They need it! The Q53/52 sbs is extremely overcrowded and people do not want to take the local Q11/21. This would be a great way to relieve them Q53/52 buses from being packed to the brim
It needs to be reactivated as soon as possible. It would be essential for the people living in Southern Queens and the Rockaways! The population keeps growing and more cars, more traffic. Reactivate now!
@@JaredVonBaren Even better, if we untangled the service patterns of the B-Division of the Subway, we could achieve 4 minute headways on this branch. Though the best option in my opinion is to operate the 63rd Street Tunnel as it was intended and build the Queens Bypass Line connecting to it, with a branch on the Rockaway Beach Branch. This would be a true competitor to the A train.
I always thought that the Rockaway beach branch should be reactivated for the LIRR. But I'd rather have the branch line used for the subway than the LIRR. And besides the M, they could use the G as well. And have the turn the Rockaway park shuttle back into the H train&have that run on the Queens blvd line&terminate at the upper level of Roosevelt Avenue, and that'll do.
Yes. Definitely revive this line. Much of Queens remains a transit desert and, as a resident of Northeast Queens, I can definitely attest to this! In case the powers that be have failed to notice: the population of Queens continues to grow and just as importantly, so too does job growth, meaning fewer people commuting to Manhattan, a trend that will only grow, not diminish.
Great video, I'm always one to say, the more transit, the better. Speaking of Far Rockaway, it dumbfounds me that they never thought to move the Far Rockway LIRR to Mott Ave to make it less of a walk getting from one train to the other. Now they're building apartment buildings across from the A train station, (Cool, transit oriented development). But that land could have been a major hub, looking simular to Long Beach LIRR.
@@WiseAssGamer most likely, however the area has been neglected for years. It’s right on the water, and should be treated as prime real estate. Hopefully apartments will have atleast 30% affordable
Reactivation seems like a good idea, but this video is kind of hard to follow with the repetetive video footage. This would be better with more maps included, so that it would be easier to see where the tracks (both existing and proposed) would go.
i honestly say is that they can extend the rockway shuttle to the A line then on the rockway beach branch making all stops until Matawok. They could change it back to the H train after this. Also, they should reactivate the Woodhaven Junction stop on the lirr branch so easy access from the H train to the Lirr.
Thank you for posting. This is very well narrated and captures many historical facts with regards to the Rockaway Transit lines. The narrator provides significant historical information dating back to the 19th century and it's inception of the lines. There is indeed a great deal of History from its inception to transfers of ownership and consideration of many of the plans that he discusses. The plans of reactivating the branch and providing extra connections is indeed a project definitely worthwhile. Sadly, however it all boils down to the availability of funding! Funding and the exorbitant cost of construction tend to defer or diminish interest by officials on these projects. Right now there is consideration being given to revival of a Bay ridge Queens project which are connect queens and Brooklyn without traveling into Manhattan that may be more realistic. However, it boils down to the state of the economy, the politics, and of course simply the availability of funding. I would love to see both of these projects come to fruition and provide extra Transit options for people in Brooklyn and Queens. we shall see and look forward to hearing more. Thanks again for the interesting video and the great footage of the A and S trains.
Awesome vid!!! In the future, it would be nice if you used more maps throughout the video to show exactly which lines you are talking about. I think it would be easier to watch for the viewer.
You absolutely need to cover the Nostrand Avenue 2/5 extension proposals and the Utica Avenue 4 line extension/proposed subway lines. Living in that section of Brooklyn my entire life has made those two + Triboro/Interborough holy grails of subway extension projects and I always like to hear takes on them. As for the subject of this video, it feels like such a no-brainer too since Queens (especially the northeastern section) really really **really** needs more coverage in general so you aren't just shit outta luck if you don't want to leave trains for slower and far more congested buses and their routes for simple swaps. +1 for more map usage in the videos as well, it's really good to visualize and build ideas out in my head too!
I'll definitely consider making a video on the proposed 2/3/4/5 Extensions in Brooklyn. Also, I've been trying to up the production quality of my videos, and a good way to do that is to use the maps.
It would be good for you to make a video on extending the R Train to Staten Island and connecting it to the S.I.R.R. As part of the 1929 plan, a bell-mouth was constructed close to 59thStreet on the BMT 4th avenue line. Connect the R train into Staten Island would reduce traffic on the Verrazano's Bridge and help people to get to work faster into NYC and benefit those that don't have cars. Another idea is to extend the #1 Train to Saint George Staten Island (Tunnel) and possibly connect that into the S.I.R.R.? Or maybe both? R train into S.I.R.R. and #1 Train into the north shore abandoned tracks that lead all the way from ST. George to Port Ivory.
I think it should connect to important parts of the city because that'll definitely give it more of a purpose. I honestly feel like it's better to have to reactivate this a priority on top of the Interborough Express to not only give more options to riders but also to reduce congestion. As always, another great video! :)
Yeah, thinking after the fact, there is another way to have it run into Manhattan without causing issues on QBL. Run it along 53 St with the (E/F) to 8 Av, then down to WTC. If that can't happen, run it along 63 St, with a new connection to the 53 St Line after 57 St.
After a huge fire on the wooden trestle over Jamaica Bay in 1950, The LIRR re-routed Rockaway Park services via Valley Stream (50+ miles). They also cut service beyond Hamilton Beach.
The reroute through Valley Stream was more like 15-20 miles not 50. This continued until October 1955 when the LIRR service was cut back to Far Rockaway and Ozone Park to allow the conversion of the line to subway operation which began on June 28, 1956. The remaining LIRR service to Ozone Park station ended on June 8, 1962 never to return.
M14 runs on top of the L train which is underneath 14th Street. If you dig up 14th Street and 7th Avenue L train is below the West Side IRT Line at that location
Just found your channel! Great content and very helpful to me as I'm still somewhat new to NYC and trying to learn all of the fascinating history of the NYC subway system.
I'm glad you are able to learn some of the History about this city's amazing Subway System from me! I plan to continue creating good videos going over the History, Niche Information, along with the future of the system!
The next time your in the city take a ride on the 6 train towards the Bklyn Bridge station (that's the last stop). Once the train terminates just stay on it because eventually it will go around a round a bout like. As the train is circling, you will see the ol' City Hall train station. It's "pretty amazing"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also you have the two transit museum's as well. The "BIG" one in downtown Bkyn and the mini one in Grand Central but the bigger one gives you a lot more history of the system though. "Hope this info was helpful"
Another idea is routing into the never used Roosevelt Avenue upper level station which was built for a route to Rockaway. Fun fact about the LIRR RBB, for a period in the 10s or 20s, it did have subway service as well. BMT Broadway line trains would connect via a no longer existing connection to the Atlantic Branch and out to Rockaway. Pragmatically, the LIRR might be the best bet here. Reconnecting the branch to the LIRR mainline in Rego Park would be simple, and run it down to Howard Beach for the airport. Would probably be the most cost effective way, and while not a subway fare, the upcoming expansion of cityticket would make it cheaper than express busses or current LIRR zone 1/3 fares. Great video as always.
I think you should do video about rebuilding the Third Avenue El in the Bronx, which can be connected with the SAS at 125th Street, which can serve as a Q train extension. It's sad that the MTA and the government keeps neglecting the Bronx. The MTA should have included extending SAS to the Bronx in their current plan. Third Avenue is more underserved by mass transit than the East Side of Manhattan below 59th Street and the BX 15 bus doesn't do any justice.
I've been thinking about this for a while, and instead of an all-new line, service can be replicated using the Metro-North Harlem Line, and converting it into Regional Rail. TBH Though, I would love to see an SAS Branch into the Bronx, but I think we both know that it would cost way too much. It's a shame that major parts of the Bronx are underserved by Public Transportation, and the parts that are served, have extremely slow buses that always get caught in traffic. (I'm looking at you Bx4, 5, 15, 19, 40, & 41)
(I'm not a New York resident) Possibly a rail connection from JFK airport to La Guardia using the existing operating section of the Rockaway branch, plus reopening the old section to the junction at Rego Park. Then using existing rails of the LIRR towards the rail junction at Elmhurst, then head north along the proposed Interborough connection to 31st st. Build the next section along the Brooklyn Queens expressway East, then along the median strip of the Grand Central parkway to La Guardia. Shouldn't be all that disruptive to construct and would provide about 14.5 miles of cross town travel, along with a car-free connection between airports.
What they should do is from Rego Park create a Junction Blvd subway to connect to LaGuardia Airport, Rikers Island (as its being redeveloped) and The Bronx, the Interborough Express can also use the Queens-Bronx Tunnel to bypass the Hell Gate Bottleneck
Curious if you are aware that by diverting the M train south at Rego Park, this frees capacity at Forest Hills, allowing for the return of G train service to run once again from Park Slope to Forest Hills. And, if you were unaware of this “perk,“ if that changes your support for a New line running north-south only from Rego Park to the Rockaways? So basically with QueensLink you’re getting two reactivations for the price of one.
The only way bringing the M to Rockaway makes sense is if the western terminus of delancey/Essex Street is made permanent and service from middle village is cut. Even then, it still doesn't seem feasible.
I can see two options: A) To integrate the Rockaway Shuttle with the internal H designation! The H train would operate from Rockaway Park - Beach 116th St through the Rockaway Branch to the QBL. It would remain local throughout the QBL and run via the 63rd St Line. After 57th St/6th Ave, new bell mouths would connect to the E line at 7th ave/53rd St. The H would run express to WTC. One of the benefits is at 36th st, where passengers can get on to 21st St - Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lex-63rd St, and 57th St, without having passengers to backtrack. At 63rd St-Rego Park, a new lower level would be built underneath the current platforms. A shuttle would only operate between Rego Park and Rockaway Park during late nights without interfering with regular service. This also prevents trains from entering at different lines at Rego Park without causing delays. B) To bring back the discontinued V line. Just like the recent interest in extending the M line to Rockaway Park, in my opinion, is just dumb. The M line already goes in an almost-complete loop from Forest Hills to Metropolitan Ave. The V line would operate from Rockaway Park to Rego Park ( a newly built platform underneath the current platforms) along the QBL into the 63rd St tunnels. Like option A, it would exercise the same operation; however, instead of branching off of 57th st/6th Ave to the E line at 7th Ave/53rd St, the V line would run express down 6th Ave and end at 2nd Ave; its former terminal. *If option B is considered, then maybe the V can come back and replace the M line along QBL. The M would go back to the brown M and run to Bay Parkway along the D line as it did before the MTA financial crisis in the 2010 service cuts! During late nights, either have the V/H continue operation or have their terminals at the lower level of Rego Park Station, only operating as a Rockaway Park Shuttle along the branch! Feel free to comment and tell me what do you guys think!
I was thinking something similar to option B but there would be major changes on QBL. (E) WTC - 179 St Full Express on QBL using express tracks beyond 71st Av (F) Coney Is - Jamaica Center via the Culver Express tracks in the underground section. Queens Blvd Local via 63rd St making all stops (R) Bay Ridge 95th-179th St via 59th St and QBL local. Makes all stops to 179th St (V) 6 Av Local via 53rd St, QBL Express, Culver Local. Church Av - Rockaway/116th. Cutting the line to Lwr East Side- 2nd Av is also an option. This line can have two options in queens: 1) (F) to Run express via 53rd St and extend (G) to local tracks with (R) to 179th St. (V) to run via 63rd St but running via the LIRR past 21 St. it would make stops at woodside then curve down to serve the Rockaway Line via the unused LIRR. No conversion of Woodhaven Blvd in this plan. 2) (V) via 53rd and with conversion of Woodhaven to express stop, (V) would curve off express tracks past Woodhaven to serve the Rockaway beach branch. (F) and (R) local in this option. (M) Metropolitan Av to Broad St via Nassau St Line. Extension via west end to Bay Pkwy should be considered with (D) running peak direction express on that line between 9 Av and Bay Pkwy. The Queens Blvd changes are made to eliminate the possible delays with a local train currently the (M) crossing between the local and express tracks at Queens plaza. Even if the (V) would curve off the line at woodhaven, it wouldn’t cause as many delays as a local train going via 53rd St. the IND 53rd St Line in both proposals would carry only Express trains. Also, the culver line would have full express service on weekdays with the (F) or (V) to Coney Island and the other running local to Church Av with the (G) this would improve operations on the Culver line while still giving local passengers a one seat ride to the city
Better idea take over the port Washington to the subway then connect the tracks to the 63rd street line and after woodside add a spur to the rockaway beach line have all 6th ave local trains go to port Washington and Rockaway beach. (F) to great neck/port Washington and (M) to rockaway beach . A new (K) replaces (F) on the queens Blvd express and (G) replaces (M) on the local.
I like option B especially bringing back the brown M. Connecting Boro Park and Park Slope to the Wall Street and Williamsburg area would be a dream come true.
@@TheRailLeaguer I would say a good option for the MTA to exercise would be to bring full-time service to the Z line. The Z train would operate past Broad St, through the Montague St Tunnel, along 4th Ave as a local train to Bay Pkwy. Instead of bringing back the brown M and jeopardizing the trips for people along Myrtle Avenue losing the one-seat ride to Midtown Manhattan, The J/Z already head downtown. The Z train would act a lot like the brown M. Plus, West End Line already has way too many stations, and although the D train is express in Manhattan and along 4th Ave (also expressed in the Bronx during Rush-Hours in the peak direction), it still has to run locally in the Bronx and in Brooklyn. I say extend the Nassau Street Line to Bay Parkway. When the Z does not operate during Late-Nights, extend the J line past Broad St to 9th Ave (lower-level). Another benefit for this is that riders from Coney Island Area will have extra service, and a local train will be added to 4th Ave, increasing service and helping R line service. Because at this point, D and N are the only express lines, and the R is all-time local, which causes issues, and the R line is relatively slow. To enhance service for the 4 main lines that operate to Coney Island [D, F, N, Q], the best thing to improve service along each line would be to do the following: 1) Add the Z (local all other times, and express during Peak-Directions) to Bay Pkwy along the West End Line. During Late-Nights, J trains operate to 9th Ave. With an intermediate stop at New Utrecht Ave (rebuild the station with island platforms) and 86th St - Gravesend (rebuild the station with island platforms). 2) Add the W along the Sea Beach Line to 86th St - Gravesend. The W would operate locally along 4th Ave & Sea Beach, while the N service will be Sea Beach Express. No W service during Late-Nights. 3) Extend the G Train to Kings Hwy. This would enhance the Culver Line because the F train can operate express from Bergen St (lower level reactivation) to Church Ave. Increases F service, and G trains won't cause delays at Church Ave. 4) Add a new K service going Crosstown from Court Sq to Bedford-Nostrand Avs and then along the Franklin Ave Line to Brighton Beach. This would benefit in many ways as the provisional expansion intended the Franklin Ave Line to operate past Franklin Ave to Bedford-Nostrands Avs, with an intermediate stop at Gates Ave. Another reconstruction would occur by making one long station between Park Place and Botanic Garden (without losing the Botanic Garden connection to the IRT Eastern Pkwy Line). The K line would operate local along the Brighton Line to Brighton Beach. This helps during late nights when the B service does not operate, so the K can add extra service along this line.
The northern end should connect at Forest Hills rather than Rego Park. Because the former is an express station unlike the latter which is a local station so transfers would be easier. Also, the M and R trains short-turn at Forest Hills due to low ridership further east and they’re able to do so due to a pair of pocket tracks between the lower-level yard lead tracks. So those can become the new connection to the Rockaway Beach Line. Also, the line was double-tracked until where the Fulton St Elevated runs perpendicular and has a connection. After that, the line is quad-tracked but only the outer local tracks are currently in use and the express tracks have been deactivated, making them unusable. Since the number of tracks which there’s room for changes at the perfect section, the Fulton St Line can continue as the local tracks and the Rockaway Beach Line as the express tracks or vice-versa. Due to it’s connection to the airport, Howard Beach-JFK Airport can be converted to an express station and due to the lack of space for four tracks, the express tracks can run above the local tracks and there can be an infill station called Hammels where the Rockaway Line splits. One branch can become the continuation of the express tracks and the other can be a continuation of the local tracks.
It would be a great idea if they combined the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach branch into a subway to connect the Roosevelt Avenue station that was never completed to it. It will cost billions of dollars, but the majority of the money will come from the US government; so, what’s the issue? The remainder of the 2nd Avenue subway can wait. The last stop is going to be Lex Av & 125th St (4/5/6).
That was my proposal for the "A". The connection to the Rockaways should be severed and completely dismantle. in it place should be the G line. Since they already call it cross Brooklyn and Queens, this setup fits well. But a transfer could be made btw the A and G at a new built "Rockaway Junction" station.
Having recently moved from The Rockaways to Georgia and being raised riding the subway in my youth, I really want a lot of these proposals to fall through, especially in the Rockaways, since it's a pain in the ass to travel from there to any part of Queens without having to go through Brooklyn and Manhattan on the train or taking a slow and often overcrowded bus through the horrendous traffic.
Great video! Informative & interesting. As a former New Yorker, the MTA should reconsider activation of the line as the citizens of Queens where the line will travel will benefit, not to mention economic impact 😉. Thank you for posting this and other videos and all the best.
While I love the highline... It's amazing where there is little space and no park, in Queens there is a ton of space and enough parks, but little transit. It's a no brainer. Regarding one seat issue, as long as the scheduling at the terminus of the new line is set up that there is ALWAYS a train available, why not, just make it on the same platform, and automate the system already, as you point out, we will all be probably dead by the time that comes around.
I remember the H train . That expansion makes sense . Queens needs that. Would love to see the triboro Rx as a subway line not as light or commuter rail . Hopefully it would connect provisions to the Bronx.
I agree, it would avoid people having to travel into Manhattan, only to transfer to a train that takes them back into Queens. We need more radial lines in the city.
@@MysticTransit Absolutely agree - cross-path (criss-cross) tracks are fine, if everywhere is SUPER super densely populated, like Downtown Manhattan, but not all the boroughs are like that. Some are actually quite large & spread out. This would also increase the buildout along the lines for commercial & residential purposes, & goodness knows we need housing like mad!
Absolutely in agreement here. Select Bus Service on the Q52 and Q53 made service faster (and is my favorite SBS line in the city now) but didn't make a significant impact on crowding, even with articulated buses. I think that the Queens connections to Elmhurst, Jackson Heights (!!), and Astoria might be as important, if not more, than the one-seat ride to Manhattan. So in response to you saying the M shouldn't serve the RBB, what if we merged the R, as per one of your deinterlining proposals, with the M by connecting Chrystie St or thereabouts to the Broadway local? Then you can send one of the deinterlined Queens Blvd local services along the RBB (in whatever form it takes, whether it's extending the G again or bringing back the V to cover for the orange M). Also, Fresh Pond Yard! I would take it further and extend the M at the Middle Village end to LaGuardia, forming a loop line.
I kind of agree making it a separate subway line. A piece of me however would like to see an branch off the F Train using that provision they build for the Queens Super Xpress. I'd even go as far as to say built the QSX and link to The RBL and get railcars capable of running on both CBTC with FRA-Compliant PTC so it can share tracks with LIRR. Yeah I'm being extreme.
Not only would I reactivate the line, I'd extend it directly to LaGuardia airport via Junction Blvd/94th St with a transfer at the Junction Blvd 7 stop with stops at Queens Blvd, Corona Ave, Roosevelt Ave, Northern Blvd, Astoria Blvd, and LGA terminals. It would have multiple benefits including: - make inter-airport connections extremely viable - serve essentially 2-3 transit deserts, - alleviate traffic and air pollution from Woodhaven Blvd - provide direct access to 4-5 commercial districts(Metropolitan Ave, Queens Center, Rego Park, Queens Place, Roosevelt Ave )
I walked that line with my camera years ago. Now there are chain link fences and other barriers. People get nervous when they see someone up there and call the cops or worse yet, take matters in their own hands. I still walk around the area but from the street. Live another day.
The Rockaway Beach Line as you describe it was always known to me and others in Queens as “The Glendale Cut Off”. Your plan is sound except it doesn’t account for interconnection between existing LIRR trackage and the Glendale cutoff. The original architecture of the LIRR system was loops between points which would enable easy return of Point trains to their origin. The Rockaway Branch of the LIRR directly connected to the current A train Far Rockaway -Mott Avenue station. The tracks are only 1,000 feet apart and they should be reconnected to allow shared services. In fact if the original tracks remained during the Hurricane Sandy Disaster that took out the infamous Rockaway Causeway Trestle, service to the Rockaway could’ve been immediately restored through the LIRR trackage. Additionally, the Glendale cutoff was instrumental in routing train service around the tragic Christmas season train collision at the J Interlock south of the Kew Gardens station in 1950. Greater thought must be made on efficient organization of transit assets. A central Queens line or lines such as the Glendale cutoff aka Rockaway Line should be instituted along with new technology transit projects such as extension of AIRTRAIN from JFK to LGA as well as an Air Train Long Island running from a loop in Midtown Manhattan to I-495 and then East to Riverhead with eventually service along the LIRR trackage to Montauk and Northport. Next time I will disclose what I know from a decease neighbor about the Carey Transportation Railbus out off the now defunct Eastside and Westside Airline Terminals to JFK out of the QMT to the Jackson & Vernon LIRR station then down the City Division of the LIRR trackage to the Glendale Cutoff interconnect in Forest Park then south to Old Howard Beach where it left the tracks and traveled by roadway to the JFK terminal complexes! “”What can be conceived can be created”.. Enzo ‘IL Commantore’ Ferrari ‼️😉
O thank you for this wonderful essay.... I see you have other great stuff for me to watch!!!! Your content looks wonderful and I just subscribed!!!! ☀️
This needed to be done like yesterday...queens is so deprived of subway service..queens has an abundance of parks and this project can bring both..let's get this done!!!
What if they actually went through with the project and extended the (G) down that way? QBL is already in the process of CBTC and ATO and for that matter so is IND Culver. And that’s more one-seat rides to Manhattan.
My proposal: C to Lefferts, shuttle at night A to Far Rockaway, all times NEW SERVICE: Forest Hills - Rockaway Branch - Rockaway Line - Rockaway Park Sadly there is interlining with this
Speaking of the Rockaway Beach Branch reactivation, I came up with an idea of a new rapid transit line travelling between Hudson County, Midtown Manhattan, and Queens while using the rights-of-way of the LIRR Main Line and Rockaway Beach Branch. It's basically a successor to the previously proposed Queens Superexpress. Although, it is a great idea to have the Rockaway Line transfer with the Queens Boulevard Line via 63rd Drive.
Another line that can go to LaGuardia and actually connecting both airports if not indirectly through the JFK Airtrain ( which was the original plan for the Airtrain, top serve both airports from Manhattan.
I think it would be simpler to reactivate it as part of the LIRR and connect to the main line. On the southern end however, it should then extend into the central terminal complex at JFK, thereby finally providing a one seat ride to both Penn Station and Grand Central.
I just want to add when I say simpler, I mean connecting to the subway beneath Queens Blvd. would be a prohibitively complicated and wildly expensive project. They could do it in Tokyo or Paris, but MTA construction costs are way out of control.
LIRR will NEVER run a line wholly within the 5 boroughs. That’s what NYCT is for. LIRR is a regional commuter system. It’s not meant for use like this.
Definitely like most of Queenslink. My own idea would be, instead of a subway, create a new set of multiple-unit lines (think Stadler FLIRTs) that run along a reactivated Rockaway Beach Branch, along with Crossboro and the Lower Montauk Branch. Have it so those new lines, along with all LIRR City Terminal Lines, are price matched to a single subway swipe. And just like that, you’ve eliminated a whole bunch of transit deserts in NYC
I like these videos with considerations. Also, what if you reviewed rain-fan plans? Like, it would be cool to extend the L from canarsie down Flatlands ave as a new el, and make the 2/5 extend down flatbush.
YES!!! Reactivate ASAP. The Woodhaven/Cross Bay Blvd Corridor buses are always crowded and Eastern/Central Queens are always starved for more rapid transportation
In BVE there is already a Fictional Rockaway Beach branch. Now if this were to exist IRL, then think of the ridership, many people would be using this specific line even if they wanna transfer to the A
I just don't get it why Port Authority is trying to bring Air Train to LaGuardia after seeing the apparent failures of Air Train JFK and Newark. It is just a shame for one of the biggest and the most wealthy cities not to have a direct one-seat access from city core to one of the busiest airports in the world.
There should be a New H line going the same line as the (E) but QBL local, then it would Branch off to the rockaways. The (E) would also be QBL local, the (M) would run to 125th Street-2nd Av, to Middle Village, an SAS line would take over the (M) on QBL via 63rd and QBL exp. The new SAS line would run to Jamaica Center. The (E) would run to Forest Hills. This is post SAS phase 3 btw
Also you would have to cut back M service too and send it to 96st. The V would go via 63 st and go local from 36st to 63rd drive. Woodhaven Blvd would have to be converted into an express station since it's wide enough.
A lot of people want it to be a park instead like the high line. I agree with reactivating it though... because right now you have select bus service connecting those areas. Reactivation would be hell of expensive tho b/c most that structure is decaying.
I think the bulk of the people who want it to be a park, are the NIMBY's that live right near the tracks. This is due to them not wanting to hear trains passing by. I also want to see it reactivated, but yeah, the cost is somewhat of an issue. It is good though, that Queenslink found the actual cost of the project to be less than half of what the MTA Projected.
@@MysticTransit the MTA loves to waste money. If you want the rockaway why not also take over the port Washington line and link it to the 63rd street line
@@qjtvaddict No way. The people of the Town of North Hempstead and northern Queens need the Port Washington Branch. Of course, an eastern extension of the IRT Flushing Line wouldn't hurt either.
That line would be a great addition and the stops I could see north of Rockaway Blvd on that 99st trestle would be Jamaica Ave with transfer to the J, Myrtle Ave next to Victorty Field in Forest Park, Metropolitan Ave then curves to either 71st Continental or to either 61st street Woodside and the 7 train/LIRR
YES! The remainder of the former LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch must be reactivated as the IND Rego Park Line! The former Woodhaven Junction LIRR station should be reopened as the Woodhaven Transfer station. The former Rego Park LIRR station vicinity should be converted into the Rego Park Transfer LIRR station. Some of the development in Forest Hills will actually force the line underground in Forest Park though. And yes, the H train should be the the train on the line, while the Rockaway Park Shuttle should be rerouted to Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue via the lower leg of the Hammers Wye.
Hello! I'm William L. Dickerson, Jr. From Brooklyn, NY. I'd like to comment that Revitalizing the Rockaway Branch by Extending it From: 63 Dr.-Rego Park to Howard Beach-JFK Airport.
When reactivated perhaps send the V train using Queens Blvd Bypass then Rockaway beach branch. If there's a problem on Queens Blvd Bypass a junction at 63rd dr Rego Park should be built with connections to Queens Blvd Express & Local Tracks which are Siemens CBTC equipped derived from LZB for V train to run on from Howard Beach JFK Rockaway Beach Branch via 59th street IRT East Side Line 63rd st Platforms. Requires the construction of Queens Blvd Bypass line to be effective. Cross section of Rockaway Beach Branch is 2 tracks 4 tracks at some point if MTA wanted those test tracks as CBTC test tracks or experimenting CBTC overlaid on ETCS Level 1-3 like Thameslink Core. Ideal service pattern for this should be like 7 & L trains with CBTC or better CBTC overlaid on ETCS therefore running it like Thameslink
I would like to see some additional lines to add to the B-2 Division to reach areas where there are no rapid transit lines. Your plans are idealistic, coming to you from another railroad buff.
That's gonna be a difficult one, although, I was thinking about the Eastern Division recently, and about the trains getting extended to 10 cars for more capacity.
@@MysticTransit Improvements I would suggest expanding the stations to 600 feet to allow for 10 cars Some stations would be closed and merged with each other in the process like Lorimer street and Hewes Street to Union Avenue. the whole section of Alabama to Crescent st should be removed, and replaced with a section line from Broadway junction to Cypress hills Via Jamaica Ave, this removes the curves around Alabama ave and also build new tracks to the East New York yard which houses trains for the J/Z. Build a new flying junction between the Flushing Av station and Myrtle Ave station. The current local tracks would be moved outward so that two new tracks can be added between. These two new tracks would connect to both the local and express tracks. As they approach Myrtle Ave the new tracks would rise up and a new upper level station would be built over the existing Myrtle Ave station, though slightly to the west. This new upper level station would serve Myrtle Ave trains exclusively and mirror over the existing station so elevators could be installed to connect the platforms. A dual level station is what I’m proposing. The L train should be extended to 10th Avenue 57th street allowing more trains to run per hour. The M train should be extended to Forest Hills during Daytime Weekend Hours allowing for weekend service to midtown on the Jamaica line making it more attractive the M train becomes the main local of Queens Blvd. Due to the current nature of the Queens Blvd line this would have to be at the Expense of downgrading the R train to the supplementary weekday only local. Evenings and Weekends the R would go to Astoria with the N train instead. And replacing skip stop service with express service Adding a third exp track to the Jamaica Line from Bwy Junction to Jamaica would allow for comparable times into Manhattan. Reducing crowding from the E train and Queens Blvd Express The entire J/Z Via Jamaica ave, to Broadway Junction, and added the changes, the only thing we really need is a change of service, and while many people think that the Z is useless, I don’t think so, CBTC People are confused about what the Z even is, is it express? Local? I say make it express and have the J and M, local. And the With the New Jamaica line, the rest of the track can be 3 track up to 121st, so the Z would be used in primarily Express services in peak directions, Morning and and Evening, (Well that’s what the 6 and 7 do and they don’t have alternative lines) well screw it, 2 trains are better than 1 train doing all of the work But those are my thoughts, I’d really love to see the BMT Eastern Division get some upgrades one day.
I totally forgot about that. It wouldn't matter though, as this line would replace the current-form Rockaway Shuttle. Or 'technically', the shuttle will be extended along this new line.
I actually think a proposed H train should go to Woodhaven Boulevard which would be converted to an express station. Yes, you'll have to transfer, but with the QBL running CBTC frequencies, you'll never wait for more than a couple minutes.
Not only do I think the line should be reactivated, but I also agree that there should be, at least on weekdays, a new Queens only subway line to serve it. In the mid 2010s, when they shut down the Montague street tunnel, the R train was split into two separate routes on weekdays. Many Brooklyn residents, noticing how much more reliable the R train was during this period, petitioned to make the temporary route permanent (needless to say, that didn’t happen). Also I don’t understand why there can’t be a reactivated train line AND a bikepath. It’s definitely wide enough to accommodate both.
This line has to be re-activated. This needs to cut back on all the traffic on Woodhaven Blvd. We can talk one-seat rides easily because the tunnels to go to the RBB are already built. Baby steps people.
They should seriously look into the JFK Express proposal. Subway commuter, either works. It's full time for NYC to have transit connections to both airports.
On paper this looks good. But when the "G" was on Queens Blvd, it practically empty. People who used it, used it to the next express station. Or they waited for the "R". Than they decided to create the "V" and people balanced between the "R" and the "E", since the "F" was no longer available for many. If the "G" was to go to the Rockaways, at least it would fulfill it true purpose as a cross Brooklyn and Queen line. But to be honest, the more that I think about it, I don't think Queens Blvd is the best Trunk line to offer service to the Rockaways. It is already jam pack with different services and no train, except for maybe the "E" can add additional mileage. But there is a short history of the "E" being the first train to the Rockaways. So this might fly. However, there is really no alternative to Jamaica Center but the "E" which is why it wouldn't work. They can't simply split this service. And many already know what happened to the "R" local into 179 Street. So sending it to Jamaica would be worse. And any reduction to service or a downgrade will be fought and disputed. A while back someone suggested creating a northern Blvd line. This would be entirely separate from Queens Blvd although a transfer would be made.. The reason this better is that it provides a dedicated corridor for people wishing to access the Rockaways without interfering with services on the Queens Blvd line. Again. There is really no service more attractive than what is currently available but the "A" It offers a one seat ride for many traveling in a corridor that isn't heavily congested. So with this plan, not only would the get a local train, they now have a two seat ride in a crowded corridor. Queens Blvd won't be able to handle this extra traffic. Running more trains won't fix this, because the corridor is maxed out.
@@tonyjaxkson3669 I understand, but QB does not need all that local service. Maybe it can tie into the LIRR, but use Subway cars. It would be a lot cheaper and won't add additional crowding on QB.
Living in Central Queens the only changed train line I'd like would be if the 7 managed to hit Bayside or something. Can't imagine it could happen but would be cool.
Yes. Because Rider who live in that part of Queens need better Transit Systems. The Q-52/Q-53 Q-11/22 often get stuck in traffic. Also the Far-Rockaway Beach Branch should replace the Far-Rockaway Shuttle Trains But rebrand as the H .from either 61 st Woodside or At 63 Drive Rego Park and have the A trains at either Lefferts or Far-Rock also have a transfer between the Inter boro Express aka the IBE and that's cool video on the Far-Rockaway Beach Branch
The (A) wouldn't have a transfer to the IBX along the Rockaways/Lefferts portion of the route, only at Broadway Junction. Perhaps you mean the Rockaway Beach Branch? Since the Shuttle already meets with the (A) at Broad Channel, it would be easy for passengers to get off and wait on the platform for the next Manhattan/Far Rockaway Bound (A) Train.
The fact the MTA wants to stream line its express bus routes from the Rockaways to Midtown, yes reactivating the RBB as an LIRR line (IMHO) would allow the MTA to eliminate express lines but still give communters the luxury ride they demand to midtown Manhattan. But the new LIRR line would not just be a luxury ride, with the MTA planning to implement city ticket changes, the new route would be small upsell for many A train commuters in Queens and Rockaway whose destination is midtown Manhattan. Of course, the link between South Queens and Rockaway and Rego park would relieve some congestion on the Woodhaven Blvd local buses, where the single zone fare is competitive with the local bus fare.
Craig I lived in ozone Park till I was 26, and always walked along the old right of way 1 block from where I lived on 101 Ave. I also worked for the MTA as a motorman, and I think that it should be reactivate and get people out of there cars. The same way the Lackawanna cutoff should be restored.
I think if they extend the G along with this new Rockaway branch line, it would work so it would add more trains to the line and also it can give an alternative route to A in Manhattan if need be.
Absolutely, they should re-activate the Rockaway Branch to Jamaica. They had plans years ago for it to happen but it didn't go anywhere. As I mentioned b4 in a previous video, the gov should do this first b4 the Bay Ridge Line
I think they should put the A-train underground past Grant Avenue, and run it right out to Jamaica that way. There's room presently for a fairly good sized storage yard there believe it or not. I' got other plans for the RBB possess your souls in patience.😉
On existing trackage, that could be problematic. However with new infrastructure (either by a new tunnel to the Rockaway Line through the border or new Manhattan-Brooklyn tunnel making the C express in Brooklyn) it could work.
My thought for The Rockaway Beach Branch is reactivate from Rego Park to Ozone Park up to The Rockaway's have the 6th Avenue (M) Train operate via the Rockaway Beach Branch from Queens Boulevard Local, 63rd Drive Rego Park Station to Rockaway Park Beach 116th Street Station to replace the Rockaway Park Shuttle Train for Queens Link. Q52/Q53 SBS isn't enough between The Rockaway's and Queens Center Mall and it gets over crowd even the traffic.
This is a pipe dream. There are trees growing in the railroad right of way not to mention that the right of way through forest park is completely overgrown. The necessary structures for the signal system is almost nonexistent.
One thing I've never understood is why the LIRR Far Rockaway station isn't physically connected to the MTA Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway station. I'm sure there was a good reason at the time, but today it egregiously discourages intermodal transfer (not to mention ridership on both sides of the gap).
Got to look back at history. When the Transit Authority acquired Rockaway Beach branch, the Far Rockaway station was part of that deal. The current subway platform was once an LIRR station, and at that time, the LIRR was a different company. When the station at Mott Avenue and Beach 22nd Street was rebuilt, the LIRR decided to relocate the station to Nameoke Avenue.
Let's see what you do with the UTICA AVE LINE, I ONCE READ IT WAS SUPPOSE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE ROCKAWAYS ACROSS THAT BRIDGE AT THE END OF FLATBUSH AVE.....
The Utica Avenue Line was originally planned to only go to Kings Plaza Mall. Same with the 2/5 Extension down Flatbush. Also, stop with the AllCaps please.
Just as well with having the M train come out to the Rockaway's because "really" it would be better to bring the G line out there because it would be really good to use that line into full use again in Queen's (meaning it used to terminate @ 71st Continental) only this time it would just branch off into the Rockaway's
With the QueensLink proposal of the M train diverted southward at Rego Park, this frees up capacity in Forest Hills for the return of the G back to it’s original service before being cut in 2010.
Another option is having a line from the Rockaways connected to the LIRR Atlantic Branch, running to Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center. It avoids the overcongested QBL as well as speeds up commute and adds more options for riders
It would be great if they could someday connect the AirTrain to the A line at Howard Beach, and from there run it as a one-seat ride to Penn Station through the newly renovated Rockaway Beach Branch.
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They need it! The Q53/52 sbs is extremely overcrowded and people do not want to take the local Q11/21. This would be a great way to relieve them Q53/52 buses from being packed to the brim
Q21*
Q11/21 run every 30 minutes!!!!
It needs to be reactivated as soon as possible. It would be essential for the people living in Southern Queens and the Rockaways! The population keeps growing and more cars, more traffic. Reactivate now!
I think the M should be sent down there to provide a one seat ride to Manhattan in order to provide an alternative to the A.
Agreed - this is another situation which could be potentially mediated more - the Rockaways traffic backups.
@@TMC_BC This would be ideal - I hope @MTA is watching these comments & taking notes.
@@JaredVonBaren Even better, if we untangled the service patterns of the B-Division of the Subway, we could achieve 4 minute headways on this branch. Though the best option in my opinion is to operate the 63rd Street Tunnel as it was intended and build the Queens Bypass Line connecting to it, with a branch on the Rockaway Beach Branch. This would be a true competitor to the A train.
@@TMC_BC This. Did I just see a solution for Metro NY?! Holy shit.
I always thought that the Rockaway beach branch should be reactivated for the LIRR. But I'd rather have the branch line used for the subway than the LIRR. And besides the M, they could use the G as well. And have the turn the Rockaway park shuttle back into the H train&have that run on the Queens blvd line&terminate at the upper level of Roosevelt Avenue, and that'll do.
Yes. Definitely revive this line. Much of Queens remains a transit desert and, as a resident of Northeast Queens, I can definitely attest to this!
In case the powers that be have failed to notice: the population of Queens continues to grow and just as importantly, so too does job growth, meaning fewer people commuting to Manhattan, a trend that will only grow, not diminish.
Great video, I'm always one to say, the more transit, the better. Speaking of Far Rockaway, it dumbfounds me that they never thought to move the Far Rockway LIRR to Mott Ave to make it less of a walk getting from one train to the other. Now they're building apartment buildings across from the A train station, (Cool, transit oriented development). But that land could have been a major hub, looking simular to Long Beach LIRR.
Major construction is going on over there
@@kinggadm1234 I know, they’re building apartments. Probably ridiculously expensive.
@@WiseAssGamer most likely, however the area has been neglected for years. It’s right on the water, and should be treated as prime real estate. Hopefully apartments will have atleast 30% affordable
@@kinggadm1234 Far rockaway is a dump :lol:.
Far Rockaway Mott Av and the current LIRR terminal several blocks away were at one time one continuous connected route that was severed.
Reactivation seems like a good idea, but this video is kind of hard to follow with the repetetive video footage. This would be better with more maps included, so that it would be easier to see where the tracks (both existing and proposed) would go.
i honestly say is that they can extend the rockway shuttle to the A line then on the rockway beach branch making all stops until Matawok. They could change it back to the H train after this. Also, they should reactivate the Woodhaven Junction stop on the lirr branch so easy access from the H train to the Lirr.
Thank you for posting. This is very well narrated and captures many historical facts with regards to the Rockaway Transit lines. The narrator provides significant historical information dating back to the 19th century and it's inception of the lines. There is indeed a great deal of History from its inception to transfers of ownership and consideration of many of the plans that he discusses. The plans of reactivating the branch and providing extra connections is indeed a project definitely worthwhile. Sadly, however it all boils down to the availability of funding! Funding and the exorbitant cost of construction tend to defer or diminish interest by officials on these projects. Right now there is consideration being given to revival of a Bay ridge Queens project which are connect queens and Brooklyn without traveling into Manhattan that may be more realistic. However, it boils down to the state of the economy, the politics, and of course simply the availability of funding. I would love to see both of these projects come to fruition and provide extra Transit options for people in Brooklyn and Queens. we shall see and look forward to hearing more. Thanks again for the interesting video and the great footage of the A and S trains.
Awesome vid!!! In the future, it would be nice if you used more maps throughout the video to show exactly which lines you are talking about. I think it would be easier to watch for the viewer.
Noted!
You absolutely need to cover the Nostrand Avenue 2/5 extension proposals and the Utica Avenue 4 line extension/proposed subway lines. Living in that section of Brooklyn my entire life has made those two + Triboro/Interborough holy grails of subway extension projects and I always like to hear takes on them.
As for the subject of this video, it feels like such a no-brainer too since Queens (especially the northeastern section) really really **really** needs more coverage in general so you aren't just shit outta luck if you don't want to leave trains for slower and far more congested buses and their routes for simple swaps. +1 for more map usage in the videos as well, it's really good to visualize and build ideas out in my head too!
I'll definitely consider making a video on the proposed 2/3/4/5 Extensions in Brooklyn.
Also, I've been trying to up the production quality of my videos, and a good way to do that is to use the maps.
Utica *#3* extension. The local tracks curve south like Nostrand
I’d say the 2nd tier after those three should be Lafayette Ave east and Franklin to Bedford-Nostrand Aves
It would be good for you to make a video on extending the R Train to Staten Island and connecting it to the S.I.R.R. As part of the 1929 plan, a bell-mouth was constructed close to 59thStreet on the BMT 4th avenue line. Connect the R train into Staten Island would reduce traffic on the Verrazano's Bridge and help people to get to work faster into NYC and benefit those that don't have cars. Another idea is to extend the #1 Train to Saint George Staten Island (Tunnel) and possibly connect that into the S.I.R.R.? Or maybe both? R train into S.I.R.R. and #1 Train into the north shore abandoned tracks that lead all the way from ST. George to Port Ivory.
I think it should connect to important parts of the city because that'll definitely give it more of a purpose. I honestly feel like it's better to have to reactivate this a priority on top of the Interborough Express to not only give more options to riders but also to reduce congestion. As always, another great video! :)
Yeah, thinking after the fact, there is another way to have it run into Manhattan without causing issues on QBL.
Run it along 53 St with the (E/F) to 8 Av, then down to WTC. If that can't happen, run it along 63 St, with a new connection to the 53 St Line after 57 St.
Absolutely needs to be reactivated! Would make rides from Rockaway into Midtown quite a bit more straightforward!
After a huge fire on the wooden trestle over Jamaica Bay in 1950, The LIRR re-routed Rockaway Park services via Valley Stream (50+ miles). They also cut service beyond Hamilton Beach.
The reroute through Valley Stream was more like 15-20 miles not 50. This continued until October 1955 when the LIRR service was cut back to Far Rockaway and Ozone Park to allow the conversion of the line to subway operation which began on June 28, 1956. The remaining LIRR service to Ozone Park station ended on June 8, 1962 never to return.
Interesting how most if not all SBS’s that aren’t crosstowns (B82, M14, Bx12, etc) are _curiously_ where subway/rail lines were or should be
They also are where former Trams/Streetcars used to run. It's basically the MTA's attempt at running a BRT Line down a Streetcar corridor.
M14 runs on top of the L train which is underneath 14th Street. If you dig up 14th Street and 7th Avenue L train is below the West Side IRT Line at that location
Just found your channel! Great content and very helpful to me as I'm still somewhat new to NYC and trying to learn all of the fascinating history of the NYC subway system.
I'm glad you are able to learn some of the History about this city's amazing Subway System from me! I plan to continue creating good videos going over the History, Niche Information, along with the future of the system!
The next time your in the city take a ride on the 6 train towards the Bklyn Bridge station (that's the last stop). Once the train terminates just stay on it because eventually it will go around a round a bout like. As the train is circling, you will see the ol' City Hall train station. It's "pretty amazing"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also you have the two transit museum's as well. The "BIG" one in downtown Bkyn and the mini one in Grand Central but the bigger one gives you a lot more history of the system though. "Hope this info was helpful"
Hook staten Island NY up to Brooklyn NY under ground tunnel to Brooklyn NY to staten island NY
Another idea is routing into the never used Roosevelt Avenue upper level station which was built for a route to Rockaway.
Fun fact about the LIRR RBB, for a period in the 10s or 20s, it did have subway service as well. BMT Broadway line trains would connect via a no longer existing connection to the Atlantic Branch and out to Rockaway.
Pragmatically, the LIRR might be the best bet here. Reconnecting the branch to the LIRR mainline in Rego Park would be simple, and run it down to Howard Beach for the airport. Would probably be the most cost effective way, and while not a subway fare, the upcoming expansion of cityticket would make it cheaper than express busses or current LIRR zone 1/3 fares.
Great video as always.
Wow... interesting fact... Do you have any links about this?
I think you should do video about rebuilding the Third Avenue El in the Bronx, which can be connected with the SAS at 125th Street, which can serve as a Q train extension. It's sad that the MTA and the government keeps neglecting the Bronx. The MTA should have included extending SAS to the Bronx in their current plan. Third Avenue is more underserved by mass transit than the East Side of Manhattan below 59th Street and the BX 15 bus doesn't do any justice.
I've been thinking about this for a while, and instead of an all-new line, service can be replicated using the Metro-North Harlem Line, and converting it into Regional Rail.
TBH Though, I would love to see an SAS Branch into the Bronx, but I think we both know that it would cost way too much. It's a shame that major parts of the Bronx are underserved by Public Transportation, and the parts that are served, have extremely slow buses that always get caught in traffic. (I'm looking at you Bx4, 5, 15, 19, 40, & 41)
(I'm not a New York resident) Possibly a rail connection from JFK airport to La Guardia using the existing operating section of the Rockaway branch, plus reopening the old section to the junction at Rego Park. Then using existing rails of the LIRR towards the rail junction at Elmhurst, then head north along the proposed Interborough connection to 31st st. Build the next section along the Brooklyn Queens expressway East, then along the median strip of the Grand Central parkway to La Guardia. Shouldn't be all that disruptive to construct and would provide about 14.5 miles of cross town travel, along with a car-free connection between airports.
What they should do is from Rego Park create a Junction Blvd subway to connect to LaGuardia Airport, Rikers Island (as its being redeveloped) and The Bronx, the Interborough Express can also use the Queens-Bronx Tunnel to bypass the Hell Gate Bottleneck
Curious if you are aware that by diverting the M train south at Rego Park, this frees capacity at Forest Hills, allowing for the return of G train service to run once again from Park Slope to Forest Hills. And, if you were unaware of this “perk,“ if that changes your support for a New line running north-south only from Rego Park to the Rockaways? So basically with QueensLink you’re getting two reactivations for the price of one.
I do understand that it frees capacity at Forest Hills, however, it would also make the (M) Route excessively long.
The only way bringing the M to Rockaway makes sense is if the western terminus of delancey/Essex Street is made permanent and service from middle village is cut. Even then, it still doesn't seem feasible.
Thanks for the detailed history of Rockaway and Far Rockaway.
I can see two options:
A) To integrate the Rockaway Shuttle with the internal H designation! The H train would operate from Rockaway Park - Beach 116th St through the Rockaway Branch to the QBL. It would remain local throughout the QBL and run via the 63rd St Line. After 57th St/6th Ave, new bell mouths would connect to the E line at 7th ave/53rd St. The H would run express to WTC. One of the benefits is at 36th st, where passengers can get on to 21st St - Queensbridge, Roosevelt Island, Lex-63rd St, and 57th St, without having passengers to backtrack. At 63rd St-Rego Park, a new lower level would be built underneath the current platforms. A shuttle would only operate between Rego Park and Rockaway Park during late nights without interfering with regular service. This also prevents trains from entering at different lines at Rego Park without causing delays.
B) To bring back the discontinued V line. Just like the recent interest in extending the M line to Rockaway Park, in my opinion, is just dumb. The M line already goes in an almost-complete loop from Forest Hills to Metropolitan Ave. The V line would operate from Rockaway Park to Rego Park ( a newly built platform underneath the current platforms) along the QBL into the 63rd St tunnels. Like option A, it would exercise the same operation; however, instead of branching off of 57th st/6th Ave to the E line at 7th Ave/53rd St, the V line would run express down 6th Ave and end at 2nd Ave; its former terminal.
*If option B is considered, then maybe the V can come back and replace the M line along QBL. The M would go back to the brown M and run to Bay Parkway along the D line as it did before the MTA financial crisis in the 2010 service cuts!
During late nights, either have the V/H continue operation or have their terminals at the lower level of Rego Park Station, only operating as a Rockaway Park Shuttle along the branch!
Feel free to comment and tell me what do you guys think!
I was thinking something similar to option B but there would be major changes on QBL.
(E) WTC - 179 St Full Express on QBL using express tracks beyond 71st Av
(F) Coney Is - Jamaica Center via the Culver Express tracks in the underground section. Queens Blvd Local via 63rd St making all stops
(R) Bay Ridge 95th-179th St via 59th St and QBL local. Makes all stops to 179th St
(V) 6 Av Local via 53rd St, QBL Express, Culver Local. Church Av - Rockaway/116th. Cutting the line to Lwr East Side- 2nd Av is also an option. This line can have two options in queens:
1) (F) to Run express via 53rd St and extend (G) to local tracks with (R) to 179th St. (V) to run via 63rd St but running via the LIRR past 21 St. it would make stops at woodside then curve down to serve the Rockaway Line via the unused LIRR. No conversion of Woodhaven Blvd in this plan.
2) (V) via 53rd and with conversion of Woodhaven to express stop, (V) would curve off express tracks past Woodhaven to serve the Rockaway beach branch. (F) and (R) local in this option.
(M) Metropolitan Av to Broad St via Nassau St Line. Extension via west end to Bay Pkwy should be considered with (D) running peak direction express on that line between 9 Av and Bay Pkwy.
The Queens Blvd changes are made to eliminate the possible delays with a local train currently the (M) crossing between the local and express tracks at Queens plaza. Even if the (V) would curve off the line at woodhaven, it wouldn’t cause as many delays as a local train going via 53rd St. the IND 53rd St Line in both proposals would carry only Express trains.
Also, the culver line would have full express service on weekdays with the (F) or (V) to Coney Island and the other running local to Church Av with the (G) this would improve operations on the Culver line while still giving local passengers a one seat ride to the city
Better idea take over the port Washington to the subway then connect the tracks to the 63rd street line and after woodside add a spur to the rockaway beach line have all 6th ave local trains go to port Washington and Rockaway beach. (F) to great neck/port Washington and (M) to rockaway beach . A new (K) replaces (F) on the queens Blvd express and (G) replaces (M) on the local.
Option A seems like the best of the options presented here.
I like option B especially bringing back the brown M. Connecting Boro Park and Park Slope to the Wall Street and Williamsburg area would be a dream come true.
@@TheRailLeaguer I would say a good option for the MTA to exercise would be to bring full-time service to the Z line. The Z train would operate past Broad St, through the Montague St Tunnel, along 4th Ave as a local train to Bay Pkwy. Instead of bringing back the brown M and jeopardizing the trips for people along Myrtle Avenue losing the one-seat ride to Midtown Manhattan, The J/Z already head downtown. The Z train would act a lot like the brown M. Plus, West End Line already has way too many stations, and although the D train is express in Manhattan and along 4th Ave (also expressed in the Bronx during Rush-Hours in the peak direction), it still has to run locally in the Bronx and in Brooklyn.
I say extend the Nassau Street Line to Bay Parkway. When the Z does not operate during Late-Nights, extend the J line past Broad St to 9th Ave (lower-level). Another benefit for this is that riders from Coney Island Area will have extra service, and a local train will be added to 4th Ave, increasing service and helping R line service. Because at this point, D and N are the only express lines, and the R is all-time local, which causes issues, and the R line is relatively slow.
To enhance service for the 4 main lines that operate to Coney Island [D, F, N, Q], the best thing to improve service along each line would be to do the following:
1) Add the Z (local all other times, and express during Peak-Directions) to Bay Pkwy along the West End Line. During Late-Nights, J trains operate to 9th Ave.
With an intermediate stop at New Utrecht Ave (rebuild the station with island platforms) and 86th St - Gravesend (rebuild the station with island platforms).
2) Add the W along the Sea Beach Line to 86th St - Gravesend. The W would operate locally along 4th Ave & Sea Beach, while the N service will be Sea Beach Express. No W service during Late-Nights.
3) Extend the G Train to Kings Hwy. This would enhance the Culver Line because the F train can operate express from Bergen St (lower level reactivation) to Church Ave. Increases F service, and G trains won't cause delays at Church Ave.
4) Add a new K service going Crosstown from Court Sq to Bedford-Nostrand Avs and then along the Franklin Ave Line to Brighton Beach. This would benefit in many ways as the provisional expansion intended the Franklin Ave Line to operate past Franklin Ave to Bedford-Nostrands Avs, with an intermediate stop at Gates Ave. Another reconstruction would occur by making one long station between Park Place and Botanic Garden (without losing the Botanic Garden connection to the IRT Eastern Pkwy Line). The K line would operate local along the Brighton Line to Brighton Beach. This helps during late nights when the B service does not operate, so the K can add extra service along this line.
Just subscribed, even though I live in Denver now it reminds me of my childhood in NYC and how I used to love all the trains. Keep it up man!
Thanks for the sub! Definitely will continue to make these types of videos!
The northern end should connect at Forest Hills rather than Rego Park. Because the former is an express station unlike the latter which is a local station so transfers would be easier. Also, the M and R trains short-turn at Forest Hills due to low ridership further east and they’re able to do so due to a pair of pocket tracks between the lower-level yard lead tracks. So those can become the new connection to the Rockaway Beach Line. Also, the line was double-tracked until where the Fulton St Elevated runs perpendicular and has a connection. After that, the line is quad-tracked but only the outer local tracks are currently in use and the express tracks have been deactivated, making them unusable. Since the number of tracks which there’s room for changes at the perfect section, the Fulton St Line can continue as the local tracks and the Rockaway Beach Line as the express tracks or vice-versa. Due to it’s connection to the airport, Howard Beach-JFK Airport can be converted to an express station and due to the lack of space for four tracks, the express tracks can run above the local tracks and there can be an infill station called Hammels where the Rockaway Line splits. One branch can become the continuation of the express tracks and the other can be a continuation of the local tracks.
It would be a great idea if they combined the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach branch into a subway to connect the Roosevelt Avenue station that was never completed to it. It will cost billions of dollars, but the majority of the money will come from the US government; so, what’s the issue? The remainder of the 2nd Avenue subway can wait. The last stop is going to be Lex Av & 125th St (4/5/6).
That was my proposal for the "A". The connection to the Rockaways should be severed and completely dismantle. in it place should be the G line. Since they already call it cross Brooklyn and Queens, this setup fits well. But a transfer could be made btw the A and G at a new built "Rockaway Junction" station.
Having recently moved from The Rockaways to Georgia and being raised riding the subway in my youth, I really want a lot of these proposals to fall through, especially in the Rockaways, since it's a pain in the ass to travel from there to any part of Queens without having to go through Brooklyn and Manhattan on the train or taking a slow and often overcrowded bus through the horrendous traffic.
Great video! Informative & interesting. As a former New Yorker, the MTA should reconsider activation of the line as the citizens of Queens where the line will travel will benefit, not to mention economic impact 😉. Thank you for posting this and other videos and all the best.
While I love the highline... It's amazing where there is little space and no park, in Queens there is a ton of space and enough parks, but little transit. It's a no brainer.
Regarding one seat issue, as long as the scheduling at the terminus of the new line is set up that there is ALWAYS a train available, why not, just make it on the same platform, and automate the system already, as you point out, we will all be probably dead by the time that comes around.
I remember the H train . That expansion makes sense . Queens needs that. Would love to see the triboro Rx as a subway line not as light or commuter rail . Hopefully it would connect provisions to the Bronx.
Yes, it would alleviate so much overcrowding in the Manhattan lines
I agree, it would avoid people having to travel into Manhattan, only to transfer to a train that takes them back into Queens. We need more radial lines in the city.
@@MysticTransit Absolutely agree - cross-path (criss-cross) tracks are fine, if everywhere is SUPER super densely populated, like Downtown Manhattan, but not all the boroughs are like that. Some are actually quite large & spread out. This would also increase the buildout along the lines for commercial & residential purposes, & goodness knows we need housing like mad!
Absolutely in agreement here. Select Bus Service on the Q52 and Q53 made service faster (and is my favorite SBS line in the city now) but didn't make a significant impact on crowding, even with articulated buses.
I think that the Queens connections to Elmhurst, Jackson Heights (!!), and Astoria might be as important, if not more, than the one-seat ride to Manhattan. So in response to you saying the M shouldn't serve the RBB, what if we merged the R, as per one of your deinterlining proposals, with the M by connecting Chrystie St or thereabouts to the Broadway local? Then you can send one of the deinterlined Queens Blvd local services along the RBB (in whatever form it takes, whether it's extending the G again or bringing back the V to cover for the orange M). Also, Fresh Pond Yard!
I would take it further and extend the M at the Middle Village end to LaGuardia, forming a loop line.
Your video is fantastic and new idea to build and connected forest hills to far rockaway or rockaway Park lines I hope they put H train back.
I kind of agree making it a separate subway line. A piece of me however would like to see an branch off the F Train using that provision they build for the Queens Super Xpress. I'd even go as far as to say built the QSX and link to The RBL and get railcars capable of running on both CBTC with FRA-Compliant PTC so it can share tracks with LIRR. Yeah I'm being extreme.
Not only would I reactivate the line, I'd extend it directly to LaGuardia airport via Junction Blvd/94th St with a transfer at the Junction Blvd 7 stop with stops at Queens Blvd, Corona Ave, Roosevelt Ave, Northern Blvd, Astoria Blvd, and LGA terminals.
It would have multiple benefits including:
- make inter-airport connections extremely viable
- serve essentially 2-3 transit deserts,
- alleviate traffic and air pollution from Woodhaven Blvd
- provide direct access to 4-5 commercial districts(Metropolitan Ave, Queens Center, Rego Park, Queens Place, Roosevelt Ave )
Now this makes a lot of sense.
I walked that line with my camera years ago. Now there are chain link fences and other barriers. People get nervous when they see someone up there and call the cops or worse yet, take matters in their own hands. I still walk around the area but from the street. Live another day.
The Rockaway Beach Line as you describe it was always known to me and others in Queens as “The Glendale Cut Off”. Your plan is sound except it doesn’t account for interconnection between existing LIRR trackage and the Glendale cutoff. The original architecture of the LIRR system was loops between points which would enable easy return of Point trains to their origin. The Rockaway Branch of the LIRR directly connected to the current A train Far Rockaway -Mott Avenue station. The tracks are only 1,000 feet apart and they should be reconnected to allow shared services. In fact if the original tracks remained during the Hurricane Sandy Disaster that took out the infamous Rockaway Causeway Trestle, service to the Rockaway could’ve been immediately restored through the LIRR trackage. Additionally, the Glendale cutoff was instrumental in routing train service around the tragic Christmas season train collision at the J Interlock south of the Kew Gardens station in 1950. Greater thought must be made on efficient organization of transit assets. A central Queens line or lines such as the Glendale cutoff aka Rockaway Line should be instituted along with new technology transit projects such as extension of AIRTRAIN from JFK to LGA as well as an Air Train Long Island running from a loop in Midtown Manhattan to I-495 and then East to Riverhead with eventually service along the LIRR trackage to Montauk and Northport. Next time I will disclose what I know from a decease neighbor about the Carey Transportation Railbus
out off the now defunct Eastside and Westside Airline Terminals to JFK out of the QMT to the Jackson & Vernon LIRR station then down the City Division of the LIRR trackage to the Glendale Cutoff interconnect in Forest Park then south to Old Howard Beach where it left the tracks and traveled by roadway to the JFK terminal complexes! “”What can be conceived can be created”.. Enzo ‘IL Commantore’ Ferrari ‼️😉
O thank you for this wonderful essay.... I see you have other great stuff for me to watch!!!!
Your content looks wonderful and I just subscribed!!!!
☀️
Thanks for subscribing. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.
This needed to be done like yesterday...queens is so deprived of subway service..queens has an abundance of parks and this project can bring both..let's get this done!!!
I was thinking about the connection with the LIRR branch at Far Rockaway, This is a much better idea and seems very workable since the ROW is intact.
Yes I would like more info towards an extension with utica avenue line and a queens blvd extention for the M and R train.
Good to know!
I think it should be reactivated as part of the Subway network
I fully agree with that opinion.
What if they actually went through with the project and extended the (G) down that way? QBL is already in the process of CBTC and ATO and for that matter so is IND Culver. And that’s more one-seat rides to Manhattan.
The (G) would be too long of a line at that point, plus, you'd just over congest QBL Lcl.
My proposal:
C to Lefferts, shuttle at night
A to Far Rockaway, all times
NEW SERVICE: Forest Hills - Rockaway Branch - Rockaway Line - Rockaway Park
Sadly there is interlining with this
Speaking of the Rockaway Beach Branch reactivation, I came up with an idea of a new rapid transit line travelling between Hudson County, Midtown Manhattan, and Queens while using the rights-of-way of the LIRR Main Line and Rockaway Beach Branch. It's basically a successor to the previously proposed Queens Superexpress. Although, it is a great idea to have the Rockaway Line transfer with the Queens Boulevard Line via 63rd Drive.
I like the idea of the H and K but I was thinking they could just extend the S to Rego Park so there wouldn’t be any trouble of deciding a new line
Another line that can go to LaGuardia and actually connecting both airports if not indirectly through the JFK Airtrain ( which was the original plan for the Airtrain, top serve both airports from Manhattan.
If this is every built the H train should come back. Running from Rockaway park to 74th street upper level
Bring back the 3rd avenue elevated line which will be called the number 8 train
I was just thinking about how this LIRR would be like around the same time this was uploaded
I think it would be simpler to reactivate it as part of the LIRR and connect to the main line. On the southern end however, it should then extend into the central terminal complex at JFK, thereby finally providing a one seat ride to both Penn Station and Grand Central.
I just want to add when I say simpler, I mean connecting to the subway beneath Queens Blvd. would be a prohibitively complicated and wildly expensive project. They could do it in Tokyo or Paris, but MTA construction costs are way out of control.
LIRR will NEVER run a line wholly within the 5 boroughs. That’s what NYCT is for. LIRR is a regional commuter system. It’s not meant for use like this.
I think they should send the G train to rockaway park via Queens Blvd line
I would definitely want more of these videos!
Definitely like most of Queenslink.
My own idea would be, instead of a subway, create a new set of multiple-unit lines (think Stadler FLIRTs) that run along a reactivated Rockaway Beach Branch, along with Crossboro and the Lower Montauk Branch.
Have it so those new lines, along with all LIRR City Terminal Lines, are price matched to a single subway swipe.
And just like that, you’ve eliminated a whole bunch of transit deserts in NYC
Good idea. I kinda want that for the Interboro Express.
I like these videos with considerations. Also, what if you reviewed rain-fan plans? Like, it would be cool to extend the L from canarsie down Flatlands ave as a new el, and make the 2/5 extend down flatbush.
YES!!! Reactivate ASAP. The Woodhaven/Cross Bay Blvd Corridor buses are always crowded and Eastern/Central Queens are always starved for more rapid transportation
In BVE there is already a Fictional Rockaway Beach branch. Now if this were to exist IRL, then think of the ridership, many people would be using this specific line even if they wanna transfer to the A
Yes, it needs to be reactivated as soon as possible as Kennedy Airport is now under transformation with a new terminal alignment.
I just don't get it why Port Authority is trying to bring Air Train to LaGuardia after seeing the apparent failures of Air Train JFK and Newark. It is just a shame for one of the biggest and the most wealthy cities not to have a direct one-seat access from city core to one of the busiest airports in the world.
@@moraimon We really need N/W trains to Astoria as soon as possible
I think that the Rockaway Beach Branch will transform to a park just like a High Line or they will have a Queens Link which is like the light rail.
There should be a New H line going the same line as the (E) but QBL local, then it would Branch off to the rockaways. The (E) would also be QBL local, the (M) would run to 125th Street-2nd Av, to Middle Village, an SAS line would take over the (M) on QBL via 63rd and QBL exp. The new SAS line would run to Jamaica Center. The (E) would run to Forest Hills. This is post SAS phase 3 btw
Also you would have to cut back M service too and send it to 96st. The V would go via 63 st and go local from 36st to 63rd drive. Woodhaven Blvd would have to be converted into an express station since it's wide enough.
I never understood why the rockaway shuttle stops at beach 116th st , it should run all the way to Riis park
I think that's the way the original line was built. Maybe there isn't enough demand for a station further west?
A friend of mine suggested that the sending the (G) along the rockaway beach branch would be nice, since the (G) barely goes into queens
A lot of people want it to be a park instead like the high line. I agree with reactivating it though... because right now you have select bus service connecting those areas. Reactivation would be hell of expensive tho b/c most that structure is decaying.
I think the bulk of the people who want it to be a park, are the NIMBY's that live right near the tracks. This is due to them not wanting to hear trains passing by.
I also want to see it reactivated, but yeah, the cost is somewhat of an issue. It is good though, that Queenslink found the actual cost of the project to be less than half of what the MTA Projected.
@@MysticTransit the MTA loves to waste money. If you want the rockaway why not also take over the port Washington line and link it to the 63rd street line
@@qjtvaddict No way. The people of the Town of North Hempstead and northern Queens need the Port Washington Branch. Of course, an eastern extension of the IRT Flushing Line wouldn't hurt either.
Doubt it’s ever going to happen with all those damn nimbys
That line would be a great addition and the stops I could see north of Rockaway Blvd on that 99st trestle would be Jamaica Ave with transfer to the J, Myrtle Ave next to Victorty Field in Forest Park, Metropolitan Ave then curves to either 71st Continental or to either 61st street Woodside and the 7 train/LIRR
idk a lot about trains, but i don’t like the idea of it becoming a park
If it can be constructed with true Cross-Platform Xfers to existing Manhattan services, maybe that will have to do for now.
YES! The remainder of the former LIRR Rockaway Beach Branch must be reactivated as the IND Rego Park Line! The former Woodhaven Junction LIRR station should be reopened as the Woodhaven Transfer station. The former Rego Park LIRR station vicinity should be converted into the Rego Park Transfer LIRR station. Some of the development in Forest Hills will actually force the line underground in Forest Park though. And yes, the H train should be the the train on the line, while the Rockaway Park Shuttle should be rerouted to Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue via the lower leg of the Hammers Wye.
Hello! I'm William L. Dickerson, Jr. From Brooklyn, NY. I'd like to comment that Revitalizing the Rockaway Branch by Extending it From: 63 Dr.-Rego Park to Howard Beach-JFK Airport.
When reactivated perhaps send the V train using Queens Blvd Bypass then Rockaway beach branch. If there's a problem on Queens Blvd Bypass a junction at 63rd dr Rego Park should be built with connections to Queens Blvd Express & Local Tracks which are Siemens CBTC equipped derived from LZB for V train to run on from Howard Beach JFK Rockaway Beach Branch via 59th street IRT East Side Line 63rd st Platforms. Requires the construction of Queens Blvd Bypass line to be effective. Cross section of Rockaway Beach Branch is 2 tracks 4 tracks at some point if MTA wanted those test tracks as CBTC test tracks or experimenting CBTC overlaid on ETCS Level 1-3 like Thameslink Core. Ideal service pattern for this should be like 7 & L trains with CBTC or better CBTC overlaid on ETCS therefore running it like Thameslink
I would like to see some additional lines to add to the B-2 Division to reach areas where there are no rapid transit lines. Your plans are idealistic, coming to you from another railroad buff.
Now all we need is a BMT Eastern Division video
That's gonna be a difficult one, although, I was thinking about the Eastern Division recently, and about the trains getting extended to 10 cars for more capacity.
@@MysticTransit Improvements I would suggest expanding the stations to 600 feet to allow for 10 cars Some stations would be closed and merged with each other in the process like Lorimer street and Hewes Street to Union Avenue. the whole section of Alabama to Crescent st should be removed, and replaced with a section line from Broadway junction to Cypress hills Via Jamaica Ave, this removes the curves around Alabama ave and also build new tracks to the East New York yard which houses trains for the J/Z.
Build a new flying junction between the Flushing Av station and Myrtle Ave station. The current local tracks would be moved outward so that two new tracks can be added between. These two new tracks would connect to both the local and express tracks. As they approach Myrtle Ave the new tracks would rise up and a new upper level station would be built over the existing Myrtle Ave station, though slightly to the west. This new upper level station would serve Myrtle Ave trains exclusively and mirror over the existing station so elevators could be installed to connect the platforms. A dual level station is what I’m proposing.
The L train should be extended to 10th Avenue 57th street allowing more trains to run per hour. The M train should be extended to Forest Hills during Daytime Weekend Hours allowing for weekend service to midtown on the Jamaica line making it more attractive the M train becomes the main local of Queens Blvd. Due to the current nature of the Queens Blvd line this would have to be at the Expense of downgrading the R train to the supplementary weekday only local. Evenings and Weekends the R would go to Astoria with the N train instead.
And replacing skip stop service with express service Adding a third exp track to the Jamaica Line from Bwy Junction to Jamaica would allow for comparable times into Manhattan. Reducing crowding from the E train and Queens Blvd Express
The entire J/Z Via Jamaica ave, to Broadway Junction, and added the changes, the only thing we really need is a change of service, and while many people think that the Z is useless, I don’t think so, CBTC People are confused about what the Z even is, is it express? Local? I say make it express and have the J and M, local.
And the With the New Jamaica line, the rest of the track can be 3 track up to 121st, so the Z would be used in primarily Express services in peak directions, Morning and and Evening, (Well that’s what the 6 and 7 do and they don’t have alternative lines) well screw it, 2 trains are better than 1 train doing all of the work
But those are my thoughts, I’d really love to see the BMT Eastern Division get some upgrades one day.
Technically H is still in use as the official designation of the Rockaway Shuttle so maybe K would do? Because that hasn’t been used in a while
I totally forgot about that. It wouldn't matter though, as this line would replace the current-form Rockaway Shuttle. Or 'technically', the shuttle will be extended along this new line.
@@MysticTransit Oh. Well if it gets extended maybe we can use the official designation instead of the shuttle bullet.
I actually think a proposed H train should go to Woodhaven Boulevard which would be converted to an express station. Yes, you'll have to transfer, but with the QBL running CBTC frequencies, you'll never wait for more than a couple minutes.
Not only do I think the line should be reactivated, but I also agree that there should be, at least on weekdays, a new Queens only subway line to serve it. In the mid 2010s, when they shut down the Montague street tunnel, the R train was split into two separate routes on weekdays. Many Brooklyn residents, noticing how much more reliable the R train was during this period, petitioned to make the temporary route permanent (needless to say, that didn’t happen).
Also I don’t understand why there can’t be a reactivated train line AND a bikepath. It’s definitely wide enough to accommodate both.
This line has to be re-activated. This needs to cut back on all the traffic on Woodhaven Blvd. We can talk one-seat rides easily because the tunnels to go to the RBB are already built. Baby steps people.
What’s RBB ?
@@ea7654 Rockaway Beach Branch
@@ea7654 RBB = Rockaway Beach Branch
They should seriously look into the JFK Express proposal. Subway commuter, either works. It's full time for NYC to have transit connections to both airports.
We need to see the actual maps every time you make a reference about a specific route. You save us time from looking those routes up.
I'll keep this in mind.
@@MysticTransit Thanks, your videos are awesome btw.
On paper this looks good. But when the "G" was on Queens Blvd, it practically empty. People who used it, used it to the next express station. Or they waited for the "R". Than they decided to create the "V" and people balanced between the "R" and the "E", since the "F" was no longer available for many.
If the "G" was to go to the Rockaways, at least it would fulfill it true purpose as a cross Brooklyn and Queen line. But to be honest, the more that I think about it, I don't think Queens Blvd is the best Trunk line to offer service to the Rockaways. It is already jam pack with different services and no train, except for maybe the "E" can add additional mileage. But there is a short history of the "E" being the first train to the Rockaways. So this might fly.
However, there is really no alternative to Jamaica Center but the "E" which is why it wouldn't work. They can't simply split this service. And many already know what happened to the "R" local into 179 Street. So sending it to Jamaica would be worse. And any reduction to service or a downgrade will be fought and disputed.
A while back someone suggested creating a northern Blvd line. This would be entirely separate from Queens Blvd although a transfer would be made..
The reason this better is that it provides a dedicated corridor for people wishing to access the Rockaways without interfering with services on the Queens Blvd line.
Again. There is really no service more attractive than what is currently available but the "A" It offers a one seat ride for many traveling in a corridor that isn't heavily congested.
So with this plan, not only would the get a local train, they now have a two seat ride in a crowded corridor.
Queens Blvd won't be able to handle this extra traffic. Running more trains won't fix this, because the corridor is maxed out.
It would be a Queens Blvd local service which means only 67th and 71st lose some service.
@@tonyjaxkson3669 I understand, but QB does not need all that local service. Maybe it can tie into the LIRR, but use Subway cars. It would be a lot cheaper and won't add additional crowding on QB.
Living in Central Queens the only changed train line I'd like would be if the 7 managed to hit Bayside or something. Can't imagine it could happen but would be cool.
South Ozone Park is located at Lefferts Boulevard from the main "A" train stop of Ozone Park.
Yes. Because Rider who live in that part of Queens need better Transit Systems. The Q-52/Q-53 Q-11/22 often get stuck in traffic. Also the Far-Rockaway Beach Branch should replace the Far-Rockaway Shuttle Trains But rebrand as the H .from either 61 st Woodside or At 63 Drive Rego Park and have the A trains at either Lefferts or Far-Rock also have a transfer between the Inter boro Express aka the IBE and that's cool video on the Far-Rockaway Beach Branch
The (A) wouldn't have a transfer to the IBX along the Rockaways/Lefferts portion of the route, only at Broadway Junction. Perhaps you mean the Rockaway Beach Branch?
Since the Shuttle already meets with the (A) at Broad Channel, it would be easy for passengers to get off and wait on the platform for the next Manhattan/Far Rockaway Bound (A) Train.
The fact the MTA wants to stream line its express bus routes from the Rockaways to Midtown, yes reactivating the RBB as an LIRR line (IMHO) would allow the MTA to eliminate express lines but still give communters the luxury ride they demand to midtown Manhattan. But the new LIRR line would not just be a luxury ride, with the MTA planning to implement city ticket changes, the new route would be small upsell for many A train commuters in Queens and Rockaway whose destination is midtown Manhattan. Of course, the link between South Queens and Rockaway and Rego park would relieve some congestion on the Woodhaven Blvd local buses, where the single zone fare is competitive with the local bus fare.
Craig I lived in ozone Park till I was 26, and always walked along the old right of way 1 block from where I lived on 101 Ave. I also worked for the MTA as a motorman, and I think that it should be reactivate and get people out of there cars. The same way the Lackawanna cutoff should be restored.
I think if they extend the G along with this new Rockaway branch line, it would work so it would add more trains to the line and also it can give an alternative route to A in Manhattan if need be.
Absolutely, they should re-activate the Rockaway Branch to Jamaica. They had plans years ago for it to happen but it didn't go anywhere. As I mentioned b4 in a previous video, the gov should do this first b4 the Bay Ridge Line
Nahhhhh rockaway branch should be 3rd important behind bay ridge and 2nd ave
I think they should put the A-train underground past Grant Avenue, and run it right out to Jamaica that way. There's room presently for a fairly good sized storage yard there believe it or not. I' got other plans for the RBB possess your souls in patience.😉
I always thought that the C train should just keep going to Lefferts Blvd instead of splitting the A trains
Exactly
On existing trackage, that could be problematic. However with new infrastructure (either by a new tunnel to the Rockaway Line through the border or new Manhattan-Brooklyn tunnel making the C express in Brooklyn) it could work.
My thought for The Rockaway Beach Branch is reactivate from Rego Park to Ozone Park up to The Rockaway's have the 6th Avenue (M) Train operate via the Rockaway Beach Branch from Queens Boulevard Local, 63rd Drive Rego Park Station to Rockaway Park Beach 116th Street Station to replace the Rockaway Park Shuttle Train for Queens Link. Q52/Q53 SBS isn't enough between The Rockaway's and Queens Center Mall and it gets over crowd even the traffic.
This is a pipe dream. There are trees growing in the railroad right of way not to mention that the right of way through forest park is completely overgrown. The necessary structures for the signal system is almost nonexistent.
The newest proposal is the Queens Link and works. Would connect people, provide economic opportunity and take cars of the street.
Great content & narration. Like others said: use more maps. Taking a wild shot now: you are related to DJ Hammer
I'll definitely take the maps into consideration. And no, I am not related to DJ Hammers.
One thing I've never understood is why the LIRR Far Rockaway station isn't physically connected to the MTA Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway station. I'm sure there was a good reason at the time, but today it egregiously discourages intermodal transfer (not to mention ridership on both sides of the gap).
Got to look back at history. When the Transit Authority acquired Rockaway Beach branch, the Far Rockaway station was part of that deal. The current subway platform was once an LIRR station, and at that time, the LIRR was a different company. When the station at Mott Avenue and Beach 22nd Street was rebuilt, the LIRR decided to relocate the station to Nameoke Avenue.
Let's see what you do with the UTICA AVE LINE, I ONCE READ IT WAS SUPPOSE TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE ROCKAWAYS ACROSS THAT BRIDGE AT THE END OF FLATBUSH AVE.....
The Utica Avenue Line was originally planned to only go to Kings Plaza Mall. Same with the 2/5 Extension down Flatbush. Also, stop with the AllCaps please.
Just as well with having the M train come out to the Rockaway's because "really" it would be better to bring the G line out there because it would be really good to use that line into full use again in Queen's (meaning it used to terminate @ 71st Continental) only this time it would just branch off into the Rockaway's
With the QueensLink proposal of the M train diverted southward at Rego Park, this frees up capacity in Forest Hills for the return of the G back to it’s original service before being cut in 2010.
Bringing the G back to Queens Blvd in its present form would only cause congestion (like what happens on Broadway north of 34th Street).
Another option is having a line from the Rockaways connected to the LIRR Atlantic Branch, running to Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center. It avoids the overcongested QBL as well as speeds up commute and adds more options for riders
A transfer station is enough plus the A train does this
Isn't it entirely too cold to go swimming at this time of year?
It would be great if they could someday connect the AirTrain to the A line at Howard Beach, and from there run it as a one-seat ride to Penn Station through the newly renovated Rockaway Beach Branch.
Unfortunately, the Airtrain can't be connected because it doesn't use Subway Cars.