Railfanning near Boston

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TheEmpireBuilder

Train Attendant
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Nov 14, 2015
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Hey guys.

I'm going to Boston next month via Acela, which means I'm looking to railfan around there. From what I've heard, Mansfield is the best place, with 150-mph Acelas and 125 Regionals, and 2 tracks and low platforms for the full high-speed blast. Is Mansfield in fact in the 150-mph zone? If not, where near Boston is?

Thanks!
 
If you like riding an original PCC line, Boston has a great one. Its an easy trip from south street
 
J-1 3235 said:
Yes, Mansfield is in the 150 mph zone. You'll be able to enjoy riding at that speed after you leave Providence. Enjoy!

Mike
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You'll also be doing 150 between Kingston and roughly the PVD airport before arriving in Providence.
 
I believe the OP is looking for where to WATCH the 150 mph trains, not ride them.
 
AmtrakBlue said:
I believe the OP is looking for where to WATCH the 150 mph trains, not ride them.
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That was my impression too - not to mention that I believe Mattapan has a reputation for being a rather unsavory part of the city that I'm not sure anyone unfamiliar with the area would want to visit. Maybe that reputation has changed, but I know for a while it was rather crime-heavy.
 
Riding a PCC sounds like a blast to me. Especially since I didn't even know such a thing existed until I saw this thread. Is the area it travels through dangerous on a statistically significant level or is it more of an emotionally significant concern?
 
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its a great ride and the line is endangered. I ridden it a few times always felt OK. But they considering replacing them, so the clock is ticking
 
If I was the op I take time to ride the PCC's. The video was great. I grew up not far from the Shaker heights transit lines. I can remember them running mu'ed together. We took them for granted and now they are gone. I take time on every trip to Boston to take a ride. I understand wanting to take pictures of a 150mph Acela train. But riding and photo graphing a genuine PCC operations is a whole other thing. Their time is coming to a close, its time to get your pictures, instead of wondering what was I thinking. Just saying.
 
Here is a little background on the Mattapan Trolley, like many of Boston's rapid transit lines it was built using ROW of older rail lines.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashmont%E2%80%93Mattapan_High_Speed_Line

If the weather is nice consider a ride on the Blue Line to Wonderland Station, the Blue Line utilizes overhead wire and 3rd rail during their trips.

A walk along the promenade at Revere Beach is usually great for people watching.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Line_%28MBTA%29

Enjoy

Ken
 
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