Fulton Street Line (elevated) explained

BMT Fulton Street Elevated
Type:Rapid transit
System:Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation
Start:Fulton Ferry
End:Lefferts Avenue–119th Street
Close: (west of Rockaway Avenue)
(Rockaway-Grant Avenues)
Owner:City of New York
Operator:New York City Transit Authority
Character:Elevated
Tracks:2-3
Map State:uncollapsed

The Fulton Street Line, also called the Fulton Street Elevated or Kings County Line, was an elevated rail line mostly in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. It ran above Fulton Street from Fulton Ferry, Brooklyn, in Downtown Brooklyn east to East New York, and then south on Van Sinderen Avenue (southbound) and Snediker Avenue (northbound), east on Pitkin Avenue, north on Euclid Avenue, and east on Liberty Avenue to Ozone Park, Queens.

The portion in Brooklyn has been torn down, but most of the line in Queens has been connected to the New York City Subway and is now part of the IND Fulton Street Line (served by the A). The section of the IND Fulton Street Line in Brooklyn is an underground line, replacing the elevated line. The structure was the main line of the Kings County Elevated Railway, which first opened in 1888.

History

The Kings County Elevated Railway opened the line, from dual western terminals at Fulton Ferry and Brooklyn Bridge (Sands Street)[1] east to Nostrand Avenue, on April 24, 1888.[2] Construction on this line started in the fall of 1885, when ground was broken at the corner of Fulton Street and Red Hook Lane.[3] It was extended east to Albany Avenue on May 30, 1888; Albany Avenue was an eastbound-only station, and the westbound station just beyond at Sumner Avenue had yet to be completed, so it temporarily served both directions.[4] The line was further extended to Ralph Avenue on September 20, 1888.[5]

The Fulton Elevated Railroad was incorporated on July 6, 1888, to build a disconnected line from Greenpoint south through Williamsburg to Kent and Myrtle Avenues and to extend the Kings County Elevated east beyond Rockaway Avenue to the city line.[6] [7] The former was not built, but construction soon began on the latter. The first piece, over Fulton Street and Williams Place, opened on July 4, 1889, connecting with the Long Island Rail Road's Manhattan Crossing station at the new terminal at Atlantic Avenue.[8]

It was extended further, over Snediker Avenue and Pitkin Avenue, to Van Siclen Avenue on November 18, 1889. Due to a shortage of wood for a storage yard, a temporary shuttle was operated between Pennsylvania Avenue and Van Siclen Avenue until mid-December.[9] [10] [11] [12] Construction above Pitkin Avenue progressed to Linwood Street on February 22, 1892,[13] and Montauk Avenue on March 21, 1892.[14] The line was completed to Grant Avenue at City Line on July 16, 1894, with the opening of a structure above Pitkin Avenue, Euclid Avenue, and Liberty Avenue.[15]

The Kings County Elevated leased the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad on February 5, 1896.[16] A two-block elevated connection between Franklin Avenue station and the Brighton Beach Line's Bedford station, including a new station at Dean Street, opened on August 15, 1896, and the Kings County Elevated began operating trains between the Brooklyn Bridge (Sands Street) and Brighton Beach.[17] [18]

The final extension, from Grant Avenue east to Lefferts Avenue, was built under the Dual Contracts and opened on September 25, 1915.[19] In 1917, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce started fighting for the removal of the Fulton Street El.[20] The Dual Contracts also triple-tracked the line as part of the Dual Contracts, starting in 1913.[21] The new third track went into operation on December 27, 1915, stretching between Manhattan Junction and Nostrand Avenue. Some trains ran express in the peak direction.[22]

This also led to the reconstruction, replacement, and elimination of some stations. The Public Service Commission received a petition on December 9, 1916, from a large number of civic and business organizations to restrict the third tracking to a point in the vicinity of Cumberland Avenue.[23]

In 1929, the Independent Subway System (IND) began planning their own Fulton Street subway immediately below the Elevated.[24] The underground line was opened from Jay Street to Rockaway Avenue on April 9, 1936, including a stub terminal at Court Street.[25] [26] Stations west of Rockaway Avenue were being made obsolete as many were being replaced by the subway stations. Trains last ran on the line west of Rockaway Avenue on May 31, 1940, and these stations were closed the following day.[27] The total cost of demolition of the Fulton Street Elevated was $2 million.[28]

On June 1, 1940, a free transfer was provided to the Fulton Street subway at Rockaway Avenue, and a new "Fulton–Lexington Avenue" service via the Lexington Avenue Elevated west of East New York was introduced.[29] [30] The remainder of the line west of Hudson Street (now 80th Street) was closed on April 26, 1956, and Fulton Street subway trains began using the line east of Hudson Street on April 29. The remaining segment of the Fulton Street Elevated east of 80th Street is now used by the .[31]

Service patterns

See main article: BMT 13. The primary service pattern was a simple one-end-to-the-other operation, until May 31, 1940, when the 13 was cut back to Rockaway Avenue, and the BMT 12 took over operations from downtown Brooklyn to Lefferts Boulevard.

Station listing

Most Fulton Street trains left the line at Sands Street and ended at Park Row rather than Fulton Ferry.

NameOpenedClosedNotes
Brooklyn
Fulton FerryApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940
Sands StreetApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940
Clark Street (eastbound)
Tillary Street (westbound)
April 24, 1888
Court Street (eastbound)
Myrtle Avenue (westbound)
April 24, 1888June 1, 1940
Boerum PlaceApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940
Elm Place–Duffield StreetApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940
Flatbush AvenueApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940
Lafayette AvenueApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940
Cumberland AvenueApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940connection to Greene and Gates Avenues Line streetcars
Vanderbilt AvenueApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940connection to Vanderbilt Avenue Line streetcars
Grand AvenueApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940connection to Putnam Avenue Line streetcars
Franklin AvenueApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940connection to Brighton Beach Line trains and Franklin Avenue Line streetcars
Nostrand AvenueApril 24, 1888June 1, 1940connection to Nostrand Avenue Line, Lorimer Street Line, Marcy Avenue Line, and Ocean Avenue Line streetcars
Brooklyn Avenue (eastbound)
Tompkins Avenue (westbound)
May 30, 1888June 1, 1940connection to Tompkins Avenue Line streetcars
Albany Avenue (eastbound)
Sumner Avenue (westbound)
May 30, 1888between 1912 and 1924connection to Sumner Avenue Line streetcars
Troy Avenuemid-1888June 1, 1940
Reid Avenuemid-1888June 1, 1940Connection to Reid Avenue Line streetcars. Originally named Utica Avenue, but renamed between 1912 and 1924.[32] [33]
Ralph AvenueOctober 1, 1888[34] June 1, 1940Connection to Ralph Avenue Line streetcars. Service made redundant to Ralph Ave subway station at the same location.
Saratoga AvenueDecember 3, 1888[35] June 1, 1940
Rockaway AvenueNovember 16, 1888[36] April 26, 1956Connection to Wilson Avenue Line streetcars. Service made redundant to Rockaway Ave subway station at the same location.
Manhattan JunctionJuly 4, 1889remainder of complex still exists as Broadway Junction serving the trains
July 4, 1889presentstill serves the train
connection to Long Island Rail Road at East New York station
Eastern ParkwayNovember 18, 1889November 17, 1918[37]
Hinsdale StreetNovember 17, 1918 April 26, 1956connection to Bergen Street Line streetcars
Pennsylvania AvenueNovember 18, 1889April 26, 1956
Van Siclen AvenueNovember 18, 1889April 26, 1956Service made redundant to the IND's and subway stations.
Linwood StreetFebruary 22, 1892April 26, 1956Service made redundant to subway station.
Montauk AvenueMarch 21, 1892April 26, 1956
Chestnut StreetJuly 16, 1894April 26, 1956Service made redundant to subway station.
Crescent StreetJuly 16, 1894April 26, 1956
Grant AvenueJuly 16, 1894April 26, 1956Replaced by the underground Grant Avenue station, which serves the train.
Queens
Hudson Street–80th StreetSeptember 25, 1915presentstill serves the
Boyd Avenue–88th StreetSeptember 25, 1915presentstill serves the
Rockaway Boulevard–96th StreetSeptember 25, 1915presentstill serves the ; IND service to the Rockaways splits from here
Oxford Avenue–104th StreetSeptember 25, 1915presentstill serves the
Greenwood Avenue–111th StreetSeptember 25, 1915presentstill serves the
Lefferts Avenue–119th StreetSeptember 25, 1915presentstill serves the

Notes and References

  1. News: Trains to Run On The Kings County Elevated Next Tuesday.. April 21, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 6.
  2. News: Heavy Travel During the Morning Hours on the Kings County Road. April 24, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 6.
  3. News: Fulton St. 'L' Was Last Word In Progress at '88 Opening. May 31, 1940. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 2.
  4. News: For Decoration Day Travel. The Kings County Road's New Stations Will Open To-morrow.. May 29, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 6.
  5. News: Sunday Morning Section. September 9, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 8.
  6. News: Fulton Elevated Incorporated. July 7, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 2.
  7. News: Fulton Elevated Railroad. July 9, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 2.
  8. News: The Fulton Street Elevated. Time of Night Train to be Reduced. New Stations and Rolling Stock.. June 28, 1889. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 6.
  9. News: Will Be Opened Monday: The Kings County Elevated Road's Extension. November 12, 1889. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. July 22, 2015. 6.
  10. News: Adding a Mile To The Line of the Kings County Elevated Road. November 16, 1889. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 3.
  11. News: Hats Tossed Up. The Kings County Road's Opening Provokes Enthusiasm.. November 18, 1889. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 6.
  12. News: Kings County Road's Shuttle Train. December 10, 1889. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 6.
  13. News: Another L Station Opened. The Kings County Line Extended to Linwood Street.. February 22, 1892. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 4.
  14. News: Another L Station Opened. The Kings County Road Now Runs to Montauk Avenue.. March 21, 1892. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 6.
  15. News: Extending the Fulton Street Elevated. One Mile More Will Be Opened On Monday Morning.. July 13, 1894. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 10.
  16. News: Brighton Beach Road Leased. Kings County Elevated Trains Will Run To Coney Island. Rapid Transit For Flatbush.. February 5, 1896. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 14.
  17. News: New Route to Coney Island. August 14, 1896. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 12.
  18. News: First Trains to Brighton Over The Extension of the Kings County Elevated. August 14, 1896. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 7.
  19. News: New Elevated Line Opened For Queens; Parades and Speeches Near the Lefferts Avenue Station of Liberty Avenue Route.. September 26, 1915. The New York Times. March 12, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331.
  20. News: Boro Chamber Backed 'L' Removal of Years. May 31, 1940. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 14.
  21. News: Fulton Street Consents to Go to P.S. Board. October 29, 1913. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 20. October 2, 2018.
  22. News: "L" Expresses Installed. Fulton St. 3d Track in Use. Service Improved.. December 27, 1915. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 13, 2019. 1.
  23. News: Petition Hit Third Track. May 31, 1940. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019. 18.
  24. Web site: Our Great Subway Network Spreads Wider; New Plans of Board of Transportation Involve the Building of More Than One Hundred Miles of Additional Rapid Transit Routes for New York. Duffus. R.L.. September 22, 1929. The New York Times. August 19, 2015.
  25. News: Two Subway Links Start Wednesday . . April 6, 1936 . 23 . October 7, 2011.
  26. News: New Subway Link Opened By Mayor; He Tells 15,000 in Brooklyn It Will Be Extended to Queens When Red Tape Is Cut.. April 9, 1936. The New York Times. August 15, 2016. 0362-4331.
  27. News: Last Train Is Run On Fulton St 'El'; Mayor, Cashmore, Officials and Civic Leaders Make Trip to Brooklyn Terminus Razing To Start Soon 'Funeral' Services for Line, Built in 1888, Are Held in Kings During Afternoon. June 1, 1940. The New York Times. March 12, 2019. en-US. 0362-4331.
  28. News: Brooklyn Takes Another Great Step Forward. May 31, 1940. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 12, 2019.
  29. News: B.M.T. 'El' Lines to Shift Service; City to Close 2 Sections This Week; New Schedules Affect Fulton St., Lexington Ave. and Culver Roads--Free Transfers to the Independent System at Some Stations. May 27, 1940. The New York Times. March 12, 2019. 19. en-US. 0362-4331.
  30. http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/transportation/broadway_junction_pt1.pdf Broadway Junction Transportation Study (Part 1) (NYC.gov)
  31. Web site: First Leg of Rockaways Transit Opened at Cost of $10,154,702. The New York Times. June 29, 2015. April 30, 1956.
  32. Web site: www.nycsubway.org. nycsubway.org.
  33. Web site: www.nycsubway.org. nycsubway.org.
  34. News: Will Open At Ralph Avenue To-morrow.. September 30, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 13, 2019. 3.
  35. News: The Saratoga Avenue station of the Kings County Road. November 27, 1888. Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 13, 2019. 6.
  36. News: Brooklyn.. November 17, 1888. New-York Tribune. March 13, 2019. 10.
  37. Book: Legislative Documents. January 1, 1920. J.B. Lyon Company. en.