STATEN ISLAND HEAVY RAIL
Reflections on an Older Time

During my childhood, once I received the authorization for independent wandering of the city, every so often so I'd venture out to Staten Island.  (There was a ferry from Brooklyn as well as from the Battery in Manhattan in those pre-bridge days).  It required separate and additional fares, but it was adventure I always enjoyed. 

Much of the borough was still very rural.  Taking the old "SIRT" -- Staten Island Rapid Transit -- from St. George to Tottenville in cars such as the one shown on the right in this photo was always an exciting and very different experience. 

The line was a division of the B&O then, as it had been since back in the steam era later-1800s.  Electrification came in the mid-1920s.  The railroad heritage added to the special and different nature of the ride.  Much of the route was at ground level, and there were numerous grade crossings.  I have vague memories of conductors walking through the cars to take care of fares, commuter-railroad style.  Near the last stop in Tottenville a little ferry -- long, long gone -- provided service across the Arthur Kill to Perth Amboy, New Jersey. 

This image is from the 1980s, and those old vehicles were long  out of passenger service.

Previous in Series

Next in Series: Tottenville, 1960s