Minuteman
After a frenzy of activity the Keolis carmen, machinists, electricians, laborers, and cleaners have finished their work and the foreman has signed it off and this trainset is all tripped and legal and ready for the start of another day serving the citizens of the commonwealth. Shut down and quiet, it is unplugged and waiting in the still of the night on track PM1 inside the sprawling building of
MBTA's Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, more commonly known as BET, short for Boston Engine Terminal. In just about an hour a machinist will return to start up the engine and light up the HEP and shortly thereafter a crew will board and head east a mile to North Station to start their day.
BET was the name given to the original roundhouse and shop complex that the Boston and Maine Railroad built here during its massive 1926-1932 reconfiguration of the terminal complex that included both the new BET and Boston Garden / North Station amongst many other improvements. The MBTA opened this modern shop in 1998 and no trace of the legacy complex remains today.
It sure is nice, though, to see the Minuteman logo and maroon and gold colors return to this hallowed ground where they once reigned supreme. Recently rebuilt and repainted F40PH-3C 1030 has quickly become a favorite of railfans as the newest and quite possibly prettiest 'heritage' unit to be found just about anywhere!
Somerville, Massachusetts
Tuesday September 23, 2025
Minuteman
After a frenzy of activity the Keolis carmen, machinists, electricians, laborers, and cleaners have finished their work and the foreman has signed it off and this trainset is all tripped and legal and ready for the start of another day serving the citizens of the commonwealth. Shut down and quiet, it is unplugged and waiting in the still of the night on track PM1 inside the sprawling building of
MBTA's Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, more commonly known as BET, short for Boston Engine Terminal. In just about an hour a machinist will return to start up the engine and light up the HEP and shortly thereafter a crew will board and head east a mile to North Station to start their day.
BET was the name given to the original roundhouse and shop complex that the Boston and Maine Railroad built here during its massive 1926-1932 reconfiguration of the terminal complex that included both the new BET and Boston Garden / North Station amongst many other improvements. The MBTA opened this modern shop in 1998 and no trace of the legacy complex remains today.
It sure is nice, though, to see the Minuteman logo and maroon and gold colors return to this hallowed ground where they once reigned supreme. Recently rebuilt and repainted F40PH-3C 1030 has quickly become a favorite of railfans as the newest and quite possibly prettiest 'heritage' unit to be found just about anywhere!
Somerville, Massachusetts
Tuesday September 23, 2025