Photo of the Day, Boston Style: Part XX (2026)

[SteelyTom]

Beautiful images, but they give me just a touch of post-World Cup melancholy....

 

[BeeLine]

As of 7/11.

 

[themissinglink]

7/11

 

[kz1000ps]

Haven't gone in here in years

 

[themissinglink]

7/13

 

[Arenacale]

Wife had an appointment in town this morning so we headed over to Fanueil Hall for the Malibu Barbie Cafe. Which, frankly, was disappointing - she had a headache, and it was too crowded and noisy and we had to leave before even ordering. Which wouldn't have been a big deal except that you had to buy tickets in advance, which cover some of the food cost. So that was a waste.

Other photos of the area. The sky was downright apocalyptic as we headed back to the car.

 

[Blackbird]

 

[Charlie_mta]

What are they doing to the old Northern Ave Bridge (last photo)?. It looks like a trash heap.

 

[TheRatmeister]

When it's not falling apart the Blue Line is lovely.
View attachment PXL_20260723_205756393.jpgView attachment PXL_20260723_204921478.jpg

 

[atlantaden]

Washing the reflections!

 

[Charlie_mta]

View attachment 74632

Washing the reflections!

Ha ha, the reflections looks like a Frank Gehry building (which is a good thing!).

 

[atlantaden]

 

[chrisbrat]

When it's not falling apart the Blue Line is lovely.
View attachment 74475View attachment 74474

I must've missed something. When has it been falling apart? The Blue Line isn't on my regular route (I'm usually Green, Orange, Red), but on the occasions that I do ride the Blue it always seems super solid.

 

[TheRatmeister]

I must've missed something. When has it been falling apart? The Blue Line isn't on my regular route (I'm usually Green, Orange, Red), but on the occasions that I do ride the Blue it always seems super solid.

The overhead wires have failed quite dramatically multiple times in the past month or so. (Not my picture)

 

[chrisbrat]

really! that's a bummer. thanks for the response/info.

 

[Charlie_mta]

The overhead wires have failed quite dramatically multiple times in the past month or so. (Not my picture)
View attachment 74760

The MBTA should just 3rd rail the entire BL. The NYC subway system surface line out to Rockaway Beach (next to the Atlantic Ocean) is all 3rd rail. So the argument that the BL has to be catenary because it's near the ocean is not really valid.

 

[RandomWalk]

I think the T has plans to replace the catenary with third rail. I think it historically it was catenary because the MTA was afraid of third rail icing near the ocean, and they didn’t want to invest in third rail heaters.

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

I think the T has plans to replace the catenary with third rail. I think it historically it was catenary because the MTA was afraid of third rail icing near the ocean, and they didn’t want to invest in third rail heaters.

It's under active study as part of Blue Line Transformation. The entire overhead system is at replacement age, so they have a non-optional decision to make soon on whether to program a bunch of $$$ to renew it or replace it. Chances are they're going to want to replace it, as third-rail is simply so much more durable for rapid transit duty cycles and BLT wants to take the Blue Line down to 3-minute frequencies which would exert even more punishment on the overhead than today's service levels. The fears 75 years ago that icing would unduly mess with it was never borne out by reality on this system and several others with similar climates.

 

[RandomWalk]

I imagine the switch to single mode will decrease the replacement costs, even if they remain unicorns for the line’s history as a conversion of a trolley.

 

[DZH22]

IMG_1802 by David Z, on Flickr