Staten Island Railway Tour: Nassau to Tottenville

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Filmed and edited by Mark Perelmuter
Taken on April 29th, 2016.

[@SparenofIria]

I cannot express how appropriate the music is.

[@ThatGuy-te9wh]

Absolutely. These look like a decrepit, abandoned line from the 60s.

[@christherailfan5851]

ThatGuy67 it kind of is but not really

[@litlgrey]

@@ThatGuy-te9wh From the 1860s, MAYY-be.

[@martyjewell5683]

This truly was eleven and a quarter minutes of time well spent. Interesting, informative and fun. I rode the Staten Island Rapid Transit a few times in the 1960's as a teenager. Sad to say, as shitty then as it is now. Ah, some things just don't change. It was said in the 60's that the system wasn't very rapid and could hardly be called transit. Appears to still hold that title. Thanks for taking the time to show an overlooked and frequently forgotten MTA line. Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 was a nice touch. Well done. As we'd say in Brooklyn, fuhgeddaboudit!

[@fatoumatasissoko91]

P

[@Shadowdreamcast]

I barley knew about the SIR but after watching this I was very informed...and laughing, the music choice was perfect. Great video!

[@michaelmantello]

Don't worry, the SIR is not as depressing as it looks (ok, it is quite depressing I must say). Most of the other stations are a little bit better kept and much larger, with longer platforms. And I agree, the music choice was perfect! :)

[@Shadowdreamcast]

Mike Mantello Lol I've seen other stations too, they're good as well.

[@rodprops]

barely*

[@deadass_deezy0727]

Same I lived in NYC for 10 years and I didn't know there was a SIR until now

[@bohemoth1]

It runs behind my house.

[@brando6685]

8:39 Lmao the guy ducks his head when he saw the camera

[@blockvfive1196]

why, im assuming privacy?

[@LetharG]

I've been on it, the train feels as if it's going to fall off the tracks in some places.

[@jameshiroki1]

It's better than where I live now. Fares in DC are $4 and unreliable

[@WebSoak]

No thats the 2

[@youminholastransit3218]

@BrooklynEagle No idea what you said, but ok

[@bohemoth1]

Boukala boom

[@SomeRamdomAhole]

I've been on SIR once and honestly I appreciate the other lines more , good video man

[@DJHTransport]

Thanks so much!

[@SCL7500]

I found this entire video quite relaxing and therapeutic. Love the Staten Island Railway and the history behind it all. 🚂🚇🚉

[@TheStig_TG]

Same (2 yrs late lol)

[@ron234halt]

Great documentation of two stations that are being replaced, and the histories behind them. I never knew Nassau and Atlantic were named for companies.

[@MrEarthboundKing]

In case anyone was curious the music is Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 in D minor performed by the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra /watch?v=f2Wojx7Hfuk

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

I recognized it from 1947's "Rhapsody Rabbit." I even mouthed "f**king a**hole" at the end exactly like Bugs Bunny did to the mouse that showed him up! ;o)

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

"Franz Liszt? Never 'hoid' of him. Wrong number!"

[@rodprops]

Lmfao

[@Luftschlange]

Very interesting and nicely done!

[@DJHTransport]

Thanks!

[@SimonS44]

I agree :)

[@julez5900]

I love your videos

[@ThatGuy-te9wh]

Luftschlange that is the slowest express service ever

[@felixjackson534]

Wow you wathecd this

[@huncho1057]

The SIR is something very unique. Great Video

[@Zarastroika]

Yeah, this is unique! :B

[@brayand8022]

I am still glad that the R44s are still here!

[@thomasmann9216]

My wife and I rode the SIR about 20 years ago, just because it was something I'd always wanted to do. We also left the Tottenville Station, gazed across the water for a few minutes, and went right back. As they say about Oakland, CA - there is no there, there.

[@margies5625]

Well, I now live in CA and have no use for Oakland. Tottenville was a great place to grow up -- the streets were ours to play on.

[@hobo753]

Love the choice of music!!

[@jameshiroki1]

Saw the new station In October. Very well done and almost finished

[@gc4060]

They need to connect a line from Brooklyn to Staten Island or Manhattan to Staten Island asap

[@martyjewell5683]

Nice thought superlauch, a tunnel was started in the 1960's along the RR (now the R) line. It began near 65th street and was supposed to connect Bay Ridge with Staten Island Rapid Transit. (like the ferry did from 69th street). Was never completed, too expensive and logistic problems. Besides, who would really want to take the subway to Staten Is.??????

[@bruhmkvn]

I see your point about how expensive it is, but it's about commuting in and out of Staten Island...residents either have to take the buses or drive across the bridge (along with truck deliveries = traffic slowdown) or also take the ferry, which is all the way north of the island. Having a subway line would be more convenient, but I agree, it is too expensive. If it was completed in the 60s-70s, Staten Island wouldn't be as isolated and empty because there would be another way to get to Brooklyn instead of 1 bridge. Answering your last question, nobody really wants to because of how expensive (Verrazano price) and inconvenient (if you don't own a vehicle, it's just taking the buses over to Brooklyn, which is another reason why they're so crowded) it is.

[@martyjewell5683]

Hey Kevin, you sound like an islander. Imagine if they ran trains over the guinea gangplank (verrazano)???? Ya know like over the Manhattan bridge. Actually, all the NYC subway troubles can be blamed on Robert Moses. He pushed for more spending on roads and screwed the transit system. I rode the trains in the late 1950's as a kid. Tokens (rides) cost 15 cents!!! The subways were cleaner, ran better, had more civil (civil servant) employees and a better class of ridership. Remember when the verrazano toll was 75 cents??? Staten Island BEFORE the bridge, was a beautiful place. In the late 1950's you could still hunt pheasant there. I had friends who moved there, I took the 69th street ferry over to see them. Boy Scouts had camp Pouch. I do understand your commuter concerns. My younger brother lived there and worked for Wells Fargo (Wall st area) for many years. He commuted via ferry. I was only teasing about subway rides to Staten Island. Youse guys are A ok.

[@PeruvianPotato]

@@martyjewell5683 Me

[@martyjewell5683]

@@PeruvianPotato, you gotta know I'm kidding about people NOT wanting to subway it from Brooklyn to SI. It would have been a great option for us back in the 60's. As a kid, riding the bus over the bridge was a PIA.

[@TheCloakedTiger]

Really nice ride when the air is clean and crisp and it’s right in the beginning of fall. :)

[@margies5625]

The ramps are not there because they are "more economical than elevators." There for ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act.

[@hockeyboss6893]

i love this music in the backround

[@josepintado3910]

Well, took the ride all the way to Tottenville with my family, 2 weeks ago. Visited Angelina Restaurant right outside of the station. Food was great and we had a wonderful time there. Our server was just great.

[@hypurban]

By far your best work yet. Loving the classical instead of techno!

[@K1_Trains]

Nice one dj But i also have one question Why did you not take a video bypassing author kill You could had goten a better view of it

[@iannarita9816]

Originally SIRT was a steam railroad owned by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. If I remember correctly SIRT is subject to Federal Railway Administration rules not Federal Transit Administration. This is one of the legacies of being a railroad and not a transit operation. SIRT has a rich history of it's own. SIRT was supposed to be B&O' s entry into New York City. Their is still a railroad bridge connecting Staten Island to New Jersey. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staten_Island_Railway www.nycsubway.org/wiki/SIRT_Staten_Island_Rapid_Transit

[@margies5625]

I have read that it was planned to have the subway connect with the Island when the subway was being built. They never got very far under water, so we got the ferry instead. I rode the train long, long ago. Got on at Richmond Valley (then father went over the Outrbridge) and off at Atlantic. I lived below Hylan Blvd. and nearly to the beach. I lived in Tottenville and went to school in St. George. Sorry if I'm repeating myself -- I could not find my earlier post. Is it possible to walk from one car to the next now? It was in the 60s when the cars had wicker seats which were flipped for heading north or south. This also made it possible to flip one seat and have four of us in our own group on the way home. Wonderful memories.

[@trinimark123abc]

Great video, and I love the choice of music well done

[@Harveycartoonlvr11]

Well done Video, DJ! I have a friend that works for that branch of the MTA...I am fascinated by the fact that the SIRT still keeps the B&O's charm by still using the color position light Signals! Most railfans like myself who are outside of the NY/NJ Area, are seeing CSX replacing all of these former B&O Position Light Signals on former routes operated by the B&O. We'll have to come there to actually see them still being used I guess! I like all of your NYC Subway Videos, I've always had a great love for the NYCTA as a child growing up in the Midwest near Chicago. :)

[@DJHTransport]

Thank you so much! The SIRT is indeed a very historically significant system.

[@TheDanrox110]

My dad used to work at the NY Stock Exchange. He commuted via the SIR when NY PATH service was closed following 9/11. He would drive across the 440 bridge, catch the train in Tottenville and get off at the ferry

[@rafaelasuncionXD2000216]

My mom doesn't know that there IS a railway in Staten Island but doesn't believe me

[@sierrafirerider]

rafael asuncionXD Show this to her.

[@cloveyork5191]

Anita Clarence Seriene Or go to STATEN ISLAND ??

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Most people don't know there's a Staten Island and don't need to.

[@matthewhernandez8342]

@@MilwaukeeF40C I agree

[@kevinkarcher7508]

Bushrod Rust Johnson They just know they have to go through it to go west of NYC.

[@julianwong8097]

Cool tour Dj Hammers! I was the fan you met a couple weeks ago at Myrtle Av on the tour!

[@DJHTransport]

Oh awesome!!! So glad you liked the video! Hope to see you on a future tour :D

[@Organgrinder1010]

Very slow "rapid transit" it would appear. Commentary is most helpful. Excellent video. Thanks!

[@iannarita9816]

PS with an open date of February 1, 1860 it is older then NYC' s subways and in the MTA second only to the LIRR as an organization. DJ thanks for the video. Show more when you can. Also like the music.

[@RSDX99]

Back in the early 60's we used to take the ferry from Perth Amboy to Tottenville, Legal drinking in NJ was 21 NY was 18, the bar in Tottenvile did a lot of business from 18YO NJ teens.

[@margies5625]

Yes -- there was a bar down the street from me. The only one in town I can think of in the 50/60s

[@josepintado3910]

Outstanding video with great background music. Different from the regular subway. Rode all the lines and visited all the stations in the system. Including the now gone, 3rd Ave el in the Bronx. This is the only one left to do. Will do it this year after watching this great video.

[@DJHTransport]

Thank you so much!!! Glad you enjoyed.

[@donaldshaw8710]

Would you be willing to do a tour of Grand Central Terminal someday?

[@bnywtrains9482]

Great video! The SIR has always seemed quite alien to me and obviously many others. How frequently do the trains run out there?

[@DJHTransport]

Maybe about every 20 minutes or so.

[@tommysimmons3258]

Dude that's page Avenue, we dug out tunnels there, even trying to dig one under the tracks in that turn going to that new station. Bottom of Bethel street I think, friend Eddie lived on that corner, and where I got bitten by a dog at 14 years old. Mid 70s

[@rodgiacoleetch6193]

I remember that tune from Bugs Bunny, as I do all my classical favorites

[@stevencuffie537]

And from a Tom & Jerry cartoon too

[@ceoofprosciutto235]

I've only rode the SIR a few times in my life but lemme tell you it's such a calming experience, unlike the rest of the subway system, and other than St. George and Tottenville, you can ride the SIR without using your metro card.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

Tompkinsville is the other station where you have to pay, not Tottenville.

[@adamochs3106]

Thank you for this

[@BIRDIECHANNEL]

Pls do the whole line, I find it very interesting!

[@DJHTransport]

Hahaha okay!

[@bufordpusser424]

Yeah, seriously...................... Take a few fully charged batteries, start at one end of the line and point the camera out the window the entire way in both directions. But wait until December when all of the leaves have dropped off all of the trees.

[@TheStig_TG]

He never did it 😐

[@MetrolandClub]

@@TheStig_TG 😐

[@TheStig_TG]

@@DJHTransport Can you do the whole line?

[@lucaslucas2933]

I whipped out a 2018 subway map to try and find these stations, only to get a whole lot of nothing. Then I pulled out a 2016 map. I'm sad to say, I wish I discovered your channel sooner

[@TheStig_TG]

The stations were demolished by Late 2016 while Arther kill was opened in Jan. Of 2017

[@lucaslucas2933]

@@TheStig_TG That would explain why they're only on my map from 2016

[@TheStig_TG]

@@lucaslucas2933 Yep

[@mitch4527]

I was on the SIR years ago. I had to wait forever for a train and wow, was it slow.

[@lucaskonkoski9711]

When was the construction of the new Arthur Kill Station started?

[@thegamertrain5919]

why is there so much space blocked for because Nassau has a long platform

[@DJHTransport]

The blocked off part of the platform is structurally unstable and not safe for passengers.

[@JTC2227]

I ❤ Staten Island Railway

[@purplesword5536]

any idea how badly this station was damaged during hurricane Sandy??

[@joet5986]

Purple Sword 5 which one

[@PikUpYourPantsPatrol]

I like trains! No but really it's beautiful and idk why, Imma take a ride on it tomorrow just because lol

[@skyforce2132]

Do you have a video of the entire route in Staten Island? If you do, reply with a link!

[@blueriver4484]

This doesnt connect to NYC right? The other boroughs. It just operates within staten island am i correct?

[@MilesJajich]

Correct.

[@margies5625]

@@MilesJajich StatNisland *is* part of NYC. There was a sailing race around the island in the 1600s to see if we'd belong to NY or NJ. That's what I learned in school.

[@MilesJajich]

Margie S I know Staten Island is part of New York. Blue was asking if the Staten Island Railway connected to New York City, which it doesn’t. You’d have to take a ferry/boat or go by road. Interesting about the sail race though!

[@margies5625]

@@MilesJajich Are there not five (5) boroughs in NYC?? It's not just Manhattan.

[@landocalrisian2014]

Talk about tiny platforms, the already truncated 4-car trains are even oversized for these stations. Looks odd but I guess the S.I. is accustomed to it.

[@mzcat76]

Dj Hammers Is those trains on R44 or R46?

[@DJHTransport]

R44s :D

[@emmylikesmusicals3631]

Sharon Watkins R44s

[@ElectronicsTech09]

Who is the guy walking toward you at the end of the video ?

[@grantadams2156]

Very nice DjHammers thankyou

[@larryrwendelljr4465]

Excellent video of the Staten Island train system, D J Hammers :o)

[@DJHTransport]

Thank you!

[@soli82cat]

The train actually stop at these stations?

[@scottyerkes1867]

SIR is a unique railway. Steam locomotives hauled the cars before electrification

[@MegaJohn334]

Great videos as always! Can you do a rfw video of the manhattan bound r train? Thanks!

[@DJHTransport]

Thanks! If i come across an R train with a railfan window, I'll be sure to do it :D

[@youredone9654]

Superb music of choice,loved the in depth detail was very informative although the some things I'm still confused such as why is there only one car stopping on the platform? Shouldn't they just operate one car trains if only 1 car with be used on the platform (exception of tottenville and st George). And also will the system looks like it's barely hanging on and with no source of revenue (barely any fare payment) I don't see how the system would hang on. And why are the platforms so bloody narrow? It's pretty scary seeing a train doing around 40-60 mph in a narrow platform but that's just me. Sorry for the long comment

[@michaelmantello]

Those are some good questions. The only two stations that only operate one car are Atlantic and Nassau, and both will be closed soon when Arthur Kill opens. At almost all of the other stations, all doors open on all four cars (and platforms are much longer, still a little narrow though) Fare is collected at the two northernmost stations, Tompkinsville and St. George, and since the majority of SIR riders enter and exit at St. George to use the ferry I guess there is a fair amount of revenue collected. But it is shocking that the other stations are free to enter and exit, the system could really use some money and upgrades.

[@youredone9654]

+Mike Mantello wow thanks for the response my questions have been answered?

[@geraldgreen5371]

If Staten lsland connected from Brooklyn from 59th st on the N &R would MTA GO WITH 10 CAR TRAINS OR 4 CAR TRAIN TO SERVE THE STATEN ISLAND LINE?

[@TheRailLeaguer]

A subway extension to SI would use full length 10 car trains, but would not connect to the SIR. Rather, this will be an entirely new alignment. Even then, any subway to SI will be detrimental to the current service or require expensive new tunneling before the underwater connection is built. This is because even though the tunnels are already there in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn lines they plan to connect to run into capacity constraints further up the line in Manhattan and Queens (the 4th Avenue Line connects to 6th Avenue and Broadway, while Culver connects to both 6th Avenue and Crosstown. All three lines are operating at capacity) Therefore, a subway through New Jersey to Midtown should be constructed first (preferably PATH).

[@Zarastroika]

Hahaha, that song is great! Such slow, broke boring metro line eh~ At least the trains are cute, even though are old ones· But this *is* a metro line· Metro trains are these third rail-powered · there are exceptions · squarish trains, 6-car by default · 4-car are not uncommon · with 3/4 doors each side by car· Almost always operate in short, 1~5 minutes headway· Judging by the low-profile infrastructure and long headways, SIR is a commuter/train service using metro technology, basically·

[@TheStig_TG]

I wish he did another vid for the rest of the line,

[@DrKO2453]

I remember when this wall called the Tottenville Trolley

[@benmossad2073]

We call the SIR (Staten Island Railway) "The Hooterville Trolley" , every car has square wheels and goes in different directions......

[@SamSitar]

how do you exit the train at that station if you are in another car?

[@TheStig_TG]

You dont

[@anthonyd6370]

everyone rides in one car its that empty

[@jhordyflores8451]

OMG YOU DECIDED TO GO TO MY STATION!! I LIVE IN THE ATLANTIC STATION!!! And what i dont like about it is that its not very buys so the train comes and go so quick that it is REAL easy to miss the train. I see my green house (5:50)

[@jhordyflores8451]

by the way, its me the kid you met on the uptown w train november 14th and you left 14th street to film the w at 59th street

[@kyronliu5190]

Why only one door? Are the doors between trains unlocked?

[@DJHTransport]

Yup! On SIR, the doors between cars are unlocked.

[@margies5625]

I used to ride the 7:21 to school in St. George. It was local with New Dorp as the last stop, then express. And several times I remember zooming past New Dorp as the train was late. How the people would yell and shake their fists. I'm talking about 1964-67. Got on at Richmond Valley as Dad left us off on his way to the Outerbridge to work in West Orange. Got off at Atlantic on the way home. I certainly remember the ferry to Perth Amboy as I rode it a lot for fun to go shopping on Smith street. Hey, someone said, way up on the comments (blue river, 2 months ago) it should connect to NYC. Geez, Staten Island IS part of New York. Plans were to build the subway to the Island but ... never happened.

[@kevinkarcher7508]

Margie S As you well know most people in NYC refer to Manhattan as the city no matter what borough you lived in 🙂

[@icantillano96]

Great Skyline view a cross the river of My Hometown Perth Amboy, NJ 10:27

[@margies5625]

Had my teeth straightened in Perth Amboy. Loved to shop Smith Street.

[@ayumuizumo5583]

What's the name of the music in the background

[@MilesJajich]

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 composed by Franz Liszt. This version of it is from KZbin’s Audio Library.

[@planeflight1202]

ehy only one door open

[@vsizzle]

very cool vid, I never paid attention to the SI rail road never found it interesting.

[@ammy548]

Are these trains R44s or R46s?

[@physetermacrocephalus9986]

R44's. They are the only cars used in SIR

[@edrickang2338]

Question what equipment did the SIR use

[@nah_144]

the ME-1 & R44 soon R211s

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

Is the sir getting a new train because the R44s are old.

[@emmylikesmusicals3631]

Alex The railfan ya r112s

[@youngmoonyohnj1099]

@@emmylikesmusicals3631 r211

[@jgrtrx]

Does SIR use continuous-welded-rail?

[@DJHTransport]

Yup!

[@ElectronicsTech09]

Nicely done.

[@marktrvls1218]

Very entertaining video

[@2413Sandy]

DJ hammers do you think you can do a face reveal At a subscriber milestone

[@DJHTransport]

Hahaha when I reach 10,000, I think I will do a face reveal :D

[@ElliottConceptsX]

Good Music!

[@MrKnicks599]

Good Work!

[@anthonyd6370]

my wife and i took the ferry to S.I. last summer than took the train to tottenville only people on train for most of the way

[@ninofromkitchennightmares1497]

Idk if this is the R44 Or the R46

[@youngmoonyohnj1099]

R44

[@robotx9285]

R44, they are rhe ones with white lines on their sides, R46s don't have those.

[@WalrussyGaga]

Spent so much of my teenage years loitering around these crumbling hell holes. The Staten train is still a joke. The same cars have been in service since 1960s. It's still regular to be stuck between stations for over an hour due to "falling leaves"

[@anonymousa1890]

nassau station has been knocked down and atlantic too a new station has been built called arthur kill

[@ThatGuy-te9wh]

4 car trains, doesn't go inside Manhattan, extremely slow... oh my god it's the g train but worse

[@ERICK-di1yz]

The G train is Aiiiiii, not that bad

[@williamerazo1685]

do an entire run

[@eattherich9215]

Nassau is/was in rough shape. I thought the station was abandoned until I saw people on the platform and the stopping train. @3:56, with no lifts it means only the fit can use this station. What a stupid and thoughtless decision. This video felt like a requiem.

[@FirstNameLastName-mm7kz]

The train shown in Nassau and Atlantic was the same train lol.

[@VictorFernandezBigdestroyer]

I always want you to look at SIR

[@DJHTransport]

Well, I'll be sure to get more sections of it as well :D

[@drkacper6518]

Dj Hammers When will you do the next section of the Sir?

[@emmylikesmusicals3631]

Victor Fernandez // Bigdestroyer True

[@bullitt1040]

Really well done--w/soundtrack and all. Used to ride that system back in the mid 60's after leaving the ferry terminal. We had our portable CB radios and spoke to lots of people in the area then, as well as in Jersey, once we got to Tottenville.

[@janebartley5701]

short sighted, if the contamination is ever cleaned up it would be a gigantic piece of property (IN nyc) to be developed

[@TheRailLeaguer]

That;s not really true considering that these two stations have low ridership and low development potential, even if the property were to be cleaned up.

[@hillaryitodo534]

Wow Nassau is old

[@AntonioGonzalez-zu8kv]

i like tottenville i lived there

[@HungryGuyStories]

Who is Arthur and why does a railway station want to kill him?

[@rahmel2009]

No Wonder Nassau was closed.

[@cats0182]

I still do not understand why this thing continues to exist. Staten Island has lots of bus lines, some of which actually parallel the railroad and go from the same place to the same place. Shut it down and put the money saved into other transit operations.

[@DJHTransport]

ridership is very heavy during the rush hours, which justifies its continued operation. In fact, SIR ridership is growing in some areas. Turnstiles should be put in at more SIR stations to increase the farebox recovery ratio.

[@pollsmor]

11:25 Haha you're so funny.

[@AntonioGonzalez-zu8kv]

YES SIR

[@planeflight1202]

please tepsond

[@collinparsons3363]

The really old stations look like you're in a 3rd world country. Nice job in showing some of the subway stations in the most secluded areas of NYC.

[@Devocated]

Thanks DJ hammer my GF twerked on me to the beat of the song