The New York City Subway: An Express History Tour

Tom Delgado takes you on a little history tour of the New York City Subway, telling you its history, what led to its creation, its expansion, and some of its trivia and general information. Shot by Eric Thirteen on the day of a freakin' hurricane. Feel free to reach out to Tom on Instagram (@tomdnyc) or through his website (www.tomdelgado.net) for a private tour.
Please check out Tom's Patreon - / tomdnyc
Venmo - venmo.com/tomdnyc
Paypal - www.paypal.com/paypalme/tomdnyc
***Correction - I misspoke and said that the BMT changed to the BRT. Well, it was the other way around, my bad. If this still bothers you, chill out!

[@conniedelio]

My mom would always refer to the L train as the “BMT-Canarsie”. Would frustrate the heck out of me when I was an obnoxious teenager who knew everything. You’ll find that, in NYC, some older folks still refer to the subway lines by their private company and its terminus.

[@tomdnyc1]

Yes! They lived in a different NYC!

[@susanaltman5134]

I still think of the numbered trains as the IRT. I learned that term from my parents.

[@twinkle8461]

I was born and raised in Brooklyn NY, I've been using the NYC subway for at least 40 years and I never refer to it as BMT, IRT, etc. I just call it the train or the subway. That's what I like about tomdnyc videos, they are informative, even to native New Yorkers. I feel like I'm just getting to know the city I live in. And I love Tom's funny querks and the new SAT vocabulary word feature. Also, love the "Sick Plug" feature, it keeps all the videos connected so that you don't have to repeat the whole thing. 👍🏾

[@conniedelio]

Funny, too, how we called it “the train” in the city (and still do). Those taking the commuter rails are more likely to call it the “subway”, to differentiate from the LIRR, NJT, and MetroNorth.

[@twinkle8461]

@@conniedelio That's correct. Technically, the NYC train is a subway because it runs underground.

[@tomdnyc1]

Thanks a lot for watching! Check out the Patreon if you can (tomdnyc) and feel free to reach out through my website (www.tomdelgado.net - I couldn't get the freakin' ".com") or IG (tomdnyc) for a tour.

[@PonderingDolphin]

Tom you’re a pretty great host, and I always enjoy your humour in the videos as well. This was a great one and I’m really looking forward to more on the subways in the future.

[@fiftylester]

Sick plug for Tom !

[@PonderingDolphin]

@@fiftylester Haha hopefully !

[@arcticmonkey3]

@@artmaltmanhe’s a stand up comedian. #fail

[@3xl255]

Great special effects! I almost believed it was raining.

[@juliancielen]

best fx

[@rmis32]

I enjoy your videos, Tom, but this one had a major omission.Brooklyn is the city's most populated borough, partly because 4 private railroads were all competing to take riders to Coney Island. The beaches and the amusement parks were major attractions. As time went on, developers built housing along the route to Coney Island. Those private railroads were eventually taken over by NYC. Today we have the B & Q trains on one line, the F train, the N train, and the D train all providing transportation to Manhattan and beyond. All of those make their last stop in Coney Island.

[@B3Band]

At least Brooklyn had the common sense to connect all the lines at the end. When I was in high school I lived along the 6 train, but my school was on the 4 train, both in the Bronx. I had to go into Manhattan 125th street just to transfer back into the Bronx (or take two buses). Would be amazing if the Bronx ever connected all the lines.

[@vbprogrammer2007]

Like most native New Yorkers, I know a lot about where I live and work but not as much about the rest of this diverse city. Very informative! Thanks for giving New York style of guided tours- unfiltered, a bit sarcastic, even a bit fatalistic at times, but always good-humored and very well-done. Great job!

[@yutubetom]

"The Taking of Pelham 123" is one of my favorite movies. It's like a time capsule of NYC in the early seventies.

[@tomdnyc1]

One of my favorite NYC movies. Walter Matthau was a genius.

[@Moncriefs]

I like how Eric doesnt get your jokes and you just continue on🤣🤣🤣

[@deadstockthestoryofawallst2392]

Please never stop doing this. 🙏

[@joshuacarnes5446]

Dude, Fulton Street before the new station was a friggin nightmare. It was a rat's nest of disconnected (or barely connected) stairways, mezzanines, platforms, entrances / exits, etc. The new spot might be a little Disney but holy hell is it easier to navigate.

[@Gl6619]

You keep amazing me with how casually and easily you spout off encyclopedic knowledge of NYC….i love how you deliver it with humor…I will be in NYC in the next 12 months…this time I’m going to hire you for a Central Park tour Plus your ability to sing on cue any song is only surpassed by James Corden…(new show idea…Sidewalk Karaoke with TommyD?)

[@tomdnyc1]

I'm in. Reach out to me and let's hang!

[@terrio1306]

Interesting and informative video. Coming to NYC again this week (son has lived in Manhattan for 16 years). We love to visit and it might sound crazy but we look forward to riding the subway.

[@Gl6619]

17:12 Tom has a future career as a stock model

[@tomdnyc1]

I actually took pictures for some back in the day! They're probably in some workplace harassment brochures somewhere...

[@hungrysoles]

The Subway is great . My Brooklyn friend got sick and tired of driving me around sightseeing so he showed me how to use the subway. It's amazing that a system so complex can be so simple and user friendly. I always took the local cars so I didn't miss where I got off. It's also great that it's so dependable you don't need a schedule to know when the next train comes. August Belmont, Jr, had his own private subway car, the Mineola, that he took to inspect the lines. It was restored and is in a transit museum. I'm sure you've been to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn to see the old cars. You could done the video from there. My friend lived about 10 to 12 blocks from the L Line.so I knew how to get there and ride into Manhattan. I also took the line to Coney Island.

[@nataliamiranda7475]

I love your videos, your humor, and knowledge of NYC! Thanks for doing these and making them so fun to watch!

[@MikeP2055]

Tom didn't give Eric a hard time about the Matrix movie AND he told everyone to love each other during the wrap-up. Coincidence?? I doubt it, no siree. In all seriousness though, I was so excited to watch this episode! The subway has always fascinated me. I was mystified by it as a kid because I'd always see it on TV and in films and wonder how it was possible for such a massive project to be tunneling around beneath a giant city. You're the best, Tom.

[@fusco79]

Absolutely LOVE your videos and was just visiting Brooklyn and used the subway and buses. Zero issues and lots of cool pics!

[@willhan3195]

Tom !...Great video about the NYC Subway and how it was built privately at the beginning ... at the end of this video your best sentence was "Before I get Crotchety" ... LOLOL Your humor just gets better and better! I didn't know August Belmont was an investor. In Newport, "Belcourt Castle" (built by the son of August Belmont) was recently restored by Carolyn Rafaelian. Put this on the list!.... Stay well! You know your stuff! Well done you!

[@arniegreenberg2719]

Your subway tour/history was great. I think more NY infrastructure like water supply, power supply, steam usage as well as highways and parkways. Robert Moses always gets people talking but usually negatively but he did a lot of positive things too like Parks, beaches and transportation.

[@billsk8]

He did like to build parks and beaches for white people.

[@arniegreenberg2719]

@@billsk8 That's somewhat true but I think back before WWII Harlem was more Italian than black and the number of blacks and Puerto Ricans in NYC was relatively low. After the war many blacks and Puerto Ricans migrated to the city. The parkways and overpasses were designed to be low profile to blend in with nature. However you are right that Moses design was not bus friendly and prevented some people from enjoying the beaches on Long Island. Moses was heavey handed with evictions too but the majority of buildings removed in eminent domain were 19th century buildings without indoor toilets and bathrooms. If they weren't torn down they would have made living conditions worse for the people. Also it's important to judge people in context with the conditions of their times and not apply todays standards on them. After all many government officials like in Tammany Hall with boss Tweed were as corrupt as can be and if you wanted to get thingsdone you needed power and you had to show results.

[@KeturaSaint-Fleurose]

This was so helpful! I live in nyc and the subway fascinates me, thanks for the information!

[@angelicagaldos]

Awesome info video Tom! Sick Plug!!

[@TXMEDRGR]

Tom, improving NYC one video at a time. Thanks Tom.

[@parkslope7189]

It’s amazing how much knowledge you have

[@richt.4900]

Cheers 🍻 Tom , you’re efforts are much appreciated from this side of the pond here in England 👍🏻😉🤗

[@PonderingDolphin]

Cheers and all the best Rich T!

[@Robslondon]

I love your work Tom- this video is a particular favourite!

[@mrmrodonnell]

Great videos from Tom as always featuring tours of new york city (nyc tour, nyc history etc)

[@AlexCab_49]

The New York subway is intriguing and almost like a world of it's own.

[@eth39232]

I always enjoy the byplay with Eric, Phil, Stewie, and the other camera people.

[@fwlenard]

I agree. My wife and I really like listening to him interact with whoever the cameraman is. But the cameraman needs a mic!

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

Cool tour! As a fan of the London underground it was really good to learn more about the NYC subway. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@haroonrashid2453]

One of the most fascinating memory of my visit to USA was the New York subway, this is a very informative video and I learned so much.

[@maymaja9629]

The camera quality is CRISPP

[@adriancooper78]

I love the dedication.

[@janerova9084]

Perfect combination of history, interesting facts and comedy. I love your videos Tom. Hi from Perth Australia

[@velvetfaerie]

PERTH WOOOOOO

[@GuerrillaGorilla023]

You filmed last Saturday? You madman!

[@tomdnyc1]

The algorithm waits for no man!

[@larrygrasso6032]

Tom, You're still the best.

[@RalphBoogie]

I loved the "Coold Bloooded" reference lol. You are a pretty dope dude, Tom. I enjoy watching these vidoes

[@kennixox262]

An excellent book by Clifton Hood titled: 722 Miles. That is the definitive history of the NYC subway system.

[@dorisq9241]

I feel bad you had to deal with cold rain when doing the video. But, it was good! Wish we could have some of that rain down in the South! Thank to you and Eric now we know how the construction of the subway got started - I've always wondered about that. Thank you!

[@ShaheenGhiassy]

Really like the new editing style with the humorous segue cuts and background music. Keep it up!

[@jamesstreeter5541]

Love the rain! Thanks for all the great tours!

[@twinkle8461]

Tomdnyc, thanks for telling us about the Manhattan grid. I see how significant it is. It helps with orientation to location. I don't mind that you mentioned it often in several videos. It helps as a reminder and reinforces the significance. 👍🏾🙂

[@mikedrown2721]

👍👏😊❤️ thanks Tom for the ride on the subway

[@relicmine]

Enjoyed this one because of the serious talk. Thanks!

[@conniedelio]

Sensational, as always! Scorsese needs to film *you* at Hoyt-Schermerhorn, waiting for the GG, or the G, as the kids say.

[@eugenedimitrov]

Hey Tom! What's up ! Wow! Another awesome video as always !!!

[@deborahjesic4804]

Love you guy!!

[@katharma607]

Love these!!!

[@Ironworks35]

Great video...Sick plug!

[@leonardbaldari8846]

When I was a young boy The Seabeach, the B train, the D the F trains. The R/R train. The Culver Line. The BMT.

[@JenCruz.]

love your videos. thank you

[@thecrimedog8424]

Love your videos!!

[@superpokeguy9199]

Love your videos

[@craiglanigan8289]

Great video. Made me chuckle a few times too :) 😀

[@joby92]

17:30 missed opportunity to mention that that station (Queensboro Plaza) is the only one in the entire subway system where IRT (A Division) and BRT (B Division) trains can be seen across the platform from each other (7 and N)

[@harryjamessmithmusic7762]

Perfect, Tom!

[@geoffreyselvage1673]

Tom put in work on this video. Takes dedication to get drenched like that for art.

[@PonderingDolphin]

For real though ! Paid off this was a great video

[@tomdnyc1]

Also takes a little miscalculation on what should have been a covered location!

[@prestonradtke222]

Q train, that’s my favorite line. It’s new, it’s relatively clean, and it doesn’t smell like a shoe yet… Give it time

[@danielross9057]

I haven't seen this channel for a while I didn't like the guy instantly but he grew on me. I'm glad it came up in my feed, like seeing an old friend. New York City was my first working experience when I left high School 1984. probably a while I live down south to this day.

[@laureenpeters8393]

Thank you for your new vid, still learning from you. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@keithfarrington8179]

the city of my birth. I've ridden those trains since the late 50's. currently the "R" line, Brooklyn. oh the stories I could tell. excellent video, well done👍✌

[@ethanherschenfeld]

this is awesome!

[@evancortez2]

I can't believe you forgot perhaps the greatest movie ever featuring the New York subway system, "The Warriors"! Warriors! Come out to plaaaayyyy!!

[@johnnasta]

Keep in mind that while Queens and the Bronx certainly saw considerable population growth as a result of the subway expansion, Brooklyn was developed around a bunch of private surface and elevated railroads that later became part of the subway system.

[@Moncriefs]

The "Doors Closing" profanity chime was just perfect🤣🤣

[@mikolajwiecek7495]

It really sounds well thought message of the first ever subway tracks..thank you guy

[@berrywandar]

Cult movie classic The Warriors I believe had the most Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn locations scenes both outside and in the subways. Maybe you can create a series on that. Love watching your videos.

[@deb7518]

That was a great film. A friend and I saw it at a drive-in in a small college town in Kentucky in like 1980. We were bored silly before we ran across it that night, and it was just the right amount of 'different' from the place we were in to really hit the spot. I'll never forget the ghostly effect of that one gang that had painted Harlequin faces...so cool!

[@johnebuckland]

"I'm right over here Eric" 😂😂😂😂 Great video Tom, most interesting

[@MrSloufoot]

Props to Eric’s camera work. A really clean video in the rain

[@diegovela1]

Pretty Good Video. Damn good, I enjoyed it like crazy.

[@onelesspath2983]

A Tomdnyc and Cash Jordan collab on the history of any addresses for rent would be awesome!

[@deb7518]

That WOULD be an interesting combo!

[@michaelmoore7337]

A pretty good video, as usual.

[@driverdoug2002]

OMG A KZbin Channel only a bus driver from San Francisco could love! Sick plug #6, 'The Dao of Doug: The Art of Driving a Bus.' And yes I loved the tips on how to ride at the end.But don't forget my favorite subway movie with Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, and Robert Blake: Moneytrain. Robert Blake is the evil General Manager out to fire our transit cop heroes."Nobody stops my Moneytrain!'

[@benjaminbutler1646]

great video

[@infraredangel-3798]

Wow I learned so much , and I thought I already knew a lot

[@juliancielen]

Best Tomdnyc i've seen.

[@juliancielen]

This is beautiful

[@3069mark]

I would like to see Tom heart and reply to comments like a lot of other KZbinrs do. If he did I would be more inclined to comment, because then I would know he is at least reading my comments. I do like his videos though. It is fascinating to listen to him teach about NYC history, and he has a great teaching style too, coupled with humor. I think he would make a great school teacher. His students would love him. Hope you are reading this, Tom! LOL

[@tomdnyc1]

Ha, yes, I usually do read them. I have a hard time replying though. I should be better about it. I appreciate you watching and commenting though!... I'm always watching...(inset Psycho theme song)

[@3069mark]

@@tomdnyc1 -- LOL .... See, you even make me laugh with a comment. You're a very funny guy. Thank you so much for replying. You could've knocked me over with a feather when I got the email notice that you had hearted my comment. LOL. Take care there in the big city!

[@anabc4209]

Hi Tom, I love your videos, Thanks! From Kew Gardens

[@themoonvibez3780]

Your adorable Tom….great video! 🥨🥨🥨

[@jaun4862]

I was hoping you would mention Martha Cooper/Henry Chalfant and Subway Art/Style Wars! Lots of connections to be made between the social conditions of NYC in the 70s/80s, graffiti and the rise of street art/NY art scene at large in the 80s, and NYC politics. And of course, it reflects an artform unique to the city in that time. I can't imagine you have a lot of people asking for this, but if you ever did anything covering it I'm sure it'd be great. Plus Keith Haring loved Subway Art!

[@deb7518]

Great Idea for a tour!

[@Larry-qz3es]

At City Hall prior to 1940 and 1953, the Fulton Street EL ran over the Brooklyn Bridge and it was discontinued and removed. 2nd and 3rd Avenue ELs terminated in the area until the station was discontinued in 1953 and removed by 1954. BRT lines included Fulton Street, Myrtle Avenue, Lexington, 5th, and 3rd Avenue ELs in Brooklyn. Mayor LaGuardia was not a fan of Elevated lines, he and Robert Moses were responsible for their removal.

[@memphoscorpio]

Another awesome video. You did get a little “get off my lawn” at the end lol

[@tomdnyc1]

I was born a little "get off my lawn".

[@jamesbrown5739]

I am a new subscriber to you and I love your content 👏🏿🎯

[@dianecristina3319]

When I worked when I was in high school at 34th and Fifth at B.Altmans in the late 60s they had a pneumatic tube along the main first floor which would send receipts and notes from one dept to another.

[@jaylong4705]

We are all Eric. I dig this channel. Funny and entertaining. I subbed

[@paulmcdonough1093]

great vid entertaining

[@leefromda3135]

Tom it's raining. Zip up your coat my man. How many zip up your coat comments must I make? We need you healthy so you can keep making these great videos.

[@tomdnyc1]

It's a small price to pay to LOOK COOL!

[@THERARECYCLE]

It's a real shame they never extended beyond 179th and Hillside Ave in Queens on the F line.

[@B3Band]

I barely even consider those neighborhoods part of NYC. They don't even have a subway station!

[@ckim336155]

i cant believe you were in the rain! that’s dedication!

[@Jay75ny]

Enjoyed this, do more on NYC Transit

[@FOTZEL]

A SENSE OF HUMMUS ALWAZE HELPS IN ANY VIDEO OR SITUATION..& U SIR SURE GOT ONEOF THE BEST ON KZbin!..NO SHIT!

[@Yumyum365]

Tom you are too funny. And camouflaged right into the everyday life underground., “Laying down on the train seats” 😂😂😂 🙏🏾

[@MikeP2055]

I fully expected to hear the "secrets of New York" whisper after Sick Plug number 3. :(

[@deborahjesic4804]

" Good Lord I'm soaked" lol.. You're too funny! ❤

[@jimpeter3453]

Interesting, thanks! Regards from Baltimore.

[@VideoNOLA]

Love the ambiguity of your "BIG DEAL" exclamations, because they could just as easily be followed by "WHO CARES?" or "HOW AMAZING!"

[@ladyrose7793]

I lived in Flushing, Queens, NYC and would take the No 17 bus to Main street, Flushing, Queens. Then take the 7 train to Time Square then transfer to others trains to Downtown Wall Street for my job. Back in the 1980's Memories. Did you Tom ever visit the Subway museum in Brooklyn?

[@chiefexec]

Sick Plug!

[@dianecristina3319]

Speaking of Design there's some subway tiles making up the domed "pergola" of the building which could be liberated for home kitchen and bathroom DIY projects.

[@philseiler8623]

I typically do not hear McClellan described as a “Civil War hero.” He could have been a hero to some, but I doubt many, including Lincoln, would have called him such.

[@JaytelProvence]

Laughed so hard at 18:02 with the train noise lolllllll

[@undefined40]

Good you called it a "Subway" and did not repeat the Brit's mistake. They always have to point out that "The London underground is no political movement."