History of IRT South Ferry

Is this a cool topic? Do you like history of lines, stations, trains, or routes?
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:53 El Station Growth
1:39 El Station Decline
2:09 Subway Station Opening
2:26 Shuttle
2:47 Expansion
3:02 Gap Fillers
3:24 Service Cuts
3:48 Loop Issues
4:20 New Station
4:51 The Loop Returns
5:09 The New Station Returns
5:18 Outro

[@TRRailfan]

Next history video is either R38 or Rockaway Shuttle

[@jazielreacts3998]

R38

[@paradoxum_scout]

R38

[@TRRailfan]

@@paradoxum_scout i literally wrote this 8 months ago, R38 and Rockaway Shuttle videos are both out

[@tamikagordon7106]

@@paradoxum_scout yea

[@nassau2244]

@@TRRailfan hey ii ik 1 year late but I wanted to know if I could make series like this of mine? 😟

[@captainkeyboard1007]

That was a great history about the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) South Ferry station(s). I was an IRT boy who grew up three blocks from New Lots Avenue. That was when I became a railroad buff.

[@sophiaprotopapas9814]

"to make up for the lack of non-submerged channel," im losing it i love these videos

[@joesmith-md2kt]

I WAS PROMOTED TO MOTORMAN INSTRUCTOR IN 1979 AND SENT TO THE IRT FROM THE IND/BMT. TWO SEPARATE UNIVERSES TO US MOTORMAN/CONDUCTORS. THE SOUTH FERRY WAS UNIQUE SINCE THE C/R COULD ONLY OPEN 1ST 5 CARS. PASSENGERS WOULD COMPLAIN THE C/R MADE NO ANNOUNCEMENT AND THEY WERE STUCK IN THE BACK OF THE TRAIN. PROBLEM WAS SO MANY PA SYSTEMS WERE BROKEN SO MANY CARS, THE C/R DID NOT KNOW THAT. BACK THEN, EVERYTHING WAS COLLAPSING, NOT JUST THE SUBWAY.

[@Pensyfan19]

Great review of the station. I've been intrigued by the existence of the South Ferry loop, and why the MTA switched to a stub end terminal instead of utilizing the loop. I did not know that 5 trains still utilize the inner loop, so thank you for teaching us something new.

[@TRRailfan]

Glad you enjoyed it! According to wikipedia 5 trains now use the outer loop (clearance issues maybe, or it might hurst be faster because the curve is less tight)

[@1575murray]

@@TRRailfan Using the outer loop makes sense since 1 trains no longer use it and it has a wider radius so there is less wear on the wheels and the rails.

[@AstronomyCirclez]

Im a HUGE Fan I watched you since I was 6

[@williambuckingham7153]

Biggest problem with the loop was only the first 5 cars opened, and if you didnt follow directions you might get stuck unable to get off, and have to ride back uptown... that and the squeal of the wheels on the extremely curved track.

[@RXSVN_2]

It was the same with 145 street on The 3 line in Harlem. If I remember right: The trick was that if you ended up missing your stop as you was going uptown because you weren't in the "first five cars" , then you had to remember to stay exactly where you were, because if you did walk to the first five cars NOW you wouldn't miss your stop as the train is coming back downtown. ....and yes I have made that mistake before, It's not even funny.

[@samburkes7552]

Being a subway nut/fan/aficionado, wheel & brake squeals never ever bothered me! While riding the old venerable R9s on the IND 6th Ave D train, motormen would take that junction curve right after Broadway/Lafayette St/Station at a speed where those old treaded wheels would squeal well over 95-100dB, guessing, along with the roar of those old WH/GE traction motors..was music to my young ears! Loved it! My aunts & cousins thought I was crazy!!..Yes. I was a young, hopeless romantic!!

[@120Star]

Almost like an urban legend 🧙🏿‍♂️

[@RXSVN_2]

5:27 Got em! 😄 Great channel

[@michaelcolletti790]

Fantastic explanation and video. Thanks so much for posting!

[@JeffFrmJoisey]

Your description of the El’s into SF brought back memories of the Super-8 movie about the 3rd Avenue Elevated I made as a teen!! It included parts of the ride on The Bronx portion of the line from 149th St to Gun Hill Rd. Thanks for the rememberies you activated!!

[@captainkeyboard1007]

That was a nice and informative history about the South Ferry stations. Thank you very much.

[@RapidTransit1941]

I got goosebumps hearing this history

[@stevenroshni1228]

I didn't realize until recently that both Seventh Ave and Lexington Ave use tracks at South Ferry.

[@Hernans-World-On-YouTube]

Lexington Avenue trains still use the Inner Platform at South Ferry to go back to Bowling Green at weeknights and weekends.

[@1575murray]

The platform itself no longer exists as the wall openings have been bricked up. However the inside loop track is still in service and is used to turn 5 trains around after they discharge passengers at Bowling Green. At one time 5 and 6 trains shared the outer loop and platform with 1 trains on evenings and weekends.

[@DARTHBLUNT713]

I can count my blessings to visit South Ferry Loop in January of 2017 a few months before it closes once again

[@mohamad-ms2pb]

I remember riding the shuttle from Bowling Green to South Ferry. At that time the R12/14 type cars were used.

[@marlenecortez4232]

SOUTH FERRY FINALLY

[@marlenecortez4232]

Wait I’m first

[@jordimendoza9930]

South Ferry is my favorite station in NYC

[@therailfanenthusiast8766]

South ferry and bowling should have a transfer connection

[@noby_huangkonghsiong]

Honestly, it's just too short to make the cut.

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

Completely redo the old south ferry station and rebuild the bowing green shuttle platform,2 track shuttle train ,1 train per track,this is how irt lower Manhattan infrastructure was intended.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

@@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2 That’s completely unnecessary since one can just walk to the ferry terminal. No need for a shuttle train that will just take longer.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

@Tristan Antonov Ideally you can also have a transfer between Bowling Green and Whitehall Street, which will also add access to South Ferry on the 1 line. One of the entrances to Bowling Green is a half block from one of the entrances at Whitehall Street so with that, you have a connection between the 4, 5, R, and W, as well as the 1 train via the R train platform.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

You can have that by instead connecting to the Whitehall Street station on the R and W. An underground passageway would be built to connect the Bowling Green side platform entrance to the Whitehall Street entrance at Whitehall and Stone Streets. From there, you have a transfer between the 4, 5, R, and W trains. You can also access the 1 train by walking the entire length of the R and W train and using the passageway at the end of the platform. It’s very simple.

[@Trainguy198]

Cool

[@Transitfan7890]

The S. Ferry Loop is still there if you ride a five train or a four train pass the Bowling Green station you would see the station

[@Stanf954]

Dont forget about the R /W Whitehall St station adjacent to the SF terminal

[@anthonybrancato8524]

Why can't IRT Lexington Avenue service be brought back - this time using the outer loop? At the same time, the southern terminus of the 5 can be Brooklyn Bridge - not Bowling Green.

[@JuanDominicci]

The reason why you couldn't see the shuttle platform when on the 5 train its bc they Ethier destroyed and built a wall or just built the wall and kept the station behind the wall

[@DAnimates]

It would be more convenient if the MTA made a transfer between South Ferry and Bowling Green

[@therailfanenthusiast8766]

Agreed

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

Make a brand new bowling green station that’s a bit closer to south ferry,but there is Fulton Street just walk to the 2,3 platform.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

Not to South Ferry, but between Bowling Green and Whitehall Street on the R and W.

[@Mskart109]

I like the south ferry loop

[@TRRailfan]

So do i

[@durece100]

You must be joking.

[@jordimendoza9930]

I just wanna how I'm feeling gotta make you understand Never Gonna Give You Up Never Gonna Let You Down Never Gonna Run Around and Dessrt You Never Gonna Make You Cry Never Gonna Say Goodbye Never Gonna Tell A Lie And Hurt You

[@trainmaster67158]

My question what happened to the outer loop track and station does it just sit there

[@TRRailfan]

Yep. They just left it there. There might be some events where you can go in if you pay, I think they have that for the City Hall Loop

[@trainmaster67158]

@@TRRailfan nice

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

Restore the old south ferry station completely and make no curve on platform edge,5 car shuttle trains,restore the bowing green shuttle platform completely and add a new platform,new entrance exit from the brand new platform.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

@@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2 That is unnecessary since one can walk 5 minutes to/from Bowling Green and the R train provides alternate service through the area and into Brooklyn.

[@anthonygallo3576]

No, it went back to oz

[@jabgaming2592]

imagine If the MTA have had 5 head to South ferry instead of terminating at bowling green just like the MTA did Before 1977

[@TheRailLeaguer]

It would be lightly used, a waste of resources, and a complete disgrace for Brooklyn riders since 5 train riders going to South Ferry can get there faster by walking from Bowling Green or using the nearby R train. However an in-system walking transfer to Whitehall Street can provide a similar service.

[@Chris-zs5qb]

I honestly thought the thumbnail was something else.

[@kathymcmorrow]

I would like the 6 to run to south ferry and skip bowling green

[@TRRailfan]

Unfortunately the line between Brooklyn Bridge and South Ferry does not have the capacity for the 4, 5, and 6.

[@kathymcmorrow]

How about a lower level below the 4 and 5?

[@TRRailfan]

That might work. Although it’s really not worth all the effort if passengers can just take the 4 or 5.

[@JuanDominicci]

But that would've been useful as well

[@ericpatterson8596]

I like to see mta use the loop for 5 train or 6 train to the Staten Island ferry!!

[@TheRailLeaguer]

5 trains are already using the loop, but passengers are not allowed to ride.

[@ericpatterson8596]

Outer loop for south ferry

[@TRRailfan]

@JeremiahC99 yes you are allowed to ride loop trains through South Ferry and City Hall

[@TheRailLeaguer]

@@TRRailfan Through South Ferry, because last I recalled, I though you can only ride through City Hall. But then again, trains won’t be stopping at either stop for passenger drop offs anyway.

[@TRRailfan]

Pretty sure you can ride on any terminating train unless it’s laying up or running into the yard

[@akmalkausaralhafiz798]

Too bad the Lexington Avenue like close

[@mrjoepep302]

in 2002 i think there was a shuttle that would replace the 1 and 9 line because of 9/11

[@TheRailLeaguer]

At that time, Rector Street and South Ferry were closed due to damage so no trains were going to either station.

[@mrjoepep302]

@@TheRailLeaguer ok good to know thanks for that

[@captainkeyboard1007]

There were no shuttle trains to South Ferry. After the debris was cleared out at the World Trade Center site, the 1 Train ran between Chambers Street and Rector Street, passing the closed Cortlandt Street station, and terminating at South Ferry.

[@JuanDominicci]

They can take a train over there

[@JuanDominicci]

Bc when people need to get to south ferry they dont need to walk

[@TheRailLeaguer]

Honestly the walk is actually faster than riding the 5 to South Ferry.

[@cardinaliscardinalis7965]

first

[@TRRailfan]

but you’re not

[@mrjoepep302]

@@TRRailfan OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH