The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has rolled out a freshly-overhauled locomotive that honors the rich legacy of regional train service, specifically, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (the "New Haven"). This recently refurbished train is now running along the Commuter Rail lines that fan out from South Station, infusing a historical flavor into the modern urban commute.
The initiative is a part of a broader series by the MBTA to pay homage to the foundational railroads that have been absorbed into the current mass transit framework of the Boston area. The newly renovated locomotive showcases the classic New Haven railroad colors of orange, white, and black. It is noteworthy to mention that this locomotive overhaul was not just a cosmetic endeavor; the engines received significant upgrades like the installation of remote monitoring and diagnostics, forward-facing, and cab cameras, paired with the latest in brake and control systems. According to MBTA's announcement. It "represent the last of 37 MBTA locomotives, originally put in service between 1987 and 1991, to be overhauled and returned to Commuter Rail service."
Serving as a moving tribute to New England's railway past, these locomotives echo the routes and territories once dominated by the old railway companies. The New Haven Railroad, which the refurbished locomotive highlights, was integral to the Southside lines, which the MBTA ended up purchasing in 1973, including the Providence/Stoughton Line, Fairmont Line, Franklin Line, Needham Line and the Old Colony Lines - Kingston, Greenbush, Fall River, and New Bedford. These lines continue to be key components of the region's transport infrastructure and now operate with a historical nod to their origins.
Not to be overlooked, the Boston and Maine Railroad was another key player that comprised the entire Northside network, while the New York Central (Boston and Albany) Railroad operated what is known currently as the Worcester Line.
