Steam engines sat high above several avenues in the city, offering passengers not just a faster trek to the northern reaches of manhattan, but a totally new way to see the. The elevated railways of manhattan book o gauge railroading. The elevated railways of manhattan eric oszustowicz on. In 1899, the manhattan elevated railway company began construction of a large power house on the east river between 74th and 75th streets, in manhattan. The new york elevated railroad company built a line on third avenue to.
The elevated railways of manhattan added a shop now button to their page. On the heels of their sellout first printing last year, the era has just reprinted this tremendously popular book on manhattans fondlyremembered elevated. The elevated railways of manhattan by oszustowicz, eric. Originally operated by the new york elevated railway, an independent railway company, it was acquired by the interborough rapid transit company irt and eventually became part of the new york city subway system. The manhattan railway company began operating elevated railways in new york city in 1875. The oldfashioned nature of elevated train lines can make them look charmingly quaint today. While all trace of the second, third and sixth avenue els have pretty much been eradicated since, except for the third which met its manhattan demise in 1955, the other els were torn down fairly early in the century.
Elevated railways of manhattaneric oszustowicz 372 pages softcover many new yorkers rushing through the streets of manhattan today are completely oblivious to the fact that at one time there was an extensive elevated railway system that traversed mo. Map and guide of the elevated railroads of new york city. In addition, the following film shorts are included at the end of the book. This was for the purpose of supplying electric power to the various elevated railroads operating in manhattan along second, third, sixth, and ninth avenues which were then being converted. Heres the colorful history of new yorks elevated railway system from its earliest steam days until its demise. Beginning in the 1870s on ninth avenue in manhattan, dozens of elevated lines rose and swift travel over trafficclogged streets became a reality. It was constructed in the 1930s to make a transportationfueled. At the height of its operation, it spanned all the way from manhattan s south ferry to kingsbridge road in the bronx. Wright, specialist ii, lionel pincus and princess firyal map division, stephen a. The line was to run from city hall along the bowery and third avenue to the harlem river. The manhattan elevated improvement project and services in 1915 by 19, the elevated and subway lines were carrying 1,500,000 passengers daily. Podcast before there were subways, new york city transported travelers up and down the length of manhattan by elevated railroad, an almost unreal spectacle to consider today. New yorks historic elevated train line becomes a park.
Frank hain was the authors greatgrandfathers brother. The elevated railways of manhattan with the assistance of joseph brennan, sandy campbell, edward crew, michael glikin, andrew grahl, alan paul kahn, robert kingman, bernard linder, larry linder. Most els in manhattan were torn down in the 1940s and 50s, some replaced by subways. This is a post1940 view, so only third avenue trains are operating. There are 372pages of rare photos, many in color, and. About the authors peter murray hain is a retired operations and staff officer of the cias clandestine service and served in europe, southeast asia, and washington, d. The manhattan railway company took control of the new york elevated railroad in 1879, and in in 1891, the manhattan railway took over. The elevated railways of manhattan, 1st edition 2014 by era. Nycs first elevated train and the worlds first streetcar began in greenwich village. Includes train schedule and list of points of interest. Hain, vice president and general manager of the manhattan railway company for 16 years, confronted union organizers, horrifying accidents, and a relentless media crusade for conversion to.
Elevated freight railway turned wildly successful urban park. The following year, ownership passed to the manhattan railway company, which also controlled the other elevated railways in manhattan. Many new yorkers rushing through the streets of manhattan today are completely oblivious to the fact that at one time there was an extensive elevated railway system that traversed most of the island from the battery through midtown, harlem and on into the bronx and later into queens. The elevated railways of manhattan counted as the 202014 issues of headlightsfor members.
Journey to a spectacular world of steam trains along the avenues july 9, 2010 may 10, 2019 bowery boys 6619 views 9 comments elevated railroad, long island railroad, new york central railroad, new york city subway, trolleys. Ferries had plied the waters between brooklyn and manhattan since the dutch era and. In 1881, the line was connected to the largely rebuilt ninth avenue elevated. Oszustowicz and all those who collaborated in producing the magnificent new book, the elevated railways of manhattan. The high line elevated rail viaduct is one of these colossal but forsaken systems. The elevated railways of manhattan, 2nd edition 2016 by era. The railway power stations of new york city engineering and. Jun 27, 2018 on july 2, 1868, the west side and yonkers patent railwaythe city s first elevated trainwas to have its maiden journey from the battery to cortlandt street in the financial district. This book gives an indepth historical account of the elevated railway coupled with a personal account of the difficulties frank k hain experienced as gm of the manhattan railway company. A revealing short 1,5 mile trail along repurposed elevated rail tracks on the lower west side of manhattan. A typical manhattan railway steam train turning south onto front street from coenties slip in 1894. Hain and the manhattan railway company by peter murray hain, 9780786464050, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In my opinion, it is a must if you are in that part of nyc. By the late 1870s, the elevated railways in manhattan were operated by two companies the metropolitan elevated railway sixth avenue and new york elevated railroad third and ninth avenues in service 247.
The elevated railways of manhattan, traces the colorful history of new. May 17, 2012 archival footage, much of it in color, of the citys elevated trains and subways as they appeared in the mid1950s. The 3rd avenue elevated line in manhattan was constructed between 1875 and 1878 by the new york elevated railway company. Well, eras website page link for ordering the elevated railways of manhattan opened up. On july 2, 1868, the west side and yonkers patent railwaythe city s first elevated trainwas to have its maiden journey from the battery to cortlandt street in. Elevated rail lines are far smaller in footprint than elevated highways, and although highways may have been quieter than rail lines a century ago though im not sure if this is even true, the technology has surely shifted in rail s favor with regards to noise.
Heres some rare newsreel footage of the very last elevated subway line to run through midtown manhattan along third avenue which ceased operations in. The story of new yorks high line video how csx helped turn an abandoned rail line in the heart of manhattan s meatpacking district into one of the countrys most. I live close by so it is easy for me, but the real secret is a map of the trail and comprehensive travel instructions. In 1879, it leased the lines operated by the new york elevated railway company, founded in 1872, and the metropolitan elevated railway, established in 1878. The elevated railways of manhattan, 1st edition 2014 by. At the height of its operation, it spanned all the way from manhattan s south ferry to. A heavy box from the electric railroaders association arrived with yesterdays mail, and inside was this astounding 370page paperback of wellwritten text, many clear photos, and a lengthy roster from 1937. It traces the colorful history of new yorks elevated railway system from its earliest steam days until its demise. A heavy box from the electric railroaders association arrived with yesterdays mail, and inside was this astounding 370page paperback of wellwritten text, many clear photos, and a lengthy roster. The elevated railways of manhattan, 2nd edition 2016. History of new york citys elevated train curbed ny.
Three years in the making, this endeavor is a wonder to behold. In the early evening of may 12, 1955, a train pulled out of lower manhattans chatham square, near city hall, bound for upper manhattan and the bronx via third avenue. Apr 11, 2018 a revealing short 1,5 mile trail along repurposed elevated rail tracks on the lower west side of manhattan. The railway power stations of new york city engineering. The rise and decline of new york citys third avenue elevated. In the early 1930s, the ind line was built along 8th. Dec 22, 2016 in the early evening of may 12, 1955, a train pulled out of lower manhattans chatham square, near city hall, bound for upper manhattan and the bronx via third avenue. Nov 18, 2008 new yorks historic elevated train line becomes a park manhattan s iconic high line carved a route through the 20th century at a height of three storeys. The street railroads of new york and vicinity by artis q. However, an unspecified accident to the machinery pushed the trial run back a day. Whole neighborhoods came into being as former farmland was converted for business and residential purposes at the coming of elevated trains. It was the last run of the third avenue elevated, and the last time a train ran up a large chunk of manhattan east of lexington avenue for six decades. The rise and decline of new york citys third avenue elevated train. Official map and guide to all the elevated railways in new york city.
The story of new yorks elevated rail rapid transit system is a critical juncture in the history of the city. A northbound train of mudcs has just crossed the harlem river and entered the bronx. Originally operated by the new york elevated railway, an independent railway company, it was acquired by the interborough rapid transit company irt and eventually became part. Archival footage, much of it in color, of the citys elevated trains and subways as they appeared in the mid1950s. The metropolitan also began constructing a line in second avenue. At one time, there was an extensive railway system that traversed most of the island from the battery through midtown, harlem, and on to the bronx and later queens. New yorks historic elevated train line becomes a park art. Liverpool overhead railway this was the united kingdoms only true elevated railway, although the london and greenwich railway of 1836 was constructed on. On the heels of their sellout first printing last year, the era has just reprinted this tremendously popular book on manhattan s fondlyremembered elevated railways.
Gm hain endured many pressures from management, the local newspaper, and the community at large. It is full of rare photos, many in color, and neverbeforeseen. The manhattan railway company was an elevated railway company in manhattan and the bronx, new york city, united states. The elevated railways of manhattan, 2nd edition 2016 by. New yorks historic elevated train line becomes a park manhattan s iconic high line carved a route through the 20th century at a height of three storeys. This chronicle of new yorks elevated steam railways illuminates an important era in transportation.
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