Overhead view of the Third Ave El at 14th St looking East c.1905
The Third Ave El in Manhattan
The Third Ave Elevated Railway ran from the Battery to 129th St from 1878 until 1955.
It was the last of the four elevated railways that served New York City.
The line began operation in the Steam Era with miniature Forney steam locomotives
that puffed their way into the lore of of the City.
The line ran straight down Third Ave from 129th St to the Bowery and Pearl St in lower Manhattan and
then the route snaked its way through Coenties Slip to Front St to emerge at Whitehall St to get to the
South Ferry Terminal.
It was the last of the four elevated railways that served New York City.
The line began operation in the Steam Era with miniature Forney steam locomotives
that puffed their way into the lore of of the City.
The line ran straight down Third Ave from 129th St to the Bowery and Pearl St in lower Manhattan and
then the route snaked its way through Coenties Slip to Front St to emerge at Whitehall St to get to the
South Ferry Terminal.
A classic view of Third Ave North from 76th St with the El above
A Thumbnail History of the 3rd Ave El
The New York Elevated Railroad Co began construction of Third Ave Elevated Railway in Manhattan on Nov 1, 1877. The route north from South Ferry was via State St, Front St, Coenties Slip to Pearl St, with stations at Hanover Sq, Fulton St and Franklin Sq, on New Bowery and up the Bowery with stations at Chatham Sq, Canal St, Grand St and Houston St and on Third Ave at 9th, 14th, 18th, 23rd, 27th, 34th and 42nd St, where the line turned West to the new Grand Central Depot of the NY Central Harlem and Hudson River RRs.
The line opened from South Ferry to Grand Central Depot on Aug 26, 1878. Construction continued north and trains were running to 129th St by 1879. The City Hall branch opened in 1879. The 34th St LIRR Ferry Branch opened in 1880. Service to the Bronx began in 1889 via the Suburban Railway Bridge over the Harlem River. The line was electrified in 1902. The line was rebuilt from 1914 to 1916 for enhanced express train service producing the upper level Express Hump Platforms.
The 3rd Ave El ended operations in Manhattan on May 12, 1955.
The Bronx section of the El North of 149th St remained in service until 1973.
The New York Elevated Railroad Co began construction of Third Ave Elevated Railway in Manhattan on Nov 1, 1877. The route north from South Ferry was via State St, Front St, Coenties Slip to Pearl St, with stations at Hanover Sq, Fulton St and Franklin Sq, on New Bowery and up the Bowery with stations at Chatham Sq, Canal St, Grand St and Houston St and on Third Ave at 9th, 14th, 18th, 23rd, 27th, 34th and 42nd St, where the line turned West to the new Grand Central Depot of the NY Central Harlem and Hudson River RRs.
The line opened from South Ferry to Grand Central Depot on Aug 26, 1878. Construction continued north and trains were running to 129th St by 1879. The City Hall branch opened in 1879. The 34th St LIRR Ferry Branch opened in 1880. Service to the Bronx began in 1889 via the Suburban Railway Bridge over the Harlem River. The line was electrified in 1902. The line was rebuilt from 1914 to 1916 for enhanced express train service producing the upper level Express Hump Platforms.
The 3rd Ave El ended operations in Manhattan on May 12, 1955.
The Bronx section of the El North of 149th St remained in service until 1973.
Highlights of the Line
Chatham Sq Jct Coenties Slip Curve 34th St Ferry Terminal
