Want To Buy An Old MBTA Trolley? Now's Your Chance

NEWTON, MA — Feeling nostalgic as the MBTA works to replace old MBTA Green or Orange Line cars and wish you could just preserve one for posterity? Well, now's your chance. They're going to the highest bidder this week in Newton.

When a MBTA car is beyond repair, they sell them at auction, in accordance with public procurement laws, according to MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo.

"Usually for the scrap metal," said Pesaturo.

About 10 years ago, the T disposed of the entire old Blue Line fleet. And in the coming years, the MBTA will also be getting rid of hundreds of Orange and Red Line cars as they are phased out and being replaced by 404 new subway cars.

There are seven light rail cars up for auction. According to the Auction International website they are vintage trolleys made between 1978 and 1990 and retired from Boston's MBTA fleet.

The listing notes that trolleys from Boeing, and Kinkisharyo, as well as a shop-made flat car are included in the sale, which had one bid of $500 as of Friday morning. The site is accepting bids until January 28.

But, buyer beware:

"Salvageable parts have been removed, and are NOT operational. These vehicles are for scrap and are inoperable, these units have sat for at least three years," according to the auctioneer site.

The old cars go up for auction as the MBTA opens up bids for transit vehicle manufacturers to submit proposals for a new fleet - we're talking 165 cars - for the Green Line. This signals a step toward bulking up for the Green Line extension project. The longer cars will serve all four branches of the Green Line and is part of the MBTA's multi-faceted program to transform the Green Line.

Previously: New Green Line Car Picks Up Passengers

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).