3rd Avenue El - early 1950's

[aCCs77a]

Beatiful, wonderful film.

the lost New York, I loved it.

[spainoner]

born and raised in newyork all my life and still here..im 37 and im very old fashioned..i love this footages so much

[noreaga12326]

Although i was born in the 70s, I still love old vintage films like this. Thanks for the great upload!

[bflatism]

Im telling you man, these fuckheads should have left this AND the Myrtle Avenue Els running. Removing the 3 Avenue El was a huge mistake. Now the 4, 5, and 6 trains are the ONLY trains serving the east side and they're the most crowded now. The Manhattan portion was torn down in 1955. The portion in the Bronx was also torn down in 1974. All the MTA did was replace them with buses. Im telling you, I imagine the 3 and Myrtle Avenue Els were WAY better than the buses we have now

[ukkfayooyay]

@bflatism Unfortunately the 3rd Avenue El could not have handled the R-class cars, from the R-1 up to the present models -- they are far too heavy. The 3rd Avenue El cars were composite wood-and-metal, weighing far less than subway cars. The El, built in 1878, probably could not have been reinforced to handle the additional weight.

[captainbly200]

@ukkfayooyay if the subway cars where to heavy ow come the Lo-V's and Hi-V's where able to run on the El? they where mainly used for subway service. ??

[pspmerr]

@captainbly200

 The cars the were on the 3rd ave El were Lo-V composites and MUDC Cars, all of them were made of wood with steel frames and were lighter then the subway counterpart.

[kmothersil]

@ukkfayooyay

They could of kept the old wooden cars longer until replacements came or the structures themselves were somehow strengthened. You wouldn't have to worry about parts since Hi-Vs and Lo-Vs had parts that could have been incorporated into the wooden cars like compressors, doors, motors, gears, etc...

[nycrackhead]

I cry for no reason sometimes.

[get2bxl]

this video make me think some one is going back in time and bringing footage back ...my grand mother ues to tell me when i was a kid there was a l train on 3rd ave at one time wish i could have been able to see the city at this time

[mrstepstool]

As a railfan and living in Chicago, the El Capital of U.S. I can appreciate this film.

Very nice video, it's like being on the train. I've never been to N.Y.C. I hope to see the sights, like the Brooklyn Bridge for instance. I was born about the era of this film,

hard to imagine the 'old times'. Thanks for this video !

[BestPuns]

What a beautiful video! It really captures the essence of the Third Avenue 'El, long departed, and sorely missed. Thanks!!!

[pannoni1]

Still want an El in a downtown? Go to Chicago!

[sidewinder169]

nice little film

[TheLastBrainLeft]

Even though this film was made post 1950, there is clearly a lot of stock footage of the Pearl St portion of the el, south of Chatham Sq, which closed in 1950. That closure all but sealed the fate of the el, since it moved it's southern terminal outside the downtown business area.

[wagerfilmART]

A great film. I wish the el was still there: it's too hot underground.

[geneser1]

Wow....actually saw the 3rd Ave EL train pass under the Brooklyn Bridge right next to were I grew up. I wish it had included the Alfred E. Smith Housing Projects.

[selginp]

When I was seven or eight (1965 or so) my father would take me with him to visit a friend living off Route 7 in Danbury or just over the border in Ridgefield. A thin man with a beard who wore plaid shirts and reminded me of John Nagy of Learn to Draw fame. The man's name was "Kit" Davidson, and somewhere in my child's memory I stowed away that he'd was a filmmaker and made a "famous" art film called The 3rd Avenue El. And here it is!

[tryithere]

They should have had the drunk guy go into the motorman's cab and take control of the train.

[TimTomTull]

Wonderful. Manhattan pre-yuppification,. when a thin dime could buy a cup of coffee (usually bad coffee).

[nycdude999]

Great video of a bygone era. In the 1950s my father owned a restaurant under the 3rd Ave El at the 76 Street Station. After they tore down the 3rd Ave line, business dropped off dramatically and he sold the store and bought another restaurant , The Marina at 9th Ave & 37th St, a few stores down from Manganaro's Groceria Italiana.

[joni2691]

My Grandma lived on E100st & 3rd Ave during that time (the last year '55 when it ran). Her bedroom window lies just across it (ouch!). 55 years ago!

[safehouse123]

nice video:)

[mfleisig]

There are still several elevated lines--the 1 is elevated north of 207th Street for instance all the way to 242nd Street. The east side IRT is also elevated in the Bronx. There are also elevated lines in Queens and Brooklyn. It's a great way to see the city, but not fun to live near. They're loud, depress property values, and stuff falls off therm from time to time making them a bit dangerous.

[Awetomatik]

This totally reminds me of Shaun Tan's 'The Arrival'. Well, with less giant bird statues and pet-monsters, but still

[overhere2000]

was there a reason why they shut it down?

[NYBredBamaFed]

I'm guessing that when this was made it was considered an "odd" film but it can now be regarded as a slice of Manhattan life that sadly does not exist any more.

The el closed down in Manhattan in 1955 but most of the original Bronx stations were being used until 1973 when this el line finally came to an end. What a shame that it had to close down.

[kmothersil]

If I was around I would have saved the entire line from the Bronx to Manhattan. I would do what was right cause not only did the freaking SAS didn't get built the 4 and 5 are crowded. The only thing I'd have a problem with is what type of IRT equipment would be good for the job.

[CindyBradyTooh]

*OUTSTANDING* video!!! :D

~Cindy! :)

..

[packr72]

i bet soem people on the east side miss this line.

[TheLastBrainLeft]

@packr72 Relax, we have a replacement subway already funded and construction will begin in 1957. You will have faster, more modern replacement service by 1963!

[willoughby605]

several elevated trains still run in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens, one el line left in upper manhattan

[yaboy59]

amazing, im a NYC transit train operator and would have loved to be able to work this line

[packr72]

how many elevated train lines does new york still have and are any going to be replaced any time soon

[pencilbuddy]

theres one on broadway between 125 and 135 street.

and the metro north line on park ave thats about it. I wish i had the oportunity to see the 3rd ave El cuz I cant ever imagine an outside train running there lol

[italobambino43]

I wish my father could have seen this video! This is a dam treat if I ever saw one. Love it very much!!!

[bayridgephantom]

What a lovely film, perfect in every detail.

[MrMeaty727]

why did they take it down?All this bullshit about taking public transportation.assholes.

[milepost53]

The el closed 5/12/1955. it was taken down late summer and fall of 1955.

[TheSecretmuseum]

hey,c'mon everybody knows it was taken down in 1933, by Kong.

[bflatism]

that was a stupid thing to do. look what happened now.  we got the 4, 5, and 6 trains being over stuffed because thats the only line on the east side. and in the bronx, you only have the Bx55 bus, and buses are slower than trains.

[milepost53]

The city wanted to turn 3rd ave into a wide street wuth High-rise office towers and Apartments. They promised the 2nd ave Subway would replace it.. maybe in 2015!

[rudeboyjohn]

Maybe Dec. 21st 2012!

[kmothersil]

@milepost53

More like 2030. They keep on delaying it. The only thing that's getting completed on time is the extension of the 7 line.

[queensplazasouth]

@kmothersil What a waste that is. If anything the 7 train needs to be extended EAST down Northern Blvd to terminate at Bell Blvd, if the Mayor was really serious about reducing traffic. (No, I don't live over there.) Extending it a few blocks west and downtown will do nothing to reduce traffic, only benefit the owners of whatever new mega-project they're putting up over there by the Convention Center.

[stecklaw]

Then you live on the 3rd or 4th floor of any of the buildings that have elevated trains.

Ever see Blues Brothers? Remember Elwood's apartment? That's why.

[airtech555]

beautiful video I learned something new

[tilt454]

Wow, true gotham.

[nizaralvarez1943257]

GREAT VID and the song completes the vid!

[Subwaynut666]

This is a great video. The music complements it well.

It really is a shame that the el's don't exist in Manhattan anymore. Especially because they didn't adequately replace its service.

[BroolynEl]

great vid. Sure wish i could go there back then

[Rayarena]

New York is probably the greatest city in the world. It's great seeing a slice of NYC history in that video. Too bad that NY doesn't respect its history. After the destruction of Penn Station there was some consciousness raising about the need to preserve NYC, but before that there was

very little. I wish that the 3rd Ave El had not been destroyed. Even today, there is very little attempt to preserve the architecture of the remaining El's with their wonderful Swiss architecture Stations.

[BROAdWAYexpressN]

back in the 50's when you would see a person with a camera and has good quality you would be like, "damn that guy must be rich" but now if you dont have a single camera people would mae fun of you

[PJDooWop]

I love it. Great vid!

[MarkinDC]

THANKS SO MUCH for posting this. I always dreamed of being able to experience NYC in the 50's, now I feel like I've seen it first hand. Great combination of view from the train, street life, and creative views of the people who rode it.

[skipstops]

The Thrid Ave Elevated line was opended in 1878. Thrid Ave line was a great line. In 1955 the Thrid Ave el line was closed in Manhattan only. The remaining Thrid Ave El was in broxn only between 149th Street and Gun Hill Road. In 1967 the remaining service was named the 8. the (8) service was in service between 1967 to 1973. The remaninig 3rd Ave el was closed in 1973 and ending (8) service and was replaced by the Bx55 Limited bus route making only the stops the former line made.

[skipstops]

8 line was used on Third Ave Elevated line.

[45localbus]

When the third Ave El was closed in 1973 it was replaced by the bus BX55.

[45localbus]

I never rode and never seen Thrid Ave El because I was born in the 1990's but I have seen images of 3rd Ave El line and the train running on the line and know history about the line. The 3rd Ave Elevated line was opended in 1878. The thrid Ave el lived lots of years in their life. The 3rd Ave El in Manhattan was closed in 1955 but the line in broxn was kept and in 1967 the remaing 3rd Ave line became the 8 line and 8 line was used 1967 to 1973 and as of April 1973 the line was closed.

[prausch65]

Excellent look back at New York's early transit infrastructure, the elevated train, which is becoming extinct,as there's only a few left here in NYC.Looking back it was foolish to demolish the 3rd ave "el",because there was no replacement for it, leaving the Lexington ave. line overcrowded to this day. Now that there's approval of the 2nd ave subway, perhaps the overcrowding will cease.

[quodlibette]

Beautiful-- the director imagined future New Yorkers longing to see into the city's past and made the film for us. The discussion to tear down the El was probably  under way when he made this elegaic, you should pardon the expression, film. Thank you so much for putting it up.

[FoPo4]

This was nominated for an Oscar for Best Short in 1955.

[ferlenarab]

This is one of my favorite railroad shorts, I love the way they intertwine the people and the EL as it was. Fact- The EL was 90% removed in 1955, a short segment lasted until the 70's. Thanks for posting.

[bonita2079]

Damn this is weird lolol. This was before my time (I was born in 1979). They since took the 3rd Avenue EL down. Now they are planning the 2nd Avenue line. I think that one will be underground.

The trains in NYC these days suck, especially during rush hour. I think that once the 2nd Avenue line is ready, it will minimize the slow service.

[abqlover]

This video is excellent. I rode the 3rd Avenue El as a child. I really enjoyed being taken back to a much happier and simpler time in NYC history.

[gore53]

Loved -- loved it. Look forward to viewing more from your collection. Thanks.

[gore53]

Loved -- loved it, and look forward to viewing more from your collection. Thanks.

[Nyclassic2006]

Beautiful film. I am glad that there are many out there who film what later is history. I film many things waiting for the day that I can share with the new generations what they only hear about. Thanks for a great piece of NYC history.

[alboman1]

I wish the streets of new york were still all cobble stone... i really would've liked to experience this life, less cars. The people look happier.

[M1903A1]

Am I seeing some Q cars mixed in with all those MUDC's?

Great movie!

[jkmlight]

I saw the 3rd Ave Elevated Line in the Bronx, N.Y. during the 1970's. I've never rode it. I had no idea it was going to be dismantled in the early 1070's. I've missed my opportunity. However, i was happy to catch a ride on the old Mrytle Avenue El, between Jay Street & Broadway, in Brooklyn New York during the late 1960's.

[mrduky]

I remember riding the EL with my parents in the 1950's; straw seats,humongous metal ceiling fans, and no crime! Only 15 cents too!

[RedShadow1917]

15 cents!?!?!

Is that a typo?

[Psychedelia1969]

I definately think i wasborn in the wrong time period. I wish i had a time machine.

[angelo7223]

touchee....does reading help..at all?

[dmc081]

lolz wow compare to todays brand new trains wow nyc looks better back then n ppl look more respectful baq then

[joshthesarge]

This video was incredible! It's these "windows through time" that allow people like me (Born too late to see these things) an opportunity to experience pieces of New York history which have been nonexistent for decades. Thanks for posting this!

[cuqui52]

oh my god thanks for this clip it is awsome!

[joni2691]

I got to ride the Bronx portion in '69-'73 as a young kid. Loved looking thru the front car window especially when the train S-curved to 161st(around the Courthouse)... something about it moved me 'till this day even when I drive along the Avenue.

[victoriajubilee]

the second leg of the third ave.el actually ran from 149 st and third ave to gun hill road. it was called the gun hill road shuttle. it was dismantled in the 1970s

[eddie1967]

If you like this video, check out the following book: "By the El: Third Avenue and Its El at Mid-Century"

It has a lot of wonderful pictures that really give you a sense of what the El and NYC was like.....

[danilsky]

how cool

[jkmlight]

i was born in October 1957. I've never rode on the old "3rd Avenue El". It's an interesting film. But, I've rode in the old "Myrtle Avenue Elevated Line" in Brooklyn in 1967. I understand that the old "Myrtle Ave local line" was a connected to the "3rd Avenue El" years ago.

[tweitz]

Great video. There were two third avenue "Ls" in New York city; the one in the video was in Manhattan, torn down in Manhattan in the mid 1950's. The Bronx segement remained until relatively recently. There was another Third avenue "L" along Third Avenue in Brooklyn, that disappeared many many years earlier, certainly before the Second World War. Its route is the one followed by the Belt Parkway today. If anything connected to the Myrtle Avenue "L", it was the Brooklyn segment.

[victoriajubilee]

i ,too used to ride the old myrtle ave. el . it ran from flatbush avenue to broadway ,brooklyn in buswick. great days

[Surefootedman]

They should've kept this line,with these cars!

[friendlier]

Interesting that it seemed to curve so much. That slight C curve toward the end is lovely. I kept trying to figure out what the various cross streets going by were. The JESUS SAVES cross is still on that corner!

[slvrtyps55]

Lovely film! I grew up in NYC, in the 1950s, and my two most vivid memories of riding the 3rd Ave.El were looking in people's windows along the route and how dark the street was, under the train. You captured those visuals very well!

[fultonallen]

What a fantastic film, absolutely brilliant evocation of an experience now lost forever. I'm just knocked out by it!

[subwaysleuth]

Wanda Landowska was perfect for this witty movie-short. Every New Yorker should see what we have given up.

[piasillo]

The Drawbidge and Tugboat scene was great

[BEATNIKCASS]

great-thanks for the ride.you could actually pull down the windows and stick yer head out in those great days.

[eriswen]

Great flick...I rode the el as a kid--most people really miss it! This truly shows old NY. Music is great! You could do one on the Myrtle Ave el in Brooklyn.

[kingfrat78]

Groundbreaking was held for the 2nd Ave Subway today. 4/07. I wish this was still here.

[violentpenance]

I absolutely adore this film. Thanks for sharing it!

[dissentionburn]

nice find! the only thing that would have made this better for me would be some be-bob instead of the harpsichord.