The Third Ave el began as a steam elevated railroad, built by the New York Elevated Railway after taking control of the Ninth Ave el August 26, 1878. It opened to the public that day and went from Chatham Square to 129th street. The Third Ave el became the Manhattan Elevated Railway September 1, 1879 and extended to South Ferry on 6/19/1882. On 11/25/1886, the Third Ave el went beyond 129th street Manhattan to Willis Ave in the Bronx. From 1886 to 1891, the el extended from 133rd street to 174th street. From 1891 to 1902, it extended once again from 177th street to Bronx Park Terminal.

On April 1, 1903, it was leased to the (IRT) and electrified with third rails. By the time electrification came to the Third Ave el, it extended again from 200th street to the lower level of Gun Hill Road station on 10/4/1920. The White Plains Road el and trains were and STILL are on the upper el of the Gun Hill Road station. This elevated connection was most probably the #1 service coming from the Third Ave el. Beyond Gun Hill Road, the Third Ave el continued access over today's White Plains el which opened in 1917, with Third Ave el service to 238th street in 1920 and a later extension to E 241st street, Wakefield in 1920.

During the 1930s, the Third, Second, Ninth, and Sixth Ave els were doomed, due to the expansion of the subway system throughout the city. The Manhattan portion of the Third Ave el was abandoned May 12, 1955. The Bronx part of the el survived from 149th street to Gun Hill Road 1955 to 1973. It was known as the IRT train 1967 until its final day April 28, 1973 in the Bronx. The number was also used along the Astoria el from 1920 to 10/17/1949.

The IND started planning a Second Ave subway but never completed it due to lack of funds. Even without the anticipated subway, the Second Ave el was demolished. Although the Third Ave el survived 18 years longer than the other Manhattan els, it was demolished with claims it wasn't strong enough to hold the steel subway cars. But yet they knocked down the stronger Second Ave el first and left the weaker Third Ave el standing longer so they could justify the weakness as a reason for tearing it down. Because of this, the Lexington Ave subway , , and trains are way above capacity. Overcrowding is everywhere. At least if the Third Ave el was still here, conditions would be much better. They should have left things alone on the east side.

Overall, the Manhattan 'elite' didn't want els anymore in their town. They were thought to be ugly and old fashioned next to all the tall skyscrapers which ironically wouldn't be there if it weren't for the Second, Third, Sixth, and Ninth Ave els! Tons of movies were filmed using the Third Ave el like "King Kong" (1933), "The Lost Weekend" (1945), "The Naked City" (1948), and "On the Town" with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra (1949). Additionally, you might remember the late Ed McMahon in "The Incident" (1967).

The Third Ave el, The Bronx 1970s

The Third Ave el
SOUTH FERRY	foot of Whitehall st (Manhattan)	station opened 7/3/1868 for Ninth Ave el, opened 6/13/1872 for Sixth Ave el, opened 3/1/1880 for Second Ave el, opened 6/19/1882 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1882 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	Sixth Ave tracks closed 12/4/1938, Ninth Ave tracks closed 6/1/1940, Second Ave tracks closed 6/13/1942, Third Ave tracks and entire station closed 12/22/1950
HANOVER SQUARE	Pearl and So William st(Manhattan)	opened 3/1/1880 for Second Ave el and opened 6/19/1882 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1882 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	Second Ave tracks closed 6/13/1942, Third Ave shared tracks closed 12/22/1950
FULTON ST	Pearl and Fulton (Manhattan)	opened 3/1/1880 for Second Ave el and opened 6/19/1882 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1882 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	Second Ave tracks closed 6/13/1942, Third Ave shared tracks closed 12/22/1950
FRANKLYN SQUARE	Pearl and Cherry (Manhattan)	opened 3/1/1880 for Second Ave el and opened 6/19/1882 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1882 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	Second Ave tracks closed 6/13/1942, Third Ave shared tracks closed 12/22/1950
CITY HALL (terminal)	Chatham sq and Centre st (Manhattan)	opened 6/19/1882 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1882 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 12/31/1953
CHATHAM SQ	Chatham sq and Bowery (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el, opened 3/1/1880 for Second Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed lower level 12/31/1953 and upper level 5/12/1955
CANAL ST	Bowery and Canal st (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
GRAND ST	Bowery and Grand (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
HOUSTON ST	Bowery and Houston (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
NINTH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
14TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
18TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
23RD ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
28TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
34TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 8/26/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
42TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 9/16/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
47TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 9/16/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
53RD ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 9/16/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
59TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 9/16/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
67TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 9/16/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
76TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/9/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
84TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/9/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
89TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/9/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
99TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/30/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
106TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/30/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
116TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/30/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
125TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/30/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
129TH ST	Third Ave el (Manhattan)	opened 12/30/1878 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1878 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
WILLIS AVE	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 11/25/1886 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1886 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 4/14/1924
133RD ST	between Alexander and Willis Aves (Bronx)	opened 5/17/1886 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1886 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
138TH ST	between Alexander and Willis Aves (Bronx)	opened 1/1/1887 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1887 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
143RD ST	between Alexander and Willis Aves (Bronx)	opened 5/3/1886 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1886 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 5/12/1955
149TH ST / Third Ave	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 6/16/1887 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1887 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
156TH ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 7/1/1887 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1887 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
161 ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 8/7/1887 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1887 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
166 ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 12/25/1887 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1887 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
169 ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 9/2/1888 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1888 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
WENDOVER AVE (Claremont Ave)	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 9/19/1888 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1888 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
174 ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 7/20/1891 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1891 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
177TH ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 7/20/1891 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1891 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
180TH ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 7/1/1901 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1901 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
183RD ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 7/1/1901 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1901 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
FORDHAM RD	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 7/1/1901 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1901 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
BRONX PARK (terminal)	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 5/21/1902 for Third Ave el	steam locomotives served the Third Ave el 1902 - 1903	electrified 4/1/1903	-	demolished/ closed 1951
200TH ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 10/4/1920 for Third Ave el	-	-	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
204TH ST	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 10/4/1920 for Third Ave el	-	-	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
WILLIAMS BRIDGE (210th street)	Third Ave el (The Bronx)	opened 10/4/1920 for Third Ave el	-	-	this was the Third Ave el #8 service 1967 - 4/29/1973	demolished/ closed 4/28/1973
GUN HILL ROAD	White Plains Road el (Bronx)	opened 10/4/1920 for Third Ave el	-	connected with the Third Ave el 1920 - 1973	this was the Third Ave el #8 service on the (lower level) 1967 - 4/29/1973	lower level still exists but closed 4/28/1973
E 219 ST	White Plains Road el (Bronx)	opened 1917 for IRT #2 and #5 trains, opened 1920 for Third Ave el	-	connected with the Third Ave el 1920 until 1955	-	today's IRT #2 and #5 trains
E 225 ST	White Plains Road el (Bronx)	opened 1917 for IRT #2 and #5 trains, opened 1920 for Third Ave el	-	connected with the Third Ave el 1920 until 1955	-	today's IRT #2 and #5 trains
E 233 ST	White Plains Road el (Bronx)	opened 1917 for IRT #2 and #5 trains, opened 1920 for Third Ave el	-	connected with the Third Ave el 1920 until 1955	-	today's IRT #2 and #5 trains
E 238 ST	White Plains Road el (Bronx)	opened 1917 for IRT #2 and #5 trains, opened 1920 for Third Ave el	-	connected with the Third Ave el 1920 until 1955	-	today's IRT #2 and #5 trains
E 241 ST - Wakefield	White Plains Road el (Bronx)	opened 1920 for IRT #2 and #5 trains, and Third Ave el	-	connected with the Third Ave el 1920 until 1955	-	today's IRT #2 train

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:

               

COPYRIGHT © 2007........ROBERT KOPOLOVICZ PRODUCTIONS