What a great description of the infrastructure and operation of Queensboro Plaza. In its heyday, it was a rapid transit mecca. Both the Steinway line and the 2nd Ave line connected to Flushing and Astoria. The BMT served with the 60th st tunnel connection and the BMT El cars operated between Queensboro Plaza and Flushing and Astoria. The crossover which allowed the 2nd ave El trains and the Steinway Tunnel trains to access either the Astoria or Flushing line trains is still in place on the Eastbound upper level. It allows the 7 line equipment to access the rest of the subway system via the 60th street tunnel.
The Bluebird in the photo I think is the number 8000 which was the prototype set from Clark the builder who had the BMT contract to build 50 such car sets. They apparently had many technical features from the PCC trolley design. The prototype set was demonstrated on various lines of the BMT to get exposure to the public. In Joe's Photo , it looks like it was working a run on the Broadway Line down to City Hall station. There are photos showing this prototype on various other BMT routes including the Fulton Street El. The Green Hornet worked that route as well.
When the City took over in May 1940, Clark had 5 -3 car sets on the assembly line. The City put a hold on the contract and only those 5 were completed. After delivery, they were assigned to the Canarsie -14th st line. They were in service until 1956 . As a youngster, I lived near the Canarsie route during the late 1940s and 1950s. I think I may have ridden a Bluebird once or twice in those days. The most common equipment on this line was the Multi]s another BMT lightweight articulated design.
Thanks for posting the photo.
