Now I know I'm from Massachusetts and and ride the MBTA at least once a month, but I have not been to North Station in about 10 years
I'm from New Jersey. but I've been to North Station probably 5 times in the past two years.
First, how long does it phisically take to get from the Orange Line platform into the station.
I would allow a minimum of ten minutes. While the underground "Superstation" that will combine the
Orange and
Green lines on the same platform is essentially done, you still have to walk up to the street level, cross Causeway Street (which is an experience in itself), and then walk the equivalent of a half block to the "new" North Station that is under the Fleet Center. When the old Boston Garden existed, the entrance to both was right on Causeway Street, but now that the Garden has been razed (with the Fleet Center built behind where it was), you have to go a little further north than before. There are walkways on both sides of where the Garden used to be, and they lead to the east and west entrances that serve both the Fleet Center and North Station. You'll be right in the linear station, with Track 1 on one end and Track 10 on the other end. The ticket office, which sells MBTA tickets as well as tickets for the Downeaster, is located about halfway through. On the west end there are small McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts counters.
If you arrive at North Station on the elevated
Green Line (which will be torn down once it is rerouted through the Superstation), you can come down on the correct side of Causeway Street, and be that much closer to the station.
Plans for the underground Superstation include a new concourse directly from the platforms into the Fleet Center/North Station building, so you will no longer have to upstairs and cross Causeway Street once that opens in a few years.
Second, I've heard there are no departure boards, so how do I know what track a train is boarding on.
True there is no Solari Board in North Station, but there are TV monitors located over most of the track gates and around the ticket area, which clearly show the next several departures.
Third, how much time should I give myself between detraining the Orange Line and boarding a commuter train?
That question is quite similar to your first one, and I think I already answered it. MBTA's trains are pretty punctual, meaning you can expect that they will depart the station right at the exact scheduled departure time. Boarding ususally begins 10-15 minutes or so before departure, so if you're coming from the
Orange Line with a tight connection, I would allow at least 20-25 minutes before your train's departure time. Factor in possible delays on the
Orange Line as well, as they've happened to me.