Boston Elevated Railway
| Company type | Public transit operator |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Predecessor | West End Street Railway |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Fate | Merged into Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | Boston and surrounding municipalities including Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Stoneham, Watertown |
| Products | Streetcar lines, rapid transit systems, buses, trolleybuses |
The Boston Elevated Railway (BERy) managed streetcar lines and rapid transit systems operating on surface streets, elevated structures, and underground routes throughout Boston and its surrounding areas. Established in 1894, it took over the West End Street Railway through leasing arrangements and eventual merger, becoming the dominant public transit operator in Boston. Its legacy continues under the state-operated Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which still utilizes much of the infrastructure originally developed by BERy and its antecedents.
History
Initially formed in 1887 with the intention of creating a brief electric trolley connection to Brookline, the West End Street Railway quickly consolidated several horse-drawn streetcar companies by 1888, managing a large stable of 7,816 horses and operating 1,480 vehicles. While early plans considered using an underground cable system similar to that of San Francisco, WESR President Henry Melville Whitney ultimately opted for electric traction after observing Frank Sprague’s system in Richmond. After experimenting with the Bentley-Knight underground power line—which was discontinued due to safety concerns—the company selected Thomson-Houston Electric Company to implement overhead electrical wiring. This pioneering electric rapid transit system was later honored as an IEEE Milestone in 2004.
The inaugural electric trolley service ran between Union Square in Allston and Park Square along major thoroughfares such as Harvard and Beacon Streets. This route eventually became integrated into what is now known as the Green Line A branch. The final horse-drawn streetcar route, located on Marlborough Street in Back Bay, ceased operations without electrification by the end of 1900.
Before the advent of widespread electrical grids, BERy constructed its own power generation facilities throughout Boston neighborhoods. By 1904, it maintained 421 miles of track supporting over 1,550 mostly enclosed streetcars and operated 16 miles of elevated railway accommodating 174 elevated cars, with a total generating capacity reaching 36 megawatts.
One tragic event occurred on November 7, 1916, when BERy streetcar No. 393 plunged through open drawbridge gates into Fort Point Channel, resulting in 46 deaths.
BERy launched its initial bus service in 1922 on a route linking Union Square in Allston with Faneuil Street. This route eventually combined with others by 1933 to form what is currently the MBTA’s Route 64 bus line.
Elevated railway
The Boston Elevated Railway was established in 1894 after state legislation authorized a new elevated railway franchise following the West End Street Railway’s choice not to pursue elevated construction. The first segment of elevated track opened in 1901 between Sullivan Square and Dudley Square. BERy secured a long-term lease on West End lines in 1897 and completed a formal merger in 1922. The elevated rail system expanded to six termini, allowing passengers to travel across multiple routes without needing to transfer.
Power generation
Challenges such as transporting coal from Boston’s port and the limited reach of direct current systems constrained inland expansion. In response, BERy constructed a generating plant in South Boston in 1911 that produced alternating current at 25 Hertz. This high-voltage AC was transmitted to substations where it was converted into direct current for train operation. By 1931, fourteen substations were active. This power station remained operational until 1981 when the MBTA upgraded substations to utilize 60 Hertz alternating current and shifted to purchasing electricity from regional utilities rather than self-generation.
Transition from streetcars to trolleybuses and buses
On April 11, 1936, BERy introduced Boston's inaugural trackless trolley service with route 77 (which was later renumbered as 69), connecting Harvard to Lechmere along Cambridge Street. The trackless trolley network extended westward and northward from Harvard station, but service heading east to Lechmere was discontinued after 1963. This mode of transportation on these lines continued until March 2022, when it was replaced temporarily by diesel-powered buses, with plans set for the deployment of battery electric buses in the spring of 2024.
Operations
The rapid transit system originally operated by BERy has since transformed into what are now recognized as the Red, Blue, and Orange Lines. While streetcar service persists on certain branches of the Green Line and the Mattapan Line, many other routes have been converted entirely to bus operations.
BERy’s service area encompassed numerous municipalities such as Arlington, Belmont, Boston (including its annexed regions), Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton (specifically for transit between Boston and Watertown), Revere, Somerville, the southern part of Stoneham, and Watertown. Additionally, streetcars from adjacent towns utilized BERy’s track infrastructure.
In 1947, operational control was transferred to the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which is presently known as the MBTA.
Further reading
External links
- The Boston Elevated Railway Company Library records, 1884–1967 (bulk 1921–1950) housed at Northeastern University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Annual Reports, spanning 1919–1946, available via Internet Archive