Romanticizing the MBTA is pretty hard to do when we’re constantly faced with delays and breakdowns. Yet, the picturesque 1940s Mattapan Trolley lends itself to a romanticized portrait of fall. Literally! Just check out the snapshot below.
The juxtaposition of peak foliage with this antique orange line trolley creates the most iconic snapshot of fall in Boston. While we appreciate scenic foliage train rides, this one might be prettier if you’re off the train.
What’s the secret behind this Mattapan Trolley picture?
Aligned with spooky season, this iconic picture is best captured from inside Cedar Grove Cemetery in Dorchester. The trolley travels under a bridge in the cemetery. The red line depicts the route of the train in relation to Cedar Grove Cemetery.
According to the Mattapan Trolley schedule, new trains travel inbound every 7 minutes, so if you time it right, you’ll have a few chances to capture the portrait. The stop on the train is also called Cedar Grove, on the Ashmont/Mattapan orange line, should you use it to commute in and out.
When is peak foliage in Boston?
Another timing aspect to look into is the foliage! That’s when you’ll get a contrast of yellow leaves, plus a bed of leaves on the ground to add to the scene. Boston is slated to peak the last week of October into the first week of November, so you get the prettiest leave contrast around November 4.
So, next time you see this shot on your feed, you’ll know exactly where and how it was captured!