Time to retrace our steps once more. We will take any inbound Red Line train, and go just two stops to Porter Square.
At Porter Square, we will ascend a rather long escalator (55 vertical feet). You may find interesting the gloves (which look like they were left behind from construction) on the ledge of the center escalator. This is the deepest station on the system; the escalator will be reminiscent of some on the Washington Metro. Once up at the top, we will have some down time for possible rest room or food breaks, before continuing on the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line.
The commuter rail station at Porter Square has access from the street above, as well as through a short concourse leading to the fare collection area of the adjacent Red Line station. Some extra time has been scheduled here, so that Fest participants may use the rest rooms in the small shopping mall in One Porter Square, or get a small snack at the many fast food places and convenience stores in the general area. By 11:10 AM, we should be downstairs on the platform awaiting our 11:15 departure.
This is a short, 11-minute trip back to North Station. Although we are technically riding only within the city fare zone, this line runs out to Fitchburg, which is as far west as Worcester on the Framingham-Worcester Line out of South Station. Commuter service once went even further, to Gardner, but has been terminating in Fitchburg for about a decade and a half. Some trains, like the one we are on, short-turn at South Acton.
What you will see on this trip is suburbia, a mix of industrial, commercial, and residential areas. Before this line merges with the other North Side lines for the final jog into North Station, we will pass the MBTA's Boston Engine Terminal on the left side.
Amidst the mess of freeway overpasses under construction as part of the Big Dig project, we curve to the south and approach North Station.
The DOWNEASTER consist should be sitting in North Station upon our arrival, preparing for today's 12:00 noon departure for Portland.
If there are any events taking place at the Fleet Center, there is a good chance that both the train we are riding, and North Station, are very crowded with families.
From here we will head for the subways to return to South Station.