Massachusetts: Difference between revisions

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==Rail Operators==
==Rail Operators==
[https://www.mbta.com/ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority] operates public transport services in the Boston city area, and also "Commuter Rail" main-line rail services extending considerably further from the city. Various website pages cover all transport modes:
Amtrak provides regional service between Boston and Brunswick (Maine), under the "Downeaster" brand. The [https://amtrakdowneaster.com/ Downeaster website] has detailed information, including a PDF schedule at [https://amtrakdowneaster.com/schedule/ Schedules and Fares].
 
===MBTA===
[https://www.mbta.com/ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority] (MBTA) operates public transport services in the Boston city area, including metro and light rail lines, and also "Commuter Rail" main-line rail services extending considerably further from the city. Various website pages provide information for all transport modes:
* [https://www.mbta.com/trip-planner Trip Planner]
* [https://www.mbta.com/trip-planner Trip Planner]
* [https://www.mbta.com/schedules Schedules and Maps]
* [https://www.mbta.com/schedules Schedules and Maps]
* [https://www.mbta.com/alerts Alerts] - lists both service disruptions and planned engineering works
* [https://www.mbta.com/alerts Alerts] - lists both service disruptions and planned engineering works
An unofficial but highly detailed geographical track plan of MBTA Subway lines, and all main-line routes in the same area, is available at [https://www.vanshnookenraggen.com/_index/ vanshnookenraggen.com] - use the "three lines" drop-down menu to access it.
====Real-time Information====
Like many US public transport agencies, MBTA provides a GTFS data feed, including real-time information on rail and other services. Various non-MBTA websites use this to provide real-time maps and other views, including the following:
* [https://pantographapp.com/newengland/map PantographApp] includes multiple operators and routes - use the filters to select the desired services.
* [http://www.mbtainfo.com/ MBTAInfo]
* [https://traintracker.transitmatters.org/ TransitMatters] - subway lines only.
* Stefan Wuensch's real-time maps: [https://mbta.sites.fas.harvard.edu/T/commuter-rail-map.html commuter rail], [https://sites.fas.harvard.edu/~wuensch/T/subway-map.html subway]


===MBTA Commuter Rail===
===MBTA Commuter Rail===
Most lines are within Massachusetts; the Providence Line extends into Rhode Island, through Providence itself to Wickford Junction.
Most lines are within Massachusetts; the Providence Line extends into Rhode Island, through Providence itself to Wickford Junction.


* Infrastructure: see [[United_States#Infrastructure | national details]]. The Providence Line is electrified at 25kV 60Hz AC as part of the Northeast Corridor, but MBTA operates all trains with diesel power.
* Infrastructure: see [[United_States#Infrastructure | national details]]. The Providence Line is electrified at 25kV 60Hz AC as part of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, but MBTA operates all its trains with diesel power.
* Map: [https://www.mbta.com/cr-map map page]. The timetable pages for individual lines have interactive maps.
* Map: [https://www.mbta.com/cr-map map page]. The timetable pages for individual lines have interactive maps.
* Timetables: on the [https://www.mbta.com/schedules/commuter-rail schedules page], follow the links for individual lines, then click the link under "PDF Schedules".
* Timetables: on the [https://www.mbta.com/schedules/commuter-rail schedules page], follow the links for individual lines, then click the link under "PDF Schedules".
* Disruptions: the [https://www.mbta.com/alerts/commuter-rail Alerts page]
* Disruptions: the [https://www.mbta.com/alerts/commuter-rail Alerts page]
* Real-time Info: [https://pantographapp.com/newengland/map PantographApp] is an unofficial real-time map derived from MBTA (and other operators') data. Use the filters to select the desired services.
* Real-time Info: see MBTA above


Note that parts of some MBTA Commuter Rail routes are also used by Amtrak services.
Note that parts of some MBTA Commuter Rail routes are also used by Amtrak services.
Line 30: Line 42:
==Metro and light rail systems==
==Metro and light rail systems==
===Boston===
===Boston===
[https://www.mbta.com/ MBTA] operates the "Subway" network, comprising both metro and light rail routes.
[https://www.mbta.com/ MBTA] operates the "Subway" network, comprising both metro and light rail routes. The Blue, Orange and Red Lines are metro services. The Green Line is a light rail service, with a mix of street-running, reserved right-of-way, and tunnel. The "Ashmont-Mattapan High-Speed Line" is a light rail service, operated with historic PCC vehicles.
* Map: [https://www.mbta.com/subway-map map page]
* Map: [https://www.mbta.com/subway-map map page]
* Timetables: [https://www.mbta.com/schedules/subway schedules page]
* Timetables: [https://www.mbta.com/schedules/subway schedules page]
* Real-time Info: see MBTA above
See also [https://www.urbanrail.net/am/bost/boston.htm UrbanRail].
See also [https://www.urbanrail.net/am/bost/boston.htm UrbanRail].
The Blue, Orange and Red Lines are metro services. The Green Line is a light rail service, with a mix of street-running, reserved right-of-way, and tunnel. The "Ashmont-Mattapan High-Speed Line" is a light rail service, operated with historic PCC vehicles.


'''Note''': "Silver Line" routes are shown on the Subway map, but these are operated with dual-mode (diesel/electric) buses running partly on reserved routes.
'''Note''': "Silver Line" routes are shown on the Subway map, but these are operated with dual-mode (diesel/electric) buses running partly on reserved routes.
Line 43: Line 54:
* Electrification: 600V DC third rail (Blue Line (tunnel section), Orange Line, Red Line); 600V DC overhead (Blue Line (surface section), Green Line, Ashmont-Mattapan)
* Electrification: 600V DC third rail (Blue Line (tunnel section), Orange Line, Red Line); 600V DC overhead (Blue Line (surface section), Green Line, Ashmont-Mattapan)
* Rule of the road: right
* Rule of the road: right
Copies of official MBTA Subway track plans are available at the Internet Archive: [https://archive.org/details/mbta-blue-line-track-charts Blue Line], [https://archive.org/details/mbta-green-line-track-charts Green Line], [https://archive.org/details/eeqa-885-appendix-g-mbta-orange-line-track-charts Orange Line], [https://archive.org/details/eeqa-885-appendix-g-mbta-red-line-track-charts Red Line].
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==Recent and Future Changes==
==Recent and Future Changes==

Revision as of 15:48, 29 January 2023

State Details

See Wikipedia; also see United States for information relating to the country as a whole, and the national operator Amtrak.

Maps

Massachusetts state is covered the SPV "North America Railroad Atlas" volume New England & Maritime Canada.

Rail Operators

Amtrak provides regional service between Boston and Brunswick (Maine), under the "Downeaster" brand. The Downeaster website has detailed information, including a PDF schedule at Schedules and Fares.

MBTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates public transport services in the Boston city area, including metro and light rail lines, and also "Commuter Rail" main-line rail services extending considerably further from the city. Various website pages provide information for all transport modes:

An unofficial but highly detailed geographical track plan of MBTA Subway lines, and all main-line routes in the same area, is available at vanshnookenraggen.com - use the "three lines" drop-down menu to access it.

Real-time Information

Like many US public transport agencies, MBTA provides a GTFS data feed, including real-time information on rail and other services. Various non-MBTA websites use this to provide real-time maps and other views, including the following:

MBTA Commuter Rail

Most lines are within Massachusetts; the Providence Line extends into Rhode Island, through Providence itself to Wickford Junction.

  • Infrastructure: see national details. The Providence Line is electrified at 25kV 60Hz AC as part of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, but MBTA operates all its trains with diesel power.
  • Map: map page. The timetable pages for individual lines have interactive maps.
  • Timetables: on the schedules page, follow the links for individual lines, then click the link under "PDF Schedules".
  • Disruptions: the Alerts page
  • Real-time Info: see MBTA above

Note that parts of some MBTA Commuter Rail routes are also used by Amtrak services.

CapeFlyer

CapeFlyer is a summer-only service operated by MBTA, between Boston and Hyannis (on Cape Cod). The service uses the Commuter Rail Middleborough/Lakeville line.

Tourist Lines

See Wikipedia

Metro and light rail systems

Boston

MBTA operates the "Subway" network, comprising both metro and light rail routes. The Blue, Orange and Red Lines are metro services. The Green Line is a light rail service, with a mix of street-running, reserved right-of-way, and tunnel. The "Ashmont-Mattapan High-Speed Line" is a light rail service, operated with historic PCC vehicles.

See also UrbanRail.

Note: "Silver Line" routes are shown on the Subway map, but these are operated with dual-mode (diesel/electric) buses running partly on reserved routes.

Infrastructure

  • Gauge: standard
  • Electrification: 600V DC third rail (Blue Line (tunnel section), Orange Line, Red Line); 600V DC overhead (Blue Line (surface section), Green Line, Ashmont-Mattapan)
  • Rule of the road: right

Copies of official MBTA Subway track plans are available at the Internet Archive: Blue Line, Green Line, Orange Line, Red Line.

Obscure and Sparse Passenger Services

See PSUL: World Beyond Europe entries with 'MA' numbers - note that these entries are in the United States section, not the 'MA' numbers used for Morocco.