Train departing Boston South Station, 1970s.
Black and white photograph created to promote rail travel to Boston in conjunction with the nation's Bicentennial; image likely dates to 1975 or early 1976.
- Photograph Details
-
- Date Archived:
- October 28, 2014
- Geography:
- Northeast
- Decade:
- 1970s
- Data Format:
- Image
- Download the full-sized version of this photo
Set against the Boston skyline, an Amtrak train departs Boston South Station, the northernmost point on the Northeast Corridor. The back of the station is visible to the far right; behind it appears to be the Federal Reserve Bank Building, which was under construction from 1969 to 1977.
The train is led by SDP40F locomotive No. 600, which wears the Amtrak Phase I paint scheme introduced in 1972. The first locomotive built expressly for Amtrak, the SDP40F was a six axle diesel-electric unit that sported a 3,000 horsepower engine. It was manufactured in 1973 and 1974 by the General Motors Electro-Motive Division.
Diesel-electric power was required on the NEC between New Haven, Conn., and Boston until this portion of the line was electrified as part of the Northeast High-Speed Rail Improvement Project. Electrified service along the entire length of the NEC began on January 31, 2000.
Photographer: Unknown for Amtrak. From the Amtrak Corporate Collection.
