23-01-21 PHOTOS: GLX

The big news in Boston for 2023 was the opening of the GLX or Green Line Extension to Union Square and Medford/Tufts. The multi-billion dollar project would extend the E Branch from its terminus at the Lechmere loop several miles up the MBTA New Hampshire Route Main Line as well as the D Branch from a previously downtown terminus to a new stop at Union Square located on the MBTA Fitchburg line. As winter travel to Boston is pretty cheap I booked a round trip on the Acela from Washington, DC. This set of photos ( mirror ) will cover both legs of the Amtrak journey as well as both branches of the GLX.

Starting things off at Washington, DC, the Acela platform was populated with two trainsets with #2016 being my scheduled 10am departure with #2028 standing by.

This would be my first trip over the high speed New Jersey section at 150mph. Crossing the Hackensack work was evident for the replacement PORTAL bridge.

Acela power car #2016 at NY Penn.

While en route to the Seaport District I caught MBTA Silverliner trackless trolley #1124 at the World Trade Centre station.

I was staying in the new Seaport District, and although it lacks the ambiance of the Old Towne, it does have some quirky bits.

The next morning I managed to catch one of the new Type 9 LRV's at Park St on a D Branch routing to Union Square. The small order of Type 9's will cover the GLX expansion and are planned to replace the Mattapan PCC's after the Type 10 order.

Passing Type 8 #3890 on the Lechmere Viaduct.

The GLX included the construction of a new yard and shoppe complex located adjacent to the existing MBTA commuter rail heavy maintenance facility.

Passing Type 8 #3877 approaching Union Square. Both legs of the GLX were built to light rail standards as opposed to streetcar operation.

MBTA Type 9 #3903 at Union Square along with Type 8 #3838.

The new Lechmere Station is on an elevated structure adjacent to the old Lechmere loop. Here outbound Type 9 #3901 pulls in on a D routing.

An "ADA special" of Type 7 #3649 and Type 8 #3859 arriving on an inbound E routing.

For whatever reason the D Branch was really working the Type 9's with #3923 heading back inbound to Riverside.

Finally an outbound E finally showed up led by Type 7 #3653.

The total 4.3 mile GLX (including shoppes and yard) cost a total of $2.2 billion, which was only achieved to a reduction in the scope of the E branch to Medford. The money was on display with fully featured interlockings and stations like these at East Somemrville. Fortunately the MBTA did not attempt to install CBTC or even can signaling as that would have required fleet-wide vehicle modifications.

Type 8 #3801 hides out on the tail track at the Medford/Tufts station. The station name is a bit aspirational as while it serves the Tufts campus, the planned terminus in downtown Medford was eliminated to as a budget control measure.

Type 7's #3653 and #3714 along with Type 8's #3820 and #3811 at the Tufts station.

MBTA GP40MC #1135 seen through the front window of Type 8 #3820.

One final photo fof #3653 at Park St along with Type 8 #335 and 01700 series Red Line car #01729

Back at WTC, Silveline trolleybus #1112.

Power car #2021 on my return Acela Express at South Station.

My train was early into New Haven and sat for a few minutes to run out the padding. People forget that the Acela trainsets were delivered with a Business Class food service galley in car 6. Not sure if this was for Regional style complimentary beverage service or a planned cash cart service, but the coffee makers are branded with the old pointless arrow.

#2021 again at New York Penn Station opposite to an NJ Transit commuter train led by Comet V cab car #6075.

That's the end of the set. Next time I'll be back with photos from a journey to northern Arizona.