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The Franklyn Ave shuttle started out as a surface steam railroad that was part of the Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (BF&CI) on July 2, 1878. It went from Franklyn Ave to Brighton Beach Hotel in Coney Island. Later, it was reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad (B&BB) in 1887. The surface route was electrified with trolly wire on 8/15/1896 and connected with the Fulton st el for access into Manhattan over the Brooklyn Bridge on 6/18/1898.
On July 1, 1900 the Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over the line and in 1918 built the current Brighton line as an earth embankment, underground right of way, and el to replace the surface route. The embankment is in between E 15 st and E 16 st while the original surface railroad was demolished. There was also the Manhattan Beach Railroad along today's East 17 Street until 1937. This Long Island Railroad company was competitive with the Brighton line and even connected with the Fifth Ave el at 36th street in 1896.
On November 1, 1918, a disastrous accident occurred on the Franklyn shuttle part of the line. Because of a motorman's mistake driving a train too fast along a curve, the wooden subway cars got smashed up killing 98 people. This was known as the Malborne street wreck, probably the worst accident in subway history. As a result, the BRT went bankrupt and was reorganized as the BMT (Brooklyn Manhattan transit) in 1923. Wooden subway cars were never again allowed in the subways, only elevated structures. Malborne street was renamed Empire Blvd to try to erase a bad memory and the Brighton line was cut from the Fulton st el to become the current Franklyn shuttle since 1920.
The Brighton line was served by the BMT #1a, #1b, and #1c trains and the Franklyn shuttle was served by the BMT #7 train. Later, the QB,
, and QJ were on the Brighton line while the Franklyn shuttle was renamed the SS train. Later the
, QB, and
were on the Brighton line and the shuttle was renamed the
train. The QB was renamed
, the QJ was renamed
and stays only on the Jamaica el, and the
phased out completely. Today, the
and
are on the Brighton line and the Franklyn shuttle is still known as the
train.
In 1998, the entire Franklyn Ave shuttle was rebuilt because of 30 years of neglect. It was almost demolished all together but the people wanted it rebuilt. Dean street station wasn't included in the newer design because it was seldom used. Today, the Franklyn shuttle is more beautiful than ever combining old fashioned architecture with modern innovation.
| The Franklyn shuttle (SS renamed S) aka BMT #7 train, Brooklyn 1970s |
The Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad before 1918 |
| PARK ROW
| (Manhattan) crossing Brooklyn bridge
| opened 9/24/1883 - 1889 for The New York and Brooklyn Bridge Railway. Steam locomotives were used to get trains in and out of the terminals, but were pulled by cables across the bridge
| After 1896 the system changed to one where a motor car was added to each train to maneuver at the terminals, while en route the trains were still propelled by the cable
| Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) ran Fifth Ave el accross Brooklyn Bridge 6/18/1898 and electrified 7/3/1899, renamed the BMT #6 train 1924 - 6/1/1940
| also served The Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad (Culver line) using steam locomotives 1890 - 1899, served the BMT #5 train 1924 - 1931, renamed BMT #5b 5/30/1931 to 6/1/1940, Sea Beach Railway 1903 - 1913, Brighton line 6/18/1898 - 1920, and West End line 5/29/1890 - 1913
| also served Lexington Ave el 6/1898 and electrified 7/3/1899, renamed the BMT #12 1924 - 3/5/1944, also served Fulton st el 1898 and electrified 7/3/1899, renamed the BMT #13 1924 - 6/1/1940, station demolished/ closed 3/5/1944
|
| SANDS ST
| Brooklyn Bridge end of bridge (Brooklyn)
| upper level opened 9/24/1883 - 1889 for The New York and Brooklyn Bridge Railway. Lower level opened 11/5/1888 using steam locomotives to the rest of Brooklyn. Steam locomotives were used to get trains in and out of the terminals, but were pulled by cables across the bridge
| After 1896 the system changed to one where a motor car was added to each train to maneuver at the terminals, while en route the trains were still propelled by the cable.
| Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) ran Fifth Ave el across Brooklyn Bridge 6/18/1898 and electrified 7/3/1899, renamed the BMT #6 train 1924 - 6/1/1940
| also served The Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad (Culver line) 1890 - 1899, served the BMT #5 train 1924 - 1931, renamed BMT #5b 5/30/1931 to 6/1/1940, Sea Beach Railway 1903 - 1913, Brighton line 8/15/1896 - 1920, and West End line 5/29/1890 - 1913
| also served Lexington Ave el 9/1/1888 and electrified 7/3/1899, renamed the BMT #12 1924 to 3/5/1944, also served Fulton st el 1898 and electrified 7/3/1899, renamed the BMT #13 1924 - 6/1/1940, also served Myrtle Ave el 1898 and electrified 7/1/1900, renamed BMT #11 1924 - 3/5/1944, station demolished/ closed 3/5/1944
|
| COURT ST AND MYRTLE AVE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| -
| steam locomotives served the Fulton el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| BOERUM PLACE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| severed connections with B&BB in 1920, demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| ELM STREET/ DUFFIELD STREET
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| severed connections with B&BB in 1920, demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| FLATBUSH AVE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| severed connections with B&BB in 1920, demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| LAFAYETTE AVE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton st el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| severed connections with B&BB in 1920, demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| CUMBERLAND AVE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton st el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| severed connections with B&BB in 1920, demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| VANDERBILT AVE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton st el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| severed connections with B&BB in 1920, demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| GRAND AVE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton st el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train 1924, phased out 6/1/1940
| severed connections with B&BB in 1920, demolished/ closed 6/1/1940 |
| FRANKLYN AVE
| Fulton el (Brooklyn)
| opened 4/24/1888
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887, the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad connected with the Fulton street el via Brooklyn Bridge 8/15/1896
| steam locomotives served the Fulton st el 1888 - 1899, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over Fulton el in 1898, electrified 7/3/1899
| Fulton street el renamed BMT #13 train at this station along Fulton el 1924 until 6/1/1940
| surface route dismantled to make way for Franklyn Ave station 8/15/1896, severed connections with Fulton st el in 1920, existing structure became Franklyn Ave shuttle, renamed BMT #7 in 1924, reconstructed and remnants of Fulton el structure demolished 4/1998, current with transfers to
|
| DEAN ST
| original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled, to make way for Dean street station in 1918, closed 1998. Severed connections with Fulton st el in 1920, existing structure became Franklyn shuttle, renamed BMT #7 in 1924 (station demolished 1998) |
| PARK PLACE |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Park Place station in 1918. Severed connections with Fulton st el in 1920, existing structure became Franklyn shuttle, renamed BMT #7 in 1924, current
|
| CONSUMERS PARK |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Botanical Gardens station in 1924. Severed connections with Fulton st el in 1920, existing structure became Franklyn shuttle, renamed BMT #7 in 1924, current , with transfers to , , ,  |
| PROSPECT PARK |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Prospect Park station in 1918. Severed connections with Fulton st el in 1920, existing structure became Franklyn shuttle, renamed BMT #7 in 1924, current , with transfers to , |
| WOODRUFF AVE |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn) |
opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Brighton line (station demolished 1918) |
| CHURCH AVE |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn) |
opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Church Ave station on Brighton line in 1918 and  |
| BEVERLY ROAD |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Beverly Road station on Brighton line in 1918
| CORTELYOU RD |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Cortelyou Rd station on Brighton line in 1918
| NEWKIRK AVE |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Newkirk Ave station on Brighton line in 1918 and  |
| AVE H (Fiske Terrace) |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Ave H station on Brighton line in 1918  |
| AVE J (Manhattan Terrace) |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Ave J station on Brighton line in 1918  |
| ELM AVE (South Greenfield)
| original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Ave M station on Brighton line in 1918  |
| KINGS HWAY
| original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn) |
opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Kings Highway station on Brighton line in 1918 and  |
| AVE U |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn) |
opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Ave U station on Brighton line in 1918  |
| NECK ROAD |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn) |
opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Neck Road station on Brighton line in 1918  |
| SHEEPSHEAD BAY |
original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn) |
opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route dismantled to make way for current Sheepshead Bay station on Brighton line in 1918 and  |
| BRIGHTON BEACH HOTEL
| original surface route of Brooklyn, Flatbush, and Coney Island Railroad (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878
| steam locomotives served the BF&CI railroad 7/2/1878, reorganized as the Brooklyn and Brighton Beach Railroad in 1887
| -
| the B&BB electrified surface route with trolly wire 8/15/1896, Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) took over surface route 7/1/1900
| surface route started going to Culver Depot in 1904, later to Stillwell Ave in 1919. Current Brighton Beach station was built on Brighton line in 1919 and
| | |
The Franklyn shuttle (BMT #7) |
| FRANKLYN AVE
| The Franklyn Ave shuttle (Brooklyn)
| opened 6/19/1899, rebuilt 1918, rebuilt again 1998
| served by the Sunny Summer Sunday Special May 1924 - Sept 1952 weekends from Chambers to Franklyn Ave
| served Brighton - Fulton el as one line until separating in 1920 to become the Fulton el and Franklyn shuttle, served BMT #13 train 1924 - 6/1/1940 on Fulton el and BMT #7 train 1924 - 1965 from Franklyn to Prospect Park, renamed SS 11/1/1965, renamed S train 5/5/1985 - present
| subway premiered with A train 4/9/1936 - present, E train extended here 4/29/1956 - 1976, CC train 1976 to 12/11/1988 from Bedford Park to Rockaway Park, CC renamed C train 5/5/1985 going from 145th to Euclid Ave, became 168th to Euclid 3/1997 - present
| present (S,C) |
| DEAN ST |
Brighton line (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878, rebuilt 1918
| -
| served by Franklyn Ave shuttle 1920, renamed BMT #7 train 1924 - 1965
| BMT #7 renamed SS 11/1/1965 and renamed S 5/5/1985
| demolished/ closed 1998 |
| PARK PLACE |
Brighton line (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878, rebuilt 1918, rebuilt again 1998
| -
| served by Franklyn Ave shuttle 1920, renamed BMT #7 train 1924 - 1965
| BMT #7 renamed SS 11/1/1965 and renamed S 5/5/1985 - present
| present (S) |
| BOTANICAL GARDENS (Consumers Park)
| Brighton line (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878, rebuilt 1924, rebuilt again 1998
| -
| served by Franklyn Ave shuttle 1920, renamed BMT #7 train 1924 - 1965
| BMT #7 renamed SS 11/1/1965 and renamed S 5/5/1985 - present
| present (S,2,3,4,5) |
| PROSPECT PARK |
The Brighton line (Brooklyn)
| opened 7/2/1878, rebuilt 1918
| served by the Sunny Summer Sunday Special May 1924 - Sept 1952 weekends from Chambers to Franklyn Ave and also served Franklyn Ave shuttle 1920, renamed BMT #7 1924 and renamed SS 11/1/1965, renamed S 5/5/1985 - present
| served by the BMT #1a train 1927 - 1949, #1 train 1949 - 11/27/1967, #1b train 1927 - 1959 and renamed QB 1959 (now Q train 5/5/1985 - present), #1c train 1927 - 1964, also served QT 11/15/1960 to 11/26/1967 and served QJ train 1967 - 1972
| also served D train 11/26/1967 to 2/22/2004 and served M train 1974 to 4/26/1986 via Brighton, D moved to West End line and B serves Brighton 2/22/2004 - present
| present (Q,B,S) |
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