Remembering the mysterious, controversial Atlantic Avenue Tunnel and trolley car histories
A picturesque esplanade runs behind Fairway Market. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
By Bob Diamond
January 29, 2021
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Reader Bob Diamond recently went through his collection and shared with the Brooklyn Eagle some 30-plus-year-old videos on the origins of the old Red Hook trolley project.
Ever wonder how railway museums get started, or how railcars are moved around by truck? Well, here it is. Note the old New York Cross Harbor RR tracks (Bush Terminal), and the PCC trolley piggyback on a truck rolling down Atlantic Avenue at Court Street, above the historic circa 1844 Atlantic Avenue subway tunnel.
May 29-31, 1993: Four vintage streetcars were delivered to a short-lived museum site in Red Hook. Everything was “hand made” on site, an all volunteer operation. Project was funded by federal ISTEA funds and private donations. The project grew successfully for several years, but was swiftly scrapped by a new administration.
BQX-NYC Light Rail, Circa 1989 – DUMBO Streetcar Project and Historic Atlantic Avenue Tunnel: The idea of a Brooklyn waterfront streetcar line dates way back to the 1980s, and the rediscovery of the historic Atlantic Avenue Tunnel. Note: The price tag back then was estimated at a mere $15 million.
WOW- did that bring back memories! Does anyone have video footage of our trolleys running in Red Hook during the 1990’s? That’s the one thing our archive is missing. We have plenty of still shots though, which can viewed Here- https://www.brooklynrail.net/proj_railconst.html And Here- https://www.brooklynrail.net/proj_restore.html At the time, the Chair of CB6 videoed one of our PCC’s on a test run during the summer of 2001, but we’ve never seen that footage either.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
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WOW- did that bring back memories! Does anyone have video footage of our trolleys running in Red Hook during the 1990’s? That’s the one thing our archive is missing. We have plenty of still shots though, which can viewed Here- https://www.brooklynrail.net/proj_railconst.html And Here- https://www.brooklynrail.net/proj_restore.html At the time, the Chair of CB6 videoed one of our PCC’s on a test run during the summer of 2001, but we’ve never seen that footage either.