Boston Street Railway Association
Encyclopedia
The Boston Street Railway Association (BSRA) is a non-profit organization
in Boston, Massachusetts whose central objective is preserving transportation history in Boston and throughout New England
. They host monthly membership meetings, publish a bimonthly transit news magazine
, and are restoring an ex-Boston Type 5 streetcar. They also regularly publish their own books and materials, as well as organize fan trips
on Boston's MBTA and to the Seashore Trolley Museum
in Kennebunkport, Maine
. Funding for the organization is provided primarily through tax-deductible member and individual donations, as well as through grants
and donations from other organizations and groups.
In 2006, the BSRA board of directors
elected William Grimes, former Publications Director and long-time contributor, President Emeritus of the organization. Mr. Grimes died in November, 2007.
Membership in the BSRA is available to anyone around the world, and rates are dependent on age and desired status. Currently, four "levels" of membership are offered: Intermediate (under 18), Regular (over 18), Associate (over 18 with limited benefits), and Subscriber (‘’Roll Sign’’ subscription only). All Intermediate and Regular members receive all BSRA publications as well as Roll Sign by mail at no additional cost. Associate members receive Roll Sign plus a 40% discount on BSRA publications, and Subscribers receive Roll Sign only.
in Boston, Massachusetts. These are open to all members, as well as the general public, and typically consist of a shorter business meeting followed by a longer entertainment presentation.
Entertainment at the meetings typically consists of photo slides
and videos on various topics in public transit, modern and historical, and often covers systems around the country and around the world. Any member or officer is allowed to make a presentation of their materials, provided it is scheduled in advance with the Entertainment Chairman.
s to full-size hardcover
books. Topics generally include historical aspects of Boston's public transit, as well as transit in other New England cities like Providence
and Newport, Rhode Island
, and Fitchburg, Massachusetts
.
Their most recent Bulletin, No. 24, is Boston Transit Equipment: 1979-2009, written by Michael R. Prescott and published in October 2009.
occasional fan trips on Boston's transportation system and other railroad and transit-related locations.
Their most recent fan trip occurred on June 14, 2009, when the association chartered a bus to visit their streetcar, No. 5706, and the Shore Line Trolley Museum
in East Haven, Connecticut
.
Nonprofit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
in Boston, Massachusetts whose central objective is preserving transportation history in Boston and throughout New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. They host monthly membership meetings, publish a bimonthly transit news magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, and are restoring an ex-Boston Type 5 streetcar. They also regularly publish their own books and materials, as well as organize fan trips
Railfan
A railfan or rail buff , railway enthusiast or railway buff , or trainspotter , is a person interested in a recreational capacity in rail transport...
on Boston's MBTA and to the Seashore Trolley Museum
Seashore Trolley Museum
The Seashore Trolley Museum, located in Kennebunkport, Maine, United States, is the world's oldest and largest museum of mass transit vehicles....
in Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,720 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford metropolitan statistical area....
. Funding for the organization is provided primarily through tax-deductible member and individual donations, as well as through grants
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
and donations from other organizations and groups.
Current Officers & Directors
| Bradley H. Clarke | President |
| Thomas Athearn | Vice President & Clerk |
| Tadd Anderson | Secretary |
| Charles Bahne, Jr. | Treasurer |
| Daniel T. Lenihan | Roll Sign Director |
| Michael R. Prescott | Publications Director |
| David F. Harling | Director of Car Restoration |
| Lucius Chiaraviglio | Entertainment Chairman |
| Daniel Cohen Jonathan Belcher |
Directors at Large |
In 2006, the BSRA board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
elected William Grimes, former Publications Director and long-time contributor, President Emeritus of the organization. Mr. Grimes died in November, 2007.
Website
The BSRA maintains a website at thebsra.org. The site displays upcoming monthly meeting topics, information about the Association, and a mail-order and online bookstore.History
The BSRA was founded in 1959, centered around the preservation of Type 5 streetcar #5706, which had been obtained by the founding members. The organization has since become known for its publications, which have covered various aspects of public transportation history around New England and the Boston area, its occasional fan trips on the Boston MBTA's system and other places, as well as for its bimonthly magazine, ‘’Roll Sign’’.Membership in the BSRA is available to anyone around the world, and rates are dependent on age and desired status. Currently, four "levels" of membership are offered: Intermediate (under 18), Regular (over 18), Associate (over 18 with limited benefits), and Subscriber (‘’Roll Sign’’ subscription only). All Intermediate and Regular members receive all BSRA publications as well as Roll Sign by mail at no additional cost. Associate members receive Roll Sign plus a 40% discount on BSRA publications, and Subscribers receive Roll Sign only.
Monthly Meetings
Monthly membership meetings are held at the Grand Lodge of MasonsGrand Lodge of Massachusetts
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, commonly referred to as the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and abbreviated GLMA, is the main governing body of Freemasonry within Massachusetts, and maintains Lodges in other jurisdictions...
in Boston, Massachusetts. These are open to all members, as well as the general public, and typically consist of a shorter business meeting followed by a longer entertainment presentation.
Entertainment at the meetings typically consists of photo slides
Transparency (photography)
In photography, a reversal film is a type of photographic film that produces a positive image on a transparent base. Also known as dias or slide. The film is processed to produce transparencies or diapositives instead of negatives and prints...
and videos on various topics in public transit, modern and historical, and often covers systems around the country and around the world. Any member or officer is allowed to make a presentation of their materials, provided it is scheduled in advance with the Entertainment Chairman.
5706 Restoration
The BSRA owns a Type 5 streetcar, # 5706, which formerly ran in Boston. It is currently undergoing extensive restoration and reconstruction in Guilford, Connecticut. The end goal is to own a fully operational and "like new" Type 5 streetcar, a rarity in modern day. The restoration should be completed in the next few years.Roll Sign
The BSRA publishes Roll Sign bimonthly, and it is mailed to all members in good standing. It generally covers New England transportation news and events in articles and photos, submitted by Roll Sign staff and BSRA members. Recently, the magazine has adopted full color printing for most of its issues, after remaining black and white for most of its existence.Publications
The BSRA produces publications, or "Bulletins", on a regular basis. These range in size from smaller bookletBooklet
Booklet may refer to:* A small book or group of pages* Postage stamp booklet, made up of one or more small panes of postage stamps in a cardboard cover...
s to full-size hardcover
Hardcover
A hardcover, hardback or hardbound is a book bound with rigid protective covers...
books. Topics generally include historical aspects of Boston's public transit, as well as transit in other New England cities like Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
and Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, and Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Fitchburg is the third largest city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,318 at the 2010 census. Fitchburg is home to Fitchburg State University as well as 17 public and private elementary and high schools.- History :...
.
Their most recent Bulletin, No. 24, is Boston Transit Equipment: 1979-2009, written by Michael R. Prescott and published in October 2009.
Fan Trips
The BSRA chartersCharters
Charters is a surname and may refer to :* Ann Charters , American professor of English* Charlie Charters , former English rugby union official and sports marketing executive* Frank Charters, , English cricketer...
occasional fan trips on Boston's transportation system and other railroad and transit-related locations.
Their most recent fan trip occurred on June 14, 2009, when the association chartered a bus to visit their streetcar, No. 5706, and the Shore Line Trolley Museum
Shore Line Trolley Museum
The Shore Line Trolley Museum, located in East Haven, Connecticut, is the oldest operating trolley museum in the United States. It was founded to preserve the heritage of the trolley car. The museum includes exhibits on trolley history in the visitors' center and offers rides on restored trolleys...
in East Haven, Connecticut
East Haven, Connecticut
East Haven is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 28,189. The town is just 3 minutes from downtown New Haven...
.
See also
- Seashore Trolley MuseumSeashore Trolley MuseumThe Seashore Trolley Museum, located in Kennebunkport, Maine, United States, is the world's oldest and largest museum of mass transit vehicles....
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation AuthorityMassachusetts Bay Transportation AuthorityThe Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Officially a "body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision" of the...
- Shore Line Trolley MuseumShore Line Trolley MuseumThe Shore Line Trolley Museum, located in East Haven, Connecticut, is the oldest operating trolley museum in the United States. It was founded to preserve the heritage of the trolley car. The museum includes exhibits on trolley history in the visitors' center and offers rides on restored trolleys...