The Queensboro Bridge
looms upward, and a small part of Manhattan's skyline is beyond.
Our train dips toward the East River
tunnel, signals assuring that our downgrade progress
will be slow and controlled.
Sometimes overlooked by those remembering New York City electric transit
history, the last remaining trolley service in New York City ran across
this bridge. My Father -- who was responsible for instilling in me
my love of subways and trolleys and railroads -- made sure I had the
chance to ride it before it met its demise in 1957. He took me to
other historic locations in those years as well: the Third Ave. El in
its last few weeks of life in Manhattan; the IND in the process of
taking over the Culver line in Brooklyn and the BMT Fulton St. elevated
in Queens; and the Transit Authority's rebuilding of the Long Island
Rail Road Rockaway line stand out. |
