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New York Transit Museum

@nytransitmuseum.bsky.social

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Telling the stories of New York’s public transportation and the people who make it possible. nytransitmuseum.org

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · Dec 12

Hello Bluesky! The #NYTransitMuseum is pleased to be here and is looking forward to sharing great content with you! We will be filling this space with fascinating transit history, images and objects from our collection, and info on upcoming Museum programs.

An R-40 "slant" on the IND Rockaway Line in the late 1970s/early 1980s.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 11h

#OnThisDay last year, #StatenIsland's rapid transit got a major upgrade when the R211S entered service. The state-of-the-art cars now run on the SIR (Staten Island Railway).

These photos, from the inaugural ride, show the first R211S train to depart from St. George Terminal. 📷: @MTA.info

The inaugural R211S ride commences on the train platform in Staten Island, New York.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

#OnThisDay in 1933, seven new stations opened on the IND Culver Line in Brooklyn (the F and G trains): Carroll Street, Smith-Ninth Street, Fourth Avenue, Seventh Avenue, 15th Street–Prospect Park, Fort Hamilton, and Church Avenue. These images show the line before, during, and after construction.

Control tower on the new F line in 1933.

Cut and cover subway construction along Smith Street in Carroll Gardens.

The downtown Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, with large street facing windows, a wide street, and brownstones.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

Zabar’s remains one of the classic, most beloved gourmet food stores in the city. Generations of New Yorkers have lined up to get a taste of Zabar's appetizing and will continue to do so thanks to Saul Zabar. 🥯

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

Because of its proximity to transit, Zabar’s appears in our Subway Construction Photograph Collection. This photo was taken as a survey image during a platform extension project at the 79 Street station on the IRT Broadway—Seventh Avenue Line (today’s 1 train).

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

Today, Saul Zabar passed away. For more than 70 years, he was the principal owner of the legendary Zabar’s market in #NYC. This #NYTMCollection image captures the Zabar’s storefront in 1957, twenty-three years into its time in business and seven years into Saul Zabar’s tenure.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 2d

Which diamond services do you remember?

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 2d

A diamond service could have designated a weekday-only express service, special service, or rush-hour only service. Today's diamond routes include 6, 7, and, most recently, the F in 2019 for express service on the Culver Line, skipping all local stations between Church Av and Jay St-MetroTech.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 2d

#MysteryMonday: What do diamonds mean in the #NYCsubway? In use since the 1980s, the diamond route indicator is generally used to show that a train route’s service has been modified; regular service is marked with a circle.

A yellow diamond Q subway route indicator.

A pink diamond 7 subway route indicator.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 3d

Bus operators don’t just drive present-day buses at Bus Roadeos. Historic buses are also included. This 1993 #NYTMCollection photo shows a double-decker Fifth Avenue Coach Company bus, built in 1938. It appeared at the New York City Transit Authority Bus Roadeo at Steeplechase Park, in #ConeyIsland.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 3d

Have you ever been to a Bus Roadeo? The word “road” is intentionally used as a nod to surface transportation. Bus Roadeos happen all over the world and are hosted by local and regional transit companies to test bus operators on driving skills, safety regulations, equipment maintenance, and more.

Yellow and green double decker double-decker Fifth Avenue Coach Company bus #2124 appears at the 1993 New York City Transit Authority Bus Roadeo at Steeplechase Park, in #ConeyIsland. The red Parachute Jump is in the background.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 4d

🎳 Taken in 1957, these #NYTMCollection photos show a fascinating peek into the penny arcade culture of the time. These are survey images for a platform extension project on the 50 Street station on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, but they also capture an exciting slice of life above ground.

1957 photo of the exterior shop front of a penny arcade. The sign reads "Amusement Center, Rifle Shooting, Admission Free."

Inside of a penny arcade showing the many fun games and devices for having fun and play.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 5d

Do you remember the Myrtle Avenue El?

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 5d

These #NYTMCollection photographs shows the last day of service on the Myrtle Avenue El including emotional passengers gathered for the send-off. Do you remember the Myrtle Avenue El?

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 5d

When Myrtle Avenue El service ended, so did the era of wooden bodied cars in #NYC and beyond. The El’s Q-Cars — former wooden gate cars that had been modified and refurbished — were the last wooden passenger trains employed in regular service in North America.

A conductor looks out the window of a subway car.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 5d

“Old Myrt,” as it was known by many, was slated for demolition due the cost of improving its aging infrastructure, competition for riders with the Crosstown Line (today’s G train), and the rise of cars and highways.

View from the elevated Myrtle Avenue line facing Downtown Brooklyn.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 5d

#TodayInHistory: #OnThisDay in 1969, the last train departed for the final ride on the Myrtle Avenue Elevated Line. Running since 1888, the line provided an important connection between Downtown Brooklyn and Queens.

The last train departs for the final ride on the Myrtle Avenue Elevated Line in 1969.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 6d

Very cool!

New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 6d

#TodayInHistory: #OnThisDay 51 years ago, the film “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” opened in theaters. The 1974 action crime caper flick includes footage filmed in the decommissioned Court Street Station, now known as the #NYTransitMuseum.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

Find the Holiday Train Show, beginning November 13, at the #NYTransitMuseum's Grand Central Gallery, open 7 days a week, in the Main Concourse next to the Station Master’s Office.

Hours and more info at nytransitmuseum.org.

Home - New York Transit Museum

The New York Transit Museum is a unique museum devoted to the impact of public transportation on the growth and development of the New York metropolitan region.

nytransitmuseum.org

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

You'll see the Museum’s collection of Lionel model trains, including Metro-North, Polar Express, and vintage #NYCsubway cars. The trains have realistic lights and sounds! You'll also encounter dozens of tiny pedestrians, buses, and cars on exquisitely-detailed miniature streets.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

🚂 Get ready to be dazzled by our much beloved Holiday Train Show, returning to Grand Central on Thursday, November 13! Admission is free for all visitors.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

Each month, "What's New in the Archive” keeps you on the forefront of the Museum's acquisitions with our Registrar, Elise. Explore the Museum’s collection online! See thousands of objects and images at nytransitmuseum.org/onlinecollections.

Music credit: “Game Show,” @squadcar37 Audio Productions.

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nytransitmuseum.org

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

At its peak, the New Haven operated both passenger and freight railroad service throughout the state of Connecticut, to Western Massachusetts, and even out to Cape Cod and Provincetown. Some of these branches had become freight-only by 1945, but many passenger lines still survived.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

🕰️ Have you ever used a train or bus timetable? We recently received a donation of several historic timetables, including a beautiful 1945 timetable from the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad, also known as "The New Haven."

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 8d

Protestors are marching at the Transit Authority building at 370 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn. Unfortunately for these activists, the Myrtle Avenue El ended service on October 3, 1969 and was demolished the following year. Stay tuned for Friday’s #TodayInHistory post about the El’s last ride.

Protestors holding signs march to keep Brooklyn's Myrtle Avenue Elevated Line open in 1969 outside the New York City Transit Authority's building.

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