One of the nice features of MBTA stations is the numerous signs talking about the history of that line, the history of the surrounding area, and often some information on the local environment (more on that later). As it turns out this portion of the Old Colony Railway was abandoned in the 60's. MBTA restored service here in 2007. So the track structure and station platform are all new.
And low and behold for us electric railway fans this station actually has special historic significance. This is Nantasket Junction as there was once a short branch line that went off to the northeast to serve Paragon amusement park at Nantasket Beach (was this an Old Colony Railway park?). Some of you may remember that the New Haven (Old Colony) experimented with main line electrification beginning in 1896. That experiment was conducted on this short branch, with overhead current collection, an to the west of here with third rail current collection, this station was the Prairie Avenue of the New Haven.
Early New Haven electrification |
Information on the experiment |
Our Train arrived and was a typical MBTA commuter train, diesel powered push pull with a mixture of single level and bi level cars. I had a quick chat with the conductor, and after him mentioning RS3s and DL109s on the New Haven, I knew we had something in common. Once I mentioned IRM he was asking about the electroliner and the E5, so we hit it off. Seems he also wanted me to do his job.
The environmental issues at Nantasket Junction are related to its location in a turtle breeding ground. These track features, which stumped me at first are to allow turtles to migrate across the tracks. There were 6 or 7 of these along the platform.
New Providence Airport Platform |
1 comment:
I suspect that the amusement park was an offshoot of the steamboat company, and predated the arrival of the railroad. BTW, the steamboat company ran into the 1950's, with a very elderly reciprocating engine boat. I dimly recall riding it as a youth, and equally dimly recall seeing a tripe-expansion engine.
artschwartz
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