A 1923 Pullman leaving Wonderland Station during a 1977 blizzard. The pantographs, which are raised prior to exiting the subway, do an impressive job in reducing arcing in ice and snow. In the subway, third rail is used. The East Boston Line is the only Boston line which uses both types of power pickup, with other rapid transit lines using third rail exclusively. It was believed that because the East Boston Extension paralleled the seashore, that the elements here were more of a force to be reckoned with, and thus, catenary was used. It is interesting to note that the extension follows the old right of way of the BRB&L RR, which became electrified in its day. Whether this influenced the MTA to catenary their extension is anybody's guess.

Photographed by Paul Joyce, January, 1977.
Added to the photo archive by Paul Joyce, May 18, 2006.
Railroad: MBTA.

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