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Here are some latest photos taken of a few of my many O-Scale IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit) wooden Elevated Division Open End Platform Gate cars. These type cars served all the four original (2, 3, 6, 9 Avenues) Manhattan EL's, and the IRT Flushing and Astoria EL's, and parts of the Woodlawn-Jerome and White Plains Road EL's in the Bronx. The last of these IRT "EL" Division open end platform gate cars ran  up thru April 1953 running by then solely on the IRT Dyre Avenue then-Shuttle Line since 1941.

They are seen here on this Thread page operating on my O-Scale N Y City Model Transit System "EL" Layout. 

For much more photos (and videos)  -- here are links to four of my photos websites for this Layout;

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 FLICKR PHOTO ALBUMS Page (Photos displayed by topic, subject, etc)

FLICKR MAIN PAGE -- Random photos with newest shown first)

My Layout VIDEOS PAGE - on You Tube

My Website I custom built for photos and description of the Layout ---  http://www.wtv-zone.com/NYCity...m/NYCityModelTransit

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Anyone else here have models of and/or operate these type early era IRT (or other system) cars on your layouts ?

Regards !! - Joe F

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Last edited by Joseph Frank
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Hello ART !

 

I remember very well the Brooklyn NY old BMT Myrtle Ave EL !! - 

 

Here is the LINK to my photo album of my O-Scale BMT EL Car Models

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157625966252884/

 

 

ALSO - Here are a few  photos of some of my scratch-built O-Scale BMT EL Gate cars -- in scenes on my "EL" layout that mimic the "Old Myrt".

 

I rode and photographed the Myrtle EL extensively from about mid 1956 thru its close in Oct. 1969. Rode the BU Gate Cars there and the later "MUDC" Q Types.  The "Q"'s were my "old friends", heh, from their recently being removed from revenue service by Dec 16, 1956 from the IRT Division 3rd Avenue EL.  They served on that Manhattan & Bronx EL line from May 1950 thru May 12, 1955 - and served 19 more months on the Bronx remaining part of the line.  They were stored on its then no longer used center express track...until mid 1957 and gradually over many following months removed in increments, to Coney Island BMT shops for overhaul for the Myrtle EL. And by May 1958 replaced all the BMT 1300 Series Convertible BU EL Gate Cars for Myrtle El service.

 

Fond memories riding the Q's on the IRT 3rd Ave EL - and from mid 1958 thru Oct. 1969 on the BMT Myrtle Avenue EL ! 

 

Anyway - enjoy these photos of some of my BMT BU EL Car O Scale models !

 

Regards - Joe F

 

 

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And PHOTO BELOW is my O-Scale Q-Type train entering a center island platform station just as on the Myrtle Avenue EL !! As you likely remember them between 1959 and 1960.

 

 

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Last edited by Joseph Frank

The Q's had a very long and interesting Service life. These cars were rebuilt with closed ends and operating  doors from BRT BU Gate cars originally built in the first decade of the 20th century. The rebuild occurred in the late 1930s to provide BMT equipment for Worlds Fair service in 1939-40 for its share of the jointly operated Flushing and Astoria Elevated lines. They were painted in the NYC colors of Orange and Blue. They worked on these lines until 1949 when the Joint IRT BMT operation of these Queens Els was eliminated. The cars were then transferred to the 3rd ave El operation in Manhattan to replace composites then in service on that line. When they came back to the BMT in the late 1950s they ran on the Myrtle Ave El until 1969 when the line south of Broadway was closed and torn down. So0me of these cars were used in work service on Pump Trains. A set were preserved for the NYCTA museum and another set was rebuilt into Gate cars from whence they came. I saw a photo of some of these cars in the 39th street yard looking like they were on their way to the scrapper. The NYCTA had a long service and use period for this design spanning almost 100 years from when the cars were originally built as gate cars.

 

Gate cars ran on the BMT in the post war period on the Lexington Ave, Myrtle Ave and Fulton Street lines. During the war they ran to Park Row over the Brooklyn Bridge . After the Fulkton Street El was closed in Brooklyn, there was a special service on the Fulkton street El in Queens through Atlantic Ave, the Broadway El and the Lexington Ave El onto the Myrtle line, to Park Row and then as far as Bridge and Jay Street afer 1944 . This operation lasted until 1950 whenn the Lexington Ave El was closed and torn down. BU convertible Gate cars continued to operate on the Myrtle Ave El until 1957-58 when the Q cars replaced them. They have been the last convertible gate cars in service on the NYCTA .

 

I would like to see MTH or Lionel make a set of these cars . They are an interesting prototype and weree the mainstay on the NYC Els in those early years until the LoV;s on the IRT and the Standards on the BMT came along.

Hello LIRR Steamer

 

Thanks much for posting all the historical info ! I would have done so as I likewise know all of that history - but I was already writing too much, heh.  Glad you joined in with the excellent background history.

 

Well, to visually add to your historical data - here are some "model photos" on my "EL" layout to show in that "era", what the 1939 WF "BMT era" Q-types (for "Queens") looked like running on the EL along with (via Manhattan IRT 2nd Ave EL service to Queens via the Queensboro Bridge upper level, of course) IRT MUDC "EL" Cars.  And the IRT Standard body subway cars and the then new 50 car fleet of 1939 WF Steinway Body -- Low V subway trains. 

 

regards ! - Joe F

 

 

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Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hello Cocoloco !

 

Thanks also for stopping and taking a look here !

 

Here are a few short video clips copied from a VHS-C tape video I shot with my camcorder back in 1998 on my NYC EL Layout.

 

Seen is my fully scratch built train of O Scale IRT Manhattan EL MUDC (Multiple Unit Door Control) EL cars operating, as seen from a rooftop view, and one from a station platform view, as a local into one of the local stations on my EL...stopping, and then departing.  Also a platform view of one of my O-Scale IRT EL Gate Car trains entering a local station. I hope the videos play OK here on OGR.

 

The prototypes of these IRT EL cars last ran (and I rode them frequently) on the Manhattan (until 5-122-1955) and Bronx (until 12-15-1956) 3rd Avenue EL.

 

About 450 or so of these prototype cars were conversion-created by the IRT shops in 1923 after being converted at that time to closed end vestibule MUDC Door cars from Open End Platform Gate cars, originally built between 1901 and 1910.  The Manhattan 3rd Ave EL was my hometown neighborhood line while growing up.

 

Riding the 1300 series BMT EL Gate cars from 1955 thru May 1958, and the Q-Types (also fresh then from the Bronx IRT 3rd Ave EL service thru 12-15-1956) both on the Myrtle EL,  was a great pleasure and a continuation of many numerous "nostalgic  riding trips back in time"  until the remaining BMT Q-Type wooden EL cars and their lower portion original Myrtle EL ceased operations in October 1969.  The end then of the old wooden EL car operations era in NY City, and the USA !

 

Regards - Joe F



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Last edited by Joseph Frank

The three BRT Gate Cars last operated on a fan trip to Rockaway about 7 years ago. We boarded a train of R1-9 cars at the Columbus Circle station of the 8th Av. Line and traveled to the East New York Yards where we transferred to the 3 gate cars and proceeded across Jamaica Bay to Rockaway. Wow what a ride going across Jamaica Bay at 45 mph. Hope the cars will operate again someday.

Hello Ed (New Haven) ---

 

I have provided two You Tube Videos of the BU Museum Gate Cars in operation:

 

One is a VIDEO LINK to that trip in 2006. Its a full length (long) video.  It ran from the Linden Yards in Brooklyn to the ex-LIRR now IND Rockaway Line via the remaining short portion of the BMT Fulton St EL connection in Queens.

 

Here is the Video LINK URL:   

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0pxeQGgfz4

 

Here is a shorter second video of the same train riding on the BMT Astoria EL in Queens - probably some earlier year, as filmed from one of the open platforms between two EL Gate cars.

 

Here is the Video LINK URL:    

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQNRRi__Ct8 

 

I'm sure you will enjoy both of these videos.  Videos of those Gate cars running are rare to find.

 

I am sure you are aware of, but for other readers not so, these 3 EL Gate cars were ORIGINALLY built new back around 1901-04 as BMT Open end EL gate cars, and converted to enclosed ends MUDC class "Q" Type cars in 1938 for the 1939-40 NY Worlds Fair "BMT" shuttle services - running back and forth on the then owned and operated IRT Flushing & Astoria EL's from Queens Plaza Jct Station to either Flushing or Astoria line terminals.

 

In May 1950, they were all modified with IRT ex-Composite Car Motor Trucks that were installed on the A and C cab-control cars only, the B trailer cars retaining their original BMT Peckham trailer trucks,  for Manhattan-Bronx IRT 3rd Ave EL various services until 12-15-1956.  Returned to the BMT for Myrtle Ave. EL service from May 1958 thru October 1959.  And 99% of that Q-Car fleet was scrapped by 1971.

 

Three Q-Type cars - seen in these videos - were "re-converted" in Coney Island BMT Shops in 1974-75 back to full gate cars, albeit still retaining the "lowered" clerestory roof done between 1960 and 1963 to ALL the Q-Types for Dekalb Avenue subway tunnel clearances to get them thru and to Coney Island Yards for major shop repair work.

 

Here are some photos of my O-Scale BU Gate Car models, scratchbuilt, of 3 types of BMT EL Gate cars as they appeared in original BRT (Brooklyn Rapid Transit) livery colors back in 1901-4

 

My 3 "BRT" era Gate cars are a 1200 Series Motor, an 800 Series Center Door Motor, and a 100 series trailer.

 

regards - Joe F

 

 

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To Joseph Frank:

 

Thank you for posting the video. I was right up front most of the time with Bill Wall that day. It was sure great riding those cars. I believe that was the last time the cars ran in fan trip service. I also rode them in 2004 between Brighton Beach Station and Kings Highway for the 100th anniversary of the subway system and when we rode them on the West End Line going to Coney Island and returned on the Brighton Line. I know that when talking to Bill that he and one of his motorman friend's would take a set of the various vintage cars out and ride the system from time to time. I last spoke to him earlier this year. I use to visit him at his office located in the office building in the Westchester Yards in Bronx. Yes I had read about the history of these cars and how they came to be saved. Thanks to Mike Hanna the dean of the subway system for getting many of the old cars saved.

 

Please contact me at: edmickey@optonline.net and we can talk more on this.

 

 

Two of these cars, 844 and 889, are preserved at the Western Railway Museum in California. When the Ninth Avenue El was closed in 1940 a large number of the open platform gate cars were put into storage. When WWII started about 80 of these cars were shipped to California. Most were used on the Shipyard Railway which ran from Oakland to the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond. The railroad was owned by the U.S. Maritime Commission, but was built and operated by the Key System. Two of the Shipyard Railway cars still exist at WRM. The are now SRy 561 and 563. A picture of them can be seen at http://www.rypn.org/forums/vie...amp;p=224414#p224414

 

 

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Hello David ( Johnston ) ----

 

Thanks for the added info, and I am also long well aware of the history of the EL's and their rolling stock, and of these two Manhattan EL Gate cars in the Western Railway Museum.  I have a folder filled with photos of the before, during and final restorations ongoing on these cars thru the past years.

 

ALL of those cars sent to California (and elsewhere) were the former steam engine-hauled era  trailer cars converted to electric MU Control Motor cars in the 1900-1903 period, of the 6-4-6 Window configuration.  One other car was also running for decades at the Kane and Knox Railroad in I think, Pennsylvania.  I don't know the condition of that car at this time. BERA (Branford) Museum has IRT EL Gate Motor Car 824 in storage for the past 50 years !

 

Regards - Joe F

Hello Again Alan !

 

Again - your regularly posted support is appreciated and thanks again.

 

Here are some random short You Tube Videos of my Layout (URL LINKS to same) provided below that you may enjoy

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPEXyv2auYk

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qwy3vr0ka0 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llkmNtZ2LnM 

 

Also attached are a few "night" scenes on and along my EL System.

 

And Happy New Year - Alan, and all !

 

Regards ! - Joe F

 

 

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Amazing, amazing stuff!  Thanks for sharing. The El structures looks very real. we too are about to add an El to our cityscape and really curious to know more about your El.  Like where it came from (a supplier? scratch built?) and what shade of green color was used for it?  plus I like how real the black and white stripes are at base of each column!  And the platform lighting looks great - where did this come from?  Very cool stuff.  Peter 

Hello Peter (PJB)  --- 

 

Sorry for the reply delay - very busy lately -- so I will herein try to answer your questions.

 

The entire EL Structure and its EL Stations and their structure outrigging are built totally scratchbuilt using various PLASTRUCT structural H and I beam shapes....and also wood segments for most track girders, built up to look like plate girders..

 

ALSO the  EL Station Stairways are all TOTALLY BUILT from scratch,  using variously wood, plastic, cardstock, PLASTRUCT girder shapes, etc.  The Stations were painted Pullman Green to represent a similar 1940's era green hue used on real NYC EL's.  The Station roofs are painted with Oxide Red Primer to replicate the colors on the real roofs.

 

Here is a complete "construction materials list" that I provided on another OGR "Subways Forum" thread of August 22,  2014 titled "N Y SUBWAY STATION PLATFORM".  My list below is quite extensive and long - I suggest you copy, paste and PRINT it on paper for modeling referrence.  I suggest you ALSO  LOOK UP that thread and my many postings and photos there of the layout and trackwork. Here is the LINK to it:

 

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...way-station-platform

 

I also make use of various types and thicknesses of cardstock and Evergreen and Plastruct sheet plastic material (even index card stock) for certain structural applications, details, and finishing materials !   Here below is a printed listing I created long ago outlining what I basically used to construct my EL structure "steelwork" and also for creating the EL style  track work: EL TRACK started out as ATLAS 2 RAIL Nickel Silver scale Track.  Most of the track in my surface ballasted EL Yards is all hand cut ties and hand laid, spiked rails. 

 

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O SCALE N.Y. City EL Structure and Track Fabrication methods used by  Joseph Frank on his O SCALE EL Layout:  COMPLETE LISTING BELOW:
 
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IF you USE WOOD - use ONLY BASS (strong) and NOT balsa (very soft and  spongy) wood for all track or EL structural (ie: Track Girders deck work,  etc) 
 
My measurements for bass-wood items can also apply to optional  use of Evergreen Styrene shapes also --your choice -- however wood  "looks and paints" better!  Using Atlas O SCALE 2 rail scale Flex  or snap track for track work, I use the following for:
  
(1) -- TRACK GIRDERS -  and CROSS SPAN GIRDERS going from EL  Column to Column
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Bass Wood 1/16" x 1" for track girders AND 1/8" x 1" for CROSS (Span)  Girders - your choice to use either type for either application..  however I prefer the 1/8" thick units for strength on CROSS SPAN   girders. The depth of your girders will be a scale 4 feet and track girders  could be made to 12" (48 feet) lengths. To economize you can do 44 feet  (11") lengths to get 2 track girders from one 22" long bass wood strip  "girder plate" - your choice.
 
 
 
(2) -- Flat "plate girder" strips final Finishing Details
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These wood plate girders are then faced off on both sides with  either "hat" strips or "T" strips 3/32" wide spaced every 1 inch (4 scale  feet)  along the girder sides to represent plate section joint-seams. 
 
And finally, installing are Top and Bottom web-flanges of track girders --- 3/8" x 1/16" strips -- I prefer styrene strips "ACC'd" to the  wood track girder sections tops and bottoms.
 
 
(3) -- LONG WOOD CROSSTIES -- 1/8 x 3/16" For O SCALE ATLAS 2 Rail Scale  Track.
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The size can be increased slightly for thicker  Gargraves Wood ties  (to match end profiles) or for other types of 3-rail track tie thicknesses  ---your  measurement decision;
These strips come in 22 inch lengths.
 
(4) -- TRACKSIDE WOOD GUARD TIMBERS -- 5/32" x 5/32"
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These match height of - or can be a tiny tad lower than) scale 1:48 size  Atlas O Scale solid T rail -- YOUR size will (should) reflect the size of  the track running rail on the 3-rail track of your choice--and should be a  tiny tad below the rail top height to insure clearance of truck sideframe  bottoms of ALL trucks of any cars you run on your EL.
 
NOTE:   These in modern times (over the last 15 years) are replaced  during major track rebuilding by apprx. 4 real inches prototype wide steel  strapping...check nycsubway.org website for photos of trackways in present  days for the "look" of these straps.  Much of the system still has the  wood, however.
 
 
(5) -- WOODEN  CATWALK  PLANKWAYS -- 1/16" x 1/8"
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This size would remain standard no matter what brand 2 or 3 rail track you  use.
 
 
(6) -- OUTSIDE 3rd RAIL CHAIR BLOCKS
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These I cut square blocks from  3/16" x 3/16" wood strips of 22' long each.
Can also use Solid STYRENE strips of same size.
 
 
 
(7) -- OUTSIDE "EL STYLE" Uncovered THIRD RAIL
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I use  HO Code 100 rail for 3rd rail with  1:48 2 rail track  running rail - or optional code .125 rail if you are using larger than code  148 running rail size on 2 or 3 rail track.
 
I model pre-1960 IRT and BMT "exposed" early "Elevated style" third rail  for joint subway paddle shoes (which slide under a covered third rail "cover  board") and "elevated car" drop sled shoes which drop down onto and ride on  top of the 3rd rail -- thus not allowing use of a cover board.
 
 
(8) -- THIRD RAIL COVER BOARD -- OPTIONAL
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This is prototype for todays NYC Transit and LIRR present 3rd Rail  System  --- you must fabricate the third rail cover using 1/16 x 1/4" 
 
Support "bracket straps" from the ties to the cover board can be made with  thin strips of solid brass or steel wire or flat narrow brass strips. A  tedious job as you will need (heh) hundreds of these for the cover boards'  supports over your third (outside) rails.
 
 
(9) -- "EL" SUPPORT  COLUMNS -
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I use PLASTRUCT ABS Plastic - Plastruct column size H-10.  This  is a very strong plastic material.
 
 
 
(10) -- INSIDE OF TRACK GUARD RAILS (between running rails)
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Code .148 or slightly lower (smaller) rail --- for my Atlas O Scale 2  Rail Track. The Guard Rails should NEVER be higher (better just a bit lower)  than your running rails to clear truck motor bottoms, gears on wheelsets, and  those "un-coupler tacks" on MTH subway Car couplers, and etc.
 
(11) -- CURVED FLANGE-BEARING Guard RAILS 
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For my Atlas O Scale 2 Rail Track I use Code .148 rail butted  close (rail web to rail web) to the code .148 running rail to form the narrow  slot that causes (as in prototype) the back of the wheel flange to slide  along the "curved Flange rail" --which guides the inside wheelsets on a curve  around the sharp curves and prevents the outer wheel from trying to ride up  or over the ouside curved rail. This architectural and engineering design is  what 
causes the "squeals" on sharp curved EL and subway Tracks...and crews  periodically "grease" these flange rails !!
 
NOTE: ABOVE DETAIL NOT RECOMMENDED for 3 rail operation ! 
 
I use pro-scale .135 tread and flange scale steel 30" & 33" insulated  2-rail NWSL wheels on scale profile T-rail Atlas solid rail track, which in  this case operate like the real wheels on flanged curve tracks. MTH subway  set wheel Treads are too wide and flanges TOO THICK to clear  scale-dimensioned (as I have) "curved-flange- rails" slots . This technique  is also used on my scale switch tracks ---
BUT ALSO NOT Recommended for 3 rail switches per MTH wheelsets either. 
 
(12) -- CATWALK RAILINGS
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I use PLASTRUCT ABS Plastic Item # HR-8,  O Scale Railings
 
 
(13) -- ASSORTED SIZES LATTICE STRUCTURAL GIRDERS
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--for spans, braces, station roof framing and support columns -- get  "Central Valley Bridge Girder" kit packages...part 1902-5.     Also Check out PLASTRUCT various sized Lattice girder items of same.
 
I hope this info helps any O Scale Modeler-readers somewhat.
Its ALL the tiny details collectively that make the structure and track  work look good!!
 
Go to my FLICKR ALBUMS Website Photos Website, at:
 
 
Also see my PHOTOS ALBUMS PAGE at FLICKR - each album covering various segments of my layout and rolling stock in photos...at:
 
 
 
--save that FLICKR ALBUMS site also --to frequently check track work where  there are close-ups of those details!
 
Regards - Best of Luck !!
 
Joe F !
Webmaster - NYC Transit Modelers Group Forum Board
 
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Peter - continuing, the station lights are very tiny micro-midget bulbs of 1.5 volts DC each, wired in series of 8 bulbs.  The EL Column White bands were applied (after very unsuccessfuly painting of same) using 1/4" WHITE auto pinstripe tape, very snugly pressed and fitted around the  EL COLUMN I-beams.
 
Hope the above info help you ! Here are three old photos taken after one particular layout-module's EL structure had repairs made after experiencing some minor damages in transportation via a large 24' long truck to and from a large train show back in 1988 -- sorry for the low quality images, but you see structure without the track.
 
Regards - Joe F
 
 

J. Frank O Scale EL structure-B-1990

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Hello Tom (MNCW)

 

Thanks also for the compliments and yes, that "EL tracks on street" shadow pattern are one of the most memorable images of being along and under a N Y City EL line structure. (Or Chicago EL for that matter) - especially when the sun is directly overhead, and very strong.

 

Below are some scenes of "Sunshine and Shadows" under the Bronx IRT White Plains Rd Line EL - some on Westchester Avenue portion and some on Southern Blvd segment, this EL line itself being one of the oldest surviving IRT EL structures built in 1903-04, and opened in 1904 by temporary trains coming off the 3rd Ave EL Jct. to it at E.150th St-Westchester Ave.  I am sure you will enjoy these images ! Below those are some scenes along and under my O Scale NY EL -- for shadow replication as I did it.

 

WHERE did you grow up in the Bronx, and what years?  I know every area of the Bronx quite well ! Or if you wish you can private email me your reply to me !

 

PS: for the locations of the real photos, put your cursor over either each photo, or the small thumbnail images at message bottom, and you will see the Location captions.

 

Regards - Joe F

 

 

NE under IRT Westchester Ave EL to Southern Blvd Curve-2011

Lattice Cross Span Bracing on EL Curve-IRT West Farms EL-2011

NE under Westchester Av IRT EL at Simpson St STA-2011

West Farms IRT EL on Southern Blvd-2014

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Joe,

  I went to Mt. St. Michael (1974-1978) on the border of the Bronx & Mt. Vernon, but lived in Yonkers. Wondering how old you are? Judging by the level of detail, I'm guessing 75-85 years old but watch me be way wrong and you are 22! Feel free to respond by email if you don't want everyone to know.

 

Tom

Hello Patrick (Railride)

 

Yes, I also know that area you worked in very well.  I had an Aunt I and my family visited a lot in the 1950's who lived a few blocks down (east along) Westchester Avenue from that Southern Blvd. intersection - along ANOTHER IRT EL that entered and curved upon and over that same Westchester Avenue - The IRT Pelham EL coming up to it from Whitlock Avenue.  She lived along that EL 2 blocks east of, past, the Bronx River drawbridge on the Avenue. 

 

Here are a few photos from my collection for you to enjoy - YOU know the locations I am sure - some are more recent and some from 50 or more years ago -- the way I remember that entire area back in the 1950's - 1960's period.

 

NOTE: The TWO photos just above the LAST TWO photos - are taken under my O-Scale EL System !

 

Place your cursor over each photo to get a location caption popup.

 

regards - Joe F

 

 

174St STA-White Plains Rd EL-1960

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E Under Simpson St Lcl STA-IRT W'chester AV EL-2009

East under Westchester Ave IRT EL-2010

E. under IRT W'chester AV EL-Elton Ave-2011

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SB WhPLRd Local to Simpson St STA-1959

West on W'chester Ave to Simpson St Station Curve on the EL-1930's

 

 

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West on Westchester Ave. to Southern Blvd JCT-Simpson St STA-IRT-1930's

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Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hello again Spence -- I just realized that THIS thread is about my IRT Elevated Open end Platform EL cars  - and thus this attached VIDEO would be in order here. These are Video Camera VHS Tape video clips shot by me back in 1998, 16 years ago ! I digitally installed them to my computer -- there are different scene clips with sound. Hope you enjoy them...as I tried to replicate the prototypes of these cars when in real service on the EL's

 

Regards !! - Joe F         

Hello again Tom --

 

Already been there - done that long ago - heh !

 

Now you should have figured that I likely already DID THAT -- see these pictures from back in 2008 of a - heh "steam fantrip"  on my EL with one of my modeled 1878 era INTERBOROUGH (IRT) steam era earliest class of EL cars (the one in red)  ---  !!!

 

Regards - Joe F

 

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Yes, I see. Uncle, uncle, we are not worthy! 

 

One thing...I think engine #8209 is clearly in violation of the rule book with a missing headlight!

 

I would be glad to loan you one of my PRR switchers for your next fantrip. I guess it could have been some hooligan that swiped the headlight most likely from some lesser New York City Catholic High School, such as Cardinal Hayes, oops, I guess the cat is out of the bag now, so to speak.

 

Tom

Last edited by PRR8976

Hello Tom

 

Two of the foaming "loons" on the fantrip stole the headlight in darkness just before the daylight fantrip --and as a H/L was not required for daylite running, the trip went on as planned, heh.  However, on some occasions, some strange fantrip equipment do at times violate the sanctity of the "EL" 3rd rail trackage  but then again, its either a diesel (self powered) or in the case of the scratchbuilt NHRR Boxcab, it has LIRR / NYC Subway type 3rd rail shoes for operation on LIRR 3rd rail trackage - so it can visit the EL - as you see. And of course, my scratchbuilt scale model NYCTA (MTA) 50T Diesel electric Work Train Loco -  of course, can power a fantrip if needed...

 

regards - Joe F

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Hello Bill (Subway Depot)

 

Which model work train, or unit,  are you referring to in particular? 

 

If its the NYCTA-MTA GE 50-T work loco, its scratchbuilt.  MOST of my work cars are totally scratch built - none are MTH "work cars" other than a few MTH IRT R-type and IRT Low-V Car bodies painted in the M-o-W Yellow colors....called "Crew Rider Cars".

One of my "Crew Rider" cars in yellow is my scratchbuilt R-21 type Carbody modified with the side windows covered over.  Its at the rear of the work train in my videos.

 

I did take some Lionel-based items and completely re-work and modify them to scale improvements and details ---ie:  my NYCTA BLACK Hopper Cars and my NYCTA YELLOW Hopper Cars are such, and a long center cab loco.  However, 90% of the work cars on my system are scratch built and many are replicas of actual real prototype cars from the wooden EL Car Systems to the steel subway car divisions.

 

Here BELOW is the webpage link to my FLICKR PAGE ALBUM called "O-Scale NYC Transit Work Cars".   There are loads of photos of these cars. 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157626205010066/

 

ALSO below are 3 short videos of one of my work trains running on the EL. Of course, you will see quite more of my very many work cars in the above FLICKR ALBUM.

 

Regards ! - Joe F

 

 





Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hello RJR !

 

Thanks also for stopping by to look over this Thread.  Check out my other threads in this series here at OGR Subways Forum showcasing my El-Trolley Layout, if you haven't already.

 

Good to find ANOTHER rare poster who also rode the Manhattan-Bronx 3rd Ave El and the Dyre Shuttle.  We ARE becoming a rare, heh, breed as time goes by ! I rode the Dyre line a number of times in 1952 and 53 when it had gate cars on it - and later in 1954 when it had  Manual-Door-Control Hi-V Class steel subway cars.  And of course after it was connected to the IRT Mainline at E.180th Street yards, in 1958, I rode its thru services with Low-V's and later IRT R-Type (SMEE) cars.  I could almost imagine what riding it in its NYW&B days was like !

 

I grew up and lived right along the Manhattan 3rd Ave EL and rode if quite frequently. 

 

Glad you enjoyed my  layout photos, videos, and trip back in time via modeling.

 

Regards - Joe F

Last edited by Joseph Frank

Thanks for the reply, Joe.  To add to the history of the Dyer Ave Line, in the early 1940's my grandmother lived a block from the Dyer Avenue station, so we rode the shuttle from end to end.  There were 2 open platform gate cars.  One could only enter and leave by the gates at the coupled ends of the cars, where a conductor would open and close them.

 

When boarding, I would sit in the first seat on the left, so I could watch out the front window.  The line was the old right of way of the Boston & Westchester, as my father called it.  It was a 4-track line, but the two middle tracks had been torn up.  There were one or two stops at which the platform was at the sides of the tracks, but at one (Gun Hill Road?) the B&W had had an express stop, so the station was between the tracks.  Beyond Dyer Avenue, all tracks had been torn up, but the ROW was untouched. The next station still stood, spalling concrete and looking run down.

 

After the war ended, we drove more often and rarely used the subway.

 

I went for 2 years to HS in the Bronx in 1950-52, and occasionally rode the 3rd Ave El from it's northern terminus down to 42d St., where I'd get the crosstown shuttle (that line is another story).  No gate cars then, just the old cars, but a great ride, looking into windows of homes.

 

I looked at many of the pictures & videos, and marvel at the realistic detail you've created.  The video from under the El was excellent.  I can remember my father driving under the El.  Noisy with occasional sparks coming down

Hello again RJR

 

Thanks for your interesting nostalghia reply !  I can relate to all of it - having been there also.  The Gate cars were last used in large numbers on the 3rd Ave EL (Manhattan & Bronx) between late 1949 and mid 1950.  They were (many were dead-stored spare train extra consists) re-activated in the late 1949 thru mid 1950 period because the then 1902-3 built ex-subway (center door composite cars) consists,  used ONLY as express trains ONLY on center tracks with passengers - were being replaced and retired.  Their maximum traction (one motored wheelset in each truck) trucks were slowly being removed from them and installed under newly arriving ex-BMT "MUDC-converted"  "Q" Type EL cars from the  then IRT operated Flushing-Astoria lines.  These were BMT Shuttle EL Car trains operating on those routes.

 

So the IRT Gate car extra trains in dead storage, were re-activated to replace, in express service,  each removed Composite Car express train, one at a time.  By April-May 1950, the entire ex-BMT Q-Type fleet had been trucks-refitted, and thus arrived on the 3rd Ave EL to replace the remaining Gates and Composite car fleets in express-ONLY-services on center tracks with passengers.

 

Composite and Q types were TOO HEAVY to operate on the local tracks (over the spindly 1878 installed lattice EL columns) with passengers.,.. but could operate on them "light" (not in service).

 

Tho I rode the gates only a few times on 3rd Ave (Mainly Composites, Q's and MUDC's) -- I did ride them a bit more on the Dyre Line Shuttle - enjoying their "open front porch" in my kid-eyes-mentality type view of the tracks !!

 

Don't you wish we could go back for a few weeks in time and do it all again !

 

regards - Joe F

Last edited by Joseph Frank

Joe, I never got far into studying the various types of NYC transit system cars.  I actually lived over in New Jersey, where Public Service trolleys still ran up the hill from the 42nd Street Ferry and then down through Union City.

 

  The Dyer Ave shuttle I became familiar with because of the need to ride it, and even though really young, I was fascinated by what were anachronisms even in the early 40's:  open platform cars.  While at high school, I rode the 3rd Ave occasionally for the same reason:  they were unique.

 

I really don't want to go back and do it again, but to be able to stand to the side and observe is something that would interest me. 

Hello RJR

 

Thanks for the added info and reply ! -- Yes, if we could go back in time, we could NOT physically occupy the same space (and likely age) at the same time -- but to go back "on the sidelines" as an "adult observer" -- would be nice, but of course, impossible in reality !

We can be thankful  for all the photos and videos that are around of what we remember and were a part of in those long ago periods of time - and sharing similar memories !

 

regards - Joe F

Hello ALL ------

 

Here are four of many of the newest photos taken by various visitors to my home May 16th and 17th of my NYC EL-Trolley Layout during the East Penn Traction Club Show "Open House Layout Tour" program.  These photos feature per this Thread Topic, some of my various Open End Platform wood EL Cars.

 

Regards - Joe F

 

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Hello DeeDon68

Yes, I have close to 1000 photos of the Myrtle Ave EL --  many hundreds of my own (additionally including  color slides) and many more in my collection covering the 1880's to the demolition in the early 1970's.  I rode it since 1955 and over the next 14 years took hundreds of photos (and color slides) of it thru its closing in October 1969.  And I rode the Gate cars and the Q Types -- I also rode the Q-types's when they ran on the Manhattan & Bronx 3rd Ave EL -- have hundreds of photos (and slides) of them on the 3rd Ave Line

Joe F

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Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hello DEEDON68

I have a few photos of the Vanderbilt Ave. Station from street level in the 1968-69 period,  but mainly from rooftops and track and station level.  A few from the 1940's which may be of use at the street level intersection.  Here they are.  I will post those on this reply -- and the others on street level in the vicinity on a following reply;

Would you want any views from Vanderbilt Ave Station platform with & without trains and rooftop views down to the EL ?

(PS: you remind me of myself thru the past 5 decades, in my quest looking, asking for, any photos of my own neighborhood EL station along the Manhattan IRT 3rd Ave EL, heh !  And the "excitement" when I found those very rare hard to find few !))

Regards - Joe F

0132-Myrtle EL at Vanderbilt AV STA-19400172-Myrtle El-W on downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-19440173-W on Myrtle EL downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-19440179-S to Vanderbilt AV STA-Myrtle EL-1944Neg# 3580-N to uptown side-Myrtle El Vanderbilt STA-9-1969Neg#3586-S to downtown side-Myrtle El Vandelbilt STA-9-1969

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  • 0132-Myrtle EL at Vanderbilt AV STA-1940: View North on Vanderbilt Ave., to uptown side track, Myrtle EL Vanderbilt Ave Station, 1940
  • 0172-Myrtle El-W on downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-1944: View from downtown track catwalk at the Vanderbilt Ave. EL Station, Myrtle Ave. EL, 1944
  • 0173-W on Myrtle EL downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-1944: View from downtown track catwalk at the Vanderbilt Ave. EL Station, Myrtle Ave. EL, 1944
  • 0179-S to Vanderbilt AV STA-Myrtle EL-1944: View south on Vanderbilt Ave. to downtown track side, Vanderbilt Ave. EL Station -1944
  • Neg# 3580-N to uptown side-Myrtle El Vanderbilt STA-9-1969: Night rainy scene north on Vanderbilt Ave., to uptown EL Train on uptown track, Myrtle EL Vanderbilt Ave Station,  9-1969
  • Neg#3586-S to downtown side-Myrtle El Vandelbilt STA-9-1969: South on Vanderbilt Ave to downtown EL train and side of Myrtle EL Vandelbilt STA-9-1969
Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hello again DeeDon68

Here are more of the immediate El station neighborhood scenes I shot almost 48 years ago in 1969, around the Vanderbilt Ave. Station of the Myrtle Ave EL.  I hope you enjoy them and get some nostalgia from them!  As well as the previous ones I sent on my just previous  message.  I have plenty more I took from track and platform level and rooftop views down to the EL and that station.

How about some background history memories from you about why you wanted these photos -- for example, if you grew up along, and/or lived along the EL, back then - and remember or rode it,   to share with us !

 

NOTE:  If you put your CURSOR indicator OVER the photo,  the photo URL is also the photo location and description

Regards- Joe F

 

 

  0176-NB along donwtown Tk-Myrtle EL Vanderbuilt STA-19440177-Myrtle EL W under downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-19440178-W Under Myrtle EL downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-1944Neg#3551-SB by Myrtle El-Clinton St-9-1969Neg#3552-NB to Mytle El above Clinton St-9-1969Neg#3555-Myrtle EL SB by Clinton St-Vanderbilt STA-9-1969Neg#3585-SB Myrtle EL local- Venderbilt STA at Clermont Av-9-1969Neg#3854-18-S on Myrtle Av at Clinton St-9-1969Neg#3854-19-S on Myrtle Ave SB at Clinton St-9-1970

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  • 0176-NB along downtown Tk-Myrtle EL Vanderbuilt STA-1944: View uptown (NB) under the downtown track under the Vanderbilt Avenue Station near Vanderbilt Ave. -1944
  • 0177-Myrtle EL view downtown under downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-1944: Under the Myrtle EL Vanderbilt Ave Station view downtown under downtown Track in 1944
  • 0178-SB Under Myrtle EL downtown Tk-Vanderbilt AV STA-1944: Under Myrtle EL Vanderbilt Ave. Station, view downtown under downtown track, 1944
  • Neg#3551-SB by Myrtle El-Clinton St-9-1969: View downtown at Clinton St. towards uptown (NB) Q-Type EL train departing the Vanderbilt Ave Station from Clinton Street corner, 9-1969
  • Neg#3552-NB to Myrtle El above Clinton St-9-1969: View uptown along the El to an uptown Q Type local which just left the Vanderbilt Ave.; Station - 9-1969
  • Neg#3555-Myrtle EL  SB by Clinton St-Vanderbilt STA-9-1969: View downtown along downtown local track as a downtown Q-Type Local EL train rounds curve into Vanderbilt Ave. Startion - 9-1969
  • Neg#3585-SB Myrtle EL local- Venderbilt STA at Clermont Av-9-1969: View uptown along downtown local; track and train, Myrtle EL stopped at Vanderbilt Av Station - 9-1969
  • Neg#3854-18-S on Myrtle Av at Clinton St-9-1969: View downtown at Clinton Street soon after Myrtle EL removed, 9-1970
  • Neg#3854-19-S on Myrtle Ave SB at Clinton St-9-1970: View downtown at Clinton Street soon after Myrtle EL removed, 9-1970

Thank you very much for the great wonderful pics, I rode on these magnificent trains back during the 60s.  I would hop on the Navy Street station and the Vanderbilt station, yet I wish to have more memories of Vanderbilt Station for I'm trying to remember the designed construction of the side of the Liquor Store or on the Gas station side looking at the el for my family and friends argue that Vanderbilt station on the described side had 2 windows instead of 3 like the other side of the station.  Can you send more pics for proof of my correction.  

 

Hello DEEDON68

 

Thanks for your nostalgia history -- I figured you likely lived along, grew up along that line.  Glad to find someone who has a more  personal interest in the old Myrt.

OK, if you look at the 1940's photos of the BOTH SIDES of the Vanderbilt Station I previously provided, as it was originally built in the 1880's.  the both sides of the station house proper had FOUR windows, and ONE window in the top of stairs "vestibule room" outside the station house proper.

As part of a late 1950's upgrade on the Myrtle El, and arrival of overhauled Q-Type EL (MUDC class) cars to replace the older open end platform 1300 series gate motor cars,  the station houses were "modernized" in the upgrade with new simplified exterior sheathing - eliminating the more intricate woodwork details.

As far as Vanderbilt Station goes, 

---the Downtown side wall of the "house" had only THREE of the 4 windows retained --- the 4th one closest to the stairway entry end - was removed and sheathed over.  That was the side the station token agent was on,  and he had one of the windows for his booth.

---the Uptown side wall of the "house" had TWO of the 4 windows retained --- the other two closest to the stairway entry end, were removed and sheathed over.

The station stairway top-vestibule enclosure still retained its original ONE window on both sides.

I have attached 1 photo of the UPTOWN and two of the DOWNTOWN side of that station per 9-1969

Also one more photo looking downtown to the El and a downtown train having just left the Vanderbilt Ave Station, Sept. 1969

regards - Joe F

Neg#3573 View downtown to SB Myrtle Ave EL Local from Vanderbilt STA-9-1969

Neg#3540-view uptown by downtown track-Myrtle El-Vanderbilt STA-9-1969Neg#3544-View uptown by downtown track-Myrtle EL-9-1969 Neg#3573- view uptown side of Vanderbilt Av STA-Myrtle El-9-1969Neg#3573 View downtown to SB Myrtle Ave EL Local from Vanderbilt STA-9-1969

 

 

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  • Neg#3540-view uptown by downtown track-Myrtle El-Vanderbilt STA-9-1969: View uptown along downtown side of Vanderbilt Ave. Station and side of stationhouse, Sept. 1969
  • Neg#3544-View uptown by downtown track-Myrtle EL-9-1969: View uptown along downtown side of Vanderbilt Ave. Station and side of stationhouse, with a downto El train approaching-Sept. 1969
  • Neg#3573- view uptown side of Vanderbilt Av STA-Myrtle El-9-1969: Rooftop view looking uptown along the uptown track side of the Vanderbilt Ave Station -Sept. 1969
  • Neg#3573 View downtown to SB Myrtle Ave EL Local from Vanderbilt STA-9-1969: Rooftop view along uptown track side of Myrtle El, with downtown EL train having just left Vanderbilt Ave. Station - Sept. 1969

WOW! You have brought me so many great memories, I can't stop looking at these photos, they just take me back into time.    The Myrtle Avenue El was BROOKLYN at best.    Several years ago I was fortunate to buy a piece of the LAST remaining pillars of the 1885 section of the Lexington Ave el.   The remnants were on the corner of Lex and Grand Avenue when they demolished the building under the El.   It was a great deal.   

 

Dave

thanks for posting the phopto . Looking at the trolley tracks below reminds me when we rode the Crosstown Car and the Vanderbilt ave car here. The Crosstown came up from Flushing Ave on Vanderbilt and turned onto Myrtle Ave here on the turn shown. The car went down to Erie Basin through Downtown Brooklyn . We rode it to go to the shopping on Fulton Street. 600 series were used on this line. 

 

Back on Vanderbilt ave , You could transfer from the Crosstown car to the Vanderbilt ave car. WE rode to Bartel Pritchard and changed for the Mc Donald Ave. car to go to Coney Island. PCCs were used on the Vanderbilt Ave and McDonald Ave lines. 

 

Before 1958, Gate cars worked the Myrtle Ave Line and South of Broadway, Fare collection was at times on the train. Before 1950, The Lexington Ave Line used the Myrtle from Bridge and Jay Street to Navy Street where it turned off via and on grade crossing like we saw in some of Joes other photos earlier in the thread. At Bridge and Jay Street, There was a free paper transfer to connect with the IND subway in the area. 

 

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Hello

Dave (DeeDon) and LIRR Steamer

THANKS BOTH for your appreciation of my photos -- and I enjoyed and totally comprehend your both deep feelings of nostalgia for the old Myrt jand the neighborhood similar to as I feel for it.  Brooklyn was a great place then and old Myrt EL and its trains were a historic institution (like San Fran cable cars) -- but short sighted TA brass choose to destroy it for buses -- and thus for a slower and lumpy-bumpy ride on the traffic clogged avenue presently.  As you both know,  the entire area really deteriorated by the time the EL was torn down post 1970.

I have plenty of photos of the Myrt-Lex Grand Ave. Junction,  and the unique OUISIDE PLATFORMS Grand Ave. station on the Myrt.   Well,  my photos cover the WHOLE line from Metropolitan to Park Row  to the later (by 1944) Bridge-Jay Sts.  terminals.

Here are some of my "Brooklyn " street level scenes on my EL & Trolley layout !

Regards - Joe F

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Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hi Joe Frank,

 

I wanted to ask you did you ever see an IRT lov running on the Myrtle Avenue El?   And also, can you how some color photos of the Vanderbilt Avenue station Ext.  from the Esso gas station?   You've brought me some nostalgic memories that shed tears in my eyes, for this El was very emotional to see demolish as a Boy.   

Deedon

You may enjoy this huge website of mainly ALL COLOR PHOTOS (with a few B&W photos)  created  by Patrick Cullinan who has a nostalgia and love for the BMT Myrtle Ave EL like I had for my own IRT EL on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan long long ago.

https://pcullinan.smugmug.com/...l-Oct-1969/i-cXNGTjq

Patrick took these photos on and along the Myrtle Ave. EL generally in October 1969,  the last month of operation on the Myrtle Ave EL.  I was in the same area and on the EL as well as on the street and rooftops and along the entire EL -- taking my photos and color slides right up to the last night of service.   However, besides the EL, Patrick focused a lot on the street scenes both from the EL and other viewpoints,  including many buildings seen along the EL from trains or station platforms.

Here are a few photos by him (attached) at your Vanderbilt Station area and adjacent streets.  I am sure you remember all these scenes and buildings from your old neighborhood.  Many are still there today.

 By the way,  NO, per your question -  Low-V's never ran on the Myrtle Ave. EL,  that I know of,  on the older portion BELOW Broadway Myrtle Jct  in regular service or on any fantrips.  Low-V's wityh passengers  would be too heavy as all steel ALL MOTOR subway cars.  A fantrip may have run from the Broadway BMT EL from Myrtle-B'way JCT up to the northern portion (heavier steel construction)  outbound to Metropolitan Station and back inbound to connect back on to the Broadway EL. And if so,  more likely in the years AFTER 1969 or 1970. I am not sure.  But in the decades up to the closing the the lower older Myrtle Ave  EL in Oct. 1969 BELOW Myrtle-B'way Junction, I am sure no Low-V's operated there.

regards - Joe F

Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL at Portland StOct-1969-Myrtle-Av-El-north side of Myrtle between Clinton and WaverlyOct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL-Vanderbilt AVOct-1969-Myrtle-Av-El-NW on VanderbiltOct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL near Hall StOct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL-Clinton Av Corner

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  • Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL at Portland St
  • Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-El-north side of Myrtle between Clinton and Waverly
  • Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL-Vanderbilt AV
  • Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-El-NW on Vanderbilt
  • Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL near Hall St
  • Oct-1969-Myrtle-Av-EL-Clinton Av Corner
Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hello Chris !

Thanks for reviewing my Thread here,  and for your nice compliments.  That's what my layout photos sites are designed for,  enjoyment, encouragement and motivation and transit history in the form of modeling of it

On the FIRST posting by me on top of page 1,  I added 4 LINKS to my four Layout Photo-Websites -- you may want to go back there and check these 4 links out.

You will also see my earlier 1960's-1980's era HO NYC EL LAYOUT in photos and their two special ALBUMS of photos on my FLICKR page.

regards - Joe F !

Last edited by Joseph Frank

Thanks for the memories...As a kid in the 50's I would visit my Grandmother in Richmondhill, Queens. I'd sneak under the turnstile at the Fresh Pond Road station and ride the open end cars back and forth all day until it was time to go home...We lived in Bellerose so that was a treat for me...

Hello Deedon --

Sorry that I can't facilitate your continual obsession with that one specific location on that one corner and of that one specific scene-view.  To obsess over, and express interest in only that one scene-view,  looking across the street to the other side,   after the volume of BMT  Myrtle Avenue EL nostalgia of photos and films that I presented here,  as well as my scenes provided on and around your EL Station at Vanderbilt Avenue,  over various decades,  basically indicates  to me you likely have little to no real sincere intrinsic interest or nostalgia in that elevated line, its history, its rolling stock, etc., except for that one small scene you seek.

Last edited by Joseph Frank

Hi Joe F

Thank You for responding, though I don't see myself being obsess with the one specific train stop in Vanderbilt Avenue.   I don't call it obsession, It is called being Passionate.   Does it not occur to you that you are passionate in building your open gate Q cars and using photo shop to make it look to your standards, which btw makes them look rather more non-prototype.   And you also stated that you had thousands of Color and Black n White photos of this historical EL.   Also if you are illustrating your toys to the public it is in ones best interest to satisfy clients, groups, subway enthusiast to the fullest of needs whether for documents or for memorable purposes.    Be more Professional.  

 

Deedon68

 

Deedon --

My modeling work has been seen by documented millions of fans, historians,  modelers, and the general public, both in traction and hobby magazines over 30 years, and on the internet over the past 17 years thru my own photo websites for the layout  (and of course sharing material here) - as well as many other rail related forums.  And the entire layout displayed at large venue train shows.  PS:  I don't have "Photoshop" program and thus don't use "Photoshop".  These museum caliber  "scale models" (they are NOT "toys", heh)  are seen as they are.  Look at responses to my modeling work on these and other pages in the subways forum!   I don't see any unsatisfied  fans, enthusiasts, modelers,  etc.,  (I have NO clients, heh  - but when I do,  those clients PAY for my time and services).  

Yes, I have a few thousand photos of the Myrtle EL,  and a few hundred color slides.  However,  NOT any of the specific one-scene-view,  whatever it is,  you repeatedly  "passionate"  over. I spent quite amount of my personal time over various days and postings, to attempt to accommodate you by provided you plenty of views of and around the Vanderbilt Ave. Station,  in different time frames, but none as stated are to your one-specific-scene agenda or satisfaction.  And links to other sites.   And obviously no one else has responded to your requests  here except me.

I suggest you, as I have done for 5 decades,  spend your own time doing your own extensive research, perhaps checking the NYC Dept. Of Real Estate Taxes Photography archives.  They have a website --- find it!  They have many hundreds of thousands of generally OLD document-photos of all New York City located buildings and street scenes of buildings photographed for Real Estate Tax building identification records.  By checking the  Myrtle-Vandebilt intersection, they may have something photographed related to whatever specific "image / scene" you are looking for...as most all are at sidewalk and street level.

 

 

Last edited by Joseph Frank

Joe F

Thanks for your clarified response and not that WE don't know and respect your work but you should've could've responded with details in the first place if you didn't have the photos.    I get it.   And I did appreciated your time in forwarding some of the photos you had available.     I will look into some of the web-sites you recommended.   Thanks

 

Dondee

Hello Deedon --- (or is it now Dondee !)

Thank you -- and I understand your situation. 

I provided you my own night photo I took  standing ON the gas station lot looking "northward" (actually in reality outbound, "eastward" ) towards the EL and it's downtown (inbound) track side of the Vanderbilt Avenue station house and platform on Myrtle Avenue -- see below. 

Neg#3586-S to downtown side-Myrtle El Vandelbilt STA-9-1969

I assumed THIS photo and it's view-scene  was sufficient for what you were relating .

However, here are your quoted comments from your above reply ....

" .....but still haven't found a picture from anybody looking from North towards Vanderbilt avenue station opposite ESSO gas station.   Hopefully someone has a photo so that I can confirm my nostalgic visions perspectively...."

OK -- so please explain what you mean as to WHAT are the "nostalgic visions perspectively"  you need to "confirm".  Confirm what,  and why ?

Attached is a current street view similar to what your above quoted comments may reflect.  Of course, the EL is long gone 45 years now, and note that now the former ESSO Gas Station, later EXXON,  and in recent years, the GULF Gas Station at left of photo,  is also gone and now a vacant lot.   PS:  I DO like the return of the old cast iron "Corvington" class streetlights -- as you know, I also model these "Corvington" style cast iron ornamental streetlights,  on my EL layout

 

Is this the "north" view you are looking for,  under or along the EL  from that sidewalk at left  ??

N on Myrtle to Vanderbilt Av-2016

 

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  • N on Myrtle to Vanderbilt Av-2016
  • Neg#3586-S to downtown side-Myrtle El Vandelbilt STA-9-1969
Last edited by Joseph Frank
gene maag posted:

Thanks for the memories...As a kid in the 50's I would visit my Grandmother in Richmondhill, Queens. I'd sneak under the turnstile at the Fresh Pond Road station and ride the open end cars back and forth all day until it was time to go home...We lived in Bellerose so that was a treat for me...

Hello Gene !

 

THANK YOU for the appreciation --- and good to have stirred your nostalgia and memories !   We both have similar nostalgia memories of this line..  I rode the 1300 series all motor BMT EL Gate (all motor) Cars on the EL over various "solo joyride outings" from mid 1955 thru mid 1958 as they were the last old wood EL (and being Gate cars) Cars  in NYC after my own neighborhood Manhattan IRT 3rd Ave EL and its IRT wood "MUDC" class EL cars were gone by end of 1955 -

Some of those IRT "MUDC" Class wooden EL cars surviving there along with  the entire fleet of 1600 series Q Type wood EL Cars - until Dec. 1956,  when all the wood EL Cars on the remaining Bronx portion of the 3rd ave EL,   were replaced with 6 car trains of old IRT steel ex-subway "Steinway" class Low-V Motor Cars. 

The Q Types were stored on the EL - and some in E.239th St IRT Yards,  -- and later gradually all moved to Coney Island Shops in mid to late 1957 and overhauled to run on the Myrtle Avenue EL in order to  replace the last wooden BMT El Gate cars on that line, as well as in operation in NY City and NY State, and in the USA !   The BMT Myrtle EL and its gate cars,  and after May 1958,  the ex- 3rd Ave EL operated (from May 1950 thru Dec. 1956)   Q types,  defined the early era of N Y City EL systems from the turn of the century.  A living relic in even back then, modern times.  Too bad the neighborhood went to crap in the late 1960s' and thereafter, and ridership dropped as crime rose.  And the EL was closed late October 1969 replaced by buses by then.  The end of an "era" !

Regards - Joe F

 

Hi Joe F,

My Nostalgic memoirs of this specific train station was as a kid a I ran up and down from the stairway leading out in front of our best friends building,  My family and our friends would ride on the EL during the summer nights to Jay Street and transfer to the F train to Coney Island.   As a boy I cried just to ride 2 stops to the last stop.   My Mother never denied to ride on the EL.   They were special times for me.   Today I'd do almost anything to relive that time by photos or video.   Yet that particular stop was the ultimate.  I remember the thick Pipe that ran down on the pillar right on the corner of  Myrtle.   This is part of the time I will cherish mostly, the love of family and friends and the love for the EL.   This photo was posted by you sometime ago, yet it is very dark and blurry.  very hard to see.  Thanks

 

Deedon

 

 

 

NEW PHOTOS --  New NIGHT TIME SCENES  --  On the O-Scale NY City "EL"  --

I have just installed LED lights in one train of my O-Scale 2-RAIL converted IRT R-21 Cars  - replacing those dim incandescent bulbs they originally came with from MTH as 3-rail operated cars.  These LED'S  lights take only a fraction of current to operate all of them  (60 lights over a 5 car train) and thus do not cause noticeable current loss-drop (ie: acting like "resistors" )  to the traction motors as the MTH light bulbs did. 

Now these cars have that florescent lighted look, color  and brightness of the real R-type cars.  I use 12 LED lights on a strip -- in strip-attached groups  of 3 LEDS each group   (  3 + 3 + 3 + 3 ).  I plan to outfit all my MTH R-Type cars with these LEDS.

Regards -- Joe F

 

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