MBTA Unveils New Train Designs Honoring Historic New England Railroad Companies

The MBTA is renovating some of its Commuter Rail trains to honor the New England region's historic rail lines.

A spokesperson for the transit agency told Boston.com that a train with the Boston and Maine Railroad's logo, featuring a minuteman and the company's distinctive maroon and yellow design, will start service on the Commuter Rail this week. The Boston and Maine Railroad was a leader in the region during the span of approximately 150 years.

The Boston and Maine train design is one of three trains that will bear special designs to honor historic passenger train companies. By the end of this year, two additional trains honoring the New Haven Railroad and the New York Central System Railroad will be placed on the rails, the MBTA confirmed.

Rick Kfoury, the president of the Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society, said the new design for the MBTA's trains “serves as a daily reminder to the general public of the Boston and Maine's massive contributions to New England sociology, economy, and culture since the 1830s,” he said in a statement to Boston.com.

During its peak of operations, the Boston and Maine Railroad covered more than 2,300 miles of tracks from its hub in Boston, connecting Boston with hundreds of cities across New England, according to the society. Its principal shops were in North Billerica and Concord, New Hampshire.

The MBTA noted that its three specially painted trains are the last three of 37 locomotives that will be restored to service following an overhaul, according to the MBTA's spokesperson. Beginning in 2019, F40 trains, introduced initially between 1987 and 1991, were refurbished to “like-new condition,” according to Commuter Rail operator Keolis.

Upgrades for the trains included the addition of remote monitoring and diagnostics. Forward-facing and cab cameras, as well as contemporary brake and control systems, were also included, according to the MBTA.