SUBWAY TRIVIA
1) What are the three divisions of the NYC subway system and what do they stand for?
The three divisions of the NYC subway system are the IRT (Interboro Rapid Transit), the BMT (Brooklyn, Manhattan Transit), and the IND (Independent).
2) What trains go to what divisions now-a-days?
The , , , , , , , and (42nd street shuttle) are part of the IRT division, the , , , , , , , and (Franklyn Ave shuttle) are part of the BMT division. The , , , , , , , and (Rockaway shuttle) are part of the IND division.
1, 2, 3 N, R A, C, E
4, 5, 6 Q, W S
7 J, Z B, D, F, M
S L, S G
3) Was the IRT the first to designate numbers to their trains?
No, it was the BMT, originally known as the BRT (Brooklyn Rapid Transit) The BMT labeled their trains 1 to 16 from 1924 until 1967. There was also an unofficial BMT #17 train linking the Fulton street el with the Manhattan side of the Canarsie line. Most of the numbers were eliminated as els were being demolished, lines got phased out, or some lines merged with others. The existing lines eventually became part of the letter system very gradually.
THE BROOKLYN, FLATBUSH AND CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD
ELECTRIFIED 1896
1a, 1b, & 1c TRAINS
TODAY'S AND TRAINS
THE FOURTH AVE SUBWAY
ALWAYS HAD ELECTRIC SINCE 1915
2 TRAIN
TODAY'S TRAIN
THE BROOKLYN, BATH, AND CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD
3a & 3b TRAINS
THE NEW YORK AND SEA BEACH RAILROAD
THE PROSPECT PARK AND CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD
partially demolished 1980s. remnants are TODAY'S TRAIN
THE FIFTH AVE EL
ELECTRIFIED JULY 3, 1899
Third Ave el became part of the Gowanus Expressway 1940s - present, Fifth Ave el demolished 1940s
THE BROOKLYN, FLATBUSH, AND CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD
THE ASTORIA EL
ALWAYS HAD ELECTRIC WHEN ALSO SERVING SECOND AVE EL #3 TRAIN 1917 - 1942 and BMT #8 TRAIN 1924 - 1949
THE FLUSHING EL
TODAY'S IRT TRAIN
THE MYRTLE-QUEENS BLVD SUBWAY
10 TRAIN
THE MYRTLE AVE EL
partially demolished 1970s
THE LEXINGTON AVE EL
totally demolished 1950s
THE KINGS COUNTY ELECTRIC RAILWAY
mostly demolished 1940s/50s. Remnants are TODAY'S TRAIN AND RECENTLY TRAIN AT ATLANTIC AVE
THE PARK AVE EL
REMNANTS OF THE STRUCTURE WERE KEPT AND ELECTRIFIED JULY 1, 1900
14 AND 15 TRAINS
THE BROOKLYN ELEVATED RAILROAD
partially demolished 1980s. Remnants are TODAY'S AND TRAINS
THE BROOKLYN AND ROCKAWAY BEACH RAILROAD
ELECTRIFIED JULY 28, 1906
THE 14st FULTON
phased out service
4) How did the use of letters come into play for the BMT?
Probably because the IND company designated their trains from A to H, so the BMT picked up with J to Z as they started getting absorbed into the IND network of tracks. Additionally, the BMT couldn't use numbers anymore because the BMT was starting to overlap with the IRT. For example, the IRT train in Flushing would be confused with the BMT #7 train on the Franklyn Ave shuttle. Therefore, the BMT uses letters since it shares trackage with some IND lines and the IRT uses numbers.
Today's S train, aka BMT #7, along the Franklyn Ave shuttle, 1960s
5) Why did the BRT become the BMT?
The BRT went bankrupt as a result of a motorman's mistake on the Franklyn Ave shuttle . Back in 1918, the shuttle was the thru service between the Brighton line and Fulton st el. The motorman was placed on this line due to a subway strike and unfortunately was unfamiliar with this route. He drove the train so fast down a curve that the wooden subway cars got smashed up killing 98 people. This was the worst subway accident in history known as the Malborne st wreck. This happened on November 1, 1918. As a result to all of this, Malborne st was changed to Empire Blvd to try to erase a bad memory. In addition, the BRT went bankrupt and was reorganized as the BMT. Wooden cars were never allowed to be used again, particularly in the subways and shortly after the disaster, the Brighton line was severed from the Fulton st el and the remaining stub of the Brighton line became the Franklyn Ave shuttle. Some 50 to 60 years later, the train jumped the track in the same very location as that disaster!
Franklyn Ave shuttle accident in the 1970s
6) What did QB, QT, and TT really stand for?
QB MEANT Q TRAINS GOING OVER THE MANHATTAN BRIDGE
QT MEANT Q TRAINS GOING THROUGH THE MONTEGUE ST TUNNEL
TT MEANT T TRAINS THAT WERE LOCAL USING THE MONTEGUE ST TUNNEL
7) What was the first monorail system in the world?
The first monorail system in the world was the Boynton Bicycle Railroad invented by Eben M Boynton back in 1852. He ran an exhibition of the Bicycle Railroad in 1890 on the abandoned tracks of the Sea Beach and Brighton Beach Railway (leased from the New York and Sea Beach Railroad Company) from Gravesend to Coney Island in Brooklyn. It was a steam powered locomotive running with one immense driving wheel eight feet in diameter, on a single rail, and kept in an upright position by wheels running on each side of a guide rail above. Although Boynton's invention fascinated many scientists and engineers of his day, he was never able to garner enough backing to expand beyond his small demonstration line in Brooklyn from Boynton Place to Surf Ave / Ocean Parkway via West third street.
The Boynton Bicycle Railroad, Brooklyn 1890 - 1892
8) What were the four subway services using the Nassau street loop?
Culver - Nassau Express 5/30/1931 - 6/1/1940 (BMT #5a) Chambers - Stillwell Ave
West End - Nassau Express 5/30/1931 - 1968 (BMT #3b) Chambers - Bay Parkway
Bankers Special via Brighton Beach 1934 - 11/27/1967 (M) Chambers - Brighton Beach
Bankers Special via Fourth Ave 1934 - 11/27/1967 (M) Chambers - 95th street
9)What services did these Nassau street loop lines evolve into throughout the years?
CULVER - NASSAU EXPRESS
(BMT #5a)
CHAMBERS - STILLWELL AVE
(BMT #5)
6/1/1940 - 10/30/1954
9th AVE - STILLWELL AVE
10/30/1954 - 5/28/1959
CHAMBERS - DITMAS AVE
9th AVE - DITMAS AVE
WEST END - NASSAU EXPRESS
(BMT #3b)
CHAMBERS - BAY PARKWAY
TIMES SQUARE - BAY PARKWAY
BANKERS SPECIAL via BRIGHTON BEACH
1934 - 11/27/1967
CHAMBERS - BRIGHTON BEACH
168th JAMAICA - STILLWELL AVE
168th JAMAICA - BROAD
121st JAMAICA - BROAD
12/11/1988 - PRESENT
JAMAICA CENTER - BROAD
BANKERS SPECIAL via FOURTH AVE
CHAMBERS - 95th STREET
168th JAMAICA - 95th BAY RIDGE
CHAMBERS - 95th BAY RIDGE
10) What were the four original steam powered els in Manhattan?
THE METROPOLITAN ELEVATED RAILWAY
SECOND AVE EL
THE NEW YORK ELEVATED COMPANY
THIRD AVE EL
THE GILBERT RAILROAD
SIXTH AVE EL
THE HARVEY RAILROAD
NINTH AVE EL
11) Explain the routes of these Manhattan els?
All Manhattan els began at an elevated terminal called South Ferry riding the full length of Manhattan, 1868 - 1955. Some went to the Bronx, others went to Queens. None of the Manhattan els ever went to Brooklyn. (Likewise, all the Brooklyn els never went further than an elevated northern terminal called Park Row in Manhattan.)
The Third Ave el went all the way to Bronx Park by 1901 as a steam powered el. It was electrified April 1, 1903, leased to the IRT and further extended four more stops in 1917 to join the White Plains Road el at a double decker station, Gun Hill Road (today's and trains). The Third Ave el was on the lower level, known as the train 1967 - 1973, (lower level of Gun Hill Road station still exists but abandoned).
The Second Ave el electrified in 1903, was leased to the IRT, and extended into the Southern Blvd and Westchester Ave els in 1917 (today's and trains) in the Bronx. It additionally crossed the Queensboro bridge to today's Queensboro Plaza, a double decker train station. North of there, it continued onto the Astoria el in 1917 (today's and trains) and Flushing el in 1916 (today's train).
The Sixth and Ninth Ave els were electrified in 1903, leased to the IRT, and extended into the Jerome Ave el in 1918 (today's train) in the Bronx. The extension was known as the Sedgewick connection and STILL exists today. This section of track became known as the Polo Grounds shuttle until it phased out in 1958.
The Second Ave el crossing the Queensboro bridge to the Astoria and Flushing els, 1940s
12) What were the seven predecessor steam powered els in northern Brooklyn?
partially demolished 1970s REMNANTS ARE PART OF THE TRAIN
ELECTRIFIED IN 1899
mostly demolished 1940s -50s. REMNANTS ARE PART OF THE TRAIN AND RECENTLY PART OF TRAIN AT ATLANTIC AVE
(totally demolished 1950s)
REMNANTS ARE PART OF THE AND TRAINS
Broadway Junction, East New York during the 1970s
13) Which elevated train station is nearest to all three divisions of the NYC subway system?
Queensboro Plaza station is nearest to all three divisions simultaneously. The IRT line and the BMT and trains are on the double decker elevated structure. Directly below the el is the IND division's , , , and trains with their own separate train station called Queens Plaza. When the IRT, BMT, and IND were separate competing companies, the IND was supposed to have rendered the el obsolete, but instead they co-exist!
The Flushing el IRT #7 train, 1990s
14) When were parts of the Jamaica el torn down and why?
Parts of the Jamaica el and were torn down during the 1980s prior to its present connection to Archer Ave and Jamaica Center. The connection was begun in 1969 but finally opened in 1989. The elevated structure beyond 121th street was abandoned because business owners didn't want it there anymore. Ironically enough, they lost a lot of business when the el was gone.
15) Where did the M train go throughout the years?
1/2/1973 - 4/26/1986 Metropolitan Ave - Stillwell Ave via Brighton line
4/26/1986 - 1987 Metropolitan Ave - 95th street via Fourth Ave subway
1987 - 6/25/2010 Metropolitan Ave - Bay Parkway via West End el
6/25/2010 - present Metropolitan Ave - 71 Continental Ave
16) When was the train on Sixth Ave and why?
When the Manhattan Bridge was in a state of disrepair throughout the 1980s and 1990s, many train lines had to be re-routed. As a result, the train (colored orange) has been on Sixth Ave throughout the years. The chart below will show this:
QB via BROADWAY
1959 - 4/6/1962
57th STREET - STILLWELL AVE
DITMARS - STILLWELL AVE
via BROADWAY
via SIXTH AVE
12/12/1988 - 9/1989
9/1989 - 10/30/1989
207th STREET - STILLWELL AVE
QUEENSBRIDGE - STILLWELL AVE
STILLWELL - 57TH STREET while shuttle went from 57th street to Queensbridge 2/22/1998 - 5/22/1999
57th STREET - BRIGHTON BEACH
6/25/2010 - 12/2016
1/1/2017 - present
96th / SECOND AVE - STILLWELL AVE
17) Explain the and switch between the Astoria el and Queens Blvd subway?
The and switched routes over the years to make it more convenient for the drivers of the trains. The was brought to the Queens Blvd line so the trains can go directly to the train yard in Queens. And the has always gone to the Ave X shop in Coney Island. The way it's arranged today makes more sense. Below is the evolution of the two lines northern terminals:
BMT #4
TIMES SQUARE - STILLWELL AVE
1959 - 8/27/1976 (renamed 4/1961)
11/27/1967 - 8/27/1976 via Queens Blvd (replaced by
71 CONTINENTAL - WHITEHALL
8/27/1976 - 5/24/1987 via Queens Blvd
71 CONTINENTAL - STILLWELL AVE
5/24/1987 - present via Astoria el
57TH STREET - 95th BAY RIDGE
8/1/1920 - 10/17/1949 via Astoria el
QUEENSBORO PLAZA - 95th BAY RIDGE
10/17/1949 - 1/1/1961 via Astoria el (renamed 1961)
DITMARS - 95th BAY RIDGE
1/1/1961 - 11/27/1967 via Queens Blvd
71 CONTINENTAL - 95th BAY RIDGE
11/27/1967 - 5/24/1987 via Astoria el
12/11/1988 - 1989 via Queens Blvd
179th STREET - 95th BAY RIDGE
1989 - 2000 via Queens Blvd
5/2000 - 8/2000 via Queens Blvd
ARCHER AVE - 95th BAY RIDGE
9/2000 - present via Queens Blvd
18) When was the IRT built?
It was built in 1900 and finished by 1904. The original route began from the Lexington Ave line , , at City Hall, turned left using today's 42nd street shuttle and continued north along the Seventh Ave and Broadway sections , until it reached Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. (Most people mistake the IRT for being the first subway in Manhattan, but that credit goes to the Pneumatic subway system, built in 1869 and abandoned 1873.)
19) What were the eight original steam powered surface railroads in southern Brooklyn?
TODAY'S , , TRAINS
THE NEW YORK AND BRIGHTON BEACH RAILROAD
TRACKS WENT FROM LOCUST GROVE (Cropsey Ave & 23rd st area), ALONG MARSHLANDS ADJACENT TO 86th STREET TO SHELL ROAD AND AVE X. THEN IT TURNED SOUTH ON W 3 ST TO SURF AVE / OCEAN PARKWAY 1880 - 1881
TRAINS NEVER RAN ON THIS BRANCH BECAUSE OF QUESTIONABLE BRIDGE CONDITIONS FROM THE START
RENAMED THE SEA BEACH AND BRIGHTON BEACH RAILROAD FROM 86TH STREET JUNCTION AT AVE W TO OCEAN PARKWAY / SURF AVE 1886 - 1887
PORTIONS OF THIS RAILROAD WERE USED AS THE EXPERIMENTAL BOYNTON BICYCLE RAILWAY FROM BOYNTON PLACE TO OCEAN PARKWAY / SURF AVE, BRIGHTON BEACH VIA W 3 ST 1890 - 1892
THE MANHATTAN BEACH RAILROAD
ELECTRIFIED ALONG BAY RIDGE BRANCH FOR FREIGHT PURPOSES IN 1927 - 1969
MANHATTAN BEACH BRANCH USED FOR FREIGHT PURPOSES 1900 - 1937 UNTIL BEING TORN UP TO BECOME EAST 17 ST
THE SURF AVE TROLLY
(abandoned 12/1/1946)
THE NORTONS POINT RAILROAD
Steam locomotive used on the old Brooklyn, Bath, and Coney Island Railroad 1860s
20) Out of all the eight original steam powered surface railroads in southern Brooklyn, which three became els later on?
THE PROSPECT PARK AND CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD 6/19/1875
THE SURFACE TRACKS BECAME A FREIGHT SERVICE ALONG McDONALD AVE AND VICINITY 1912 UNTIL THE 1980s
THE SURFACE TRACKS BECAME A TROLLY LINE (ROUTE #50) ALONG McDONALD AVE AND VICINITY 1916 - 10/31/1956
THE SURFACE TRACKS MAY STILL BE UNDER THE ASPHALT OF McDONALD AVE AND VICINITY. CURRENT EL OPENED IN 1919
THE BROOKLYN, BATH, AND CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD 1864
THE SURFACE TRACKS BECAME A TROLLY LINE (ROUTE #38) ALONG HARWAY AVE AND VICINITY 1917 - 6/28/1947
THE SURFACE TRACKS MAY STILL BE UNDER THE ASPHALT OF HARWAY AVE AND VICINITY
THE CURRENT WEST END EL OPENED IN 1916
THE BROOKLYN, FLATBUSH, AND CONEY ISLAND RAILROAD 7/2/1878
ORIGINAL SURFACE TRACKS WERE SCRAPPED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CURRENT BRIGHTON EL IN 1917
THE ONLY EVIDENCE OF THE ORIGINAL SURFACE RAILROAD IS THE AVE H TRAIN STATION HOUSE
THE FRANKLYN AVE SHUTTLE WAS THE ORIGINAL REMNANT OF THE SURFACE ROUTE TOO UNTIL IT WAS REVITALIZED IN 1999
Today's Q train, aka BMT #1, along the Brighton line back in the 1960s
21) Out of all the eight original steam railroads in southern Brooklyn, which three went underground as kind of a subway?
THE NEW YORK AND SEA BEACH RAILROAD 7/18/1877
THE ORIGINAL SURFACE TRACKS WERE SCRAPPED SO THEY COULD DIG A DITCH TO BUILD THE CURRENT SEA BEACH LINE IN 1913
THE ONLY EVIDENCE OF THE ORIGINAL SURFACE ROUTE IS NEAR THE 59st AREA WHERE THE N TRAIN MEETS THE FOURTH AVE SUBWAY
THE ORIGINAL SURFACE TRACKS WERE SCRAPPED SO THEY COULD DIG A DITCH TO BUILD PROSPECT PARK TO NEWKIRK STATIONS IN 1918
THE MANHATTAN BEACH RAILROAD (Bay Ridge branch)1876
THE ORIGINAL SURFACE TRACKS WERE SCRAPPED SO THEY COULD DIG A DITCH TO BUILD THE CURRENT BAY RIDGE BRANCH FROM 1903 - 1918
BAY RIDGE BRANCH ABANDONED IN 1969 BUT NOW PART OF THE NEW YORK AND ATLANTIC RAILWAY 1997 - PRESENT
The old Sea Beach and Coney Island Railroad, 1880s
22) Out of all the eight original steam powered surface railroads in southern Brooklyn, which four had short lives and never became part of today's subway system?
THE MANHATTAN BEACH RAILROAD 1876
IT WENT FROM 65th STREET BAY RIDGE to MANHATTAN BEACH HOTEL 1876 - MAY 14, 1924
THE MANHATTAN BEACH BRANCH WAS USED FOR FREIGHT PURPOSES FROM 1900 TO 1937 UNTIL BEING TORN UP TO BECOME EAST 17 ST
BAY RIDGE BRANCH WAS ELECTRIFIED FOR FREIGHT PURPOSES IN 1927 - 1969
THE NORTONS POINT RAILROAD 1916
IT WENT FROM STILLWELL AVE TO SEA GATE AS A TROLLY 1916
RAN BETWEEN SURF & MERMAID AVES AS A TROLLY (ROUTE #83) IN 1916
ABANDONED SERVICES 11/7/1948
EVIDENCE OF ORIGINAL TRACKS UNDER W 37 ST ASPHALT
THE SURF AVE TROLLY 1879
WENT FROM CULVER TERMINAL W5ST AND SURF AVE TO SEA GATE 1879
IT TRAVELED FROM W 37 ST ALONG SURF AVE TO THE CULVER TRACKS ALONG McDONALD AVE
BECAME A TROLLY SERVICE (ROUTE #36) FROM 1916 TO 12/1/1946
EVIDENCE OF ORIGINAL TRACKS UNDER W 37 ST ASPHALT AND WITHIN THE SEA GATE COMMUNITY
23) What was the last running trolly service in Brooklyn and the whole entire city?
The McDonald Ave trolly was the last running line from 1916 - 10/31/1956. These tracks were the original Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad tracks 1875 - 1916 and shared by the LIRR from 1885 - 1899 to eastern Long Island. The tracks were also used to deliver new subway equipment to the Ave X subway shop until the 1980s but the right of way has been used for vehicular traffic since the 1960s. The original tracks are STILL under the asphalt.
The old McDonald Ave trolly parked in Coney Island, 1950s
24) Will trolly cars be making a comeback to Brooklyn?
Hopefully so! As a train enthusiast I'd personally like to see it happen. But of course, politics always makes things happen many decades later or not at all. Below is a proposed map of what they would like to re-create using existing trolly tracks from more than 100 years ago as well as adding new tracks on avenues that 'never' had trolly service. As you can see from the map, the trolly lines mostly go in an east - west direction crossing the existing subway and el services which go mostly north -south. Additionally, all trolly stops will be directly near the existing subway and el stops so passengers could continue their journeys to other parts of the city.
The proposed trolly map for Brooklyn, 2009
25) Is it true the MTA took away the train and merged it with the ?
It was a possibility of happening as early as 2009. In 2010, the MTA discovered it was confronting a financial crisis; many of the same service cuts threatened just months earlier during a previous budget crisis were revisited, including the ending of rush-hour service. One of the newest proposals was merging the with the and creating a new line. As of 3/19/2010, it was decided from public outcry they want to keep the letter M because it's been used for 50 years. As a result, the brown was changed to an orange !
26) How do the two lines connect?
An old set of tracks from 1968 called the Chrystie Street connection is being used again. It's an unused connection between the BMT Nassau Street Line and the IND Sixth Avenue Line. From this, the no longer serves its current terminus, Second Avenue. Instead, the leaves Broadway - Lafayette Street and serves the current line stations from Essex Street in Manhattan to Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. (In a way, this is similar to what the train was from 1968 - 1976; a combination of the Sixth Ave subway with the Jamaica el, only now there's the added bonus of going further along the Myrtle Ave el and tie in with the Queens Blvd subway from the Sixth Ave side!)
27) What's the benefit of this?
The MTA determined this move would actually benefit riders. Approximately 17,000 weekday riders use the to reach its stations in lower Manhattan, whereas 22,000 weekday riders transfer from the to other lines to reach destinations in midtown Manhattan. This proposal would also benefit and riders because with the merger of the and the , the wouldn't have to be removed as part of the service cuts, ending skip-stop service along the BMT Jamaica Line and turning the fully local. Finally, this merger would open up new travel options for northern Brooklyn and Queens , , and riders allowing direct and more convenient access to areas that are not currently served by those routes, such as midtown Manhattan. Also, this service change would give the train the title of being the only non-shuttle route to have both of its terminals in the same borough, Queens.
28) When did the LIRR ever go through southern Brooklyn to Coney Island?
The LIRR used the Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad tracks on McDonald Ave from 1885 - 1899 to bring Long Islanders to Coney Island. It also used the Manhattan Beach Railroad along today's East 17th street from 1878 - 1905, later along todays Brighton line from 1905 until 5/14/1924. These lines were part of the Manhattan Beach Division of the LIRR.
29) When did the LIRR ever go to the Rockaways in Queens?
The Rockaway branch of todays train was part of the Long Island Railroad's, "Brooklyn and Rockaway Beach Railroad", 1865 - 1956. From 1913 - 1916, the LIRR had a very brief service from Chambers street on the and trains, over the Williamsburg bridge to the Broadway, Jamaica and Fulton el (BMT #13) to the Rockaways as well. As of 1956, the train from the Eighth Ave subway connects to the Rockaways since the LIRR sold the tracks to the NYC subway system.
The Rockaway branch, Queens 1956
30) Before Penn Station was built, how did the LIRR get to Manhattan?
In the mid 1890s, the LIRR entered the el structure near Flatbush Ave terminal, Brooklyn, rode the el above Hudson Ave, switched onto the Myrtle Ave el (part of the former train) and terminated at Sands Street. From Sands, passengers transferred to the New York and Brooklyn Bridge Railway, crossed the Brooklyn Bridge one stop until it reached Park Row in Manhattan since 1940. From there, they were able to switch once again to the IRT City Hall Terminal of the Third Ave el from 1882 - 1953 to the rest of Manhattan and the Bronx. If that wasn't enough, passengers were able to switch 'even' again since 1904 to the current IRT subway , , trains for further travels to Grand Central station, northern Manhattan, the Bronx, and Brooklyn going southeast. Additionally, the BMT Chambers street subway station opened in 1913 allowing access to northern Brooklyn and Queens using the , former , and which is in close proximity to all this. Penn Station finally opened in 1911 for the current LIRR route.
Park Row terminal, Manhattan 1936
31) Was the LIRR supposed to have gone to Grand Central back in 1885?
An East River tunnel was built 2/25/1885 to serve the LIRR into Grand Central but it never happened. The tunnel remained unfinished until 1902 and was later called the Steinway tunnel since it was close to the Steinway piano factory in Queens. On 4/3/1913, the tunnel was purchased from the city and placed under IRT operations for todays train instead.
Grand Central Station, 2005
32) Here is some video footage of Grand Central Station in today's times?
33) Will the LIRR ever go to Grand Central?
Yes it will. Although it didn't work out with the Steinway tunnel back in 1885, plans are currently being made to use a different tunnel to Grand Central. In 1969, a double decker tunnel was built under 63rd street. The upper tunnel brings the train to Roosevelt Island and into Queens. This connection FINALLY opened in 1989. As it turns out, the lower level remains unused to this day; but alas, this unused portion of the 63rd street tunnel will become the new LIRR connection to Grand Central Station after 2017.
34) What train is this riding above the other train?
This is the IRT New Lots Ave train zooming on by over the Canarsie line back in the 1950s. This is the Livonia Ave stop on the train in East New York, Brooklyn.
1950s IRT #3 New Lots Ave train crossing over the BMT Canarsie line - animated by Robert Kopolovicz 2004
35) Where did the EE train go?
The went from Whitehall street to 71st and Continental Ave from 1967 - 1976 when it was phased out in favor of an extended service to 71st and Continental which later became part of today's train.
36) Was the EE train a BMT line or IND?
The original EE train from 4/24/1937 - 7/1/1937 was purely an IND line between the Eighth Ave and Queens Blvd subways.
The train from 1967 - 1976 was a combination of the BMT Broadway subway and IND Queens Blvd subway.
37) Was the V train a BMT line or an IND?
The train was an IND line despite BMT letters running from J to Z.
The train was merged with the train. It became a combination IND Queens Blvd and Sixth Ave subways merged with the BMT Broadway el and Myrtle Ave els. It is NOW known as an orange .
38) Which line got subdivided into two separate lines?
It was the Brighton line that got subdivided from four other train stations which in themselves became the Franklyn Ave shuttle .
This is a view of the Franklyn Ave shuttle, Brooklyn in modern times
39) Why did the Brighton line subdivide?
Originally, the Brighton line was connected to the Fulton street el with access to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. After the Malborne st disaster on November 1, 1918, the Brighton line was severed from the Fulton st el, discontinuing access into Manhattan. A newer connection was implemented for the Brighton using the Fourth Ave subway to the Montegue tunnel and Manhattan bridge to Broadway and later Sixth Ave subways. In addition, the four remaining stations leading towards the Fulton st el became the Franklyn Ave shuttle of today.
40) Did the Culver el have stations beyond Ditmas Ave as an el?
Yes it did. In fact, parts of where the el was chopped off can still be seen today. The two stations we lost were 13th Ave and Ft Hamilton Parkway. They used to connect the Culver with both the Fifth Ave el (BMT #5b train) and the Fourth Ave subway (BMT #5a train) at 9th Ave on the West End line train.
The Culver shuttle during the 1970s
41) If the Culver el wasn't demolished north of Ditmas Ave, what could have been the possibilities?
If the el kept going beyond Ditmas Ave, it would have had access to the Fourth Ave subway's , , and trains. In addition, rather than have the train terminate at Delancy street, it could have gone all the way to Coney Island via the Culver route while co-existing with today's train and even an extended train south of Smith 9th street. While only two stations were demolished on the Culver line, no-one realized what we REALLY lost; EASIER CONNECTIONS!
42) If the IND didn't interfere and all the Manhattan and Brooklyn els were still around, what could have been the possibilities?
Maybe many of the Brooklyn els would still be crossing the Brooklyn Bridge like they used to and connecting with the Second, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Ave els on the way to the Bronx.
The Third Ave el, Manhattan in the 1950s
43) Where is this vintage scene?
This is a street under the Brooklyn Bridge terminal in 1899. A year earlier from this photo, Brooklyn became one of the five boros of the city; it used to be a separate city from Manhattan. Notice the boy trying to sneak a ride on the trolly while the cop isn't looking. Check out that keystone cop uniform and the cobble stone streets!
44) Where was Union Depot?
An artist's rendering of Union Depot, 1890
45) What ever happened to Union Depot?
Union Depot in its last year, 1984
The replacement Jackie Gleason Depot in 1988
46) What were the shortest lived lines on the BMT system?
They were the , , and trains lasting only a few months from 1967 - 1968.
47) Which BMT lines started using letters first?
They were the Brighton line, Fourth Ave subway, West End line, and the Sea Beach line formerly known as the BMT #1, #2, #3, and #4 trains respectively. Later, they were known as the , RR, , and . Later, known as the , , QB, RR, , and . Later again, known as the , , , , and . Today, they are the , , , , and trains respectively.
48) Which predecessor steam powered el was one of the only lines to switch over from numbers to letters and be abandoned only a few years later?
It was the Myrtle Ave el. Originally a steam railroad in its early beginnings, it was electrified and called the BMT #11 train from 1924 until 1966, later to be called the train. Later, portions of the el were abandoned 10/4/1969. (Part of el STILL exists for structural integrety). The current stations between Metropolitan Ave and Myrtle Ave (Broadway) remained as the BMT #10 train, now part of today's line.
49) Which predecessor steam powered els never made it to letter status because they were demolished?
The Fifth Ave el BMT #6 train was abandoned June 1, 1940. Third Ave el portion is part of the Gowanus Expressway since the 1940s.
The Lexington Ave el BMT #12 train was abandoned October 13, 1950.
50) What line did the QJ become?
It became today's train when it was cutback from the Brighton line. The QJ used to go from 168st on the Jamaica el all the way to Coney Island via the Brighton line. Now it goes from its new terminal at Jamaica Center to Delancy street.
51) What proof is there of the elevated trains crossing the Brooklyn Bridge?
Here is some film footage of the els crossing the Brooklyn Bridge in 1899. Too bad this service ended. It would have been another way for trains to cross between Brooklyn and Manhattan besides the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges!
52) Which predecessor steam powered els switched from numbers to letters and still exist?
Today's M train, aka BMT #10, back in the 1960s
53) What part of Manhattan is this?
This is a view of the just completed Ninth Ave el along Columbus Ave and West 84th street in 1879. While lower Manhattan was VERY built up with tenements in Greenwich Village, upper Manhattan still had farms and a sprinkle of shacks here and there. However, the Ninth Ave el made people move from the crowded village to northern Manhattan and eventually the Bronx, thus contributing to the area's development as a city. Upper Manhattan never looked so rustic!
54) When will the Second Ave subway ever be built?
At the rate they're going, not until after today's 30 year olds are old and gray. As of 4/12/2007, there was a ground-breaking ceremony. Word is out that a partial Second Ave subway is on its way. It'll go from 96th street / Second Ave to 63rd street / Second Ave. This project was planned since the 1930s but construction didn't really happen until the 1970s and FINALLY again in the Spring of 2006! My girlfriend's brother-in-law was actually one of the tunnel diggers. It FINALLY opened on 1/1/2017. The will is the extension of Broadway service beyond 57th street into this new line. After 2025, a full length subway called the train will continue from 63rd to Lower East side / Second Ave linking itself with the train to Brooklyn. North of 96th street could be a continuation of the line to 125th street / Second Ave. A connection to the Bronx via the Pelham Bay elevated train was sometimes discussed but we'll have to wait and see.
55) When was Stillwell Ave train station open for business once again?
It opened for business in the Summer of 2004 with the , , and trains. The train returned to Stillwell by 2005. Additionally, the train goes from 168st to Brighton Beach and the train was cutback from Brooklyn on 2/22/2004 and went from Whitehall to Ditmars. The remained only in Queens and Manhattan until its last day, 6/25/2010; and 'not' surprisingly came back again on 11/7/2016 from Whitehall to Ditmars Blvd since the is now needed for the new Second Ave subway.
Stillwell Ave station all modernized, 2004
56) Click the thumbnails below to see some cool photographs of the subway cars throughout the years! (Cool new manual slideshow)
57) What elevated train station is this?
This is the Gun Hill station in the Bronx. The upper level is the current IRT and trains. The lower level which doesn't exist anymore was the last remnant of the Third Ave el IRT train. It was phased out in 1973. If this elevated line was still here in the Bronx, it could have been a great connection to the new Second Ave subway.
Today's IRT 2 and 5 trains on the upper tracks, Third Ave el IRT #8 train on the lower tracks, The Bronx 1970s
58) What line does this belong to?
This was more of the Third Ave el IRT train in the Bronx. Many of the stations looked like this throughout Manhattan also before demolition.
The Third Ave el IRT #8 train in the Bronx during its last years, 1970s
59) Which predecessor steam powered el was the only line to switch over from steam to electric, be named an IRT number and be abandoned only a few years later?
It was the remnant of the Third Ave el el. Originally a steam railroad in its early beginnings, it was electrified in 1903. From 1955 to 1967, the Bronx portion of the el was the only remnant left from most of the abandoned el in Manhattan. In 1967, it was renamed the IRT until it finally ended in 1973.
60) What was the longest running double letter line?
The line was the longest running double letter line lasting 54 years 1932 - 1986.
61) Which line is the only service in the entire system that doesn't go to Manhattan?
The train is the only line that never goes to Manhattan.
62) Where the heck is this?
Believe it or not, this was the Culver line when it started out as a steam railroad from 1875 to 1916. When they built the current el along McDonald Ave in addition to Thirty-seventh street, the original railroad in the picture became a trolley service, route #50, from 1916 - 1956. As of 1985, the trolley tracks and parts of the Culver el were demolished from Ditmas Ave to Ninth Ave on the West End el line.
63) What station is this not being used anymore?
This is the same location as the above picture almost seventy five years later in 1985. This was the Ft Hamilton Parkway station that was northwest of Ditmas Ave on the train.
An abandoned Ft Hamilton Parkway station along the Culver el, 1985
64) Where is this location?
The Culver shuttle in its last days, 1975
This was part of the Culver el that was demolished in 1985. Notice only one track is being used in either direction since its only job was to go back and forth between Ditmas Ave on the line to Ninth Ave's train. In it's heyday, it was the section of elevated track that connected the Culver line with the Fifth Ave el in 1900 called the BMT #5b train. It also connected with the Fourth Ave subway later on in 1931 called the BMT #5a train. From 1959 - 1967, it was reduced to a shuttle and called the BMT #5 train. In its last years 1967 to 1975, it was known as the SS or Culver shuttle. Notice the original Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad below the el since 1875.
65) What's all that funny paint on this subway car?
From the early 1970s up until 1984, practically every subway car was covered with grafitti. It was a cultural phenomenon which was both good and bad at that time, but mostly bad! Today, you don't see things like this anymore.
1970s Graffiti
66) Which lines today are pure IND lines?
The , , , and (Rockaway shuttle).
67) Which lines today are pure BMT lines?
The , , , , , (Franklyn shuttle), and .
68) Which lines today are a combination of the IND and BMT?
The , , , , , and .
The is IND from 207th Street, Manhattan to the tunnel portal between Grant Avenue and 80th Street / Hudson Street, Queens. The elevated section from 80th Street / Hudson Street to Lefferts Blvd was the former BMT Fulton Street elevated line and connected to the IND in 1956. Additionally, the whole Rockaway line, which branches at Rockaway Blvd was built by the Long Island Rail Road, and also became part of the IND subway line that same year.
The is IND from 205th Street, the Bronx to Broadway-Lafayette, Manhattan. The tracks are BMT from the Manhattan Bridge to Coney Island via the "Brighton line". The Chrystie Street connector (which includes Grand Street station) built by the MTA after unification opened in 1967 connecting the two portions. The B ran part of the day to 21st Street-Queensbridge in the 1980s, built after unification and not part of either the former IND or BMT.
The is IND from 205th Street, the Bronx to Broadway-Lafayette, Manhattan. The tracks are BMT from the Manhattan Bridge to Coney Island via the "West End line". The Chrystie Street connector (which includes Grand Street station) built by the MTA after unification, opened in 1967 connecting the two portions.
The is IND from 179th street, Queens to the Church Ave tunnel portal in Brooklyn. The tracks are BMT from Ditmas Ave to Coney Island. The BMT portion of the route, known as the "Culver Line", was connected to the IND line in 1954. The Culver Line formerly connected to the West End line at 9th Ave via a no-longer-existing elevated structure. The Ditmas Avenue-9th Avenue section operated as the "Culver Shuttle" until its abandonment in 1975.
The is BMT from 95th street, Bay Ridge to the 60th Street Tunnel in Queens. The "11th Street Connector", which connects the BMT tunnel to the IND Queens Boulevard line, opened in 1955 and was the second inter-divisional connection to open.
The is BMT from Metropolitan Ave, Queens to Marcey Ave, Brooklyn. It crosses the Williamsburg Bridge to Essex street, Manhattan and switches to the IND tracks of the Chrystie street connection going along the Sixth Ave subway in Manhattan and Queens Blvd line in Queens. This part of the Chrystie Street connector, built by the MTA after unification, opened 1967 - 1976. It hasn't been used in over 30 years until FINALLY again in 2010!
69) What line was a combination of today's Jamaica el and Canarsie line?
It was a steam railroad that went from East New York to Canarsie Landing Oct 21, 1865 to 1906. It was later electrified, elevated in parts and went from Broadway Ferry to Canarsie Shore July 28, 1906 to 1913. Later, it went from Canal street on the to Rockaway Pkway on the from 8/14/1913 - 11/27/1967. In 1924, this original Canarsie service was renamed the BMT #14 train. Severed track connections at Atlantic Ave phased out this service in 1967.
70) What line was a combination of today's Canarsie line and Fulton st el?
It was the BMT #17 train. It went from 14st on the to Lefferts Blvd on the from 9/23/36 - 4/30/56. Severed track connections at Atlantic Ave phased out this service in 1956 in addition to the Fulton st el being mostly demolished in sections from 1936 - 1956.
71) What line was a combination of the Sixth Ave subway and Jamaica el?
It was the train. There was a Chrystie street connection allowing IND trains to ride on the BMT tracks. This connection occurred July 1, 1968 allowing the train to go from 57th/ Sixth to 168st Jamaica with the train. The was renamed the on 1/2/1973 and went from 57st/ Sixth to Eastern Parkway. The Jamaica el discontinued service north of Queens Blvd 6/14/1974 and the K train was phased out on 8/27/1976 because of the TA's financial troubles. The Jamaica el ceased operations from Queens Blvd to 168st on 9/10/1977. The Chrystie street track connections haven't been used in revenue service for over 30 years, but is NOW used for the orange service as of 2010.
72) What train station is this?
Believe it or not, there was once a train stop called Bensonhurst station. This was the Brooklyn, Bath, and Coney Island Railroad along today's Bath and Harway Avenues 1864 - 1885. It was later called the Brooklyn, Bath, and West End Railroad 1885 - 1913. Today's West End el train took the place of this railroad in 1916. When the change occurred, these particular tracks became a trolly service from 1913 until 6/28/1947.
Bensonhurst train station along Harway Ave, 1880s
The Brooklyn, Bath and Coney Island Railroad, 1880s
73) What train line is this?
This is the current Sea Beach line train just approaching the 59th street tunnel to meet the Fourth Ave subway train 1913 - present. The tracks to the left of the photograph is the Manhattan Beach Railroad (Bay Ridge Branch) from 1903. These tracks were once part of the Long Island Railroad but now owned by the New York and Atlantic Railway as a freight service 1997 - present.
Today's Atlantic Railway to the left and today's N train, aka BMT #4, to the right back in the 1930s
74) What avenue are these tracks on?
This is McDonald Ave between today's Ave H and Ave I where the Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad (Culver line ) was from 1875 to 1912. It later became a freight line from 1912 - 1980s, and a trolley service from 1916 - 1956. The other tracks going horizontally are the old Manhattan Beach Railroad tracks from 1876 - 1903. The house in the background is the old Parkville station the two railroads shared.
McDonald Ave, Brooklyn in the 1900s
75) Where is this just a few years later?
This is McDonald Ave again between today's Ave H and Ave I where the Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad (Culver line ) was from 1875 - 1912. It later became a freight line from 1912 - 1980s, and a trolley service from 1916 - 1956. The other tracks going horizontally in the previous photo were torn up and placed underground between 1903 and 1918, now used by the New York and Atlantic Railway 1997 - present. The old Parkville station was still there but used only by the Culver line after the change. In 1916, the current el was built along McDonald Ave.
McDonald Ave, Brooklyn 1910s
76) What trains can you catch at 59th street / Columbus Circle?
You can catch the , , , , and trains.
77) What trains can you catch at 42nd street / Times Square?
You can catch the , , , , , , , and Grand Central shuttle at this station. In addition, you can walk down a block long tunnel under 42nd street to catch the , , and trains but a little bit of a walk.
78) What trains can you catch at South Ferry - Whitehall Street?
You can catch the , , and trains. Until 3/16/2009, the IRT South Ferry (1 train) was a separate station from the BMT Whitehall street station (N, R, W trains). They were merged together as part of the lower Manhattan improvements and is now known as South Ferry - Whitehall Street. Previously, South Ferry subway station (1 train) was built beneath an already existing South Ferry elevated terminal for the IRT Sixth Ave el until 12/4/1938, the Ninth Ave el until 6/1/1940, Second Ave el until 6/13/1942, and Third Ave el until 12/22/1950.
79) What trains can you catch at Jay Street - Metro Tech?
You can catch the , , , , and trains. Until 2010, the IND Jay Street (A,C,F) was a separate station from the BMT Lawrence Street station (N and R). They were merged together as a way of improving a major Brooklyn subway station and is now known as Jay Street - Metro Tech. Years previously, Jay street (A,C,F) had a free transfer to the BMT Myrtle Ave el train until 10/4/1969.
This is the Sixth Ave el at the intersection of 42nd street in the years 1872 - 1938. The Times Tower in the background was just built in 1904. Notice the 42nd street trolly too. Below 42nd street is the freshly built shuttle train which was part of the upper west side's , , and lower east side's , , trains. The , , , under Sixth Ave wasn't even built yet until they tore down the Sixth Ave el in 1938.
The train didn't even reach Grand Central in Manhattan until 1915 and wasn't supposed to! The last stop for the was Vernon - Jackson Avenues in Queens until they finally opened up the Steinway tunnel for 'subway' use instead of the LIRR to Grand Central as originally planned in 1885. The train terminal has been Seventh Ave and 42nd street (Times Square) since 1917. Work is currently in progress to extend it to Eleventh Ave at the Jacob Javets Convention Center by 2017. In later years it could go south on Eleventh Ave and terminate at the South Street Seaport!
Herald Square in the 1930s
This is Herald Square in the 1930s. In the background is the Sixth Ave el from 1872 until 1938. The Sixth Ave subway , , , didn't even exist yet until 1940. To the left of the elevated station is the Manhattan Mall which was once Gimbals, A & S, and Sterns. To the bottom right is today's Broadway subway , , , since 1918. This very location, W 33 St and Sixth Ave also serves as the northern terminal for the PATH train from New Jersey.
In later years, the Broadway and Sixth Ave stations became one BIG station known as 34st/Herald Square as it is today. There's even a walkway under W 33 St under the Manhattan Mall leading to Penn Station's , , , , , and LIRR but was closed in the 1980s due to the homeless problem. Maybe someday they'll re-open after 25 years and spruce it up a bit like they did for the Times Square walkway!
82) What trains can you catch at 14th street / Union Square?
You can catch the , , , , , , and trains.
83) What stations is it possible to have a direct connection between the subways and the Long Island Railroad?
1) Penn Station , , , , , and trains near the LIRR in Manhattan.
2) Woodside train near the LIRR in Woodside, Queens.
3) Sutphin Blvd , , and trains near the LIRR in Jamaica, Queens.
4) Flatbush Ave , , , , , , , , and trains near the LIRR in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
84) What other stations have transfer possibilities with the Long Island Railroad?
1) Atlantic Ave train near the LIRR in East New York, Brooklyn but a little bit of a walk.
2) Main street train near the LIRR in Flushing, Queens but a little bit of a walk.
85) What station WILL have transfer possibilities with the Long Island Railroad for the first time ever?
Grand Central Station will have transfers between the , , , , and Grand Central shuttle trains with the LIRR once the lower level of the 63rd street tunnel is completed after 2025. This project is sometimes referred to as the East side access.
86) What major Brooklyn el connected the Brighton line and today's Franklyn Ave shuttle?
It was the Fulton street el BMT #13 train in Brooklyn. This was where today's Franklyn Ave shuttle allowed the Brighton line to share this el and travel west until it continued downtown and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge 1898 - 1940. Up until 1998, part of the Fulton street el was still being used to lead passengers to the Franklyn Ave shuttle. When the shuttle was re-built in 1998, this 100 year old structure was torn down. The Fulton street el #13 also continued eastward until it reached Atlantic Ave on today's train all the way to Lefferts on today's train.
During the time of this photo, the IND was already operating the , , and trains directly below this el making the Fulton street el #13 train redundant and obsolete by 1956. A very small section of the Fulton street el survived from Rockaway Ave to Lefferts 1936 to 1956 but the train eventually took over. East of today's Euclid Ave on the train, the subway connected to the remaining Fulton street el from Grant Ave to Lefferts 1956 to the present.
Fulton street el BMT #13 train sharing trackage with the Franklyn Ave shuttle, BMT #7 in the 1930s
87) Which 1888 steam powered el in Brooklyn is being used for a different purpose since 1940 up until today?
The Third Ave el has been used as a trestle for part of the Gowanus Expressway. When train service ended on June 1, 1940, the Third Ave el structure from 1893 was entirely kept from 65st/3rd Ave to 40st/3rd Ave in Brooklyn. The former Third Ave el leads the Belt Parkway and Route 278 from the Verrazano Bridge to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and the Brooklyn - Queens Expressway (BQE). All these years you were driving along a historical el and probably never realized it!
88) Where is the Fulton Street Transit Center?
The Fulton Street Transit Center is at the intersection of Fulton and Broadway near John street. It was built in 2005 at ground level over existing older subway stations. This new station will include new underground passageways to consolidate the separate subway stations making travel much easier. The six consolidated stations are as follows:
1) Fulton Street on the IRT Seventh Ave and trains, (opened 8/1/1918)
2) Fulton Street on the IRT Lexington Ave and trains, (opened 1/16/1905)
3) Broadway/Nassau Street on the IND Eighth Ave and trains, (opened 2/11/1933)
4) World Trade Center on the IND Eighth Ave train, (opened 9/10/1932)
5) Fulton Street on the BMT Nassau street and trains, (opened 6/13/1931)
6) Cortlandt Street on the BMT Broadway and trains, (opened 4/14/1918)
89) Where was Park Row train station?
Park Row was a major elevated railway terminal in Manhattan for BMT train services operating over the Brooklyn Bridge. Until the opening of the Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges, Park Row was the ONLY Manhattan station available for elevated trains from Brooklyn.
For the first decade and a half, 1883 - 1898, it was used exclusively by trains of the New York & Brooklyn Bridge Railway, a cable hauled line that spanned the length of the bridge between Park Row and another terminal on the Brooklyn side called Sands street.
On June 18, 1898 elevated trains of predecessor companies of the BMT began using Park Row as a terminal. At the height of its success, it had 4 platforms on 4 tracks in the main part of the terminal and another 3 on two tracks west of the main train shed. From 1898 - 1913, lines that served this terminal were the Fulton street el, Lexington el, Myrtle Ave el, Fifth Ave el (from Bay Ridge), Third Ave el (from Bay Ridge, not the Manhattan Third Ave el), and the ones still around like the Culver, West End, Brighton Beach, and Sea Beach lines.
90) What were the routes of these early lines between 1898 - 1913?
The Fulton street el went from City line to Atlantic Ave. After Atlantic Ave it continued the Fulton street el to Court street, switched to the Fifth Ave el at Sands, and finally across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The Myrtle Ave el went from Metropolitan Ave to the upper level of Myrtle Ave el (still there but abandoned), continued along a NOW demolished portion of the Myrtle Ave el to Navy street, switched to the Fifth Ave el from Bridge to Adams streets, went to Sands, then finally across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The Lexington Ave el went from Cypress Hills along the Park Ave el to Broadway Junction, switched to the Broadway el to Reid, switched to the Lexington Ave el to Washington Ave, switched to Myrtle Ave el to Navy street, continued along Fifth Ave el from Bridge to Adams streets, went to Sands, then finally across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The Fifth Ave el went from 36th street (Union Depot) to Myrtle Ave, switched onto the Myrtle Ave el at Navy street, across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The Third Ave el went from 65th street to 36th street (Union Depot), switched onto the Fifth Ave el to Navy street on the Myrtle Ave el, across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The Culver line went from Culver terminal on Surf Ave and W 5 ST along McDonald Ave as a surface railroad to 36th street (Union Depot), switched onto the Fifth Ave el to Navy street on the Myrtle Ave el, across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The Sea Beach line went from Sea Beach Palace Hotel on Surf Ave and W 10 ST along the rural farmlands of Bensonhurst to 62nd street as a surface railroad, switched onto the West End surface railroad at 39th street, switched to the Fifth Ave el at 36th street (Union Depot), switched to the Myrtle Ave el at Navy street, across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The West End line went from West End terminal on Surf Ave and Stillwell Ave (the site of today's Stillwell Ave terminal) as a surface railroad throughout Bensonhurst, switched to the Fifth Ave el at 36th street (Union Depot), switched to the Myrtle Ave el at Navy street, across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
The Brighton line went from Brighton Beach terminal on Surf Ave along the rural farmlands of Midwood as a surface railroad, switched to the Franklyn Ave shuttle at Prospect Park, switched to the Fulton street el at Franklyn Ave, traveled the Fulton street el, across the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row.
91) When was the decline of Park Row and why?
Park Row declined as a terminal for elevated trains between 1913 and 1950. This was the time when newer bridges and subways were being built on Fourth Ave, Brooklyn as well as Broadway and downtown Manhattan. As people preferred the more modern subways, all the Brooklyn lines changed routes and connected with the Broadway subway. These were the changes below:
10/27/1913, last day of "older" Sea Beach service in preparation for the current Fourth Ave subway, Broadway, and Sea Beach line on 6/22/1915. It should be noted that the "older" Park Row to Coney Island route came back very briefly along the current Sea Beach line when it was first built! This was probably to exploit the middle express tracks, (mostly neglected since 1968). Read an old newspaper article for proof.
6/24/1916, the West End el began using the Fourth Ave subway to Broadway exclusively.
8/1/1920, the Brighton line began using the Fourth Ave subway to Broadway. The orphaned stations became the Franklyn Ave shuttle which was cut from the Fulton street el to the north.
5/30/1931, Some Culver trains were rerouted to the Fourth Ave subway to Nassau street loop when the later opened in 1931. This was known as the BMT 5a service. The original Culver service, renamed the BMT 5b service hung on for another 9 years co-existing with the Culver 5a train. In recognition of Park Row's declining use, the station was configured to two tracks to simplify operations.
5/31/1940, In preparation of the NYC takeover of the BMT system, the Fifth Ave and Third Ave els were abandoned which also ended the original Culver 5b service to those lines. The Fulton street el was abandoned in parts as well creating a newer Fulton-Lexington Ave el service. This was on the surviving outer portion of the Fulton street el over the Lexington and Myrtle Ave lines to Park Row.
3/5/1944, all remaining elevated lines stopped running to Park Row. The Myrtle Ave el, Lexington Ave el, and Fulton-Lex were cutback to Bridge-Jay street. Brooklyn Bridge street-cars were shifted to the elevated tracks that year up until 1950 when ALL transit was removed from the bridge COMPLETELY. After 1950, the street-cars continued using trolly loops beneath the Park Row train shed which was eventually torn down.
92) What building is this?
This is the 'original' Penn Station on Seventh Ave between W 31 St and W 33 St. It was built in 1911 and demolished in 1966 to make way for a stupid office tower and Madison Square Garden. As it turns out, there's a Post office around the corner on 8th Ave between W 31 St and W 33 St. It was built around the same time as the 'original' Penn Station and looks something like it! In fact, they were built to complement each other!
The LIRR tracks and Jersey trains run under the post office so there's plans of turning this fine structure into what Penn Station USED to be like before its destruction. They were talking about doing this since 1992 but I think we'll finally see things happen in the coming years! Although we lost the 'original' Penn Station in 1966, the widowed post office building will help make Penn Station the place it was REALLY meant to be; both for today's generation and all of posterity!
93) What part of Manhattan is this known throughout the world?
This is the intersection of Church and Fulton streets looking west in 1928. Above this intersection is the Sixth Ave el. The next block over in the distance is the Ninth Ave el over Greenwich Street. The IRT train is under the Ninth Ave el in the distance. In between the two els is the subway entrance to the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad company, today's PATH trains to New Jersey. Still don't know where this is?
This is the very site where the twin towers once stood 1971 - 9/11/2001. All these buildings were bull-dozed to make way for the World Trade Center. Up until the 1960s, there were originally two OTHER twin towers on this property called Hudson Terminal, twenty stories each. Mixed in the background are the usual kinds of tenements and mom-pop stores you'd find elsewhere in the vicinity. In this photo is the entrance to the original north tower leading to the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad company. This system, known as the PATH today, was completed in 1911. The IRT train was in the area since 7/1/1918 and STILL blocked off since the attacks of 2001 and won't re-open to 2018. Transfers to the BMT system opened 4/14/1918, (today's , and ) and transfers to the IND didn't come until 9/10/1932, (today's train).
This is a closer look at what the "original" twin towers looked like between 1911 - 1971. These "twin" towers were part of a railroad terminal called Hudson Terminal. Ironically, portions of it are still intact underground even after the attacks of 2001. The unused portions since 1971 may be re-developed once the World Trade Center site is rebuilt in the coming years.
95) Where is this tunnel being built?
This is Ground zero months after the attacks. The tunnels for the IRT and former trains were totally destroyed from 9/11 as well as the New Jersey PATH subway system in this vicinity. But notice how engineers are rebuilding it the SAME EXACT WAY as it was designed in 1900 - 1904. The style is identical to the tunnel that collapsed and opened for business 9/15/2002. Soon, this tunnel will be completely underground. While enough could never be said for the people that died that dark day and for those who suffered and continue to suffer emotionally from the human losses, the World Trade Center site will be re-developed in the coming years as a way of showing the world that we as Americans "WILL STAND STRONG!"
This is the IRT #1 train tunnel being rebuilt in the same exact style it was in 1904, Ground Zero 2002
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