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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Fulton Street Elevated 1936- 1956

Source:  Linder, B. In "New York Division Bulletin" Electric Railroaders' Association, Vol 38, No 2, February, 1995,  pp.2-4.
 
  The subject matter of this posting, the Brooklyn Fulton Street El has an extensive history of which I know very little.  The line, started in the 19th Century as a elevated steam railroad, served as an important transit link between various districts in Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row Manhattan, was very important before the building of the first IRT subway to Brooklyn.  Most of the line was destroyed by June, 1940, but certain sections remained intact to around 1956.  In fact, the section from 80th Street and Liberty Avenue to Lefferts Blvd. is used today by IND "A" trains.  Sections have been rebuilt as you can see from the map.  Interesting points is the multi-level Sands Street terminal and the interchange with the BMT Franklin-Brighton Line,  Also hidden under the Brooklyn Bridge was the Kings County Terminal and the Fulton Ferry Station..  According to the map dealing with the west portion, the map stated that the "interlocking was out of service as of 1/22/34.  A reader asked regarding the Myrtle Avenue Line map that "interlocking out of service 2/23/33" to the High Street Loop.  Does this mean that service ended on that date?  I think that interlocking refers to switches and the signals that control interconnections between tracks.  It is possible that interlocking can be out of service but the rails are still intact and some track movements can take place.  For example, for the interlocking that leads to the Fulton Ferry Station, the station may have been service until 6-1-40 at abandonment but the interlocking was out since 1/22/34.  Perhaps a reader can clarify this for us.  Books can be written on this subject matter.

Tramway Null(0)

 Also, parts of the original Fulton Street El that were not needed in the reconstruction of the line around 1914-19 may have been used as parts used in the construction of the Culver El, specially south of the Avenue X station.

11 comments:

  1. I think the "Interlocking out of service 1/22/34" on the map above means that the Sands St stub of the Fulton El (marked "Kings Co. Term." on the map) was out of service from that date. I don't see how both branches from the point marked could be in regular service after that date if the interlocking wasn't.

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  2. Thanks Threestationsquare.





    Thanks threestationsquare. Will try to research in the future. My best: Tramway null(0)

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  3. Can someone clarify this? I have seen photos of heavy steel cars like R-10's or Standards at Hinsdale St. on the middle track of the El, railroad north (physically east) of Atlantic Av. Now I know the segment from Hudson St. - 80th Street all the rest of the way out to Lefferts Avenue (today's Blvd) can handle heavy cars as it still does. But what about the line between Grant and Pennsylvania Avenues? It was two tracks and I am told it was light weight structure for wood cars only.

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    1. Hi Erik:

      Thanks for your input. The Eastern Division is not my forte. If I find anything of interest. I'll post it.

      My best,
      Tramway Null(0)

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  4. Thanks for this post. I have a question: On some maps a stationed titled "Eastern Parkway" is published as being located between Atlantic ave and Hinsdale on the Fulton El. I am aware this was during the time Piktin ave was called Eastern Parkway in the early 1900s. Was there such a station called Eastern Parkway that was so close to Atlantic station and Hinsdale? Also, what impact did the Dual Contract have on the ROW of the Fulton El as the turn from Pitkin northward and on to Liberty ave seems mindless..

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    1. Hi Glen:

      Thanks for your post. As you can see, I am less and less connected with my blog. In reference to your question, East New York and the eastern division is not my forte. I will try to look at your question but unfortunately, my archive which is many copies of the New York Division "Headlights" is not indexed. I know that somewhere in the archive is more details about the area that you mentioned. You know much more about that area then me. I will start to look in my archive and see if I come up with something.
      Thanks for your input. Also try the ERA Headlights Association for information.
      Thanks,
      Tramway Null(0)

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    2. The Hinsdale Street Station replaced Eastern Pkwy after the dual contracts rebuild. Eastern Pkwy was an island platform station when the elevated was only 2 tracks

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    3. Thanks Unknown. The only issue I have with your explanation is the topology of the area does not bare the platform structure out. Keep in mind till the late
      1880s the area between East New York Ave and Sutter Ave was a major baseball field. This is before the LIRR grade elimination project of 1916. The field was classed around 1892 and the area eventually razed to allow the LIRR grade elimination project. The result: by the time the L was constructed, the area between East New York Ave and Sutter Ave (and beyond ) was gutted. The L was supported by beams grounded along the LIRR ROW towards Bay Ridge. Sutter Ave crosses over the grade elimination project.Therefore, given the closeness to L Sutter station and Atlantic station, the topology of the land at that time(and now)the Eastern Parkway station is probably a myth.

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    4. This also includes Pitkin ave which was called Eastern Parkway at that time.

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    5. for more info on the Eastern Park, view this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Park
      Afterwards, you will understand my statement. Given the topology as a result of that park being razed in the late 1890s the Fulton L Eastern Parkway station is possible a myth.

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    6. Thanks for your comments. Tramway Null(0)

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