Boston's EL/T Elevated line's last run in 1987 video of riders comments. So nostalgic and same trains used today... (Somerville: 2014, power lines)

[NoHyping]

Found it so interesting and how much its stations looks like Chicago's L elevated still in use. The trains are in good shape here no rust and look good too.

Really, seems like it would've been a asset today? Even watching it and living though that era.... this does not seem outdated. People are people. Just as comments say. Kids are in their 40s now and one women saying she just turned 60s would be 90s today.

Boston accents also. There is a thread going about Iconic transit systems of the US and Canada. If the EL was still in Boston.... it would probably be on a iconic list today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOtV8U2gjg0

[mdovell]

I would argue that technically speaking the red line from say north quincy to umass is a bit elevated granted it isn't always that high. It does go over the neponset river
https://tinyurl.com/858f5599

[BostonBornMassMade]

The stations were just too old and worn. Rickety and couldn't handle the velocity of modern train well. Or so that's what I heard. Never mind the darkening of the street underneath. For a brief period, it led to economic decline in the areas where it was taken down. Immediately spurred to gentrification to the west where it was re-installed.

A portion of the Red line and Gren line are still elevated. I rode the elevated Redvline through Dorchester quite often.

Also these trains are still in use and quite rusty!

Modern Day Elevated Fields Corner + Boston Accent:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvw-QnrQJBI

[masssachoicetts]

I mean technically the GLX will be the most similarish in some spots in Somerville at years end when completed. Will be neat to see...

[GeePee]

I miss going to The Penalty Box under the the elevated T rails. It was so romantic back then.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by NoHyping

Found it so interesting and how much its stations looks like Chicago's L elevated still in use. The trains are in good shape here no rust and look good too.

Really, seems like it would've been a asset today? Even watching it and living though that era.... this does not seem outdated. People are people. Just as comments say. Kids are in their 40s now and one women saying she just turned 60s would be 90s today.

Boston accents also. There is a thread going about Iconic transit systems of the US and Canada. If the EL was still in Boston.... it would probably be on a iconic list today.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOtV8U2gjg0

Generally speaking, I think we're better off with subways vs. elevated railways. I would argue that Boston's Central Subway tunnel for the Green Line IS Iconic - it's the oldest in North America and the stations are tight, awkward, and quirky.

I think it would have still worked well today as a spur of the current Orange Line. Today's Orange Line is longer than what it was when the Washington St. Elevated was in use, and it serves more people. But chunks of Roxbury got short shrift with the realignment and the Elevated would have better served those areas than the Silverline does today.

Another good look at one of Boston's old elevated routes is this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyQNSs6SvOA&t=7s. Skip to 8:35 to see the Green Line approaching the old Garden. I'm too young to have any memory of this, but I work in that area and can imagine what it would look like.

Originally Posted by mdovell

I would argue that technically speaking the red line from say north quincy to umass is a bit elevated granted it isn't always that high. It does go over the neponset river
https://tinyurl.com/858f5599

Boston has a better, existing elevated railway that's actually getting longer. The Green Line Viaduct between Science Park and Lechmere has been around forever. The GLX project is more than doubling that elevated section, extending it to at least the Brickbottom area of Somerville. Like Science Park, Lechmere will also be an elevated station (the platform and elevator shaft are pretty close to finished).
This is an old video and it's changed a bit since 2014, but it gives you an idea. That'll be about a mile or so of consistent elevated rail.

[robr2]

The difference between the old Orange line elevated rail and all of today's is that the old Orange line was elevated over city streets. AFAIK, all the "elevated" lines run in right of ways.

One fear when the Orange line came down was that the area would bring in developers and urban pioneers to gentrify the area. That's exactly what happened - for better or worse.

[Urban Peasant]

Platforms were not long enough at some stations for six car trains on the old Washington Street El so I am told and the entire edifice was in very poor condition anyways. Els had lost popularity by the 1970's-80's. New York retained a few but gave up many more as well.

[mdovell]

There can be advantages and disadvantages of elevation just as with power lines.

Ever go to western NY? nearly all lines are above the ground. why? because it freezes earlier and means you can do more work above. Down south it's nearly all underground, that way you can't see it.

Some argued for EL's when winter storms hit since it would have less snow. But just general maintenance alone on a EL would be harder. How exactly are you going to get a group of mechanics on a EL should something break down?

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by Urban Peasant

Platforms were not long enough at some stations for six car trains on the old Washington Street El so I am told and the entire edifice was in very poor condition anyways. Els had lost popularity by the 1970's-80's. New York retained a few but gave up many more as well.

I heard that too, that the stations were too short.

But as you can sort of see in the video, and I've seen in other videos the conditions of the Orange line El we're very poor by the 1980s. The ornate and dated architecture and fixtures must have served to further complicate things like maintenance, let alone substantive repairs. Even the layout is much more simple now-as are the materials used. MBTA stations have little to no ornamentation and use straightforward buildings materials.