List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards

Last updated

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority uses a number of yards and facilities for maintenance and storage of its road and rail fleets.

Contents

Active yards

Bus

List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards
Location of MBTA bus facilities
1
Albany Street Garage
2
Arborway Yard
3
Cabot Garage
4
Charlestown and Somerville
5
Everett Shops
6
Fellsway Garage
7
Lynn Garage
8
North Cambridge Carhouse
9
Quincy Garage
10
Southampton
11
Watertown Yard

Many of these facilities are former streetcar carhouses that were gradually converted to trackless trolley and bus use, although some like Southampton (built 2004) are of recent construction. Of the former streetcar carhouses, only Arborway and Watertown were Green Line yards during part of the MBTA era. Everett was an Orange Line yard until 1975.

NameLocation [1] Routes served [1]
Albany Street Garage Buses at Albany Street Garage, August 2018.jpg Albany Street, South End, BostonLocal, Mass Pike Express, and crosstown routes
Arborway Yard MBTA Arborway Yard in 1967.jpg Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, BostonLocal bus routes; former terminus of the Green Line E branch
Cabot Garage Cabot bus facility from 4th Street Bridge, September 2016.jpg Dorchester Avenue, South BostonLocal bus routes
Charlestown Garage Charlestown Garage from Alford Street, April 2017.JPG Arlington Avenue, Charlestown, BostonLocal bus routes
Everett Shops MBTA Everett Yard in 1967.jpg Broadway, Everett Heavy repair for buses and for subway components; former Orange Line terminus and yard
Fellsway GarageSalem Street, Medford Local bus routes
Lynn Garage Western Avenue entrance to Lynn garage, May 2017.JPG Western Avenue, Lynn Local bus routes; North Shore express routes
North Cambridge Carhouse MBTA trackless trolleys at North Cambridge Carhouse, April 2017.JPG Massachusetts Avenue, North Cambridge Formerly storage and maintenance for Harvard-based trolleybus routes; being converted for battery buses
Quincy Garage MBTA Quincy Garage, August 2018.jpg Hancock Street, Quincy Quincy-based local bus routes
Somerville Garage at Charlestown Somerville Garage and Partners Healthcare building, April 2017.JPG Arlington Avenue, Charlestown, BostonLocal bus routes
Southampton Bus Maintenance Facility Buses at Southampton Street Garage, March 2022.JPG Southampton Street, South Bay, Boston Silver Line dual mode buses; local bus routes
Watertown Yard Watertown Carhouse February 2013.JPG Galen Street, Watertown Midday layover for local bus routes; former terminus of the Green Line A branch and Green Line heavy maintenance facility

Subway

List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards
Location of MBTA subway yards
1
Alewife Yard
2
Bowdoin Yard
3
Cabot Yard
4
Caddigan Yard
5
Codman Yard
6
GLX VMF
7
Lake Street Yard
8
Mattapan Yard
9
North Station Yard
10
Orient Heights Yard
11
Reservoir Yard
12
Riverside Yard
13
Wellington Yard

The subway lines each have one maintenance facility (except for three on the Green Line) and often several other yards used for overnight and midday storage. Tail tracks for temporary storage of trains are also present at Forest Hills (Orange Line) and Wonderland (Blue Line); the Green Line has sidings at Heath Street, Blandford Street, and Northeastern University.

NameLocation [1] Route [1] Use [1]
Alewife Yard North track running to Alewife Yard, October 2020.JPG north of Alewife Red Line layover/storage
Bowdoin Yard Tail tracks from Bowdoin station, December 2019.JPG west of Bowdoin Blue Line layover/storage
Cabot Yard Red Line trains in Cabot Yard, March 2008.jpg near Broadway Red Line maintenance and storage
Caddigan Yard Red Line trains in Caddigan Yard, August 2018.JPG south of Braintree Red Line (Braintree branch)layover/storage
Codman Yard Codman Yard.jpg south of Ashmont Red Line (Ashmont branch)layover/storage
Green Line Extension Vehicle Maintenance Facility GLX VMF from Red Bridge, March 2022.JPG Inner Belt District Green Line (D and E branches)maintenance and storage
Lake Street Yard Boston College inbound platform and yard, October 2016.jpg at Boston College Green Line (B branch)maintenance and storage
Mattapan Yard Mattapan Carhouse from Neponset Trail bridge, August 2018.JPG at Mattapan Ashmont–Mattapan High Speed Line maintenance and storage
North Station Yard Green Line yard tracks at North Station, December 2022.jpg at North Station Green Line layover and storage
Orient Heights Yard Orient Heights yard aerial photo, July 2016.JPG east of Orient Heights Blue Line maintenance and storage
Reservoir Yard Reservoir Carhouse from Strathmore Road, January 2016.JPG between Reservoir and Cleveland Circle Green Line (C branch and D branch)maintenance and storage
Riverside Yard Trains in Riverside Yard (2), December 2017.JPG at Riverside Green Line (D branch)maintenance and storage
Wellington Yard Wellington Yard panorama.jpg at Wellington Orange Line maintenance and storage

Commuter rail

All MBTA Commuter Rail lines except the Lowell Line have a dedicated layover near the end of the line |trainsets to be stored overnight. Some provide ground power and other facilities; others are simply several yard tracks off the mainline. The MBTA has one heavy maintenance facility on the northside, plus two light maintenance facilities on the southside. Equipment is transferred between the two sides via the Grand Junction Railroad.

List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards
Location of MBTA Commuter Rail facilities
1
Bradford Layover
2
Franklin Layover
3
Greenbush Layover
4
Kingston Layover
5
MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility
6
Middleboro Layover
7
Needham Layover
8
Newburyport Layover
9
Pawtucket Layover
10
Readville Interim Repair Facility
11
Rochester Maintenance Facility
12
Rockport Layover
13
Southampton Street Yard
14
Stoughton Layover
15
West Cambridge Maintenance Facility
16
Westminster Layover
17
Worcester Layover
NameLocation [1] Route [1] Use [1]
Bradford Layoverat Bradford Haverhill Line layover/storage
Franklin Layover Franklin storage yard from station platform January 2023.jpg east of Franklin/Dean College Franklin/Foxboro Line layover/storage
Greenbush Layover Greenbush MBTA station, Scituate MA.jpg at Greenbush Greenbush Line layover/storage
Kingston Layover Kingston Layover, June 2017.JPG at Kingston Kingston Line layover/storage
MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility MBTA Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility aerial.JPG Inner Belt, Somerville northside linesHeavy maintenance for all commuter rail equipment; layover/storage
Middleboro Layover Middleborough Layover, October 2020.JPG at Middleborough Middleborough/Lakeville Line layover/storage
Needham Layover Needham Layover from West Street, March 2016.JPG south of Needham Heights Needham Line layover/storage
Newburyport Layover Cab cars at Newburyport Layover, May 2017.JPG south of Newburyport Newburyport/Rockport Line layover/storage
Pawtucket Layover Pawtucket Layover, June 2017.JPG Pawtucket, Rhode Island Providence/Stoughton Line layover/storage
Readville Interim Repair Facility Readville Interim Repair Facility, December 2017.JPG north of Readville southside linesRunning maintenance and layover/storage. Expansion into a southside maintenance facility is planned for construction from 2023 to 2028. [2]
Rochester Maintenance FacilityCape Main Line in Rochester Overhaul and maintenance [3]
Rockport Layover Rockport freight house and layover yard October 2013.jpg at Rockport Newburyport/Rockport Line layover/storage
Southampton Street Yard Southampton Street Yard May 2012.JPG south of South Station, Bostonsouthside linesrunning maintenance and midday storage – primarily an Amtrak heavy maintenance facility
Stoughton Layover MBTA train laying over near Stoughton station, April 2016.JPG at Stoughton Providence/Stoughton Line layover/storage
West Cambridge Maintenance Facility MBTA Alewife MOW yard, March 2017.JPG south of Alewife Maintenance of way equipment storage
Westminster Layover Westminster Layover, July 2021.jpg west of Wachusett Fitchburg Line [4] layover/storage
Worcester Layover Locomotives at Worcester Layover (2), June 2017.JPG east of Worcester Framingham/Worcester Line layover/storage

Future yards

List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards
Location of future MBTA yards
1
Beacon Park Yard
2
Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility
3
Wamsutta Layover
4
Weaver's Cove Layover
5
Widett Circle
NameLocationRoutes served
Beacon Park Yard Beacon Park Yard with second mainline track construction, October 2016.JPG At Beacon Park YardMidday layover for the Worcester Line. To be constructed by 2032 as part of the realignment of I-90. [5]
Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility Quincy Adams substation and Quincy garage site, November 2020.jpg North of Quincy Adams Will replace Quincy Garage. Bidding process restarted in mid-2022 [6]
Wamsutta Layover Wamsutta Layover construction from Acushnet Avenue, December 2023.JPG North of New Bedford Under construction as part of South Coast Rail, expected to open in mid-2024 [7]
Weaver's Cove Layover Weaver's Cove Layover near completion, December 2022.JPG North of Fall River Under construction as part of South Coast Rail, expected to open in 2024 [7]
Widett Circle Facing east along Widett Circle loop trck, March 2022.JPG Inside Widett CircleLayover yard for southside lines. The MBTA Board authorized negotiations for property purchase in December 2022. [8] [9] The MBTA took possession of the property in April 2023. [10]

Former yards

List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards
Location of former MBTA Commuter Rail yards
1
Attleboro Layover
2
Fitchburg Layover
3
Haverhill Layover
4
Ipswich Layover
List of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority yards
Location of former MBTA subway and bus yards (including subway yards converted to bus facilities)
1
Arborway Yard
2
Bennett Carhouse and Eliot Shops
3
Everett Shops
4
Forest Hills Shops
5
Lechmere Yard
6
Sullivan Square Shops
7
Watertown Yard
NameLocationRoutesUseClosed & reason
Attleboro Layover Aerial image of Attleboro Layover, March 2002.jpg south of Attleboro Providence/Stoughton Line layover/storage2006; replaced by Pawtucket Layover
Bennett Carhouse MBTA 8510 at Bennett Street Carhouse in 1967.jpg south of Harvard Square, CambridgeHarvard-based streetcar and trackless trolley routesmaintenance and storage1970; Eliot Shops closed
Eliot Shops Red Line cars at MBTA Eliot Shops in 1967.jpg south of Harvard Square, Cambridge Red Line (also Blue Line from 1924–1952)maintenance and storage1970; redevelopment
Fitchburg Layover MBTA train passing East Fitchburg Yard, December 2014.JPG east of Fitchburg Fitchburg Line layover/storage2016; replaced by Wachusett Layover
Forest Hills Shops Forest Hills Inspection Shop, June 1925.jpg south of Forest Hills Orange Line maintenance and storage1987; completion of the southwest Corridor
Haverhill Layovernorth of Haverhill Haverhill Line layover/storage1987; replaced by Bradford Layover
Ipswich Layover Former layover tracks in Ipswich, May 2017.JPG south of Ipswich Newburyport/Rockport Line layover/storage1998; extension to Newburyport
Lechmere Yard MBTA Type 7 trolleys in Lechmere Yard in 2006.jpg at Lechmere Green Line layover/storage2020; relocation of Lechmere station
Sullivan Square Shops MBTA Sullivan Square shop in 1967.jpg at Sullivan Square Orange Line and streetcars maintenance and storage1975; completion of the Haymarket North Extension

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority</span> Public transport agency in the U.S.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is the public agency responsible for operating most public transportation services in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. The MBTA transit network includes the MBTA subway with three metro lines, two light rail lines, and a five-line bus rapid transit system ; MBTA bus local and express service; the twelve-line MBTA Commuter Rail system, and several ferry routes. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 216,329,500, or about 778,600 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2023, of which the rapid transit lines averaged 283,900 and the light rail lines 101,300, making it the fourth-busiest rapid transit system and the third-busiest light rail system in the United States. As of the third quarter of 2023, average weekday ridership of the commuter rail system was 92,400, making it the fifth-busiest commuter rail system in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Line (MBTA)</span> Light rail system

The Green Line is a semi-metro system run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan area. It is the oldest MBTA subway line, and with tunnel sections dating from 1897, the oldest subway in North America. It runs underground through downtown Boston, and on the surface into inner suburbs via six branches on radial boulevards and grade-separated alignments. With an average daily weekday ridership of 137,700 in 2019, it is the third most heavily used light rail system in the country. The line was assigned the green color in 1967 during a systemwide rebranding because several branches pass through sections of the Emerald Necklace of Boston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange Line (MBTA)</span> Rapid transit line in Greater Boston

The Orange Line is a rapid transit line operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) as part of the MBTA subway system. The line runs south on the surface from Oak Grove station in Malden, Massachusetts through Malden and Medford, paralleling the Haverhill Line, then crosses the Mystic River on a bridge into Somerville, then into Charlestown. It passes under the Charles River and runs through Downtown Boston in the Washington Street Tunnel. The line returns to the surface in the South End, then follows the Southwest Corridor southwest in a cut through Roxbury and Jamaica Plain to Forest Hills station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington station (MBTA)</span> Rapid transit station in Medford, Massachusetts, US

Wellington station is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange Line rapid transit station in Medford, Massachusetts, near the border of Everett. It is located on the Revere Beach Parkway, slightly east of its intersection with Route 28. Wellington functions as a park and ride with more than 1,300 spaces, and a bus hub with 10 routes terminating at the station. The Station Landing development, connected to the station by an overhead walkway, includes residential and retail buildings and additional parking. Wellington Carhouse, the primary repair and maintenance facility for the Orange Line, is located adjacent to the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MBTA Commuter Rail</span> Greater Boston commuter rail system

The MBTA Commuter Rail system serves as the commuter rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA's) transportation coverage of Greater Boston in the United States. Trains run over 394 mi (634 km) of track to 134 stations. It is operated under contract by Keolis, which took over operations on July 1, 2014, from the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MBTA bus</span> Greater Boston bus network

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates 152 bus routes in the Greater Boston area. The MBTA has a policy objective to provide transit service within walking distance for all residents living in areas with population densities greater than 5,000 inhabitants per square mile (1,900/km2) within the MBTA's service district. Much of this service is provided by bus. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 83,623,600, or about 292,000 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Hills station (MBTA)</span> Transit station in Boston, Massachusetts, US

Forest Hills station is an intermodal transfer station in Boston, Massachusetts. It serves the MBTA rapid transit Orange Line and three MBTA Commuter Rail lines and is a major terminus for MBTA bus routes. It is located in Forest Hills, in the southern part of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Most Providence/Stoughton Line and Franklin/Foxboro Line trains, and all Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains, pass through the station without stopping.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston College station</span> Light rail station in Boston, Massachusetts, US

Boston College station is a light rail station on the MBTA Green Line B branch. It is located at St. Ignatius Square on the Boston College campus near the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Lake Street, on the border between the Brighton neighborhood of Boston and the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Newton, Massachusetts. Originally opened in 1896, it has been the terminus of the Commonwealth Avenue line since 1900. The current station is planned to be replaced by a new station located in the median of Commonwealth Avenue just east of Lake Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lechmere station</span> Light rail station in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US

Lechmere station is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line light rail station in Lechmere Square in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is located on the east side of Monsignor O'Brien Highway near First Street, adjacent to the NorthPoint development. The accessible elevated station has a single island platform, with headhouses at both ends. It opened on March 21, 2022, as part of the Green Line Extension (GLX). Lechmere station is served by Green Line D branch and E branch service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riverside station (MBTA)</span> Light rail station in Newton, Massachusetts, US

Riverside station is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line light rail station located in the Auburndale village of Newton, Massachusetts. It is the western terminal of the Green Line D branch service. The station is located near the interchange of Interstate 95 and the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and serves as a regional park and ride station. West of the station is Riverside Yard, the main maintenance facility and largest storage yard for the Green Line. The station is fully accessible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green Line D branch</span> Light rail line

The Green Line D branch is a light rail line in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newton, and Somerville, Massachusetts, operating as part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line. The line runs on a grade separated surface right-of-way for 9 miles (14 km) from Riverside station to Fenway station. The line merges into the C branch tunnel west of Kenmore, then follows the Boylston Street subway and Tremont Street subway to North Station. It is the longest and busiest of the four Green Line branches. As of February 2023, service operates on 8 to 9-minute headways at weekday peak hours and 8 to 11-minute headways at other times, using 13 to 19 trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arborway station</span> Boston MBTA former subway station

Arborway station was an MBTA light rail stop and bus transfer location in Boston, Massachusetts. It served the MBTA Green Line E branch. It was located in Arborway Yard near the Forest Hills station complex. It closed in 1985 when the outer section of the branch was temporarily—and ultimately permanently—closed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haverhill Line</span> MBTA Commuter Rail line

The Haverhill Line is a branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail system, running north from downtown Boston, Massachusetts through the cities and towns of Malden, Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, Wilmington, Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, and Haverhill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Circle station</span> Light rail station in Boston, Massachusetts, US

Cleveland Circle station is a surface light rail station on the MBTA Green Line C branch, located in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, at Cleveland Circle. Cleveland Circle station is accessible, with raised platforms to accommodate low-floor light rail vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Readville station</span> Railway station in Boston, Massachusetts, US

Readville station is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail station located in the Readville section of the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It is served by MBTA Commuter Rail Fairmount Line and Franklin/Foxboro Line. Readville is the outer terminus for most Fairmount service, though some trips continue as Franklin/Foxboro Line trains. The station is located at a multi-level junction, with the Northeast Corridor tracks at ground level and the Dorchester Branch above; Franklin/Foxboro Line trains use a connecting track with a separate platform. Platforms are available for the Providence/Stoughton Line on the Northeast Corridor tracks, but they are not regularly used. An MBTA maintenance and storage yard and a CSX Transportation freight yard are located near the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watertown Yard</span> Boston MBTA former subway station

Watertown Carhouse is a bus maintenance facility and former streetcar carhouse located in the southern section of Watertown, Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Watertown Square. As Watertown Yard, the site also serves as a bus depot serving local and express routes, with additional connections available at Watertown Square on the opposite end of the Watertown Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradford station</span> Train station in Bradford, Massachusetts, US

Bradford station is an MBTA Commuter Rail station in the Bradford neighborhood of Haverhill, Massachusetts, served by the Haverhill Line. The Haverhill Line's layover yard is located adjacent to the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockport station</span>

Rockport station is an MBTA Commuter Rail station in Rockport, Massachusetts. It is the terminus of the Rockport branch of the Newburyport/Rockport Line. The station complex consists of a single side platform with one revenue track plus 4 layover tracks for parked trains and a short stretch of auxiliary track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City Point Bus Terminal</span> Bus station in South Boston, Massachusetts, US

City Point Bus Terminal is a bus station in South Boston, Massachusetts. It serves MBTA bus routes 7, 9, 10 and 11. From 2004 to 2009, it was the terminus of Silver Line route SL3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Widett Circle</span>

Widett Circle is a locale in Boston, Massachusetts that had long been used as a wholesale food market, but which has been proposed for several redevelopment projects. It is located between a bend in Interstate 93 and the MBTA rail yards, near the Massachusetts Avenue connector to I-93. Widett Circle was named for Harold Widett who was the attorney for the meat packers union.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ridership and Service Statistics" (PDF) (14th ed.). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2014.
  2. "Executive Summary" (PDF). South Side Maintenance and Layover Facility EENF. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. November 2022.
  3. "Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority FY23-27 Capital Investment Plan (CIP): Proposed" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. March 2022.
  4. "MBTA Wachusett Commuter Rail Extension Project". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  5. "Allston Multimodal Project Fact Sheet". Massachusetts Department of Transportation. 2021.
  6. "Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility Project Update" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. December 2022.
  7. 1 2 Medeiros, Dan (September 29, 2023). "South Coast Rail passenger service is being delayed. Here's why, explained in 60 seconds". The Herald News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023.
  8. Henderson, Richard (December 15, 2022). "Widett Circle Acquisition" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
  9. "MBTA Seeks to Purchase Widett Circle Property for Commuter Rail Layover Yard" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. December 15, 2022.
  10. "MBTA completes purchase of land for new commuter yard". Trains News Wire. April 12, 2023.

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