Boston, Day 3 (Wed.) part 2

From Mass. Ave. subway station, I boarded the Orange Line outbound to the next station, Ruggles Station. The nice thing about Ruggles is that it is both a Subway and Commuter Rail Station. Still, no direct live of view from one platform to the other. My complete interest here was the commuter rail, south of Boston and on the road Amtrak, including Acela Service, on the road.

I have been taking pictures for many years. Since the advent of the Internet that term has expanded to collecting pictures of others, from the Internet. I had been taking some pictures of MBTA stuff, from the internet. Now, I would take them in person. My intention was. if I see it, I would delete the internet ones from my collection. Antother point is how long to take pictures. For me, schedule makes a difference. Two hours is about the limit of my energy. However, there is also a limit to the number of trains, or rather, the frequency of trains. This means in a light train session with, let's say, one train per hour or less, I might stay for two trains, or about an hour. Waithing tires me out more than frequent activity. If the number is largge, let;s day one ever 10 to 15 minutes apart, I might keep saying, just one more and stay much longer. Than again, unless there is variety, it might be 3 to 4 trains and I out of here.

At Ruggles, I knew that there was a certain frequency of trains that was favorable. However, the vareiety of equiptment was the question. Two or three commuter rail, one regional service Amtrak, and at least one Acela service Amtrak, might me my limit. So, How did I fare? Let's see! I had noted the times of trains on my itinerary and remember, it is as follows: 9:14iP, 9:20oAa, 9:40oAr, 9:41iP, 9:54iAa, 9:59iF, 10:46iP, 11:00iAr, 11:10oAr, 11:12iP. Capitol letter indicated line P=Providence, F=Framingham, A=Amtrak (small a=Acela, and small r=regional). in two hours I saw one Amtrak regional, two Acela service, and four Commuter Rail.

Amtrak Regional Service

Amtral Acela Service South from Boston (on my notes listed as outbound)

Amtral Acela Service North to Boston (on my notes listed as inbound)

Commuter Rail South from Boston (on my notes listed as outbound)

Commuter Rail South from Boston (on my notes listed as outbound)

Commuter Rail South from Boston (on my notes listed as outbound)

Commuter Rail South from Boston (on my notes listed as outbound)

The Rest of the Story

I looked at the long view from the Prudential tower. I was not as hung up on time, as I had taken care of check-in. I did take a block and half walk to the YMCA which was the first place I stayed in Boston, 25 years ago. I finally got my room and then went to Cambridge. I first went to Porter Square and walked to where I had lived. I did not take many pictures that would interest the ordinary person.

After visiting the apartment, I came back to Harvard. It seems that while living there 25 years ago, I went to a church on Harvard Yard. I walked by for a view. Harvard is on the Red Line. I manage to end up at the Federal Courthouse where I took some pictures across the water. From there I of course took a walk to South Station where I spent a little time watching trains (mentioned above)

Acela 2034

Acela 2034

Acela 2032

MBTA 1064

MBTA 1032

MBTA 1115

     

Change of Plans

That wonderful agenda that I created was always meant to be tentative. I knew approximately how much time to spend in the different places but not exactly. The first changes to the agenda came when I checked in for my flight. My 7:00 am flight was cancelled even before I arrived at the airport. I was excited about my trip and could not sleep. I arrived at 5:00 and went to the window to reschedule my trip. They did have a 6:00 via Philadelphia with an hour layover. I arrived in Boston an hour later than I had originally scheduled but leaving an hour earlier.

Sitting in the waiting area of the airport I noticed how the world had changed. 2/3 of those waiting had their laptops out and working. The the others were texting on their cell phones. A far cry from 25 years ago when I first flew to Boston. In fact check in takes twice as long.

I arrived in Boston and I called the hotel. I wanted to know if I could drop off my luggage, and they said yes. So instead of coming to South Station and getting a locker, as planned, I headed for the hotel. I figured that from their I might continue as planned. NOT SO.

Amtrak Accela

Amtrak  921

MBTA 1115

When I arrived at the hotel, they did not have my room ready. I went for lunch and to the Prudential Tower. I had planned to go the skywalk at Prudential Center, but not until late in the day. After check in, off the Cambridge as originally planned. Timing was no longer critical. I did watch some trains at South Station.