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METROPOLITAN BOSTON TRANSIT AUTHORITY (MBTA) The Boston, Massachusetts, region had government-supported commuter rail service by the early 1980s. Much of the service was provided on existing railroad lines that fanned out to the north, south, and west of the downtown area. |
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Similar to many government operated commuter railroads, the MBTA started out with antiquated 1950s locomotives and passenger cars inherited from freight railroads. |
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MBTA diesel locomotives were famous for
their purple, yellow, and silver paint schemes.
These photographs were taken in Boston's North Station in the summer of 1983. |
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Here is a somewhat more modern diesel locomotive ready to leave the station with an afternoon MBTA commuter train. |