Home · Maps · About

Home > SubChat

[ Post a New Response | Return to the Index ]

(1642259)

view threaded

Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by irtredbirdr33 on Fri Jul 4 13:04:30 2025


HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY



Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

1959 – from The Book of First Runs

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority begins light rail service on the former Highland Branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad. The railroad abandoned the line on May 31, 1958. The new trolley line will be known as Green Line Route D Riverside.

Larry, RedbirdR33


Post a New Response

(1642267)

view threaded

Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by andy on Fri Jul 4 14:15:18 2025, in response to Tuscarora Almanac for July 4, posted by irtredbirdr33 on Fri Jul 4 13:04:30 2025.

Thanks for posting. This was an important event in US transit history, as it was the first time that a modern European-style limited tramline was introduced in North America.

Just please note that in 1959 the Boston operating agency was the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority), and the new line was simply called the Highland Branch. It was Route #4 on the MTA map, but not on the car roll signs. The MBTA name debuted in 1964, when the MTA’s domain greatly expanded beyond its original 1947 boundaries. The Green Light Route D designation came a few years later (1967 if I remember correctly.

1959 also saw the debut of the Kingston Trio’s song “MTA” which later became the namesake of Boston’s Charlie Card. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Jw_v3F_Q0




Post a New Response

(1642268)

view threaded

Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by irtredbirdr33 on Fri Jul 4 14:31:21 2025, in response to Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4, posted by andy on Fri Jul 4 14:15:18 2025.



Andy: You are right. It was the MTA back then. Still it was a step forward when most cities in the US were doing their best to get rid of streetcars.

Larry, RedbirdR33

Post a New Response

(Sponsored)

iPhone 6 (4.7 Inch) Premium PU Leather Wallet Case - Red w/ Floral Interior - by Notch-It

(1642269)

view threaded

Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Fri Jul 4 15:08:06 2025, in response to Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4, posted by irtredbirdr33 on Fri Jul 4 14:31:21 2025.

Also worth noting. the Kingston Trio adapted an earlier protest/election song decrying a fare increase.

Post a New Response

(1642270)

view threaded

Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Fri Jul 4 15:12:50 2025, in response to Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Fri Jul 4 15:08:06 2025.

I still have a Chahlie Cahd from 2012.:)

Post a New Response

(1642271)

view threaded

Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Fri Jul 4 15:13:31 2025, in response to Tuscarora Almanac for July 4, posted by irtredbirdr33 on Fri Jul 4 13:04:30 2025.

And on this date in 1976, The NY Transit Museum came into being.

Post a New Response

(1642275)

view threaded

Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by andy on Fri Jul 4 18:11:22 2025, in response to Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4, posted by irtredbirdr33 on Fri Jul 4 14:31:21 2025.

Thank you for the kind words. And yes, the Highland Branch was a significant step forward and is often credited with being the starting point of the light rail renaissance in the US. Besides Boston, the only US cities with streetcars/light rail in 1959 were Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington DC, Cleveland, St. Louis, New Orleans, El Paso, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Boston, Newark, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New Orleans, and San Francisco survive today. Baltimore, Washington, St. Louis, and LA do not count because their light rail lines are brand new, not survivors of the old days.

Post a New Response

(1642279)

view threaded

Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4

Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Fri Jul 4 20:56:33 2025, in response to Re: Tuscarora Almanac for July 4, posted by andy on Fri Jul 4 18:11:22 2025.

When I rode the LA Long Beach (then 'Blue') line we passed several former PE stations. In the Baltimore case IINM some of the route opened as "temporal" separation from the former Northern central branch of the PRR.

Post a New Response


[ Return to the Message Index ]