Today's Green Line runs from a terminal at Lechmere in east Cambridge, across the Charles River Dam on the only trolley viaduct that is still in use today. However all trains terminate at the new underground North Station stop until the new incline to the viaduct is finished. The El around North Station and into the central Subway has been demolished. The section from Park Street to Boylston is the oldest subway in the United States built in 1897. Now heading westward, the subbway runs through Back Bay with a branch heading southwest toward Huninhyon Avenue. The central subway contiues west to Brookline where it splits into three more branches fanning westward.
The Hunington Ave branch known as the "E" line exits the subway near Northeastern. It then rolls in a street median to Brigham Circle. From there it operates in the street to Heath. This is the only MBTA street running left at this time.
The "D" line is the newest branch, fanning off at Brookline. This is an old Boston and Albany Railroad route that was coverted to Rapid Transit another first for the area in the 1950's. Many of the old stations are still intact and even in use as transit stops. The route is senic ride all the way to Riverside on an exclusive right of way. At large yard and shop is located at Riverside.
The "C" line operates on a nicely kept median down Beacon Street in Brookline. This route has seen non stop trolley service for over 100 years here. The line ends at Cleveland Circle.
The branch down Commonwealth Avenue known as the "B" line is a slow stop and go ride from the tunnel near Brookline all the way to Boston College. It also operates on a street median. The C,E, and B lines all interact with street signals and traffic along their routes. The Green Line is extremely busy and is the most extensive of the MBTA transit lines at 25.4 track miles. The line is called Green because it runs by the Fenway.
HISTORY - The Green Line is what is left of the once great trolley network that covered the Boston area. The first segment of the subway was built in 1897 from Park Street to Boyston to help avoid the congestion on the streets above. The subway was gradually extended over time and even included a route under Tremont Street. An elevated and viaduct was built in 1910 to help express trolleys from Somerville and Cambridge. At one time heavy rail cras from the Mian Line Elevated shared part of the tunnel from North Station to Boyston. The heavy rail cars then went through the Tremont Street tunnel to the southern EL.
Over the years the trollye network shrunk to what it appears today. A branch known at the "A" line once ran to Watertown was suspended in the 1960's and tracks removed in the 1990's The Tremont Street subway was also abandoned mnay years agom and is set to be used for the new "Silver Line" bus route. In 1984, service on the E line to Arborway was suspended for a short period and then restored to Brigham Circle, It was then extended to Heath where the last street running can be seen. The elevated from Science Park to the subway will be demolished when the new green line tunnel opens in 2003 - 2004.
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