Porter
Porter is a deep-level MBTA Red Line Subway Station. It consists of two separate platforms on different levels with the inbound platform above the outbound platform both in the same large tube tunnel with large curving walls. Each track is on the opposite side of each other providing the slightly narrower upper inbound platform with a nice view down to the outbound track. The station is quite deep, the deepest MBTA station at 105 feet below ground. The station platforms have one main entrance of a wide passageway that curves 90 degrees and becomes a long three escalators/stair structure up to a mezzanine area with skylights two stories beneath the street. There is an interesting art installation above the escalators giving the impression of clouds when going up to the street, and depictions of various steam locomotives going down to the subway, using a series of triangular hangings to change the depiction depending upon the directions on the escalator. There is also a single elevator closed for replacement for about a year beginning March 21, 2001, from both platforms up to this mezzanine. From here after going through the faregates passengers can use a staircase and dedicated elevator to reach the Commuter Rail Station on the Fitchburg Line located in a trench just beneath the street, or use the street elevator and staircase up to the main glass station entryway on Massachusetts Avenue just beyond where Summerville Avenue curves off.
Photos 1-20 taken on 27 June, 2011; 21-45: September 21, 2024
