The Flushing el was originally built for both the IRT and BMT companies. The subway portion of the line began with the East River tunnel, originally built 2/25/1885 to serve the LIRR into Grand Central but it never happened. The tunnel remained unfinished until 1902 and later called the Steinway tunnel since it was close to the Steinway piano factory in Queens. On 4/3/1913, the tunnel was purchased from the city and placed under IRT operations. Two years later, the first fan trip was made on 6/13/1915 to go from Grand Central to Vernon Jackson (only one stop). The line kept expanding between 1915 to 1928 to become what it is today. This service was known as the IRT train (1948 - present).

Another service that existed was between the Second Ave el and the elevated portion of the Flushing line known as the IRT #4 service. It went from South Ferry to Willets Point 7/23/1917 until 6/13/1942 crossing the Queensboro bridge from the Second Ave el to the Queensboro Plaza station of today. This station was much bigger and considered a major hub, very much like Stillwell Ave and Broadway Junction stations.

A third service also served the Flushing el, this time from the BMT company. It was known as the Worlds Fair BMT #9 train from Queensboro Plaza to Main street, Flushing, 1924 - 1949. Because the tracks were built to IRT specifications (narrower), the BMT had to use re-modified IRT trains on the el.

When the Second Ave el was severed from the Queensboro Bridge in 1942, today's IRT train was becoming the main line. The BMT Flushing #9 train was phased out seven years later after the change because it was redundant. Routes thru Queensboro Plaza were consolidated and the northern portion of the station was torn down in 1949. Evidence of abandoned trackways and complex architecture are proof of this station being a very busy place. The Queensboro bridge itself has some remnant of elevated structure that can be seen as well. Currently, the will be extended to 11th Ave terminating at the Jacob Javetts Convention Center by 2014.

TRANSFER HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THESE IRT LINES

THE NINTH AVE EL	THE SIXTH AVE EL	THE SECOND AVE EL	THE THIRD AVE EL
THE BROADWAY - SEVENTH AVE LOCAL	THE WHITE PLAINS - SEVENTH AVE EXPRESS	THE LENOX AVE - SEVENTH AVE LOCAL	THE 1/9 SKIP STOP SERVICE
THE JEROME - LEXINGTON EXPRESS	THE WHITE PLAINS - LEXINGTON EXPRESS	THE PELHAM - LEXINGTON LOCAL AND EXPRESS	THE 42ND STREET SHUTTLE
THE 34TH STREET EL	THE 42ND STREET EL	THE FLUSHING LOCAL / EXPRESS	DYRE EXPRESS

IRT: BMT: IND:
SUBWAY TRIVIA: THE LIRR IN RELATION TO BROOKLYN ELS:
SUBWAY LINES: HOME PAGE:
TRANSIT LINKS:

               

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