Trolleys of the Mattapan-Ashmont High Speed Line

[CrazyCousins32]

I live right by there. up the street from ashmot and CG station

[rokarolla]

These used to run on the E line before the E had a slash through it, when the line was complete and went all the way to the Arnold Arboretum in JP. They used to have token attendants in the booths at Symphony and Prudential.

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

The Sharon Hill / Garret Road line had the old Red Arrow cars going about that fast coming over the trestle...

[jdgator95]

I love this line, its like a railroad museum, only with a lot more swearing. The driver was so nice, he knew everyone by name and said hello, despite the kids in the back constantly pulling the stop request bell the entire ride.

[gp40mc]

My dad took me and my brother to ride the trolleys today. The red line from Charles/MGH to Ashmont was closed for track work so we had to take a bus. Before we got on the bus we asked if the Ashmont-Mattapan trolleys were running just to make sure. We were told they were so we got on the bus but when we got to Ashmont the trolleys were closed because they were trimming trees along the tracks. So much for that.

[PKingman]

That's too bad. It was a crappy day allaround anyway. More fun on a sunny day. You can always ride the newer trolleys out to Riverside, Boston College or Heath Street, or Lechmere the other way. They are always running. Nice long ride out to Riverside.

[gp40mc]

Yes I did that once. It was a nice ride. Pretty fast too.

[parejopinto]

i've been in the riverside ones a lot i dont like the fact dat when they modernized the trains they just left an empty spot where da old roller signs used 2 b

[urez2]

O by the way, it is the only trolley line in the world with a right away through a cemetary according to Ripley's Beleive it or Not.

[italobambino43]

on it's original route unbroken from the Richmond and Allegheney loop near the river front running the entire stretch all the way to West Philly past the Zoo and beyond terminating at a loop in Overbrook.

[italobambino43]

Things were rough in the late 70's, yet we werent killing each other! The route 23 is still in use, it is undergoing a refit in certain areas along it's 20 mile stretch across the entire city north and south, it terminates in Chestnut Hill, it is a long ride end to end! we still have four subway surface routes that are on the street partially, and there tracks run along with the market street subway westbound through University city. Rt.15 on Girard avenue sports restored PCC'S and runs on -

[Tubes12AX7k]

We've ridden the restored green PCC-II cars on Route 15, Girard Ave recently. A nice ride. The cars have cloth covered seats and a new interior. I remember the red, white, and blue PCCs of Route 23 on G-town Ave., and I miss them.

[italobambino43]

We rode these PCC's every day to and from our Junior High school in south Philly, the route 23 the longest trolley route in the world,well,the 23 streetcar intersects with the Rt.29 trackless trolley bus,kids from rival neighborhoods would pull the poles on the westbound trackless,dissabling it,then kids would bum rush the car and start beating each other up,lol,I had to take the west bound line home by the way!It was a sight to see the motorman run in to the nearest phone booth for cover-

[jdeezel]

I remember riding these trollys...i also remember 1year..i think it was like 84, 85. Me and my cousins went down to River St. the trolley yard and broke like 3 trolley car windows and ran all the way back home to the projects on Morton St. Moms found out and whipped my asss!!! LMAO Memories yo..damn!

[Herr2Cents]

I rode these almost every day as a kid. Cedar grove baseball,St Gregs and Mattapan Square! Kids used to ride on the links in the back of the trolly. Loved central ave walk to turners pond in milton or fish in the Neponset river.

[Pdasilva0324]

I may very well have been here at this time. I was 10 in 1987, and around that time when we lived in Quincy we would visit family in Hyde Park. Normally, we would take buses (214, 245, 50 or 24??). But sometimes, when I would beg, we would take the bus to Quincy Center, the red line inbound then switched to the Ashmont line, get on the Mattapan high speed then a bus from Mattapan to River Street. Next time I am back in Boston I hope to ride the PCCs again!

[RDG484]

I'm surprised they didn't close off the grade crossings, put in third rail and extend the subway to Mattapan. But the trolleys are great. I've riden them many times.

[KEYBEATZ]

You would think they would after all that money they wasted fixing the Ashmont Mattapan line. (It should have seemed cheeper to do that but they did the opposite.)

[dotchesta1162]

grew up riding these trollies. so cool. so glad the T didn't take them away!

[charlie8575]

When will the project be completed? If the PCCs are coming back, I'm making a special trip up from New Bedford just to ride them! I may make a trip up to ride the Mattapan anyway so I can get a feel for it. My new place is a bit small, but you can get a lot of trolley in not much space.

[PKingman]

They may be back running already. I don't really know though. Mattapan is the other side of town for me. Call the MBTA and ask.

[freezingcrimson]

They have been back in service for a few months now. They've been repainted with the vintage orange and white, however.

[trainz675]

NICE VID!!!! HOW FAST DO THEY GO??

[PKingman]

I don't really know, but I seem to remember that that type of trolley was capable of doing about 50 mph in ideal conditions. Not terribly familiar with the Mattapan-Ashmont line but would that after the line is finished being rebuilt the PCCs will be doing about 35 mph there. Just a guess.