Schmidt - Boston Revere Beach and Lynn

From the Schmidt Photo Collection, the Boston Revere Beach and Lynn.

This was certainly a unique operation.  Built in 1875 as a 3' gauge steam railroad between East Boston and Lynn, it evolved into a major commuter line, using ferryboats to carry passengers between the East Boston terminal and downtown Boston.  In 1928 it was electrified by converting many of the original coaches to electric cars.  Some of the branch line service was handled by streetcars converted with narrow-gauge trucks.  The railroad was abandoned in 1940.  Among other things, it appears that the electrified steam coaches used Miller Hook couplers until the end of service, long after everyone else had abandoned them.

First, we have four pictures taken by Mr. Schmidt at the Lynn terminal in 1939:

BRB & Lynn at Lynn terminal   March 1939

BRB & Lynn at Lynn terminal   March 1939

Abandoned baggage car  BRB&L   Oct. 1939

Converted streetcar BRB&L  (probably former E. Mass St.Ry. car)    Oct. 1939

Then, some earlier images from the steam era, of unknown origin.

BRB&L train on Winthrop Branch
Winthrop Highlands, overlooking Atlantic Ocean
Sept 8 - 1927

BRB&L Bath House, Revere, Mass.
Boston train   noon, May 31 - 1926
(Narrow Guage R.R. between Boston + Lynn)

Finally, a set of postcards from the electric era.  No date is given.

They all say "Photograph by Edward Wells, Congers, N. Y."