For Dave Klepper: I arrived on scene in 1938, so we have been around awhile.
Yes, Wentworth Avenue was the last stop on the South Beach line. Keep that info handy for a Trivial Pursuit game for New Yorkers! Just so you will have it, here are the stations between St. George to Wentworth:
Tomkinsville - Stapleton - Clifton - Rosebank - Belair Road - Ft. Wadsworth - Arrochar - Cedar Avenue and South Beach. Bring back any memories??
There is a great picture of a steam loco pulling a consist of wooden 'L' type coaches in Grasmere (1919). Take a look at the site I mentioned for Sliver Leaf Transit. Unfortunately, the angle taken does not lend itself to further identification of the loco (drivers, etc.).
Since I departed the Island in the early 60's - I don't have any info regarding great, or not so great, "eateries." I do know that in Port Richmond, there was one helluva Kosher Deli called Sams - on Richmond Avenue. The food was outstanding and the place was about 5 blocks from the Port Richmond station at Church Street. But you know .... Sams may have opened AFTER service was removed on the S.I.R.T. - hazy memory.
Insofar as the cars are concerned, this I know - the ones I rode were purchased in 1925 and they were 67 ft, electrified and required high-level platforms. Your additional info (and that from "BaltACD") adds much to the story. Thanx!
Regarding the transfer of those cars to the BMT - the info I found on the Silver Leaf Rapid Transit web site indicates that they saw most service on the Culver-nassau route and also on the West End Short Line and Franklin Suttle. In 1961, the former S.I.R.T. cars were sent the way of the torch as replacement R27 cars arrived for the BMT.
Did you know that in the great St. George Ferry Terminal fire (June 25, 1946) the S.I.R.T. lost eight cars with about the same number damaged? The ticket booth agent was burned to death in this disaster imbued in Staten Island history. Some speculation had it that sparks from an S.I.R.T. train started it all, but were discounted later as credible observations placed the sighting of the first flames at a location somewhat distant from the train terminal.
The new train terminal opened in 1951 - built by the city. Until that time, all trains had to terminate at Tompkinsville.
Your description of your trips aboard the El really brought back some great memories of me and my Grandpa. I had totally forgotten about the "level" approach from the ferry terminal to the El. Those were good times ....... As a native Staten Islander, I rode that ferry so much, that at one time I could have named all of them, colors included.
For spbed: Sounds like your a "youngster," but appreciate the info!! I remember lower Manhattan without the WTC and it is such a damned shame that the scene is once again that way.
For BaltACD: Forgot to mention this in an earlier thread. I had hoped to get employed by the B&O, but quickly found out what a "closed shop" was! Fortunately for me, I had an uncle in the trades (plumbing) who got me a union card and my first day of work commenced at 6 AM the morning after my high school graduation! I was so good at plumbing, that I spent the next 32 years in the U.S. Coast Guard! And believe me, plumbing had no bearing whatsoever on the things I did in my career ........ but railroading remained and remains with me as a real love, to this day.
Best to both!
