Queeensborough Plaza was the largest station in the Elevated system and as large as the West 4th street complex on the IND lines. Until 1949, service was provided jointly by the IRT and BMT divisions. Until 1942, the IRT second Avenue Elevated operated over the Queensboro Bridge and ran trains to both Astoria and Flushing . The IRT Steinway Line( What is now the number 7) provided service to both branches from Times Square. BMT El Trains served both branches with Trains originating at Queensboro Plaza as well as a Round Robin Operation between Ditmars Blvd and Main street Flushing. BMT subway trains used the 60th street tunnel to arrive at Queensboro plaza with passengers transferring to the BMT EL service for either Branch. The track work was a a great complex arrangement that permitted all these operations. Here are a few aerial views. The North side of the station was removed in the 1960's since it had not bee used since 1949.
This one is probably 1949-50 right after joint operations ended.
from the Astoria Branch looking west into the old BMT station
BMT now using the former 2nd Ave El Connection to Astoria
A lot of Q cars on the Astoria Branch east of the plaza . Note the Bridge trolley on the street level.
what a mix master of tracks we have here on the east side of the station as the Astoria and Flushing Branches diverge to the North and East.
probably 1949 . some BMT equipment still using the layup track on the south side of the Flushing El between the plaza and 33rd street . Some activity in LIRR Yard A at Sunnyside.
From the Astoria side. The 2nd Avenue El connection is in the foreground.
4th ave local having arrived from Manhattan. It will turn and change ends on the BMT layup track.
Same Train arriving
The Low V's at Ditmars Blvd on Astoria ready to depart for Times Square on the Steinway line.
and Last but not least, MUDC cars on the 2nd Ave Line coming from Flushing.Probably just before service ended in 1942.
