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The Charlestown Elevated
By Scott Moore
Photos collection of: George Chiasson (GC), Larry Mills (LM), & George Haddad (GH)
Click here to see a map of the Charlestown El!
Everett Station
Everett station was the first leg of the proposed Malden Extension. However, the station was not placed on the site originally proposed. The proposed site was adjacent to the parcel that was used for the Everett Shops, the MBTA's major repair facility for buses and rail vehicle components.
Everett station as built was a temporary station in 1918, and opened in 1919. Outside hopes of completing the extension were held until the 1930s, after which the realization that this would be the northern terminal for the Main Line became a reality. Because of its "temporary" nature, Everett lacked all of the amenities of the other stations along the line. Everett simply was put in place to act as a transfer point, easing some of the demand on Sullivan Square, and gave the El the ability of using the Mystic River Drawbridge that it had constructed in preparation for the route to Malden. As seen in some of the images, transfers to and from buses were easily made.
In the early 1960s, Everett station was closed on nights and weekends. The move was primarily a cost saving measure. During these times, trains would terminate at Sullivan Square, and all bus routes were extended down Alford Street to Sullivan Square. This operation remained in effect until the El was closed.
Very little of the Everett station exists. Most of the station area has been left as vacant lots. A recent Honda dealership has sprung up on the station site, and another building was built near the old tail-tracks. The old right-of-way to the station has been renewed, with the exception of the Mystic River draw, where the granite supports for the El are still in place. Two bents were left in place to support a cable crossing, which has now been eliminated. The only other piece of El history in the area of the Everett station is "The Last Stop Cafe" located across the street from where the station used to be.
An outbound train crosses the Mystic River Draw. (LM)
Another outbound train, just after the draw bridge. Remember Allegheny Airlines? (LM)
Looking toward Everett just past the draw. (LM)
Another outbound train. (LM)
An inbound train passes over the Everett Shops storage yard. Here we are looking toward Sullivan Square, and below the El are a myriad of GM "old look" buses ready for the scrap dealer. The orange buses were acquired from the old MTA, while the green buses were from the Eastern Mass. Street Railway, which the MBTA absorbed in 1968. A lone Pullman trackless trolley sits opposite the buses. (GC)
Another inbound train climbs onto the structure at Everett. (GC)
An outbound train enters Everett station. Note the cross-platform transfer to the buses. (GC)
An inbound train departs Everett. The bus loop for the inbound side can be seen in the background. (LM)
A view of Everett station from the inbound platform looking toward the tail-tracks. Its easy to see that Everett station was "nothing special" compared to the other stations on the El at the time. (GC)
An inbound train awaits orders to proceed. (LM)
The Everett tail-tracks. After the train emptied its passengers on the outbound platform, the trains would run empty to this point to change ends. This maneuver is only done at Wonderland and Ashmont stations today. Other terminals have center platforms allowing the train crews to change ends in the station. (LM)
A sight that you will not see at the Everett Shops again. Green Line PCC cars mix with 01100s while waiting for heavy repair work. The Orange Line had a switch just before entering the Everett station that allowed the 01100s access to the main shop. All other vehicles, except buses, were transported on a flat-bed truck. This practice ended in 1975, and now Everett only works on components for the MBTA's rail vehicles. Note the rail and the overhead wire for the transfer table that used to ferry the cars from bay to bay. (GC)
Its April 4, 1975 and the last train prepares to leave Everett. During the day, much of the equipment that was stored at Sullivan Square was moved over the El and through the tunnel to Forest Hills. Any equipment that was not going to be used for the next several months was trucked to the still incomplete Wellington Shop. By the time this train arrived at Haymarket, MBTA crews had already disconnected the outbound track up to the El. Orange Line service ran to Haymarket for the weekend, and the following Monday, the Haymarket North Extension was opened to Sullivan Square. (LM)
The Mystic River Draw has been demolished. The granite bases for the El are still in the river, as well as two bents that were retained for a cable crossing. The image on the left shows the old bus garage, and what is today the front of the new garage.