tell you what: they built a station by a horse racing track! Meet: Suffolk Downs!

Whelp, welcome to the least-used fare-controlled station on the entire system. As one might expect from such an unused station, it’s…….not good. The platforms at least have the bare minimums, but that’s where it ends. Walking towards the ramp to change sides, and HOLY CRAP

WHAT THE ACTUAL NAME OF DOUG DIMMADOME?! WHAT IS THAT?! WHY ARE THE STAIRS FENCED OFF? WHY, JUST WHY IS THERE PART OF THE OVERPASS MISSING?! YEAH, SURE, JUST KEEP A STATION THAT’S LITERALLY FALLING APART OPEN! BECAUSE THAT’S A GREAT IDEA! HOLY FUCKING SHIT, THIS PLACE IS REALLY A DUMP! Anyways, no faregates on the other side, so any entry would involve crossing over, entering fare control, and doubling back. But hey, at least you can get a decent shot of the Blue Line from the bridge if you tried – if it doesn’t collapse enough to shut the entire line north of Orient Heights down. And if not that, then at least you can get a nice shot of Belle Isle Marsh. Also, you got the Suffolk Downs racetrack behind the station, even though it’s being razed for a housing complex. Plus, there’s parking, and near the tracks you also have remnants from when the light rail system was far more intricate.

The good: It’s right next to a future housing development! Also, parking, I guess.

The bad: THIS PLACE IS LITERALLY FALLING APART! PLEASE, GIVE THIS PLACE A REBUILD BEFORE THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS DONE!!! This gives off South Attleboro vibes and not in a good way! Furthermore, why are there no faregates on Bennington Street?!

Nearby points of interest: Eh, not much. Napoles looks like an interesting restaurant, and there’s the marsh.

Transit connections:
Blue Line

Overall, PLEASE, REBUILD THIS STATION TO ACTUALLY NOT BE DATED OR FALLING APART!!! IT’S SO HORRIBLY DECREPIT! DEAR GOD!

Rating: 2/10

Alrighty, so moving down the Blue Line, next stop is Beachmont! Just like Revere Beach, this too was rebuilt in the ’90s. So, let’s look at it!

Coming off the platform, first thing I notice is they did the same thing like in Revere Beach with the signage! Neat! Except, unlike at Revere Beach, you don’t have the mosaic Siemens #5. At least, I didn’t notice it. The platform is pretty much the same, except this time we’re elevated! Woo, a rarity on the T!

The mezzanine is also modern, thankfully. To say it’s well lit would be an understatement, and that includes the underside of the overpass! Now, from what I understand there used to be a tower by one of the elevator shafts, but it no longer is, sadly. There’s a Dunkin’ here, though, and bus connections are a little further up Winthrop Avenue at a bus shelter! There’s also construction nearby, which based on Google satellite view, is the development that’s replacing the Suffolk Downs racetrack. As for bus connections? Well, it’s just the 119. There’s also a city-owned e-ink display which has local news, Blue Line countdown clocks, and other things relating to the area. One last thing I almost forgot to mention, is this station seems like a good place to get foamer shots of the Blue Line, with the trains coming up the inclines in either direction. Neat!

The good: It’s got a serviceable platform, a modern mezzanine, and even a Dunkin’ next door! In other words, it’s got everything you’d want. Even has a BUS connection! Oh yeah, it’s also elevated, a rare specimen on the T.

The bad: I guess it’s the sole bus connection, but does it really need anything else? Also, the fact they took the MBTA-branded spire down. That’s sad.

Nearby points of interest: There’s a few shops and restaurants, but nothing immediately stuck out to me.

Transit connections:
Blue Line
MBTA bus (119)

Overall, it’s a great station. For what it is, it gets the job done and it does it very well at that. Heck, I’d say it’s probably be among the best stations on the Blue Line. A perfect 10? Eh, nah. Comes close, though.

Rating: 9/10

There are a number of beaches in and around greater Boston. For one, you have the beaches in South County in Rhode Island. In Massachusetts proper, you have the likes of Sandy Beach in Cohasset, Nantasket Beach in Hull, George Lane Beach in Weymouth, Wollaston Beach in Quincy, and Front Beach in Rockport. However, none of them are readily accessible from the subway system. Meet: Revere Beach, the only beach readily accessible from the subway system. Yeah, Wonderland has a walkway, but Revere Beach is pretty much right on the beach itself.

So, Revere Beach was rebuilt in the mid 1990s for accessibility. Platforms are your standard bench and wastebasket affair, with countdown clocks. I will say, though, I do like how there’s mosaics on the bottom of the signs mimicking the Helvetica signage. Going up to the mezzanine, it’s shiny and relatively modern, with elevators here. There’s also access to the street on both sides, with one bringing you to a walkway, and the other to the beach and Ocean Ave. via a medical building. They do have a mask requirement, so if you’re the kind who doesn’t like being harassed over masks, I wouldn’t recommend this way. As for bus connections, they’re found on North Shore Road. Most routes come from Wonderland, but the 411 comes from the Jack Satter House towards Malden. And, I’ll also note the smell of the ocean is VERY apparent when you step off the train here. As one last fun aside: there used to be an AMUSEMENT PARK around here. Really sad!

The good: It’s really close to the beach, and the convenience can’t be beat! It’s also modern, being rebuilt in the ’90s.

The bad: Eh, hospital signage could be better! As could the bus connections!

Nearby points of interest: Take a hint.

Transit connections:
Blue Line
MBTA bus (110, 117, 411 on North Shore Rd.)

Overall, decent station, I’d prefer this to Wonderland for the shorter distance to the beach. And, that’s a hill I’ll DIE on. Although, the bus connections could be better signed in the station, as could the station from outside the MGH facility. Aside from that, it’s pretty much perfect.

Rating: 10/10

So, after finishing the Green Line, I opted to visit the remaining Blue Line stations that I’ve yet to do. First up was the closest one to downtown Boston: Maverick Square!

At this point, after finishing Fenway and the Green Line, it’s become apparent to me where I needed to use the restroom. So, in a sense, this was more a round of PeePee Panic!(TM) in trying to find a restroom, that I also happened to attempt a Hail Mary review of Maverick during. So, let’s get into it.

The platforms themselves aren’t much to remark about, however it is well-lit. I, however, was paranoid as I was worried the T would’ve forgotten to pay the electrical bill again, however fortunately that was not the case. Yay! The headhouses are also relatively nice and modern. When was this built, anyways?

*checks Wikipedia*

2009?! Holy crap! Well, it shows though since it’s all glass. Buses that board on street level have an island where they board with buses on the opposite side from how they’d normally be on the road (because right-side boarding). Maverick Square itself is a fairly popular shopping district in East Boston. Did I also mention it’s a short walk from Lewis Wharf, where the East Boston Ferry boards?

The good: It’s a major bus transfer center, and it’s in the middle of a shopping district! It’s also close to a ferry terminal, by way of a short walk, so there’s that too. The headhouses also look nice!

The bad: Eh, the T can sometimes forget to pay the electrical bill! On a more serious note, sometimes hailing Mary across the square to the busway is a bit dangerous. Yeah, no. There’s also no bus shelters.

Nearby points of interest: Maverick Square seems like an interesting place! But, nothing stuck out to me as I needed to use a restroom – OH CRAP THE LOCK CODE THEY GAVE ME AT BURGER KING DIDN’T WORK!

Transit connections:
Blue Line
East Boston Ferry (at Lewis Wharf)
MBTA bus (114, 116, 117, 120, 121)

Overall, it’s alright. Just, uhh, just hope you’re not here in the offchance you’re in a PeePee Panic!(TM).

Rating: 7/10

Fenway. The final Green Line stop. The end of the line, even, if you will. (even though it’s the first stop after Kenmore). How good is it? Is it a “grand” finale to the Green Line saga? Let’s find out, as I wave goodbye to Jacklyn and after a short victory dance.

First off, the platform is, yet again, copy-pasted from the rest of the D branch. You know, shelters, heated area, wastebaskets, that stuff. It’s also accessible, and there’s a mini-high for Type 7s on the Riverside end of the platforms. However, I don’t think any trains stop that far back. Now, contrary to popular belief, this is NOT the closest stop to Fenway Park (that’s Kenmore – served by both the B and C as well, and Lansdowne on the Worcester Line), and the park is NOT the station’s namesake – that would be the Fenway parkway. This isn’t helped by the fact there’s literally Red Sox art in the underside of the overpass! There’s stairs connecting it to Park Drive, which also has the station’s two bus connections with the 47 and the CT2. While the primary entrance is a staircase, accessibility is done via the Landmark Center’s parking lot and a bike path from Miner Street. It’s also generally dense around here as well. With the station being in the underside of an overpass, it feels kinda dingy. Oh yeah, as another fun aside, you can do an on-foot transfer to the C branch from here! Neat! There’s also a validation machine but it doesn’t seem to work.

The good: It’s got density! Furthermore, there’s plenty of shopping within the Landmark Center too. Furthermore, the bus connections have shelters! Neat! Also, the usual D branch affairs.

The bad: It’s a bit dingy, and I’m sure signage acknowledging the station’s existence would be nice!

Nearby points of interest: The Emerald Belt, mainly! The Landmark Center probably has some interesting shops, though I’m not sure.

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)
MBTA bus (47, CT2)

Overall, it’s not a bad station to finish out the Green Line saga on. It’s not the best, however it’s certainly far from the worst, despite its flaws.

Rating: 7/10

Alrighty, the penultimate Green Line entry! Longwood, not to be confused with Longwood Medical Area, is a D branch station. And, it’s about what you’d expect. Is it any decent? Is it dogcrap? Who knows! Let’s see.

So, getting off the train after Brookline Village, I knew it was getting close. I was near the end of the line, with one stop after this (Fenway). So, what did Longwood have in store? Well….

Longwood is your usual D branch affair: benches, wastebins, sheltered area that’s heated, unheated shelter as well. It’s just north of the Medical Area, with the Emerald Necklace separating it (which, to be fair, doesn’t exactly look green currently. Fun fact: that’s why the Green Line is green!). On the street, you have an apartment complex and an anemic amount of parking (which, though, isn’t bad). Not much to be had with pedestrian access from Longwood Avenue, though, which isn’t too surprising, but still disappointing. I then look beside me, hearing a familiar voice mention something about what was on the ground, saw that someone heaved their entire SOUL onto the ground, and proceeded to remember where I recognize the face, as none other than Jacklyn. No, nothing was organized and it happened by mere chance, however we did talk a little about the T and whatnot, and how I had one station on the Green Line left after Longwood. (we’d part ways after I got off at Fenway). Oh yeah, there’s also a mini-high here, for level boarding with Type 7s. But, come on, why would you board a Type 7 when a Type 8 is better in every way?

The good: The usual D branch amenities! Plus, mini-highs for level Type 7 boarding! It’s also pretty close to the Medical Area, which as far as I can tell is pretty much where a considerable amount of medical research happens. So, in other words, it’s important. The Emerald Necklace also adds to the ambiance during the warmer months!

The bad: Eh, I don’t have a lot. I guess it’s the fact you don’t have access from Longwood Avenue directly that gets me the most, rendering this of the “screw you” type. Also, no bus connections as far as I can tell.

Nearby points of interest: The LMA is the big one! To a lesser extent, the Emerald Necklace (the Green Line’s namesake!).

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)

Overall, PLEASE, I AM BEGGING FOR A RAMP FROM LONGWOOD AVENUE!!! THIS WOULD SAVE PEOPLE MORE TIME AND WOULD LIKELY DRIVE RIDERSHIP UP!!!

Rating: 7/10

Ah, the other Brookline station. First, we had a brand spankin’ new high school above the Green Line ROW (thank God they don’t use diesel-powered LRVs!), let’s see what Brookline Village has going for it!

Of course, you have the usual stuff of the D branch, you’ve heard it from me a million times already. Shelters, heated area, benches, trash bin, and a small amount of parking. There’s a mini-high here as well, for accessibility! And, just like Brookline Hills, you got a bus connection. This time, it’s the 60 towards the Chestnut Hill Mall, on the side street closest to the inbound platform. Neat! There’s also a bit of shopping and restaurants in the area in general, so there’s that as well.

The good: You’ve got the usual D branch stuff! Plus, bus connection on Pearl Street! Also, there’s some parking locally, along with some businesses on Boylston Street and Station Street.

The bad: Eh, there’s not a lot wrong here, though it’s doesn’t come off as “quiet” as Brookline Hills. I guess that’s my biggest gripe.

Nearby points of interest: There’s a few local businesses, but none of them immediately stuck out to me. Town Hall is nearby as well, as are a few parks.

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)
MBTA bus (60 on Pearl St., 65 & 66 on Washington St.)

Overall, it’s also an alright station, but it just doesn’t stand out as much as Brookline Hills did. Furthermore, it just didn’t feel as peaceful as the next station over westbound.

Rating: 8/10