MBTA Green Line (Branches)

B-Boston College Branch

The Boston College line exits the subway just past the Kenmore station and heads west northwest through Brookline. It runs in a median in Commonwealth Ave., crossing numerous intersections at grade. Traffic signals govern automobile as well as train traffic at the grade crossings. A fence is between the two tracks most of the way to prevent people from jaywalking across the rails. Many small stops exist along the route, each one no more than a small platform with a shelter. About half way up the Boston College line, the line turns southwest. At this point the former Watertown branch used to split off. The Watertown line has not seen service for many years, and it is in the process of being removed. This line was one of the last street running transit routes in the Boston area.

Another mile or two brings the Boston College line to its terminus. Just before the Boston College stop, a set of tracks peels off to the south, linking to the Cleveland Circle and Riverside lines. This line is not used for regular service, but for moving cars between the branches. At Boston College a loop exists to turn cars back, surrounding a small storage yard.

The photos of each branch are arranged from east to west (i.e. outbound from the subway).

C-Cleveland Circle Branch

The Cleveland Circle line also exits its subway portal just past Kenmore. This line runs down the median of Beacon Street, across intersections, like the Boston College line. This route is more scenic and is also one of the first trolley lines in Boston. It passes through Brookline and Newton Heights on its way westward. It also features many small stops along its route until terminating at Cleveland Circle. Past the station the trains loop through Cleveland Circle and through a small yard (which is just north of the Reservoir stop on the Riverside line) before re-entering Cleveland Circle station. Non-revenue tracks connect the B, C, and D, branches at this location.

D-Riverside Branch

This line, the youngest of the Green Line branches, exits the Subway prior to the Fenway station. From this point, the Riverside line follows an exclusive right of way, with wide sweeping curves on its way to Riverside. The Riverside route is formerly a Boston and Albany railroad branch. It was converted over to rapid transit in the late 1950's. Many of the older stations are still in existence, and are used by the Green Line as transit stations. This is one of the faster parts of the Green Line as trains speed right along, running at up to 50 mph.

There are 11 stops on the journey to Riverside, about 8 to 10 miles from the subway portal. The line can be scenic as it passes through the woods and residential sections of Brookline and Newton. One of the more interesting stations is the Reservoir stop. A yard is adjacent to the station, which is used to store streetcars as well as some work equipment. Some of this work equipment is actually rebuilt PCC and older streetcars. A non revenue rail link also exists from here to the Cleveland Circle and Boston College lines. (The three branches are close enough to walk between.)

Continuing westward, the line passes through wooded areas and the backyards of homes and businesses before ending at Riverside. Here two tracks split and form a loop around a large yard, and shop facility. More streetcars and work equipment is stored in this yard. Most major Green Line repair projects are conducted here. The station platform is located on the eastern side of the loop, before the line turns back to Boston. This station has a large platform with the two tracks running through it.

E-Heath/Arborway Branch

After Symphony station, the line then exits the subway, and runs down the center median of Huntington Ave. Numerous small stops exist on its route southwest, then southward. Just before Heath Street station, the Arborway line actually begins street running, the last MBTA line to do so. At Heath, there is a loop to turn trains, and is currently the terminal point for service on this branch, about 4 miles from the subway portal. But the tracks continue southward, in the streets to the actual end of the line at Arborway, right next door to the Forest Hills Orange Line station. Service on this part of the line has been suspended since the mid 1980's. Currently it is being debated whether to restore service on the line, or to tear up the tracks.

At Arborway, the line circles around another storage yard. This area has been extensively rebuilt, and is used for storage of some Green Line equipment. The future of this area is also in doubt. There are proposals to build a bus garage in place of the yard.

Photos by Location