Lansdowne — Local services in Boston

Positioned amidst Boston’s most active development corridor, this transit stop finds itself encircled by soaring construction projects and innovative air rights developments that are redefining the Fenway district. The facility rests immediately adjacent to Interstate 90, where the steady drone of vehicular traffic creates a constant urban backdrop. Located merely steps from Fenway Park’s Gate A entrance, this commuter rail stop serves as a primary access point for baseball enthusiasts and daily travelers. It is important to note that not all train doors open at this station. If you are heading towards South Station, you will want to make sure to wait on the far left side of the inbound platform; if you are headed outbound toward Framingham or Worcester, make sure you're on the far right of the outbound side.

Architecturally, the facility offers partial weather protection while maintaining an airy, open atmosphere that keeps users engaged with the vibrant street life surrounding them. The dual-platform configuration spans two stories, with both staircase and elevator options connecting travelers to eastbound and westbound train services.

This tiered layout maximizes efficiency within the limited space available between major highway infrastructure and the dense Fenway neighborhood. As towering developments continue emerging throughout the district, this rail hub remains central to the area’s ongoing urban evolution.

Keep in mind some guide books and other resources may still refer to give station by its pre-2018 name. Like nearby Jersey Street, Lasdowne formerly bore the name of the Yawkey family, longtime owners of the Red Sox who earned ignominy not merely for trading Babe Ruth to the accursed Yankees and bringing about a nearly century-long curse, but also for being the longest holdout to racial integration in Major League Baseball, refusing to hire African-American players until well after other clubs had followed the lead of the Dodgers. It is fitting that the first piece of public art one sees upon exiting the train is a blue 42, commemorating the pioneering Jackie Robinson. This is directly outside the station in a commemorative art display showcasing the jersey numbers that have been forever retired by both the Red Sox organization and Major League Baseball, creating a tribute to the game’s most...

Overall a good station. Entrances are off Beacon Street and David Ortiz Drive (David Ortiz only to the "Inbound" platform, use overhead bridge to change sides). Train info screens are present throughout the station, and will show upcoming trains, which track trains will arrive on and service changes/disruptions (though it may take a while to read due to how they were designed). Western end of station is covered by pedestrian path ontop so rain isn't usually an issue. Despite CR stops generally having an inbound and outbound track, trains at this station may arrive on the opposite track than usual due to how stations west of here are setup. Look out for track changes before boarding, and watch your train as it arrives to make sure you're on the right platform. From when I went the lighting seemed good enough but I don't know how it is at night. Platforms are accessible for all cars but passengers with a disability should board the western two cars to exit for accessible alighting at all accessible stops except South Station and Boston Landing (and soon Natick Center...

On one hand, this station provides excellent access to Back Bay and South Station from Fenway if you want to avoid the (frequently suspended) Green Line, via the inbound Worcester & Framingham lines.

On the other hand? Avoid the elevators if at all possible. These are frequently used as shooting places for heroin/meth/fentanyl addicts who commonly leave their drug waste on the floor. Used syringes, glassware, feces and urine, unconsumed drugs, and other lovely sources of bloodborne pathogens abound.

If you see the above, call the MBTA Transit Police routine call number to report for cleaning. Do not take small children or pets into the elevators. Do not confront homeless or addicts using the elevators as shelter or shooting places.

I hope big pharmacy enjoys the misery they have caused....