Dorchester Illustration no. 2385 Subway Collision at Ashmont
Subway Trains derailed at Ashmont, October 19, 1949
Problems with rapid transit are not new. The photo taken by Herbert Stier was published Oct. 19, 1949, by the Boston Traveler with caption: Derailment – These two Cambridge-bound MTA trains collided at a cross-over track in the Ashmont station relay yard, Dorchester, today. A trackless trolley shuttle service was put into effect at Field’s Corner Station, Dorchester, to Ashmont. Rapid transit service was expected to be restored by tonight’s rush hour.
The Boston Globe reported, October 19, 1949:
Two M.T.A. Trains Derailed in Ashmont Crash, None Hurt
Two empty M. T. A. trains collided in the turning area at Ashmont Station today, derailing a car on each train and tying up traffic between Ashmont and Cambridge.
The M. T. A. said no one was injured.
The collision and derailment took place at 10:10 a. m. Power between Ashmont and Fields Corner was shut off until 10:39, and tunnel trains ran during the late forenoon only between Fields Corner and Cambridge.
In explaining how the accident occurred, an M. T. A. spokesman said that one two-car train was on the eastbound dead end track in charge of motorman John G. Starling, 1265 Broadway, West Somerville.
On a relay track to the left was another two-car train drive by motorman John L. Stuart of 4 Iroquois Road, Arlington.
The first car of Starling’s train struck the first car of Stuart’s train, the M. T. A. said. As a result the first car on Stuart’s train was tipped off the tracks to the left, and the first car on Sterling’s train was derailed to the right.
Two east bound tunnel trains were reversed and sent westward at Andrew Station and one trains was turned back from Shawmut Station.
Trackless trolleys operated between Fields Corner and Ashmont.
Later Stuart was said by the M. T. A. to have proceeded against a red light and was indefinitely suspended.
M. T. A. officials said they hoped service through to Ashmont would be restored in time for the home going rush hour.