The original end of the line of the 6th Ave El at Central Park South / 59th St. See"http://sixthavel.mysite.com/main.html" for a detailed description of the line.
North on Sixth Ave from 57th St to the6th Ave El 58th St terminal.
Overhead view of the 6th Ave El 58th St terminal, which was closed on June 16, 1924 and removed.
East on 58th St showing the 6th Ave El terminal station structure, which was removed in August of 1924.
Track level view North from 57th St of the 6th Ave El 58th St Terminal dated June 17, 1924, the day after the station was closed. The center track was a runaround track in the Steam Era. The last steam locomotive ran on the 6th Ave El on April 4, 1903. Electric operation began on the line from Rector St to 58th St on Oct 1, 1902.
East on 57th St showing the 6th Ave El terminal tower See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L657Tower.jpg" for a detail view of the tower.
The 6th Ave El 53rd St junction in 1924, just prior to removal of the structure North to 58th St. Note that the turnouts and the x-over have already been removed from the former double track junction. The switch tower spanned the intersection and the structure expanded out to 3 tracks just North of the junction.
The line curved from 6th Ave onto 53rd St and traversed 7th and 8th Avenues and Broadway to join the 9th Ave line. The 6th Ave El went further north from here to the 58th St Terminal until 1924.
N/B MUDC 6th Ave El train turning on to 53rd St. Multiple-Unit Door Controls allowed one man to operate all the doors on a train from a central position. The automatic sliding doors significantly changed the appearance of the cars from open platform gate cars into closed-end vestibule cars. The motorman compartment remained in the original position inside the vestibule.
East on 55th St to the 6th Ave El structure c.1924
East to the the Sixth Ave El 50th St station in the shadows of Rockefeller Center and the Radio City Music Hall - 05/03/1938
S/B 6th Ave El MUDC Train at 50th St Station looking North from 49th St. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L650xplat.jpg" for more images of the 50th St Station.
South from 6th Ave El 50th St station showing the turn-back x-over at 49th St that was used by the 58th St terminal shuttle train until 1924.
The notices pasted on the windows of this n/b MUDC train at the 50th St Station advise patrons that the 6th Ave Elevated Line will cease operations on Dec 4, 1938.
North on 6th Ave from 45th St showing one of NYC's Famous Automats, which was probably America's first fast food restaurant. A few nickles would buy you something to eat, drink and ride on the 6th Ave El back in the 30's. See the demolition image at "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/DEMO6/L6Demo45.jpg"
N/B MUDC 6th Ave El train passing the Hippodrome Theater at 43rd St. The Hippodrome was built in the Steam Era of the El and was torn down as one of the first "Improvements" to Sixth Ave after the El was removed in 1939. King Kong made his appearance in this theater in the original epic film. He stomped out of the theater because it was a lousy show. He went to get his girl friend across the street. She had a headache. So, he tore down the El there.
N/B MUDC Train arriving at the 6th Ave El 42nd St Station. Note Bryant Park to the right and the trolley on 42nd St. See more 42nd St photos at "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L640z.jpg"
A somber couple looks on as a n/b work train picks up the benches and other platform hardware and accessories at the 6th Ave El 42nd St Station on the last day of operation, Dec 4, 1938. This train may have filmed the line as it went along the the line. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L6Filmcar.jpg"
The 6th Ave El 42nd St Station looking west from Bryant Park - Ewing Galloway, Photograph c.1926
East on 42nd St from under the Sixth Ave El station - 05/03/1933
North from Greeley Sq at 32nd St and Broadway St showing the Hudson Tubes 33rd St Terminal kiosk on the right and the Sixth Ave El 33rd St station ahead c.1919
North from Herald Sq showing the busy intersection and the Broadway Battleship trolleys and the 6th Ave El 38th St Station in the distance c.1921 Wurtz Bros photo from NYPL Digital
Note the Egg Cream 5 cent sign on the corner store at 27th St looking North to the Sixth Ave El 28th St Downtown Station.
North on the 6th Ave El from the 23rd St Station overhead walkway See Joe Brennan's "http://warofyesterday.blogspot.com/2010/11/riding-el-3-sixth-avenue.html" Overhead walkways were installed on 6th Ave El station during the 1914 upgrade program.
North to the 6th Ave El 28th St Station uptown platform on the East side of the street c.1928
One of the landmarks of the 6th Ave Shopping district was the Cooper-Siegel Department Store at 18th St that was served by the 6th Ave El.
Post card image of the 6th Ave El north of 14th St shopping district known as the Ladies Mile.
A Forney 0-4-4T locomotive Steam running tank forward on a s/b 6th Ave El train at 15th St. The store to the left of the locomotive is the J H Little Co, which corresponds to the previous Post Card view.
On of the great Detroit Publishing images of the 6th Ave El in the Steam Era and the Ladies Mile Shopping district on Sixth Ave North of 14th St c.1900
The 6th Ave El 14th St Station served Henry Siegel's 14th Street Store, which opened in 1904. Note the classic Metropolitan car which continued service as a trailer after electrification in this1905 Detroit Publishing photo.
The 14th St Station of the Metropolitan (6th Ave) Elevated Railway had a stately appearance when new in 1880.
The 6th Ave El 14th St Station appeared more utilitarian in 1916.
North from the Sixth Ave El 8th St Station showing the tower of the Jefferson Market Court House
c.1880 Steam Era image of a N/B Metropolitan 6th Ave El train departing the 8th St Station at the Jefferson Market Buildings The Jefferson Market was built in 1875 and the El began operations in 1878.
c.1929 image of the Sixth Ave El 8th St Station and the Jefferson Market Buildings looking West out Greenwich Ave
The covered walkway of the 6th Ave El downtown platform of the West 8th St Station on Sixth Ave spanned Christopher St at the corner of Greenwich Ave, which runs SE from 8th Ave to 6th Ave. The IND 8th Ave Subway also runs beneath Greenwich Ave. The 9th Ave El on Greenwich St had a station at Christopher St, which runs from 6th Ave SW to the Hudson River. The Hudson (Tubes) and Manhattan RR (now PATH) route to Sixth Ave and the 9th St Station is beneath Christopher St. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L6W8Chris1.jpg"
A S/B 6th Ave El train is at the 8th St Station in this 1905 Detroit Publishing photo of Jefferson Court House and Market buildings looking SW from Sixth Ave out 10th St.
South on the Sixth Ave El showing the turn-back switch South of the 8th St station at Waverly Place - Note the switch rods mounted on the catwalk outboard of the structure. From Joe Brennan's "http://warofyesterday.blogspot.com/2010/11/riding-el-1-sixth-avenue.html"
West on Waverly Place to the Sixth Ave El
A n/b 6th Ave El gate car train and a s/b MUDC train are negotiating the curve at 6th Ave and 3rd St in the final year of operation, 1938, as the planking denotes construction of the IND Subway beneath the roadway. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L6Carmine.jpg" for the reason the El turned onto 3rd St here.
Overhead view of Washington Square Park showing the 6th Ave El structure on West 3rd St from 6th Ave to West Broadway which goes north to the Arch at 5th Ave. The El crosses three streets south of the park; (from the left) MacDougal (Washington Sq West), Sullivan and Thompson, which also goes north to the Arch. The three streets crossing Sixth Ave north of West 3rd St are West 4th St, West Washington Pl and Waverly Pl.
The northwest corner West 3rd St and MacDougal St with the 6th Ave El overhead
North on Thompson St from under the 6th Ave El on West 3rd St to the Washington Monument Arch in Washington Square Park. A photo showing the El looking south through the arch would be a real find.
South on West Broadway showing a n/b 6th Ave El MUDC train above on the curve onto West 3rd St For additional views of the 6th Ave El Stations and structure on West Broadway See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/browse.aspx/Public/L6/WBway"
North from the 6th Ave El Bleeker St Station on West Broadway to the curve to West 3rd St.
The 6th Ave El Grand St Station on West Broadway
Note the thru-truss structure looking North from the 6th Ave El Grand St Station n/b platform.
The 6th Ave El truss structure spanned West Broadway to the curb-line at the intersection of Houston St.
This section of the 6th Ave El on West Broadway at Broome St was built with the outside trusses and extended bents to the curb line pillars as seen here looking south to the NY Telephone Bldg.
East on Watts St to the junction of Broome St and the 6th Ave El on West Broadway
North on West Broadway from Broome St showing the 6th Ave El outside truss two-track structure with extended bents to the pillars on the curb line
S/B 6th Ave El train on the West Broadway open structure at Canal St. The spire of St Alphonsus Church and the Grand St Station are in the distance. The American Thread Co Bldg is on the left at Beach St. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/WBway/L6Bleekeru.jpg" for other views of the area.
The intersection of Beach and West Broadway was shorn up to support the roadway and the 6th Ave El for the IND Subway construction. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/WBway/WBway6.jpg"
North on West Broadway showing the Franklin St Station at the intersection of Varick St, the four track 6th Ave El structure south of Leonard St and the two track El structure with the tracks over the curb line north to Canal St. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/WBway/L6varick.jpg" and the next image for a track-side view of the junction.
West on Franklin St from Church St to the 6th Ave El station on West Broadway - 03/06/27
The switch levers for the storage tracks are in the shed as seen in this close-up at the junction of the 6th Ave El four-track structure on West Broadway at the south end of the Franklin St Station at Leonard St. From Joe Brennan's "http://warofyesterday.blogspot.com/2010/11/riding-el-1-sixth-avenue.html"
South on West Broadway from North Moore St showing the 6th Ave El open structure and the stairs to the Franklin St Station on the right and the shed on the four-track structure at Leonard St and the Western Union Building looming in the distance c.1938.
A 6th Ave El Gate car train at Worth St & West Broadway. Gate cars would be supplanted by the converted MUDCs in 1923.
N/B 6th Ave El gate car train at Thomas St on the West Broadway structure looking East c.1928
The four track 6th Ave El structure on West Broadway narrowed to two tracks at Reade St North of the Chambers St Station.
A very substantial four track 6th Ave El structure is seen here looking north up West Broadway at the intersection of Hudson St and Chambers St showing cars stored on one of the interior tracks c.1928. There were no plans for an off-line storage yard anywhere along the 6th Ave El line.
West on Chambers St to the 6th Av El Station on West Broadway and the the 9th Ave El on Greenwich St in the distance c.1928
The 6th Ave El Chambers St station was on West Broadway at the intersection of Hudson St.
East on Chambers St from West St showing the 9th Ave El on Greenwich St and the 6th Av El Station on West Broadway and the NYC Municipal Bldg at the far end of the street
Overhead view of West Broadway showing the 6th Ave El Chambers St Station and Warren St and the curve onto Murray St in the upper left. The intersection of West Broadway and Park Place is in the lower right.
The Chambers St Station is in the distance as a 6th Ave El Ghost Train passes Warren St on West Broadway.
West from Broadway showing a n/b 6th Ave El train turning onto West Broadway from Murray St. This was one of three places on the 6th Ave El where the route transitioned from one north-south avenue to another. The other 6th Ave El transitions occurred at 3rd St and 53rd St. All of the Manhattan Elevated Lines had one or more transitions in the route from one North-South Avenue to another.
A Steam Era view of a Metropolitan (6th Ave) Elevated 0-4-0T locomotive heading a train into the curve from Church St to Murray St. The next image shows a later street view of this location.
A 1904 view West on Murray St showing a n/b 6th Ave El train curving onto Murray St from Church St See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L6Murray.Church2.jpg" for more views of the Murray St curve.
Every time I look at this Feb 18, 1939 demolition photo of the 6th Ave El structure at Church St where it curved onto Murray St, it appears that the structure was just ripped out by the big hand of King Kong. The Park Place station is visible in the back of the gasoline bus, which replaced the fine efficient elevated electric railway above it.
The notable Tiffany store at the corner of Liberty St & Church St under the 6th Ave El.
Overhead view North of the 6th Ave El structure on Church St from Liberty St to the Park Place Station in the distance showing a n/b train departing the Cortlandt St Station where the structue narrows to two tracks at Dey St at the Hudson Terminal Bldg c.1929 - More images of the 6th Ave El on Church St and Trinity Pl at "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/browse.aspx/Public/L6/TrinityChurch"
The 6th Ave El structure narrowed from three to two tracks over Church St looking North from Dey St to the Park Place Station. See the 6th Ave El on Church St and Trinity Place album at "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/browse.aspx/Public/L6/TrinityChurch"
West to the 6th Ave El Park Place Station on Church St c.1920. (The 9th Ave El is in the background on Greenwich St.) The station had more daylight around it when Church St was widened for the construction of the IND 8th Ave Subway in 1930.
North to the intersection of Fulton and Church along the 6th Ave El where a Modell's is being "Forced Out". Modell stores would survive long past Els in NYC.
A c.1903 Underhill photo South on Church St showing the 6th Ave El from Fulton St to the Cortlandt St Station. The Hudson Terminal Bldg complex is bisected by Dey St. Note the el structure expanded to three tracks at Dey St.
The overhead crossover of the 6th Ave El Cortlandt St Station on Church St was installed during the 1915 update program. The center track was a runaround track in the Steam Era and was used as a storage track thereafter.
The footbridge was a coal and water bridge during the Steam Era and the switch tower controlled the movements of the 6th Ave El trains that turned back or laid up on the center track here, at the Rector St Station on Trinity Place. From Joe Brennan's "http://warofyesterday.blogspot.com/2010/11/riding-el-1-sixth-avenue.html".
Under the 6th Ave El three track structure on Trinity Pl at Cedar St Additional images of the 6th Ave El on Trinity Place cab be seen at "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/browse.aspx/Public/L6/TrinityChurch"
West across Trinity Church graveyard to the 6th Ave El Rector St Station on Trinity Place. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/TrinityChurch/L6Trinity.jpg" for more views of the El on Trinity Place.
A final look North up Trinity Place from the 6th Ave El Rector St Station in 1937
West on Rector St to the Metropolitan 6th Ave El Station on Trinity Place from Broadway c.1885 - The building shown was replaced by the Empire Building in 1897. The Trinity Church Yard is to the right. (NYPL Digital)
The track-work South of the 6th Ave El Rector St Station on Trinity Place at Edgar St appeared in this format until the end of service in 1938. The tracks were reconfigured after electrification in 1903 with the removal of the steam locomotive service area and the spur track to the express depot (next image) was removed during or after WWI. see "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/TrinityChurch/L6Trinity.jpg"
Steam Era view of the junction of the 6th Ave El on the left and the 9th Ave El on Greenwich St on the right looking South from the building at Morris St . Note the difference in height of the structures as the 6th Ave El structure descends from Trinity Place onto the Greenwich St structure.
A street level view of the intersection of 9th Ave El on Greenwich St (far) and the 6th Ave El on Trinity Place (near) looking West on Morris St showing the stub of the original end of the 6th Ave El (above right). The track to the former package express terminal was removed sometime during the WWI Era.
A street level view looking West on Morris St to the intersection of Trinity Place (near) with the 6th Ave El above and Greenwich St (far) with the 9th Ave El above it. The people in the foreground are observing the new Church St PO building excavation.
The original end of track of the Metropolitan 6th Ave El in 1878 was at Trinity Place and Morris St as seen here in this period stereo-view looking North to the Rector St steam locomotive service facility. One of the classic Metropolitan El cars is here along with a several wheel sets that may have been hoisted up to the structure using the derrick in the foreground.
1914 image showing the original End of Track of the 6th Ave El at Morris St and the express car at the side entry to of #39 Greenwich St for the Package Express Service which was provided by the NY Elevated Rwy prior to WWI. See the accompanying text next: See the Sub Chat Forum at "http://www.subchat.com/read.asp?Id=912217"
Freight on NY Elevated Rwy, 1907 to 1917 From the 1936 book; The First Elevated Railroads in Manhattan and the Bronx in the City of New York by William Fullerton Reeves
1929 overhead view of the 6th and 9th Ave Els converging at Morris St showing the original end of the 6th Ave El at Morris St. A locomotive inspection shed occupied the space on the 6th Ave stub during the Steam Era and the Express Package Depot was at the rear of 39 Greenwich St. See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/L6/L6JCT69.jpg"
Steam Era View of the junction of the 6th Ave El on Trinity Place and 9th Ave El on Greenwith St at Morris St c.1888
1940 image of the short section of the 6th Ave El 53rd St Connector structure that was retained to carry the feeder cables from Substation #13 to the 9th Ave El after the 6th Ave El ended operations in 1936
The 6th Ave El Station at Eighth Ave & 53rd St was one of two locations where the Manhattan Els traversed an East-West street with a station on the North-South Avenue. The other was at Second Ave on the 3rd Ave El 34th St LIRR Ferry Spur. See "http://picasaweb.google.com/MercuryWW/NYC2ndAveEl#5049293858628057906" There were two other locations where the Els traversed an East-West street but the station was named for the cross street at 23rd St on the Second Ave El (See "http://picasaweb.google.com/MercuryWW/NYC2ndAveEl#5420762897083513970") and 110th St on the Ninth Ave EL (See "http://picasaweb.google.com/MercuryWW/NYC9thAveEl#5403257016308679714"). See "http://warofyesterday.blogspot.com/2010/11/riding-el-2-sixth-avenue.html" for some excellent views of the 53rd St Station.
North on Broadway showing the 6th Ave El connector structure at West 53rd St See "http://cid-616b1f67315e9e01.office.live.com/browse.aspx/Public/L6/L6W53" for additional views of the 53rd St structure.
A trolley car is turning East from Seventh Ave under the extended girders of the 6th Ave El 53rd St connector structure.
The Gilbert / Metropolitan Elevated Rwy Franchise Map The lower section of the map shows the planned route from the Sixth Ave El to the Second Ave El.
A section of the IRT 1924 map showing 6th and 9th Ave Elevated lines (in blue) and the West side subway (in red) from Central Park to Battery Park. Sixth Ave El trains also ran N/S on the Ninth Ave north of 53rd St to the 155th St Terminal and the Bronx after 1918. See"http://sixthavel.mysite.com/main.html" for a track map and detailed description of the line.
