The Blue Line is the shortest of the subway lines. It also operates the shortest trains due to the constraints made necessary by its history.

The downtown section of the Blue Line is an old trolley tunnel, as streetcars similar to those on the Green Line once ran under the harbor. The outdoor portion of the line runs on what was once a narrow gauge railroad, the Boston, Revere Beach, and Lynn. The heavy rail Blue Line was created by combining the old railroad right-of-way (rebuilding it with standard gauge) with the trolley tunnel, an accomplishment completed in the 1950's.

We start out at Government Center, on the lower level underneath the Green Line platforms. There is one more station west of here called Bowdoin. It is very close, and therefore deemed unnecessary during times other than weekday rush hours. Heavy rail subway cars still use a trolley loop at Bowdoin. Before the 1920's the streetcar tunnel continued out a portal and over the Longfellow Bridge, still used today by the Red Line. There is talk about someday continuing the Blue Line westward to Cambridge, to allow for transfers between the Blue and Red Lines (the only two that do not meet), making it easier to get between Cambridge and Logan Airport.

As we move eastward, keep your eyes open for ghost stations at which the streetcars used to stop. Also note that provisions were made at Government Center to someday extend the platforms should it become possible to run six-car trains.

At State, one can transfer to the Orange Line. This station is located approximately underneath the city's financial district. There used to be a direct access into the Boston Stock Exchange from the eastbound platform.

Aquarium Station is next. Obviously it is near the attraction by the same name. It is also located at the point where the Big Dig project requires the depressed freeway to run underneath the Blue Line. And, should a north-south Rail Link as proposed between North and South Stations ever come to fruition, this would be the station that would have access to a new commuter rail Central Station. Aquarium is also the deepest station in the entire transit system, because it lies just before the point where the line crosses underneath Boston Harbor. Aquarium recently closed for a year while the platforms were lengthened.

Once on the east side of the Harbor, we are now in East Boston. The station at Maverick is the last in the tunnel, and it has an island platform. The former streetcar tunnel ended here, and at this station there was a ramp to allow the cars to travel to the surface. That space is now used for station escalators. You may also notice in the tunnel a small turning loop that the streetcars used to use.

Now outdoors, the next station is Airport. This is Logan International Airport, but we are not on the property of the airport. Free shuttle buses run constantly between this subway station and the various airport terminals.

You will also notice something else that makes this line stand out from the others. At the Airport station our train will transform from third rail to overhead catenary power collection. The rest of the route, while outdoors, will feature the parade of catenary towers. While the pantograph is being raised, we may momentarily lose power.

From here to the end of the line, all of the stations were rebuilt in the past few years. They feature two side platforms, and no access between them.

Just beyond the Orient Heights station, you will see the yard for the Blue Line to your right. We then come upon the first of two sports venues. Suffolk Downs is a popular horse race track.

Revere Beach has its station in a depression. At this point we are only two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. Notice the condominiums, which have transformed what was once a large tourist destination into a more residential area. If you look closely you might see some trolley tracks still in the adjacent streets.

The second station in the city of Revere, and the second sports venue, is Wonderland. Instead of horses, dogs race here. The Blue Line ends here. Everyone must exit, as some trains layover in a storage yard to the north. Trains will change direction outside of revenue territory and then switch to an inbound platform to begin the trip back to Boston.

There has been talk of extending the Blue Line beyond Wonderland. The right-of-way of the old BRB&L still exists, but a bridge is out at the Saugus River. There is also a proposal to reroute the eastern part of the Blue Line to meet the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line in Revere.

We reboard a train at Wonderland and return to Boston. Enjoy the scenic ride.