Ashmont–Mattapan High-Speed Line

Ashmont–Mattapan High Speed Line (Red Line)
Overview
Owner	MBTA
Locale	Boston, Massachusetts (Dorchester to Mattapan)
Termini	Ashmont Mattapan
Stations	8
Service
Type	Trolley
Services	1
Operator(s)	MBTA
Rolling stock	PCC streetcar
History
Opened	1929
Technical
Line length	2.2 mi (3.54 km)
Character	Grade-separated ROW

The Ashmont–Mattapan High Speed Line in Boston and Milton, Massachusetts is considered to be part of the MBTA's Red Line, even though it uses different equipment (trolleys) and passengers have to change at Ashmont. The only MBTA line to run through a cemetery, the line opened on August 26, 1929. The term 'high speed line' is vestigial, as the route is neither characterized by a fully dedicated, grade separated right-of-way, nor by high-speed rolling stock.

Overview

The Ashmont–Mattapan Line follows the original right-of-way of the passenger and freight steam railway line that opened in December 1847 as the Dorchester and Milton Branch Railroad. That line later became the Old Colony Railroad and then the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad after 1893. The old steam locomotives were discontinued in 1927 and the line was closed for two years while it was being modified for trolley service. There was a debate at that time whether or not to continue the same subway trains from Boston to Ashmont and on to Mattapan without a need for passengers to switch to trolleys at Ashmont. Apparently, the added cost of full-scale subway service along the remainder of the route was considered to be too high. The right-of-way is privately owned and has two at-grade crossings.

The portion of the line from Ashmont to Cedar Grove and through the cemetery follows the path of the original Shawmut Branch of the Old Colony Railroad, which opened in 1872. The cemetery is the point where the Shawmut Branch intersects with the original Dorchester and Milton Branch.

The line's longest shut down occourred June 24, 2006 while the Ashmont and Mattapan stations were renovated. Service was restored on December 22, 2007.

Rolling stock

The rolling stock of the Ashmont–Mattapan Line consists of refurbished, historic PCC streetcars that formerly ran on the Green Line.

Stations

• Ashmont (transfer to Dorchester branch of the Red Line)
• Cedar Grove
• Butler
• Milton
• Central Avenue
• Valley Road
• Capen Street
• Mattapan

References

• MBTA: Ashmont Station renovation
• MBTA: Mattapan Station renovation