BROOKLYN TROLLEYS

This JoeKorNer page is a re-formatted copy of the text file I distributed with my BAHN layouts of the Brooklyn Trolley System. There are two layouts in one zip file format at: Brooklyn Trolley Lines. The Bahn software is downloadable at: BAHN Home Page

The Brooklyn Streecar system was one of the largest ever. It had tracks that operated into Manhattan over the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges, and service to the 1939 Worlds Fair in Queens. There were many different cars operated there too, including convertables, the 8100 Peter Witt speed cars and the first production PCC cars. Here are some of my personal memories.

Here is a list of the trolley lines shown on the original ERA map published in 1950 with notes and conversion or abandonment dates. The map and this chart was updated and published in Greller’s book about the Brooklyn System. I have further updated it with some commentary from Don Harold, the noted Brooklyn Trolley historian. Visit the Don Harold Photo Pages and the Frank Goldsmith Photo pages here at the JoeKorNer.

Flatbush and Utica Note

For two weeks after official motorization the Flatbush and Utica bus routes required some trolley service as shuttles to supplement the service requirements due to a shortage of buses.

Kent Avenue Service

The #17 line used Kent and Classon to Myrtle until 1933. From 1933 to 1945 it used Washington Ave.

Third Ave Railway System in Brooklyn

There was a plow pit at Flatbush Ave near Tillary for the Third Ave Railway cars. Because of a city ordinance, no streetcars could us overhead wires in most of Manhattan. The various trolley lines in that borough used an underground third rail. The cars had a plow extending through a slot in the street to the rail. At places where the underground rail ended and wire was to be used a plow pit was built. Employees would be stationed in the pit to disconnect and reconnect the plows. There is no indication as to what the 3rd Ave cars did in Brooklyn.

Manhattan Bridge 3 Cent Line

The Manhattan Bridge 3 Cent Line operated as a shuttle. The car house is still standing in 1998.

Sumner Sackett and Sumner Ave Lines

The Sumner Ave service operated in both directions at on Bergen St at Sumner at various times. In the BAHN layout, I split half the cars to Hamilton Ferry (Sumner Sackett) and to Canarsie Depot. The Hamliton Ferry service probably ended when the construction of the BQE cut off Sackett and Unions St tracks.

My Memories of Brooklyn Trolleys

• The tunnel under Ocean Parkway that the Church Ave line used to avoid the traffic.
• The Canarsie Depot where the Church Ave Cars terminated. I also learned the difference between PCC's and 'the old cars' there (I was about 3 when most of the lines quit).
• October 31, 1956 (or shortly thereafter). When traveling from my grandparent's house back home, we would use the New Lots bus, which had replaced the #10 Ralph Rockaway between Canarise Depot and St. John's Place. On our trips home we could always tell if the vehicle turning off of Hegaman Ave into E.98th St was a Church Av Car (one headlight) or our bus (two headlights). After black Wednesday, we had to wait to see if the bus turned off into Church Ave or not.

Saturday September 3, 2005
Copyright © 2005 by Joseph D. Korman