Project T Scapes

I have decided to start a new project, which I have dubbed Project T Scapes! My goal is to visit every single stop on the Boston subway system and create a small sketch of whatever I find there. I decided that this project would make sense as a blog all to itself and I am giving tumblr a shot. My T Scape progress can be found at http://sketchboston.tumblr.com/. I likely will not be posting much about this project on this blog because it has its own blog because it really has its own thing going, so be sure to visit Project T Scapes!

Here is a preview: My first stop was the southern end on the E branch of the Green Line, Heath Street. I'm going to go in order, working my way up towards the other end of the Green line.

If you are not from Boston, or are not too familiar with the T, here is a helpful map:

As you can see, the Green line has four separate branches-- B, C, D, and E. Where is the A branch? Does anyone know? Does New York have the copyright to the A Train, such as in the classic Duke Ellington tune? If you were to take an A Train from Boston, I assure you it would not be the quickest way to get Harlem. 

In any case, there is no A branch of the Green line but it is nonetheless the subway line with the most stops, so I will likely do one branch at a time and alternate each of the Green line branches with other color lines so that there is a nice variety as I go.

Other frequently asked questions that I want to answer are:

Q- What medium will you use?

A- I am using markers on paper for this project because first of all, I love them, but also they are colorful, have minimal drying time, and are highly transportable, which are all qualities that are incredibly important for Project T Scapes.

Q- Are there any rules that you have made for yourself, such as you must be able to see the train in the sketch, you must be able to see the station, it must be the view from the station, it must be the first thing you see when you exit the train, etc.?

A- Not really. I just go to each stop and see what holds the most visual interest for me. For stops I have never been to, I need to spend more time taking in my surroundings, but I already have ideas for stations I visit regularly. I really want to capture something unique about each station because each neighborhood has a distinct character.

Q- How long will this take?

A- Well, there are 121 stops by my count and each sketch takes at least 30 minutes so at least 60 hours plus transit time. It will be a long term project. I hope to finish by the end of August but if it takes longer, I will not be too concerned. 

And I leave you with "Take the A Train" because it is a great song and it is stuck in my head now. 

UPDATE:
I learned what happened to the A Branch of the Green Line! It used to cross the Charles River and run north to Watertown but they closed it in 1969 and eventually replaced it with bus routes.