MYRTLE AVENUE EL. BKLYN in 50's &60's MOVIE FOOTAGE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 มิ.ย. 2012
- Hosted by the late transit historian Roger Arcara we takes a look at what remained of BROOKLYN'S Myrtle Ave El in the 50's & 60's in the boro of Brooklyn & Queens. The portion of this EL from downtown Brooklyn up to Broadway was discontinued in Oct. of 1969 . The Adams St. portion of this el, which ran from MYRTLE AVE. UP Adams St. to Sand St forming an upper level loop going thru the Sand St. Train terminal located on washington St. After passing out of the Sand St. terminal along it's southern end it went back east to Adams st. running over High St. IN Addition to this the tracks on Adams St. also branched around the Tilliary St area to run thru the lower level of the Sand St. terminal in order to run over the Brooklyn Bridge..The Sand St. Terminal, the Adams St. section Of the Myrtle Ave. El as well as all El trains Over the Brooklyn Bridge came to an end in Mar. of 1944 , and the structures were immediately torn down and used in the ww2 effort . So of course these sections do not appear in this 1950's- 60's based movie. MAKE THIS A PART OF YOUR PLAYLIST !
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This brings back old memories. I'm 75 and lived on Myrtle Ave in Fort Greene projects from 1951 to 1971, except military time. My building was right on Myrtle Ave and I heard that train everyday growing up. It would sometimes drive me crazy when watching TV and the train would come by and drown out the sound. But I loved it when the train would come by at night during the rain and shine it's lights on my window projecting raindrops falling down the window on my bedroom walls. I do have some color slides of the train taken from my window with Fort Greene Park and the monument in the back ground. Seems like another lifetime ago and yet only yesterday. When they took down the train Myrtle Avenue seemed naked and I had trouble sleeping from the lack of noise coming from the train.
Did you just make this up?
@@ras124 No, why would I make this up?
@@carlcat i'm from Bed Stuy but at 40, never grew up w the Myrtle Ave El..only that 54 bus. I have a relative out there in Whitman Houses but I don't think she was around during that time
@@dmac5472 I think the Whitman houses were called Fort Greene Projects when I lived there. The projects are pretty much the same but the surrounding buildings and Brownstones have pretty much been gentrified or old houses torn down and replaced with new buildings that are condos.
@@carlcat yeah when I take the 54 downtown I see the changes. I went to jhs 113 out on Adelphi Street and went to Tech for HS right on the other side of the park. We still call Whitman and Ingersoll Houses Fort Greene projects sometimes .
I lived by the EL near Myrtle Ave and Navy St. I was so used to the rhythm of the trains going by my bedroom that, when service stopped I couldn't fall asleep for weeks.
I believe it!
When I met my wife she lived in queens , Linden and Fairview,,,,,,,,, I moved in to her apartment and remember many a walk to the train station in all kinds of weather waiting for the train to take me to Williamsburg to work ,,,,,,,, no matter what the weather those trains ran ,,,,,, maybe not as old as these trains but you could always count on the NYCTA subway system to get you around ,,,,,, I remember in the 60s cutting school and riding the old trains all day , my mother always knew that I played hooky because I smelled like a R9 , must've been the oil in the compressors,,,,,,,,, What Times . I don't live in queens anymore in fact I don't live in New York State but to be honest I miss a good train ride every once in a while , especially when they run those historical trains. Great video , thanks for posting it , excellent.
You moved into her apt? You mean her family's apt.Intetesting.
I was lucky to have taken the Myrtle Ave El many times as a youth. I took one last trip in 1969 and have pictures of all the demolished stations. This video is fantastic.
Please post them...I lived on the J train Gates Avenue Stations...I vaguely remember the wicker train seats...there were candy vending machines at hat sold cheeklets gum..the machines had a pull out handle...dies anybody remember?
Mr. Vogel, do you still have those pictures? It would be great if you could share those. Not much photo documentation of this line exists I’m afraid.
discrimination against Asians for stealing nyc jobs because those days was extremely overcrowded
@@dwightpowell6673 I do! And I am a New Yorker who grew up in NYC during the Mad Men era.
@@kenneylai7932 What do you mean when you mention Asian discrimination? Due to budget constraints and insufficient ridership, the El Jay Street/Myrtle Avenue segment south of Broadway was removed. There were plans to completely discontinue the (M) Metropolitan Avenue line in the early 1980s...residents of Bushwick, Ridgewood and Glendale intervened to halt it. Back then, a line didn't get much attention or passengers if it didn't travel into Manhattan. Even today, the (M) line has fewer cars than the typical B division trains.
I lived in Brooklyn in the 1950's and saw these trains many times. However we used the BMT Subway, Independent G subway train and the Broadway Elevated trains.
I remember skipping school to ride that train in the mid 60's from end to end . the last of the oldest subway line Jay st . Metropolitan ave .
These were Railway Nostalgia Movies by Roger Acara. I attended my first one at the ex- YMCA at Castle Hill Avenue in Bronx, New York in the fall of 1991. A fine narrator & historian & a gentleman he shared those many Saturday evenings remembering New York City Transit past. I was saddened when he past away in 1995. His treasures in all treasures will live on . How I miss all the forgotten lines. Especially the Third Avenue in the Bronx NY., Portions of the Broadway and Lexington Avenue (not Manhattan 4th Avenue underground line) Brooklyn, New York had one, portions of the structure is still there and the giveaway Myrtle Avenue is one Off the Williamsburg Bridge is another.when you ride the Eastern Division on the J, M & Z train on your right you can still see some of the original girder works! As for Third Avenue in the Bronx : Gun Hill Road lower level from the street you can see some of the removed platform, take the 2 train it became 6 tracks to merge into 3 to continue to 238th Street yard and 241st as well that was the number 8 train yard as well! 🤔
The Myrtle Avenue line was replaced by the B54 bus route. The M train continues to run North Myrtle Avenue toward Fresh Pond Road. Excellent video!
Took the Myrtle Ave EL to and from High School 1963 - 1967. Brought back a lot of memories
I took the El from Fresh Pond Road to Navy St. to go to Brooklyn Tech from 1960-64, and then to the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (Jay Street) from '64 - '68..
@@edmaggio9532 Do you mean what is now Pratt Institute?
@@edmaggio9532 I had moved to the BMT line Grand St Station and from 1959-1963 took that train to Lorimer St, I think, and then switched to the IND to Borough Hall (?) then got out and walked up the block to Bklyn Tech.
I love those open vestibule cars. It's amazing how much you know about these trains.
I live on Myrtle Ave I take this train everyday now it's the M train it's crazy seeing how much it has changed .
I lived on the corner of mytle and hall street,the Station was right across from my window. Great time to be living,life was much more simple.
What an incredible piece footage.
I used to live next to the Fresh Pond Road station in a second floor apt. People used to ask me wasn't it noisy? Didn't hear it after a while. The only noise that disturbed me was when the garbage train came through at like 3:30 A.M. Man those guys could bang those cans when they dumped the station trash on the garbage train. I used to ride the el to Nostrand Ave and then go downstairs and catch a bus to Brooklyn Prep HS. That sometimes could be an interesting bus ride through Bed-Stuy.
LOVE YOU HISTORICAL VIDEOS !!!!! GOOD JOB BUDDY!!!! GREETING FROM UNIONDALE !!! NASSAU COUNTY!!! BUT I LIVED FROM 88 TO 2010 IN QUEENS ,AND I USED MORE THAN ONE TIME THIS ROUTE!!!! THANNK YOU SO MUCH,FOR SHARING,THIS MATERIAL!!!! AWESOME JOB!!!!
I took the Myrtle Ave El from 1960 to 1968 from Fresh Pond Road Station - Five days per week, four Years to Brooklyn Tech (Navy St.) and 4 years to Polytechnic Institute (Bridge & Jay). My oldest brother did exactly the same and my Dad worked at the Brooklyn Main Office of the US Post Office - also Bridge & Jay exit. I guess we were a Myrtle Ave El family. I love all the movie footage. Brief story - I got on the Navy ST. station on the way home from school. When I stepped into the car, all the passengers were standing up at the ends of the car so I sat down in an empty seat in the middle of the car. When I looked around, I saw that a bullet had entered one window and exited in the opposing window on the other side Since the train was moving, I figured we were out of range so didn't bother to move.
Hats off Roger, you do such a great job, really appreciate these fine views of old Brooklyn, thanks so much Sir!
In 1966 , as a teenager I worked part time at the corner of Bridge Street and Myrtle Avenue for a bookbinder.....we were on the second floor and the Jay Street station was right outside our window......
I remember that Myrtle Avenue El. And I loved riding it-many times. We lived in the Projects and would frequently go to the “Park” right next to the El that ran between the Tomkins Avenue and Nostrand Avenue stations. And for me, the most outstanding feature of those trains was that distinctive “rhythm” that was unlike any of the trains I had ridden-subway or commuter.
At the time of the 1964-65 World's Fair I took a major interest in the Subways and elevated. I was able to ride with my mother on the 3rd Ave. El in the Bronx before it was torn down. I knew of the Myrtle Ave El but was never able to ride it as I was too young to do it by myself but I did see the open cars go by one day when I was with my father and we had driven on Broadway under the cross over area several times. I am glad some record of that line survived its destruction.
Very nice historic movie. I had family that lived near the Myrtle Avenue Elevator Train. I recall having seen it many times in the late 1950's. When I returned to New York City in the 1980's, it was gone.
Wilfredo
This train went by my window. I got on it at Vanderbilt Ave a block from my house. I lived on the corner of Myrtle Ave and Clinton Ave. I was so use to it, that I never got bothered by the noise.
Jeanne...I lived at 205 Clinton (on Waverly)
St. Angela Hall Bishops home Brooklyn Tech Sinclair Bakery and Elkus candy store on Myrtle.
I could go on and on...
Good wishes to you
Love those with the full on windows and removable too! They're like giant toys. Mesmerizing video.
It's interesting to see the vacant lot that would become my High School in the '60's at metropolitan ave.
Yeah, that's pretty cool!
Uncle Buzzy Christ the King.
What HS?
I remember riding on those trains. They had a very lovely sound. I got on them in Queens and rode them to Jay Street in Brooklyn New York City.
hank you so much. From an old timer who lived near Fort Greene Park in the mid 40's
I wish it was still here today. I love these old videos
I love these clips Too bad the quality is so poor and there is no sound of the clack ity clack. These trains ran outside my window as we lived on the 5th floor of a tenament on Vernon Av., above the other tar roofs. You got used to the noise. I remember the wooden cars of the 50's and the open platforms and the conductor and the straw seats. Great memories.
YO MOTHER, GO BACK 2 MEXICO 😵
Errrrrrrrrrrr ging GONNA ging.
I grew up in Ridgewood Queens and used to love taking the El. I can remember moving between cars watching the chains sway.
Home also of Good Humor
I lived in Glendale but took this for four years to my orthodontist down in brooklyn once a week.
these old movies are very interesting!
I used to ride all these when I was young and lived back in Glendale.
I love this video. This should be part of a museum. Do you have anything on the No. 7 Train?
THERE IS A TRANSIT MUSEUM DOWNTOWN BK THAT HAS A TRAIN THAT TAKES YOU TO ROCKAWAY BEACH. USED TO BE THAT IS.
I remember riding on this line .. thanks for the upload !
Wow!!!!! My old stomping grounds.
Rest in peace Motorman Leon George. #1.
Did you know him...those were the days when all the motorman were Caucasian-Italian...the Irish owned by he NYPD and Sanitation...we blacks that had fought and died for out country... didn't have a 'lock' on any Civil Service jobs...You have to have a job to support your family...no job...crime.... poverty
@@dwightpowell6673 I knew him very well. Saw him on a daily. A gentleman. A mentor. A consummate professional. A friend to all.
I rode these trains in 1957- 1969 nice train cars too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter the stations had a wood stove for heat
As I posted on your Brooklyn El video, I include a a clear, sharp still shot of a Myrtle Av. Convertible train, climbing the ramp from Metropolitan Av., Queens to Fresh Pond Rd.
Loved this video too; so sad that it’s gone!
Please provide a link to your still shot
Great stuff. Thanks for sharing
Most enjoyable! Very informative, too.
I wish they would have kept the line east of broadway it would have been a better way to get to downtown from bushwich
Great place to raise a family today
There's a ton of stabilization added to this video. I imagine it was probably pretty unwatchable in its original state.
Nice... no spray paint on the train
For a short time between 1967 to 1969, the Myrtle Avenue El became the "MJ" because of the Chrystie St Connection that opened around that time
If the city had retained and improved the Myrtle Avenue el until today, it would be operating beyond capacity. A pity they had to close it.
Scooter Ahlers The neighborhood around the 3rd avenue L and depending which section area there were pretty good and with having family near the Navy yard the area there I know it was livable my uncle had a grocery store there. The Myrtle 'L' crossed Brooklyn to Queens But what caused the demise of the neighborhood near the 3rd avenue was in part due to the building of the Cross Bronx Expressway which divided the neighborhood and forced many poppa-momma stores to close, even pushcarts on Bathgate Avenue suffered. The 3rd avenue had to be lifted and that caused major traffic connection issues and economic problems for many businesses. The bus service was not adequate enough to take on the added riders. Now ask the businesses along that eastern portion of the Jamaica Avenue lines if they are still around. Els were shoppers' delight they could see the sales and bargains before getting off. PS The Fulton El which also ran through Pitkin and Fulton street in Brooklyn and Queens caused the neighborhood to crumble. The "A" subway caused a disenfranchisement of the communities. I didn't get to ride that one because when I did it was already down. PS I had a father who entertained me riding the trains. I do have some pictures of Pitkin Avenue with business thriving near Shepherd Avenue and Van Siclen Avenue station. I think sometime progress causes more problems and local area decay. The middle-working class suffers. But that is just my thoughts from my observations.
I attended George Westinghouse high school from 1960 to 1963 and traveled from Fresh Pond Rd and I really loved riding these old cars they had a slow type style that was very relaxing, the damn city was responsible for removing this great transit system and all who approved this should all rot in hell. As they also were responsible for the destruction of the N.Y.W.& B a million dollar a mile Railroad denying it's riders rides to their homes in Westchester counties by allowing it to be torn down a crime that it was the fault of the NYC scumbags in power at the time.
Great memories! I remember riding the Myrtle Ave El from Myrtle Ave, Broadway to Bridge and Jay street, transferring from the #15 train (which is now the "J" train). The Myrtle Ave El was going to be lettered "MJ", but it never happened because the Myrtle Ave El was discontinued in Oct. '69. Really miss those old trains... Simpler times, better days, better people! Just imagine what these sick people today would do to the cushion seats, and the screen panels?!? Sad to imagine!!!
I grew up in Fort Greene near Myrtle Ave in mid 70s to Mid 80s
It looks like when I was growing up Myrtle Ave was clear of any L elevated trains it was only up on Broadway...but am I correct that it looks like that used to be overhead L trains back in the 50s and 60s?
Anyone have videos of the old trolley barns on that video at Fresh Pond Rd as the train goes up the ramp in front of that train yard ?
Most of the neighborhoods the Myrtle Avenue el served (as well as the 3rd Ave el in the Bronx) were in a state of STEEP decline during the late 60's/early 70's. That may have something to do with them being shut down too!!
Nice profile picture, Scooter!
Well, the fact that both were built in the 1880’s might have been a factor as well. It was getting more expensive to run those lines as well as finding the cars, which were antiquated to begin with to run on those lines. Not to mention the declining ridership.
They could have been upgraded and fixed, but then again, there was a fiscal crisis in the 70s, so that would not have been the most pragmatic approach
@@dangelo1369 J/Z trains which are still in operation today - Broadway El was built in 1880's from Broadway Junction to Crescent Street. Section from BJ to Williamsburg bridge was built in 1908-1910 - same for section from Crescent Street/Cypress Hills to 168 st/Jamaica Ave. Section from 168 st to just east of 121 st was torn down 1977-1990 and replaced with the Archer Ave subway.
Don’t forget that they removed the Manhattan portion of the 3rd Avenue el first and that obliterated usage on its Bronx side. It only went from gun hill to 149 and 3rd. People needed service into the city. They literally killed the line after they removed the Manhattan portion and yes the neighborhoods were in decline big time. My mother remembers at one point riding the 3rd Avenue el and she saw at least 5 buildings on fire that night riding that train. Very scary time
We would take that train from Broadway and myrtle to Franklin Ave to my grandparents
Roger has a voice very similar to Francis Coppola.
Rail to rubber will always be one of the world's greatest rip- offs!!
They changed it from rails to buses the trains was to noisy and the trains was taking up a lot of the views I'm glad they tore that down it was dangerous too. I just wishthey would've recorded every stop before they did
A shame it was torn down. Maybe it would have gotten more riders if it was upgraded to look like the other subway stations.
Good
trains on Brooklyn Bridge again would be cool
I was lucky as well, cause the ran from where i lIved Navy Street at times i would take. I remember when in 1969.. that was the last time..the Myrtle Ave L to Jay Street..
D you have video of the #3 line starting and ending at New Lots Ave in the 1960;s ..? (the view back then was..."distinct" out th window to say the least. (All buildings in view are probably torn down now)
I don't think the demolished section of the Myrtle Avenue El was strong enough to support the new heavy cars back then, although it could've benefited from being reinforced. Anyways, is the usage of "El" in New York a dying term? I rarely hear anyone call them by that anymore.
Only people not born in NYC do not use that term. I do!
Ice Cream Derp I know what it means, I was wondering if people still say "El" in New York.
It would be more in the context of, which train do you want me to take? The N train? And I would say no, the elevated. the F.
killajakez N Train 4 LIFE!
How's the progress with the station rebuilding going.
I understand it was a massive FIRE that shut down the Myrtle Avenue el in October of 1969.
I also remember the eastern portion of the Jamaica Avenue el (Metropolitan Avenue to 168 st) before it shut down in 1977 (Sutphin Blvd - 168 st), and 1985 (Metropolitan Ave & Queens Blvd) and got replaced by the Archer Avenue subway
The fire which burned down Metro Av station had nothing to do with the closing of
the el. The el closed in Oct of 1969, the fire did not take place till circa 1972.
the area I live in needs more public transportation, a shame they can't put in an el
Guys I figure out what the 11 rollsign on The r62/r62As it is the myrtle ave el I gotta figure out what is the 10 12 & 13 rollsigns are
how soon after the el closed did demolition begin?
I remember the demolition being completed in late 1970 or early 1971. The last pieces to be demolished were at the Jay St. end.
like train
When the world was in the process of changing from White&Black to color.
Myrtle ave used to be called Gold Street,why cant they rename it to El Gold
Myrtle Ave was never called Gold St. The abandoned Myrtle Av station was originallycalled Gold St because Gold St intersected where Myrtle and Flatbush extension
crossed. It was decided to rename the station after Myrtle Av since it was a better
known thoroughfare than Gold St and easier to locate.
I THINK IT WAS A GREAT MISTAKE IN DESTROYING THIS TRAIN LINE
I am getting all those Anti-Asian discrimination
This part of Brookyn had become a dangerous slum by the mid-late 1960s. After that you took your life in your hands going there. It is still probably bad, but it may now be "gentrified."
Myrtle Avenue, particularly between Flatbush Ave and Broadway is totally gentrified now. Small 1 bedroom apartments cost $600K+. Its insane.
I moved to Myrtle/Clinton Ave in 1990 and I saw the last of the "bad" era but it was much safer than the 70s & 80s. The death knell for the area, and ultimately the El, was when the Navy Yard closed. The economic decline of that one institution is still underappreciated.
No black lives matter no mugging no slashing no jay z , it musta been a great time to be a new yorker
I wish they would have kept the line east of broadway it would have been a better way to get to downtown from bushwich
+Jefferson Steelflex yeah man it sure would of. The TA made the B54 bus line as the replacement. SMH. They could have kept the old EL up & used the buses too.