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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 · 15h

#DidYouKnow that some vintage signage for the H&M can still be seen in #NYC? This present-day photograph shows an H&M mosaic still inside the 14 Street/6 Avenue station.

#TransitTrivia: Do you know what "PATH" stands for?

Mosaic in a modern New York City subway station, spelling out H&M Tunnels Jersey City Hoboken Newark.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 15h

#TokenTuesday: Do you ride the PATH train? Until 1962, its routes were operated by H&M Hudson Tubes. The system was renamed the PATH when it was taken over by the Port Authority of NY and NJ. This 1946 #NYTMCollection token was part of the H&M era. It features a cut out H with the words “one fare.”

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 19h

The prior images from the #NYTMCollection show views of the Fifth Avenue Elevated Line during its early era of steam locomotives (1893-1899). These later images show 3rd Ave at 39th Street in 1940, Flatbush Avenue near State Street in 1941, and the El's 3rd Street Station (no date).

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 19h

Built between 1889 and 1893, the Fifth Avenue Elevated Line eventually became part of the BMT (Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit). When the city’s three subway systems unified in 1940, a decision was made to close the Line. It was demolished the following the year.

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New York Transit Museum @nytransitmuseum.bsky.social · 19h

#DidYouKnow that Brooklyn's 5th Avenue once had an elevated rail line running over it? The Fifth Avenue Elevated Line ran through Downtown Brooklyn, then along 5th Avenue through Park Slope and Sunset Park. At 36th Street, the line curved west and ran along 3rd Avenue to a terminus at 65th Street.

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

100 years ago #OnThisDay, an extension of the IRT Flushing line opened with a new 111 Street station at Roosevelt Avenue in Corona, Queens. The debut of the IRT in Corona opened the area to vast commercial and residential development. This image shows Redbirds in service at the 111 Street station.

Redbirds in service at the 111th Street station in Queens in 2000.

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

This 1930 #NYTMCollection photo shows eight men standing in front of one of the first R1 #NYCsubway cars (car #107) at the 207th Street Yard. The R1s, nicknamed “City Cars,” were manufactured by the American Car and Foundry Company. R1s were all arranged as single units and numbered 100 through 399.

This 1930 photo shows eight men standing in front of one of the first R1 #NYCsubway cars (car #107) at the 207th Street Yard.

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

These mosaics are part of "Westside Views," a collection of 37 artworks at the 86th Street #NYCSubway station. Celebrated Nuyorican artist Nitza Tufiño directed the 1989 project, and it was one of the earliest site-specific art installations commissioned by MTA Arts & Design.

subway line mosaic of two men in suits pushing babies in strollers.

Mosaic of a man at a produce stand while an elderly woman buys vegetables.

A mosaic of three women from three different generations sitting on a bench.

A mosaic of a woman buying a hot dog from a frankfurter stand.

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

R17 cars remained in service until February of 1988, when the remainder of the fleet was retired and scrapped.

📸:
1. R17 car on elevated tracks in The Bronx
2. R17 car at 42nd Street- Grand Central Station
3. R17 car delivery, crossing Avenue M on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn, 1955

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

Manufactured by the St. Louis Car Company, the R17s represented a first in subway seat design, featuring foam-filled, red plastic bench cushions. The fleet of 400 new cars also included round porthole windows on car end doors and rounded rectangle windows on side doors.

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

#TodayinHistory: #OnThisDay in 1955, R17 cars entered service in the #NYCsubway system. Nearly identical to the R16 models placed in service on the BMT division the year before, the R17 was an economical purchase – interchangeability of parts between models saved greatly on repair and maintenance.

Car 6692. R17 car on elevated tracks in The Bronx.

R17 train on the 6 line pulls into Grand Central Station.

R17 subway cars 6501 and 6502 roll by under elevated subway tracks.

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

This image shows the new commuter rail map issued by the MTA this year. After decades of more geographically accurate maps, the streamlined look has returned. Which map do you prefer?

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

Designed by Joan Charysyn as a counterpart to the Unimark “Vignelli” Subway Map of the same era, the guide takes liberties with geography in favor of clarity, using clean angles and uniform spacing.

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

This 1974 @MTA.info Commuter Rail System Map takes a broad look at the transit systems of the tri-state area, including MTA Long Island Rail Road, PATH, and other lines serving upstate New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut that today are operated by NJ Transit and MTA Metro-North.

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

“Working the A Train” (1981) took a behind-the-scenes look at the #NYCsubway system and showcased the work involved in running the city’s longest train line. At one time, the film played in the gallery of the New York State Museum, accompanying the exhibit of its R9 subway car #1801.

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

#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 · 7d

#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 · 7d

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 · 7d

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 · 7d

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 · 8d

Which diamond services do you remember?

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

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 · 8d

#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 · 9d

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 · 9d

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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