Portions of the subway are four-tracked. Green Line trains from the west
normally terminate either at
Lechmere (E branch), at North Station (C branch) or at Government Center
(B and D branches). These destinations have changed over the
years among the branches.
Sharp subway loops
at Government Center and also available at Park Street produce the magnificent squealing noises of
trains turning on tight radiuses. There are various
lengths of unused
track and remnants of former portals visible at several locations along the subway.
The 3500 series of cars were manufactured by Boeing-Vertol. All
have been retired from active use by the two American cities that ever
bought them: Boston and San Francisco.
Government Center was formerly Scollay Square. That stop was one
of several on the "T" featured in a very
popular song from the late 1950s sung by the Kingston Trio, dealing with
the effects of a fare increase. It was ridiculous, but catchy and
fun. And today's stored-value fare system, the CharlieCard and
CharlieTicket, pay rare homage to a folk hero of old, "poor Charlie"
on the MTA. |
