The T and its predecessors (Photo 6 of 8) - Pictures

December 1891: A photo submitted by Globe reader John C. Parsons of Dedham in 1964 showed a double-decked street car operated by the West End Railway Co., which ran from North Avenue, Cambridge, to North Stable, afterward known as the North Cambridge barn. The upper deck had a roof, but no sides. The West End Railway founded in 1887 was the preeminent street car system for the Greater Boston area. In 1897, the West End Railway was integrated into the Boston Elevated Railway.

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October 25, 1924: One of the vertical Curtis turbines at the L Street power station in South Boston used to power the elevated railway system. There were three turbines — 15,000 kilowatts each — located in the South Boston Station of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Theses turbines were taken out of service in 1950.

Oct. 25, 1924: One of the vertical Curtis turbines at the L Street power station in South Boston used to power the elevated railway system. There were three turbines — 15,000 kilowatts each — located in the South Boston Station of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Theses turbines were taken out of service in 1950.

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August 2, 1943: On her first trip as conductorette (as they were called at the time), Louise M. Henshon, of Somerville, helped customers from Lake Street to Lechmere Square. Eight conductorettes were hired and trained by the Boston Elevated to ease the manpower shortage brought on by the war. They made history as the first women conductors on the line. A former cosmetic seller, Louise had a brother in the Navy and a fiancee stationed in Guadalcanal.

Aug. 2, 1943: On her first trip as “conductorette,” Louise M. Henshon of Somerville helped customers from Lake Street to Lechmere Square. Eight conductorettes were hired and trained by the Boston Elevated to ease the manpower shortage brought on by the war. They made history as the first women conductors on the line. A former cosmetic seller, Louise had a brother in the Navy and a fiancee stationed in Guadalcanal.

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October 8, 1947: An ultra-modern subway newsstand — constructed with an eye toward more rapid, efficient service — opened on the mezzanine level of the Washington St. / Summer St. Station of the El. Larger display shelves, fluorescent lighting, and attractive neon advertising served to assist customers in purchases. The stand was made of stainless steel, decorated on the lower half with green structural glass.

Oct. 8, 1947: An ultra-modern subway newsstand — constructed with an eye toward more rapid, efficient service — opened on the mezzanine level of the Washington Street / Summer Street Station of the El. Larger display shelves, fluorescent lighting, and attractive neon advertising served to assist customers in purchases. The stand was made of stainless steel, decorated on the lower half with green structural glass.

The Boston Globe |

January 11, 1950: Peggy Matthews of Jamaica Plain inspected the new coin boxes. The new MTA fare increase from 10 cents to 15 cents meant a new open-throat fare box would now be used as substitute for the old dime fare boxes.

Jan. 11, 1950: Peggy Matthews of Jamaica Plain inspected the new coin boxes. The new MTA fare increase from 10 cents to 15 cents meant a new open-throat fare box would now be used as substitute for the old dime fare boxes.

Jack O'Connell/Globe Staff |

August 13, 1963: A Lechmere car had a brief moment in the sun as it passed through an opening in the tunnel near Haymarket Square, where workers tried to complete a new underground route.

Aug. 13, 1963: A Lechmere car had a brief moment in the sun as it passed through an opening in the tunnel near Haymarket Square, where workers tried to complete a new underground route.

Paul Connell/Globe Staff |

June 9, 1969: A woman walked in shadows under the elevated line on Washington Street.

Donald C. Preston/Globe Staff |

January 8, 1971: Foreman Timothy O'Donnell (left) and lineman Francis Fitzgerald (right) were inside the wire car. They were on their way to a section of the subway system where the overhead catenary system, as the trolley wires were called, were in need of repair. The present day Green Line is entirely powered by overhead catenary.

Jan. 8, 1971: Foreman Timothy O'Donnell (left) and lineman Francis Fitzgerald (right) were inside the wire car. They were on their way to a section of the subway system where the overhead catenary system, as the trolley wires were called, were in need of repair. The present day Green Line is entirely powered by overhead catenary.

Carl Pierce/Globe Staff |