The Manhattan Bridge

Classic Trains General Discussion
1

The following is an excerpt from the in-preperation book by Jack May on Third Avenue Railways - Third Avenue Transit:

Jack

The Manhattan Bridge was the fourth East River crossing, running from Canal Street and the Bowery in Manhattan to Flatbush Avenue Extension and Nassau Street in Brooklyn. Located between the Brooklyn and Williamsburg bridges, the bi-level structure was the last of the East River crossings to be built with tracks for public transportation. In fact, it had the most tracks of all the bridges—eight—of which four are still used for rapid transit trains.

When the bridge was opened on December 31, 1909, only the vehicle roadway on the lower level was ready for traffic and consequently there was no rail service on the structure. The situation remained the same until 1912, as two companies vied for the rights to run streetcars over the bridge.

2

Thanks David! The only thing missing is a picture. I’ll take care of that right now.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Bridge#/media/File:Manhattan_Bridge_by_David_Shankbone.jpg

Beautiful bridge. Hard to believe it dates from 1909. They built 'em good back then!

3

The picture can be posted, since David Shankbone authotizes its use for non-commercial purposes if credit is given. Even commercial purposes are allowed, if congitions are observed.

4

I’m pretty sure this should be “Vesey” not “Vestry”. Hopefully if so this can be corrected in galley before publication.

Maps, and diagrams of the bridges, perhaps repeated inline with the text, will almost be necessary to make sense if some of this to the reader, for example in understanding “overcrowding at Park Row”. While most true enthusiasts will understand this, anyone reading this as a first taste of NYC transit probably won’t, and even footnote references to other works to ‘get the context’ would start to address this.

5

Vestry St still exists, a block south of Desbrosses St. No reason to think Vesey St was involved.

6

The only part of Vestry St. I was familiar with has Hudson River views, which threw me off. It does not help that Trinity, of which I was a parishioner, is responsible for naming both those streets.

7

Jack May is known for his accuracy, and of course the book will have maps, charts, and photos, matching the excellence of his work with Joe Bromley on the excellent Toronto Transportation Commission book.

But Overmod. did you know that Larry King, Jerry Marshall, and I redid the Trinity Church sound system sometime in the early 1980’s. using as much as possible of the earlier Dave Demarest - Ed Seeley system. We got the job because of the success at St. Thomas 5th Ave, continuous use for 50 years by November 2021.

Given the, flood, Trinity probably has a replacement, and I was very unhappy about the destruction of the fine Aeolian Skinner organ

8

I had no idea you’d done either. I was almost married in St. Thomas (and probably in retrospect should have been!) so that is good work too.

I try not to think about it.

9

Both Larry King, Trinity Church’s Music Director & Organist, and my partner Larry King were involved in my work.

10

Jack May has told me that Brooklyn and North River, the Third Avenue conduit opersation on the north pair of tracks. quit in 1919, and Manhattan 3-Cent line. suth pair wired, in 1929. Wicki says upper auto roadway in 1920, which would be the north upper-level. and we can presume the south upper-level in 1930.