Green Line A branch

Green Line A branch
An A branch streetcar on Cambridge Street in 1968
Overview
StatusAbandoned
LocaleBoston, Newton, and Watertown
Termini
Service
TypeLight rail
SystemGreen Line (MBTA subway)
Operator(s)MBTA (at time of closure)
Rolling stockPCC streetcars (at time of closure)
History
ClosedJune 20, 1969
Technical
Line length7.3 miles (11.7 km)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Route map

Park Street
Boylston
Arlington
Copley
Auditorium
Kenmore
Blandford Street Portal
Blandford Street
Granby Street
Saint Mary's Street
University Road
Amory Street
Saint Paul Street
Pleasant Street
Braves Field Loop
closed 1962
Alcorn Street
Packards Corner
St. Luke's Street
Chester Street
Linden Street
Harvard Avenue
Allston Street
Union Square
Cambridge Street
street-running stops
Oak Square
Oak Square Loop
Newton Corner
Galen Street
street-running stops
Watertown Yard

The A branch or Watertown Line was a streetcar line in the Boston, Massachusetts, area, operating as a branch of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line. The line ran from Watertown through Newton Corner, Brighton, and Allston to Kenmore Square, then used the Boylston Street subway and Tremont Street subway to reach Park Street station.

Portions of the route were built as horsecar lines between 1858 and 1880. The segment between Union Square and Oak Square was electrified in 1889 as part of the Beacon Street line. By 1896, electric routes ran from Newton Corner (Nonantum Square) to downtown Boston via Brighton and via Watertown. Brighton service was extended to Watertown in 1912. The line was operated until 1969, when it was replaced by MBTA bus route 57, though it remained in service for non-revenue moves to Watertown Yard until 1994.