Mattapan Line

Mattapan Line
PCC streetcar #3087 in Milton in 2008
Overview
Other name(s)	Mattapan Trolley Ashmont–Mattapan High-Speed Line
Owner	MBTA
Locale	Boston and Milton, Massachusetts
Termini	Ashmont Mattapan
Stations	8
Service
Type	Light rail
System	MBTA subway
Rolling stock	PCC streetcar
Daily ridership	3,823 (2023)[1]
History
Opened	August 26, 1929 (Ashmont to Milton) December 21, 1929 (Milton to Mattapan)[2]
Technical
Line length	2.54 miles (4.09 km)
Character	Private right-of-way (largely grade-separated)
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Minimum radius	43 ft (13.106 m)[3]
Electrification	Overhead line, 600 V DC
Route map Show interactive map Legend Red Line to Alewife 0 mi 0 km Ashmont 0.35 mi 0.56 km Cedar Grove 0.95 mi 1.53 km Butler Neponset River 1.25 mi 2.01 km Milton Central Avenue 1.54 mi 2.48 km Central Avenue 1.98 mi 3.19 km Valley Road Capen Street 2.31 mi 3.72 km Capen Street Neponset River 2.54 mi 4.09 km Mattapan Mattapan Yard & Loop This diagram: view talk edit Show route diagram map

The Mattapan Line (alternatively the Mattapan Trolley and historically the Ashmont–Mattapan High-Speed Line) is a partially grade-separated light rail line which forms part of the MBTA's Red Line rapid transit line. The line, which runs through Boston and Milton, Massachusetts, opened on August 26, 1929, as a conversion of a former commuter rail line. It exclusively uses PCC streetcars built in the 1940s.^[4] Passengers must transfer at Ashmont to access the rest of the Red Line, which uses heavy rail metro rolling stock.

The trolley's 2.6-mile (4.2 km) route is used only by streetcars and has just two public grade crossings. All stations have low platforms, but all except Valley Road have been retrofitted with wheelchair lifts or wooden ramps for accessibility. Unlike most heritage streetcar lines, it is an integral part of the modern MBTA transit system rather than a tourist attraction. A rebuild of the line for modern light rail vehicles is planned.