South Ferry Subway Station NYC -- About to Fade Into History

[samueladams7]

Been there 100's of times!! I loved the sound of the squeaking wheels as the train came in and went out...Nothing like it!! Loved too the moving platforms...Very unique and innovative. In the background was the shuttle train which was on a much tighter circular radius as the regular subway. In the '70s - 80s I used to stand in the front car and watch out the front window getting the engineers view. Those were the days!!! -- Not now...Mayor Doomberg saw to that!

[jnd080895]

this station closing and a new one opening had nothing to do with WTC renovations. This was in the plans way before due to the station holding 5 cars, and not be connected to any other line.

[paperbacknovel]

@jnd080895 It had everything to do with "WTC rennovations" because it was FUNDED with the money that the US Federal Government gave to NYC to "rebuild downtown"! Google this topic and you will find many news stories on it. It is a travesty.

[paperbacknovel]

@Moarburritosforu101 Agreed -- when a train came around that inner track, the high pitched squeels would make your ears bleed!

[SportsFreakfrom94598]

come on , nigga

[abdulla902]

the IND(Queens line ) wasnt a private company and it wasnt part of the NYC systems and why didnt the build the second ave subway line it would have help

[chris2fuh]

Lou, thanks for making this vid. NYC native here; loved taking the B'way local down to South Ferry and seeing the platform extenders come out... and how they felt under feet when you got on and off the train. Haven't lived in NYC for some time now but loved seeing this.

I always wondered about the 2nd track and platform at South Ferry. Never saw a single train on it, or anyone on the other platform. Does anyone know the story behind that?

[damianbranica]

Id LOVE to see a documentary on the tunnels. The graff writers know all about em.

[damianbranica]

I LOVE OUR SUBWAY SYSTEM. It holds magic to me. The history is so affecting. I will always find it incredible that youth use them for canvas.

[Dario36514]

I been to south ferry before It was NICE

[19lfm12]

Thanks for documenting this! I was unaware of plans to obliterate the old station altogether.

As you say - install an elevator & some minor improvements - & much $ is saved. As well as the history! The IRT had the 'moving platforms' in a number of stations on curves: Times Square shuttle, 42st & 14 st on the Lex. Ave line.

...and then there was the INNER station at South Ferry for the shuttle to Bowling Green!

[TheEvansontop]

I wish Seattle had a subway system, the city is in need of one and the monorail line is too short and old.

[paperbacknovel]

Interesting thing is that the NYC systems (IRT, BMT, and BRT) were originally private companies, who raced to build their lines competing with one another. They all went bankrupt during the great depression and NYC government took over. After that, no new major lines were built. There have been some delayed and cost-overrun minor projects like new South Ferry station and failed projects like the 2nd Avenue Subway.

[paperbacknovel]

Also, ironically the new South Ferry station joins the old Whitehall Street R (BMT) station with the old South Ferry #1 (IRT line) station, right next to each other but separate due to original competition.

[Sequoya]

This is very interesting. It's so important to document places like these. Well intentioned city planners often miss the interesting nuances in their effort to improve the system.

[paperbacknovel]

I agree Sequoya. The new station seems like very expensive 'make work'. Right now the entrance to the new station sits nearby like the enemy, with its construction boards about to be peeled away.