Reservoir station (MBTA)

Reservoir station

Company type	Light rail station
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	November 1852
Headquarters	Brookline, Massachusetts , United States
Area served	Brookline, Massachusetts
Products	Light rail transit services
Website	www.mbta.com/stops/place-rsmnl

Reservoir station serves as a light rail stop on the MBTA Green Line D branch, situated in Brookline, Massachusetts near the Cleveland Circle neighborhood of Brighton. It lies adjacent to Reservoir Yard and Carhouse, with the terminus of the C branch located just one block away. Ranking as the second most frequented surface station on the D branch after Fenway, Reservoir handles an average daily ridership of 3,395.

The station is fully accessible, equipped with raised platforms to accommodate low-floor light rail vehicles. Additionally, multiple MBTA bus routes conclude their service at the Reservoir busway, which is situated off Chestnut Hill Avenue.

History

Initially opened in November 1852 as Brighton Street commuter rail station on the Charles River Branch Railroad, it was positioned east of Brighton Street (later renamed Chestnut Hill Avenue). Around 1870, coinciding with the inauguration of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir, the station was relocated west of Chestnut Hill Avenue and renamed Reservoir. The segment was acquired by the Boston and Albany Railroad in 1883 and extended as its Highland branch, which began operating Newton Circuit service in 1886.

In 1888, a station building designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque style by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge was constructed near the original location. Although the station agent role was discontinued in May 1949, the structure remained intact to provide shelter for passengers.

The line ceased operations on May 31, 1958, to undergo conversion for light rail use and resumed service on July 4, 1959, integrated into the M.T.A. streetcar network. To make room for updated station amenities and yard tracks, the 1888 building was demolished.</ref> An overhead loop connecting to Chestnut Hill Avenue was constructed with expectations of predominance by inner-line traffic; however, greater demand from outer segments resulted in fewer short-turns at Reservoir, though some rush-hour short-turn services were maintained.

In 1974, upgrades were made to accommodate Boeing LRVs on the line. Between June and September of that year, Highland branch cars operated via Beacon Street from Reservoir to Kenmore using a temporary loop located east of Reservoir for turning inbound vehicles.

The conventional short-turn loop was closed in August 1980 along with the decommissioning of the original Reservoir Carhouse (erected in 1889). The carhouse ceased operations on June 25, 1982; a replacement facility opened in 1983.</ref>

The station itself is situated below street level and features two side platforms serving a pair of tracks. North of the main platforms is a two-track spur with side platforms that connect to non-revenue tracks running along Chestnut Hill Avenue. Constructed after the loop's removal in 1980, this spur enables passengers to disembark from short-turn cars without obstructing mainline traffic. Accessible entry to this platform is provided by a sidewalk ramp along its northern side.

During the early 2000s, as part of its Light Rail Accessibility Program, MBTA undertook renovations at key surface stations including Reservoir, completing raised platform installations around 2002.</ref>

External links

• MBTA – Reservoir Station
• Google Maps Street View – Station Entrance