Boston's Orange Line

Images of Rail

by Jeremy Fox, Jeremy C. Fox

The story of the Orange Line is the story of always in flux but trailed by its long history. Since 1901, this rail line's configuration has evolved in response to changes in the city, society, and technology. Hazardous sections have been eliminated, ownership has transitioned from private to public, and the line has been rerouted to serve growing suburbs and to use land cleared for the failed Inner Belt. Both its northern terminus, which shifted from Everett to Malden, and the southern route, realigned from Washington Street to the Southwest Corridor, have seen dramatic transformations that have in turn changed riders' lives. Today, the line's 10 miles of track curve through many Greater Boston communities, serving thousands along the way.

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2013

Reviews

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the photos, both old and modern. Wish there was a bit more narrative beyond the captioning. I suppose Karilyn's excellent People Before Highways meets that need, though.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The older pictures were surprisingly sharp and I loved the blend of old and new photos throughout. I would have liked a little more time spent on the Medford/Malden end of the line, but I'm biased.