Old Colony Lines

Old Colony Lines. The Old Colony Lines are a trio of commuter rail services operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) radiating south from Boston into Southeastern Massachusetts. Named for the historic Old Colony Railroad network, the lines provide vital transit connections to communities along the South Shore and towards Cape Cod. Services terminate at South Station and include the Middleborough/Lakeville, Plymouth, and Kingston branches.

History

The lines trace their origins to the mid-19th century with the construction of railways by the Old Colony Railroad, which later became part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Passenger service on these routes was discontinued in 1959 following the rise of automobile travel and the Interstate Highway System. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, formed in 1964, later restored commuter service, with the Plymouth/Kingston line reopening in 1997 and the Middleborough/Lakeville line following in 2007. This restoration was spurred by population growth, traffic congestion on Route 3, and the environmental remediation of the Boston Harbor. Key historical stations like the Cordage Park facility in Plymouth reflect the area's industrial past tied to maritime trade and New England manufacturing.

Route and stations

The lines share a common trunk from South Station in Boston through South Boston, Dorchester, and Quincy, utilizing the Northeast Corridor and the former Shawmut Branch. At Braintree, the lines diverge; the Middleborough/Lakeville Line proceeds southwest through Holbrook/Randolph and Montello in Brockton, while the Plymouth and Kingston lines head southeast along the Plymouth Branch. Major stations include JFK/UMass, serving the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Quincy Center, a key interchange with the MBTA subway's Red Line. The terminus at Kingston provides a critical park-and-ride link for travelers to Cape Cod, connecting with the CapeFLYER seasonal service and the Steamship Authority ferries to Martha's Vineyard.

Rolling stock

Services are operated with a fleet of diesel-powered locomotives and push-pull coaches, as the lines are not electrified. Primary motive power is provided by HSP-46 locomotives manufactured by Siemens Mobility, which replaced older EMD F40PH and EMD GP40MC units. Passenger cars consist primarily of Bombardier BiLevel coaches, also known as MultiLevel coaches, which offer high capacity for the busy commute into Boston. This equipment is maintained at the MBTA Commuter Rail maintenance facilities, including the Southampton Street Yard and the Greenbush layover facility. The uniform fleet allows for operational flexibility across the Keolis-operated MBTA Commuter Rail system.

Operations and service

The lines operate under a contract managed by Keolis Commuter Services, the private operator for the MBTA Commuter Rail network. Weekday service typically consists of peak-direction trains during rush hours, with more limited service on weekends and holidays. All trains originate or terminate at South Station, connecting passengers to Amtrak's Acela and Northeast Regional services, as well as the MBTA subway and Silver Line bus rapid transit. Fares are integrated into the MBTA's zone-based CharlieCard system. Operations are coordinated with freight carrier CSX Transportation, which retains trackage rights on some sections, and are monitored by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Rail and Transit Division.

Future plans

Several projects aim to enhance the lines' capacity and reliability. A major initiative is the South Coast Rail project, which will extend service from the existing network to Fall River and New Bedford, utilizing portions of the Middleborough/Lakeville Line corridor. Other proposals include adding passing sidings to increase frequency, station upgrades for ADA compliance at locations like Brockton, and potential double-tracking in key segments to reduce delays. Long-term studies have also examined the feasibility of electrification to improve performance and align with the Massachusetts state goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as outlined in the Global Warming Solutions Act.