Boston's MBTA Orange Line, Sullivan Sq - Everett?

[MP57313]

Recently saw an article in Railpace (Nov 06) that had a topo map of the area; the Orange Line tracks have been "erased" for the segment from Sullivan Sq to Eveertt (tho the label 'MBTA System' is still there!).  The article mentions the Orange Line now follows the heavy rail line to Malden/Oak Grove.

In the early 70s I lived in the Boston area, and rode the Orange Line a couple of times to Sullivan Sqaure.  I never saw trains on the last segment to Everett; there was a drawbridge in a (permanent?) up position.  When did the extension to Everett close?

Thx MP 

 

[DMUinCT]

1970s, long time ago.  I don't know the dates but, when the MTA became the MBTA, State money flowed in.

  All "Elevated" lines were torn down.  The south end of the "Orange Line" to Forest Hills, that ran "Over" Washington Street was relocated to run in the cut along side the New Haven main line (now MBTA/Amtrak corridor). 

  The north end of the "Orange Line", in the old days, came out of the Subway to become "Elevated" at North Station, turned right and then left to get around the "old" Boston Garden(which is long gone), then as an "Elevated Line" to Sullivan Sq. and Everett.   Today it stays underground to the new "Community College" station, then to the Wellington Station (site of the new Orange Line storage yard) and north through Malden running on the surface alone side the Gilford/MBTA tracks.

  Turning east at Sullivan Sq. is the former B&M (now MBTA) Commuter Rail to Chelsea and Rockport.   

Go to   http://www.mbta.com/  You can get a full history of the system from the 1800s to today.  Download with Adobe a full set of maps of this system that carries 1.1 million passengers a day.

[MP57313]

Thanks...I'll check out the MBTA link.  I had ridden the southern elevated section too, once or twice in the winter.  All very different to a boy from SoCal.  The jaded locals on board were not railfans though.