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The Orange Line at one time had elevated
railway lines on its north side (Everett Terminal), and on
its south side (Forest Hills Terminal). The Everett line was demolished in
1975, and the Forest Hills "L" was closed in 1987.
On March 6th 1913, a southbound Forest Hills "L" car jumped a switch
at the Guild Street train yard, just south of Dudley
Street Station. The forward car of the train then struck empty
coaches with significant impact, and came to rest on the ties in a switching
area of the elevated structure. The passengers were thrown from their seats,
but thankfully no one was seriously hurt. The following is quoted from the
March 7th issue of the Boston Globe:
"The Forest Hills train left the Dudley-st Terminal about 8:52 [p.m.].
Preceding it by a small margin was an empty train, which had been run into
the Guild-st yard. Following closely behind, the motorman of the passenger
train did not notice the open switch as he passed the tower house, and
before he was aware of the mistake the trucks of the forward car of the
four-car train had taken the switch and had rounded the curve leading into
the yard. Quickly shutting off the power and applying the brakes, he did
everything within his power to avert the collision.
Notwithstanding the fact that the momentum of the passenger train had
been greatly decreased by the application of the emergency brakes, the
forward car bumped into the rear end of empty train which was standing
still. The sound of the breaking glass in the vestibule of the first car of
the passenger train created consternation, but quiet was quickly restored."
The accident occurred 53 feet above street-level, and the shattered glass
fell onto the street below. The rear wheels of the empty coach were forced
off the track, and came to rest near the third rail. Thankfully, the
operator had reacted quickly in the emergency, as the accident could
have been much worse. The rear 3 cars of the passenger train were detached and brought
back to the main line. The train then continued on to the Forest Hills
destination.
The photo above is from 1975, and was taken from the last car of a
four car train heading to Forest Hills. This view is very near where the
last car of the passenger train would have been in the 1913 accident.
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