End day 3, Waterfront

After some watching of Green Line at Lechmere, I decided to eat super at the waterfront. When I arrived it was threatening rain. I decide to hold of on a harbor cruise. Most of the pictures that I wanted could be taken, otherwise.

I walked around Longs Wharf, enjoying the views.

I walked over to Rowe's Wharf and took some more pictures of the Boston Harbor Hotel. All before heading back to the Hotel.

Mattapan High Speed Line to Lechmere

I finished with my walking tour so I took the Red Line to Ashmount. At Ashmount, we have what is Known as the Mattapan High Speed Line. Which is more oxymorinic as nothing on this line could be seen as high speed. What is here is the PCC that rode the Green Line in Boston, years ago. When I first visited Boston and when I love in Boston, these PCC's were being used in limited service. The older LRV's had been purchased for the most part. The orange color was a throw back to the older color of the PCC's on the Green Line.

Former Green Line PCC, now on the Mattapan High Speed Line

After a short time at Mattapan I return to Lechmere vis the Red and Green Lines. More pictures, now from the station.

Boston Trip, Commons

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What cliche Boston Trip would exclude a stop by the sight of Cheers. Cheers premiered the year before I moved to Boston. Also, St. Elsewhere premiered as well. I never saw Cheers while living there although I went near it quite often.

Sight of Cheers

On Edge of Commons, to the right

Mass. State House

Park Street Church

Along the Charles River

My route around the Commons. Continued

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My route took me from the Public Gardens to the Charles River. My first destination was the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade.I spent one fourth of July listening to the Boston Pops perform.

 the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade

The Prudential Center tower from the Charles River at the Esplenade, next to Hatch Shell

The Red Line, crossing the River. Could be a Chamber of Commerce ad photo.

There are many other scenes along the Charles. Many were taken of the Red line from across the Charles River. The following picture almost looks like a Chamber of Commerce ad photo. However, I don't know the people nor was that intentional

More Red Line pictures

Red Line crossing the Charles River, taken from the Prudential Tower.

More Tourist Stuff

Route around the Charles River, Public Gardens, and the Commons.

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My route skirted the Commons, coming past the bandstand and out again to the Public Gardens.

I walked through the Gardens, past the Swan Boats.

I did take a picture of one of the performers. Of course I paid him for his services. I feel bad for them. They have such a hard job in such heat.

Day 3, Some Typical Tourist Traps

I original Itinerary included a long walk to the Boston Commons. I was to go via Copley Square but since I had done that the previous evening, changed the itinerary. This part of my visit was to do typical tourist things but without all the tourist baggage. I started at Boyston T station. I took the Green Line. I had been through this station many times and wanted to stop for pictures of some displays in the station.

Old work car for the subway. In Boyston Station

Old  car for the subway. In Boyston Station

Sign explaining the next picture. In Boyston Station

Old  car for the subway. In Boyston Station

OK! Not really typical tourist fare. As a train lover and loving all kinds of railed transport, this was fascinating.

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)