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New Staten Island Ferryboat to enter service/Ferry history
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 29735
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 11:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

(SEE PREVIOUS PHOTOS/COMMENTS)

Another rare photo at St. George shows a cut of ME-1's being scrubbed down; this area was just west of the main terminal (the trains to Arlington had their own separate trackage and interlocking at the terminal, as well as its own ticketing area).

Note also the old coaling dock and the early diesel switcher; in the right background you can also see the original bus ramp, which survived the 1946 fire.

After the present terminal opened in 1951, this area was used for taxis.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?115372

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["STATEN ISLAND"]
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



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PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's an interesting page on the St. George Terminal itself........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George_Terminal
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is a rare circa-1954 photo showing a group of surplus SIRT ME-1s being floated over to Brooklyn, were they will be rehabbed for BMT subway service,

After a serious 1962 fire that destroyed several cars at the Clifton shops, the cars sold to the NYCTA were sorely missed indeed........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?87049

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["STATEN ISLAND RAPID TRANSIT"]
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Historical note..........

Prior to the 1925 electrification, the SIRT (a subsidiary of the B&O) was operated with small Cambelback locomotives hauling open-platform coaches; these coaches were similar to those then used on the New York El lines.

The main reason for electrification was that a tunnel was to be built under the Narrows, to connect the SIRT to the BMT's 4th Avenue subway in Brooklyn, thus affording Staten Island commuters a one-seat tide into Manhattan,

This is also the reason why the new rolling stock was built to be compatible for subway operation (these were the "ME-1s", which remained in service until 1973)

Excavation began on the Staten Island side in the early 1920s, and bellmouths were constructed near the BMT's 59th St. station in Brooklyn, to link the new Staten Island tunnel line into the existing BMT subway system.

Sadly, due to ongoing political battles and financial issues, the grandoise project was shelved.

The short stretch of tunnel in Staten Island was later filled in; however, the subway bellmouths in Brooklyn remain in this day, mute testimony to what might have been.......

"NYO"

['RIDE THE RAPID"]
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



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PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 12:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Interesting..........

As the SIRT's "ME-1s" were based (in part) by the BMT "Standards", it was thought that these cars would be compatible, and could MU.

However, in the early 1950s, when the NYCTA purchased a group of surplus ME-1s, it was found that the two types could NOT MU, due to different braking systems........

"NYO"

["CULVER L'C'L'"]
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Cyberider




Joined: 27 Apr 2007
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Location: Tempe, AZ

PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 1:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
Perhaps one of the most rare SIRT photos taken at St. George is this photo showing the departure of a troop train, pulling out of the St. George terminal, sometime during WW2.

Note the elderly truss-road coaches being hauled by the Camelback (the B&O used thes extensively in freight service on Staten Island)

The train would only be heading a short distance, to the "deep water" piers at Clifton, where the men would disembark to board troop carriers for points overseas.

Also, note the ferries in the lay-up slips in the background; several ME-1 trains are seeing laying over, and awaiting their next runs...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?115368

Thanks for the great photos, NYO. Especially this one.

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["DEPARTMENT OF DOCKS"]
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 2:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cyberider:

You are quite welcome!

With the exception of the WW2 troop trains, no steam-hauled passenger trains remained on the SIRT after the 1925 electrification.

However, there was ONE other very interesting operation that lasted through the 1940s; there was a non-electrified spur that served the old Mt. Loretto Children's home.

On Sundays, a special train (made up of "ME-1s") would leave St. George to the cut-off for the Mount Loretto spur.

Here, a Camelback would couple on, and tow the electrics up to the Home itself.

Returning to St. George, operations were in reverse.

This was one of the most obscure SIRT operations......

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 29, 2025 4:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Clfton station (looking northwards), 1958......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?115343

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

The train here is heading south (railroad west) towards Tottenville; note the tower built into the St. George-bound station building on the right.

Until 1953, it controlled the switches used by the South Beach branch, which was abandoned that same year.

The long-dormant tower remained in place through the 1980s, but was dismantled some time later...........

"NYO"

["SOUTH BEACH"]
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In 1970, a "clearance train" was run along the SIRT, in anticipation of the delivery of the new "R-44" cars, which would replace the old "ME-1s" in 1973.

The MTA, now owning the SIRT, cut apart an early 1930s IND "R-1" subway car, fitted it with a new midsection which was spliced into the car body, and fitted with electrical circuits and "feelers" to test for obstructions along the line, which the new, longer cars might encounter.

This customized "test car" was also used in the IND/BMT subway tunnels, prior to the delivery of the new "R-44s".

These tests were conducted on Saturdays and Sundays.

Another other early IND car was also in the consist, along with several "ME-1s".

The Old Look bus (seen on the left, above the ROW), is heading west on Hylan Boulevard.

The line behind the test train were used by SIRT's North Shore trains to Arlington until 1953, and by B&O freights through the 1970s.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1847

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

"NYO"

["STATEN ISLAND"]


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:41 pm; edited 2 times in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jere is another rare view of the SIRT "clearance train". seen here entering the Tottenville station/yard area (this station is at the far end of the line, 14 miles from the St. George ferry terminal; until late 1963, a passenger/vehicular ferry [which Mom and I rode a number of times] connected to Perth Amboy, NJ)........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1857

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["TOTTENVILLE LOCAL"]
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Cyberider




Joined: 27 Apr 2007
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, NYO. I've seen photos of that contraption before. Didn't know it was also used on SI but it makes sense.

BusTalk has been logging me out frequently lately even though I have the box checked to stay logged in. When I log back in, it won't show me new posts until there are some new ones since I logged back in. Therefore, I miss the ones in between and have to go hunting through the main listing to see what's been posted lately to find them. I hope this board doesn't crash on us!
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 2:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cyberider:

I know a few of the other "regulars" have also been experiencing different sorts of "glitches" here, of different "issues" that affect them logging on, staying logged on, etc.

Thankfully, I have been lucky regarding this issue; I, also, sure hope this board doesn't "crash"!

Glad you enjoyed the photos of the SIRT "clearance train"; there's only a few of these out on the 'net.

There is only one short tunnel on the SIRT, and this is where the trains leaving St. George enter the tunnel, and, a moment or two later, are out in the daylight again, approaching the Tompkinsville station (first stop out of St. George)

For many years, the DEPARTMENT OF MARINE & AVIATION's Staten Island Ferry maintenance base (Pier 7) was located at Tompkinsville; this facility closed and was later demolished sometime after the 1980s.

Mom and I would sometimes walk there, to see the boats on "stand by" duty docked there......

"NYO"

['CITY OF NEW YORK"]
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 2:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is the interior of one of the SIRT's 1925 "ME-1s"; they were basically subway-type cars, but with flip-over seats and window shades, emulating the suburban commuter cars of that time.

Mom used to saty that, back in the day, we probably rode these old cars more than a lot of Staten Islanders did; she was probably right! Wink

"NYO"

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?93068

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PRESSED STEEL"]
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In 1973, several sets of surplus LIRR MU cars were carfloated from Brooklyn over to the SIRT, to test their feasibility for SIRT service.

The tests were conducted over a period of several weeks; in the end, it was deemed the cars were not well suited for SIRT service, and were then sent back to the LIRR............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21936

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?66767

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["M"]
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Cyberider




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PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2025 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like your Mom was quite the transit buff. Mine only rode the bus because she couldn't see well enough to drive. I've seen photos of the LIRR cars before. I guess SI was desperate for equipment before they got the R44's.

I just logged in for the 3rd time today. The downside to this is that I don't get any recent posts which was how I found new things before. Guess I'm not the only one.
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