Queensborough Bridge Railway
The Queensborough Bridge opened for public use on March 30, 1909, and was initially used by pedestrians, horse-drawn and motor vehicles, elevated trains, and trolleys. The elevated train tracks connected to Queensborough Plaza; evidence of this can still be seen today at the west end of the Queensborough Plaza elevated station. Elevated train service ceased in 1942. The trolley service lasted longer, running from an underground terminal in Manhattan at Second Avenue, over the bridge, and into Queens. The trolley operation had a unique mid-bridge station over Welfare Island (today known as Roosevelt Island). A tower alongside the bridge contained stairs and an elevator. In June, 1955 a bridge opened connecting Welfare (Roosevelt) Island to the Queens "mainland", rendering the mid-bridge station - and the trolley service itself - somewhat redundant, and trolley service ceased in April, 1957.
Photo Gallery
| Five Random Images | ||||
 Image 1745 (234k, 1044x664) Photo by: Frank Pfuhler |  Image 46198 (357k, 1024x683) Collection of: David Pirmann Location: Queensborough Bridge |  Image 136100 (214k, 1024x660) Collection of: Frank Pfuhler Location: Queensborough Plaza |  Image 136104 (198k, 1024x597) Collection of: Frank Pfuhler Location: Queensborough Plaza |  Image 136130 (193k, 1024x713) Collection of: Frank Pfuhler Location: Manhattan Terminal |