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South Brooklyn Railway Locomotive & Equipment Roster and Photos

INDUSTRIAL & TERMINAL RAILROADS & RAIL-MARINE OPERATIONS
OF BROOKLYN, QUEENS, STATEN ISLAND, BRONX & MANHATTAN:

South Brooklyn Railway So Bk Rwy SoB SBRR Railroad SBK

LOCOMOTIVE and EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW, PHOTOGRAPHS and ROSTERS

South Brooklyn Railway New York Municipal Railroad Prospect Park Coney Island Long Island Nassau Street Rapid Transit Manhattan Heights

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updated:
Monday 27 July 2023 - 21:00


update summary:

date:
unmarked boxcar heritage added27 July 2023Electric Work / Freight Equipment

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As this particular webpage deals with an active railroad and company,
viewers should be aware that this webpage, the author(s) or its contributors are not affiliated with:
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the South Brooklyn Railway, New York City Transit Authority, Metropolitan Transit Authority,
the City of New York, New York City Economic Development Corporation; South Brooklyn Marine Terminal,
Axis Group, Davidson Pipe Supply Company, or Costco Wholesale Corporation;

or any of their subsidiaries, holding companies or parent organizations, employees or otherwise;
and no affiliation or connection with those companies or municipalities is suggested or implied.

This website and the information contained within has been compiled for the use of reference only, and any inaccuracies are purely accidental.
This webpage sees revision for the purpose of the addition of information, or correction of inaccurate data.

Also, this website does not condone or authorize anyone not employed or affiliated with the above companies or agencies
to enter the properties thereof, or the taking of photographs (digital or otherwise) from other than public property and access points.





Locomotive & Equipment OverviewLocomotive Images:
Locomotive & Equipment Rosters

Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2
September 20, 1975 NYCTA Fan Trip


3000 and 9000 series



Return to main South Brooklyn Railway page





Locomotive & Equipment Overview

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   Upon the formation of the South Brooklyn Railway, it used small second hand steam locomotives (typically 0-4-4T type) surplussed from elevated lines. Unfortunately, these locomotives were not suited for freight work. 

   Three electric locomotives (#1, 2 & 3) were built in 1904 for freight service by the Brooklyn Heights Railroad, which at this time, the South Brooklyn Railways was merely a subsidiary of. As their freight traffic blossomed, the South Brooklyn Railway was found wanting for even more powerful locomotives. 

   In 1907, a new powerful electric locomotive: #4; was constructed by the Brooklyn Heights Railroad in its own shops. It was built with four 150 hp electric motors, housed in a simple easy to access boxcab design. When it was constructed, it was one of the most powerful locomotives owned by the Brooklyn Heights Railroad at that time. It cost over $6,000. (Adjusted for inflation, this translates to $154,000 in 2018 dollars.) Unfortunately, a cost comparison to a modern locomotive would not translate as any nerw locomotive for the South Brooklyn Railway would need to be diesel-electric thereby greatly increasing the unit cost, over a simpler straight electric locomotive. #4 was constructed specifically in mind for South Brooklyn Railway and would be the first locomotive to carry South Brooklyn Railway lettering.

   In 1910, another new electric locomotive was purchased. This one from General Electric; and became South Brooklyn Railway #5. This "modern" locomotive was state of the art, and capable of high speeds and the ability to climb grades because of new electrical equipment. It was also a steeplecab design like 1, 2, and 3 before it. 

   Upon receipt of a copy of the Bernard Linder / Paul Eppler series of articles that appeared in the 1975 and 1976 issues of the ERA Bulletin; an amazing discovery took place. Ben Schaeffer brought it to attention that there were in fact TWO South Brooklyn #6's and TWO South Brooklyn #7's listed. Locomotive builders records for General Electric, and recently acquired by the author; confirm this revelation. As it would happen to be the case; the first #6 and #7 were not on the South Brooklyn Railway roster for long: 1914 through 1917, when they were both sold to two different railroads (#6 - West Side Railway of Charleroi, PA and #7 to Interurban Railway of Iowa). South Brooklyn would then replace those locomotives of identical models (albeit 5 tons lighter) in 1921 and 1925 respectively and bearing the same numbers, These are the locomotives currently in the NYCTA Museum Collection.

   This is quite a startling discovery to be made after so many decades of research! 

   The following image, is a scan of the Official Railway Equipment Register dated June 1917. It contains a very detailed description of the equipment owned and operated by the South Brooklyn Railway and I show it here:

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   Note that all connections with the trunk line railroads are made through Bush Docks a/k/a Bush Terminal (by way of carfloating), with the exception of the Long Island Rail Road which was interchanged with at the Parkville Interchange.

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#1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #7 Steeplecabs & #4 Boxcab


#5
Revenue & Non-Revenue Car Drawing Manual - MTA New York City Transit, January 1998 edition
authors collection

added 18 May 2009

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#6 & #7
Revenue & Non-Revenue Car Drawing Manual - MTA New York City Transit, January 1998 edition

authors collection
added 18 May 2009

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   The electric locomotives used by the South Brooklyn Railway from it's inception until 1961 utilized overhead trolley wire and third rail (overriding type) shoes.

   Prior to the arrival of diesel locomotives #8 & 9, the South Brooklyn Railway would operate a total of seven electric locomotives, of both Steeplecab and Boxcab configuration. Unusually, the first four of these locomotives were built by the Brooklyn Heights Railroad, and not one of the major locomotive builders of the era. 

   Locomotive numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 were of Steeplecab design and locomotive #4 was of Boxcab design.

   #1, 2, and 3 were unfortunately scrapped in the 1950's.

   #4 has been saved and is located the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven, CT awaiting eventual restoration.

   #5, 6 (first and second), 7 (first and second) would be constructed by General Electric. Please see the technical drawings and roster below for build dates and specifications.

   #5, 6 (second), and 7 (second) have been preserved by the NYCTA. #5 is on static display (but I believe it is operational) and can be seen at the Transit Museum located in the Court Street Station in Downtown Brooklyn.

   #6 (first) and #7 (first) were sold in 1917. It is not known if either survive. #6 (second) and #7 (second) however are stored serviceable and reside in the Coney Island Shops of the NYCTA in Brooklyn.

   Several times a year, the NYCTA and the NYC Transit Museum organize railfan days where they operate one of the three surviving steeplecab units for a fan trip throughout the Transit System. Usually, this is #7.

   According to information within Jay Bendersky's book "Brooklyn's Waterfront Railways", South Brooklyn Railway movements are conducted in a "push - pull" arrangement; meaning there is a locomotive at both the front and rear of the train. The reason for this is stated to prevent runaway cars on the steep grades encountered along the South Brooklyn Railway right of way. I have however personally witnessed one locomotive operations in a pulling capacity, and several of the photos below show one locomotive operations. Even a photo on page 20 in Bendersky's book shows one unit (#13) pulling a string of R32's ascending the steep ramp at Ninth Avenue, with no pusher locomotive.

   On July 18, 2021, #7 was sold to Shoreline (Branford) Trolley Museum and brought to the Second Avenue and 39th Street Interchange for transfer to road hauler. It was loaded on a roadhauler on July 20 and departed for Connecticut later that day. Fortunately, Bill Wall of the NYCTA Transit Museum was on had; and took images of the loading, which may be viewed in the #7 chapter of photos below. 

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#8, #9 (first) & #9 (second) - Whitcomb 65 Ton


Military Railway Service - U.S.A. Equipment Data Book - Locomotives, Freight Cars & Rolling Stock; issued by GHQ MRS
(Applicable to South Brooklyn Railway #8 and #9 (first) 
collection of C. Robert; used with permission
added 28 May 2019

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#9 (second)
Revenue & Non-Revenue Car Drawing Manual - MTA New York City Transit, 1968 edition?

authors collection
added 07 September 2009

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#9 (second)
Revenue & Non-Revenue Car Drawing Manual - MTA New York City Transit, January 1998 edition

authors collection
added 07 September 2009

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   Arriving in 1946 would be the first of South Brooklyn Railway's diesel locomotives, in the form of a pair of ex-US Army Whitcomb 65DE19A center-cab units. These would be numbered 8 & 9 respectively.

   On 03 July 2010, I received an email from John Baggaley of the UK referencing a photo of #9 (first) (and still in US Army markings), which can be seen in the photos below. John states:

"I believe that this loco may well have been used by the US Army in Europe late in WWII as the two dark patches on the pilot beam would be the where the European buffers would have been bolted on and further the top of a slot in the pilot beam above the rather new looking coupler is where the hook and screw or chain link coupling would have been.

The tapered cab would also have been necessary for European or maybe even UK operations as the loading gauge over here is considerably smaller than in the US."

I suppose that there are two options concerning First #9:

1) That it was prepared for European use and never shipped, but held in store. Unused, as it obviously wouldn't couple to US rolling stock! That is I feel the most likely. It could have been converted sometime after build, but being a military loco, they probably bought quite a lot and only used some!!

2) It was shipped (overseas) but came back very soon after hostilities ceased. That is of course possible, but it does seem a bit of an early return, given the battered state of European railways at that time.

   Regardless, I commend John for his excellent eyes! Something us railfans on this "side of the pond" never noticed!

   #8 is reported (ERA Souvenir Brochure for the South Brooklyn Railway Fan Trip dated September 20, 1975) to now be working at a mining firm in Brighton, Michigan. Whether or not it still exists in the present day, remains to be discovered.

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   All three Whitcombs were low profile hood units powered by twin Buda LaNova engines. In 1955, #9 (first) was sold off to American Aggregate, but in 1961 an identical unit would replace #9 and this new unit would be numbered 9 as well, becoming #9 (second).

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Cab Roof Modifications

   Each of the Whitcomb locomotives differed by the shape, height and contour of the cab roofs from one another throughout the years:

#8

   #8 as built, had a "high" cab roof (extending a few inches above the top of the hoods). In late 1958 or early 1959, the NYCTA modified the cab roof by lowering it to match the height of the hoods.

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#9 (first)

   #9 (first) can be distinguished from #9 (second) by this modification as the cab roof of #9 (first) projected above the hood line and was never lowered. 

#9 second

   #9 (second) was modified (as #8 had been) with the cab roof flush with top of the hoods.

    Also, the original "high" cab roofs on #8 and  #9 (first) had a more of a curved shape, while #8 and #9 (second) was angular after the modification took place.

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Cab Side Modifications

   As with the roofs, the Whitcomb locomotives cab sides differed in details from one another:

#8

   The cab on #8 (as far as can be told by photographs seen to date) was narrowed by the NYCTA, and cab sides was not sloped inward at the roof line.

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9 (first)

   A photo (acquired 08 March 2010) of 9 (first) shows the locomotive still marked for US Army #7966 at Coney Island Shops. Of particular note is that the cab sides sloped inwards towards the roof and the cab bottom did not overhang the frame. This profile conforms to US Army specifications sheets & drawings to conform with European loading gauge (not to be confused with track gauge),

   However in the the next photo in this authors collection, shows that the NYCTA apparently rebuilt the cab sides to be vertically straight and now overhang the frame, widening the interior cab area.

   It is unknown if this modification precluded use in subway tunnels. 

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9 (second)

   The cab sides on #9 (second) however are seen gently sloped inwards (as it progressed up from the walkway to the roofline and similar to the slope angle of the hood sides). This modification was performed by the NYCTA to increase subway tunnel clearances. But now with the photo of #9 (first) arriving from US Army already with sloped cab sides, it is left to wonder if 9 (second) arrived like this as well and NYCTA did not modify the cab sides as they had with 9 (first).

   With the discovery of an earlier version of the NYCTA Locomotive Specification Diagrams, it clearly states this locomotive was US Army 7980, was from Johnstown & Stony Creek #3 cab roof & hoods lowered by Coney I'd Shops.

   Furthermore, the cab on 9 (second) never appears to have overhung the frame at any time.

   After serving on the South Brooklyn Railway, #9 (the second) would continue to see life on the Staten Island Rapid Transit, before being preserved at the Trolley Museum of New York located in Kingston, NY; where it remains to this day in operable condition. Because there is no overhead trolley wire (yet) or third rail power at the Trolley Museum of New York, #9 is used to shunt the trolleys and streetcars around when rearranging exhibits. 

Paint Schemes:

   Paint schemes for #8 & #9 varied:

   #8 in the early days would receive an interesting purple cab with silver carbody and black frame. Eventually, #8 would receive the ubiquitous yellow carbody with black frame and pilot safety stripes.

   #9 (first) is seen in all yellow with black frame and skirts.

   #9 (second) throughout it tenure at South Brooklyn Railway, would be seen in: all silver, all yellow, yellow with black roof and hood tops, and when assigned to the Staten Island Rapid Transit, it would be repainted with a blue carbody and black roof and hood tops. There is even an image of #9 in olive drab with black roof and hood top while in Staten Island, but I believe this to be a cosmetic restoration.

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Other physical differences to help determine which locomotive is which:

   #* and #9 (first) had an MU box mounted to center stanchion on front and rear hand railings. These are understood to have been factory installed to US Army specification. Upon acquisition by the NYCTA, small red marker lights located at bottom corners of the front and rear hoods were installed.

   #8 and #9 (first) had its bell mounted on the top of walkway on one side directly next to cab wall, as well as a toolbox diagonally opposed on the other side.

   #8 & #9 had their frame skirts under the cab. #9 (second) did not have a frame skirt. 

   #9 (second) had sand fill pipes on the top corners of the cab hood, that gave the appearance of "horns".

#12 & #13 - GE 70 Ton


#12 & #13
Revenue & Non-Revenue Car Drawing Manual - MTA New York City Transit, January 1998 edition

authors collection
added 07 September 2009

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   Both #12 & 13 would be purchased second hand and both were General Electric 70 Ton end-cab locomotives.

   #12 was purchased in November 1961 from the Claremont & Concord Railroad in New Hampshire. Upon arrival this locomotive was numbered 20008. Upon transfer to South Brooklyn Railway Roster in 1966, it would be renumbered #12.

   Also soon after arriving, #12 would have it's cab roof modified, so it could access all of the NYCTA tunnel trackage:

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   Originally, the disposition for #12 was unknown, and believed to have been scrapped by the NYCTA. In November 2009 however, Tim Darnell sent a photo of a #12 in green and yellow livery and marked for Naparano Scrap (NIMX) in Jersey City, NJ.

   Without a doubt, this locomotive is the former South Brooklyn Railway #12. How can anyone have any doubt, just look at the roof and weird sandbox on front!


#12 - Jersey City, NJ -
unknown date
at Naparano Scrap
T. Darnell photo

added 13 Dec 2009

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   #13 was purchased from the Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington RR located in Massachusetts. Upon arrival this locomotive was numbered 20009 and upon transfer to South Brooklyn Railway Roster in 1966, it would be renumbered #13. This locomotive did not receive the roof modification, thus it would be restricted to which trackage it would access and where it could go.

   Note the above technical drawing where it states "Locomotives were renumbered 20006 (#12) & 20007 (#13) (6/1966)". This is clearly erroneous as a photo below show #12 wearing both the number "12" and "20008" on the cab!

   Both of these engines would be painted in a yellow paint with black roof and chassis.

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N1 & N2 - GE 47 Ton


#N1 & #N2
Revenue & Non-Revenue Car Drawing Manual - MTA New York City Transit, January 1998 edition
authors collection

added 07 September 2009

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    In 1975, the South Brooklyn Railway took delivery of a pair of brand new General Electric 47 Ton end-cab switchers. These two locomotives would be part of a "block" or group of ten 47 ton locomotives ordered by the New York City Transit Authority, which became an affiliate of the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1968.

   These two locomotives would be the first new motive power received by the South Brooklyn Railway in over 50 years! Ironically and coincidentally, our very own co-author Joe Roborecky, who was employed with Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal at the time, was assigned to Greenville Yard, NJ; when the locomotives were delivered. He and another BEDT engineer, Sean McLoughlin; as inquisitive railroad employees they are, took a few moments to look over the brand new NYCTA locomotives.

   Why Greenville, New Jersey you might ask? As it turns out, the NYCTA locomotives would have to be carfloated from Greenville, NJ to Bush Terminal for interchange with the South Brooklyn Railway at 39th Street & Second Avenue, and then on to either the 36th Street Yard or Coney Island Yard, for further disbursement depending on the final destinations of the rest of the locomotives (Linden Shops in East New York, 207th Street Yard in the Bronx, or any of the other twenty storage yards of the NYCTA)

  According to the January 1998 issue of the "MTA New York City Transit Car Equipment Engineering & Technical Support, Revenue & Non - Revenue Car Drawing Manual", the last two locomotives in this order were ordered for the South Brooklyn Railway and are listed as N1 and N2 in this manual.

   These locomotives, being numbered N1 & N2 and not part of the NYCTA's numbering method of its other work locomotives, would denote the dedicated motive power of the South Brooklyn Railway. The remaining locomotives in that order would be assigned to various yards (and likewise, work trains) throughout the NYCTA system.

   As delivered, all the locomotives were painted in the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York) grey and blue livery, yellow frame with wide black & yellow safety stripes of the nose and back of cab, and with the MTA two tone 'M' herald on the cab. This standard herald affixed to the Transit Authority's equipment, had the word "TRANSIT" under the "M".

   However, the South Brooklyn Railway locomotives wore a unique version of the "M" herald, with "SBK" under the "M":

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   This livery would last until 1983 when N1 was repainted into a paint scheme of safety yellow with black nose, frame and roof. It appears the rest of the NYCTA's work locomotives would receive variations of this all yellow scheme. But for the South Brooklyn locomotive, this livery was short lived.

   Only one year later, both South Brooklyn locomotives were repainted into a dark red livery with black roofs and chassis. This livery was modified shortly after with red and white safety stripes and large "SBK" on the sides of the hood. Also with this scheme, came a new herald replacing the original Metropolitan Transit Authority's two-tone"M". This new herald was designed by noted New York area railfan & historian Benjamin Schaeffer, and to this day is still used on the locomotives:

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   Throughout the years the actual structure of these units changed very little, with most modifications being minor due to revisions in FRA rules or NYCTA modifications; such as the removal of the footboards per FRA regulations enacted in 1979 with the snowplows presumably being installed this year in place of the footboards.

   In the late 1990's the original dark red livery was simplified with the removal of the hood lettering and white diagonal stripe, and the snowplows were painted safety yellow.

   N1 and N2 are currently in service and are used today for moving new and scrap subway cars, ballast trains, as well as general NYCTA right-of-way work being that they no longer have any non-NYCTA freight customers. They are also frequently used for fan trips.

   At the most recent Coney Island Rodeo in 2007, Paul Strubeck not only had the opportunity to view the N1 and N2 locomotives inside and out, but to also receive a cab ride and a chance to operate them for a brief distance.

Superdetails

   For those of you who are interested, here is a list of differences in paint schemes.and details by locomotive and date.

Basic Paint Scheme

1975: "MTA" Blue/ Gray
1983: "Safety" Yellow / Black
1984: "SBK" phase 1: Maroon / White (plain)
1985: "SBK" phase 2: Maroon / White (with white sashes & safety stripes)
post 1995: "SBK" phase 3:  Fire Engine Red / White (no hood sash)

Sill Stripes

N1: 1992 - diagonal sill stripes removed

Steps

N1 & N2: ca 1979 - ladder style steps replaced with switching style step (presumably at same as footboards were removed to comply with FRA regs)

Step Treads

N1: 1988 - painted red
N1: 1992 - painted white
N1: 2001 - painted yellow

N2: 1988 - painted red
N2: 1992 - stayed red
N2: 2001 - painted yellow

Handrails

N1:  unknown
N2: 2007 only: Vertical handrail by steps painted yellow. Rest of railing painted black. All other years entire handrail painted black

Safety Stripes, (back of cab)

N1: 1992 - wraparound to sides of cab
N2: did not

Headlights

N1 & N2: front & rear headlights changed from single sealed beam to dual sealed beam between 1995 and 2001.
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Safety Beacons

N1: 1984 - 1 revolving on cab roof, none on nose
       1986 - 1 revolving on cab roof, 1 revolving on nose
       1992 to current - 2 revolving on cab roof (mounted on lightbar), none on nose
       

N2: 1984 - 1 revolving on cab roof, none on nose
       1987 - 1 revolving cab roof, 1 revolving on nose
       1995 - 1 strobe on cab roof, none on nose
       2007 - 2 strobes on cab roof, none on nose

Front Radiator Grill:

N1: 2003 (possibly 2001) front radiator grill covered with welded steel plate.
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Horns:

N1 & N2: single WABCO AA2, changed to pair of WABCO AA2  

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   Naturally, any South Brooklyn Railway or Transit Authority employees (active or retired) are invited to contact me
to add or correct any information on this page. If you so desire, your name can be kept confidential.

   Please contact me at: bedt14@aol.com

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RETURN TO INDEX

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Locomotive & Equipment Photo Index

Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2


3000 and 9000 series

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1

#1 - Third Avenue Yard - April 1940
J. Winslow collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009
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#1 - unknown date
"Daves Electric Railroads" archives

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#1 - Coney Island Yards
- unknown date
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

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#1 - Coney Island Yard / South Brooklyn Railway Interchange - April 19, 1943
The trolley on right edge of photo is on South Brooklyn trackage to Shell Road (McDonald Avenue)
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

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#1 - Coney Island Yard - unknown date
unknown photographer
J. Shanus archives
authors collection

added 04 Aug 2009

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#1 - Coney Island Yard - unknown date
Close up of above. Note Van Dorn type coupler.
unknown photographer
J. Shanus archives
authors collection

added 04 Aug 2009

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Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2


3000 and 9000 series

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3


#3 - Coney Island Yards?
- unknown date
Marked for BMT Lines.
unknown photographer

added 23 May 2009

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#3 - Coney Island Yard
- unknown date
P. H. Bonnet
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue
added 22 Dec 2009

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#3 - Coney Island Yard
- unknown date
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

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Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2


3000 and 9000 series

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.

4


#4 - 36th Street Yard
- unknown date
unknown photographer (H. Fagerberg?)
(from Railroads of New York, by G. W. O'Connor
Simmons - Boardman Publishing)

added 23 May 2009

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#4 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- unknown date
Note #9980 car behind.
unknown photographer
J. Testagrose collection

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#4 & #5 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- unknown date
unknown photographer
J. Testagrose collection

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#4 - 37th Street - June 5, 1943
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

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#4 - Klein's Coal (Prospect Coal) and Building Materials - ca. 1950
37th Street Right Of Way between Twelfth and Thirteenth Avenues (looking southeast)
unknown photographer

added 01 November 2022

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#4 - Bay Ridge Coal & Phoenix Hermetic - ca. 1950
37th Street Right Of Way between Fifteenth and Fourteen Avenues (looking southwest)
unknown photographer

added 01 November 2022
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#4 - BMT Coney Island / Stillwell Avenue Station - 1957
A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009

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#4 & #9980 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- April 19, 1958
unknown photographer
Bob's Photo archives
authors collection

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#4 - McDonald Avenue & Cortelyou Road (Kensington Junction)
- June 20, 1958
U
nder the BMT "Culver Shuttle" line (now demolished)
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

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#4 - McDonald Avenue & Avenue M - August 1958
Under 
the "Culver El" line with string of El cars enroute to scrapper.
A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009

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#4 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- April 3, 1959
Note freight box motor to right.
looking northwest
unknown photographer
Bob's Photo archives
authors collection

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#4 -
39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - April 31, 1959
Similar to above photo
between 38th and 39th Streets and Second & Third Avenues - looking northwest
unknown photographer
J. Testagrose collection
authors collection

added 27 Sept 2009

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#4 & #13 - McDonald Avenue between Avenue S and Avenue T
- May 30, 1961
Appears to be heading north on the northbound track under the Culver El.
unknown photographer
authors collection
added 11 Dec 2009

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#4 - Coney Island Yard - August 27, 1964
Note trolley poles removed.
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 27 Sept 2009

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#4 - Shore Line Trolley Museum; East Haven, CT
- October 30, 2016
John McCluskey photo
added 30 October 2016

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#4 - Shore Line Trolley Museum; East Haven, CT - October 30, 2016
John McCluskey photo
added 30 October 2016

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#4 - Shore Line Trolley Museum; East Haven, CT - October 30, 2016
John McCluskey photo
added 30 October 2016

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#4 - Shore Line Trolley Museum; East Haven, CT - October 30, 2016
John McCluskey photo
added 30 October 2016

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#4 - Shore Line Trolley Museum; East Haven, CT - October 30, 2016
John McCluskey photo
added 30 October 2016

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#4 - Shore Line Trolley Museum; East Haven, CT - October 30, 2016
John McCluskey photo
added 30 October 2016

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Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2


3000 and 9000 series




#5



American Locomotive Works - ca. September 1910
builders card
Brooklyn Rapid Transit (Transit Development Corp) #5
authors collection
added 17 February  2022
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#5 - 38th Street
- ca. 1935
Note lanterns on running board.
H. B. Olsen photo
D. Keller archives

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#5 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- June 12, 1938
Note poling bar on running board.
E. Hermanns photo
D. Keller archive

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.


#5 - Third Avenue Yard & 38th Street (what would become the "unloading" Yard)
 - April 1940
With the Bay Ridge - Fifth Avenue Shuttle elevated.

A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


#5 - Second Avenue Yard & 39th Street  - ca. 1940
added 02 November 2022
.

.


#5 - Coney Island Yards & Shops - unknown date
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

.

.


#5 - Coney Island Yards & Shops - unknown date
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 02 November 2022
.

.


#5 - 38th Street & Second Avenue - November 15, 1941
Note Gowanus expressway behind cab of #9980.
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

.

.


#5 & #4 - 36th Street
- April 10, 1943
Ramp in background is transition to Culver Line elevated structure.
(Thanks to Bob Delmonico for correction.)
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

.

.


#5 - Coney Island Yard - ca. 1951
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

.

.


#5 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) & Avenue Y - ca. 1951
(looking southwest - Coney Island Yard behind loco)
Under the Culver El.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

.

.


#5 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) & Avenue Y
- ca. 1951 
(at the turnout leading into the Coney Island Yard)
Under the Culver El.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

.

.


#5 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) & Avenue Y - ca. 1951
(looking west - Coney Island Shops behind loco)
Under the Culver El
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

.

.


#5 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) & Avenue Y - ca. 1951
(looking west - Coney Island Shops behind loco)
Under the Culver El.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

.

.


#5 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) between Avenue Y and Avenue X - ca. 1951
Looking north under the Culver El.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 09 March 2011

.

.


#5 - 36th Street Yard
- ca. 1955
unknown photographer - NYCTA publicity release
authors collection

.

.


#5 - Coney Island Yard
Lead from Shell Road - June 20, 1958
(Avenue Y & Shell Road)
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.


#5 - Coney Island Yard - September 28, 1959
D Type car (#6018) behind, El car to right.
A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


#5 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- October 12, 1959
looking northwest
unknown photographer
Bob's Photo archives
authors collection

.

.


#5 - southbound on Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) & approaching Avenue Y - January 1, 1961
Under the Culver El bringing brand new R27's to Coney Island Yard.
A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 09

.

.


#5 - Tenth Avenue and 37th Street - unknown date
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 15 May 2012

.

.


#5, #8, #9980 - Second Avenue & 39th Street Yard - unknown date
G. Abere photo
added 05 November 2022
.

.


#5 as 20002 - Coney Island Yard
- May 1966
Note trolley poles removed, now numbered NYCTA #20002, and SBK #9 on right edge. Lo V car #20359 now used in work service.
G. Landau photo
J. Testagrose photo

added 27 Sept 2009

.

.


#5 - NYCTA Transit Museum in the Court Street Stati
on
- unknown date
Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn
P. F. Strubeck photo

added 07 Sept 2009

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9 (second)

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6


#6 - 37th Street
- June 21, 1942
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

.

.


#6 - McDonald Avenue & 18th Avenue - October 29, 1956
"C Types" enroute for scrapping under the Culver El

A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


#6 - July 22, 1961 - 36th Street Yard
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.


#6 as #20003 - Marcy Avenue Station
- May 28, 1962
F. G. Zahn photo
P. F. Strubeck collection

added 16 Dec 2009

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.


either #6 or #7 (note flat roof and square window) - unknown date
Note flagman and cab window of work car in bottom left corner.
Appears to be dumping ballast on Manhattan bound local track on the Sea Beach Line looking east around Eleventh / Twelfth Avenue. 
NYNH&H / LIRR "NU" (New Utrecht) Yard / Bay Ridge Branch on left.
D Type subway cars on right.
unknown photographer
J. Shanus archives
authors collection

added 04 Aug 2009

.

.


#6 - BMT West End Line elevated at 55th Street
- unknown date 
Note dual couplers.
H. Pinsker photo
J. Testagrose collection

.

.


#6 - West Brighton Avenue & West 3rd Street
- unknown date
On the Brighton Eleveated. Note dual couplers.
J. Shanus photo

added 27 Sept 2009

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Electric Locomotives

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7


#7 - unknown date (pre-1920)
marked for BRT (possible builders photo?)
Bill Volkmer collection
"Daves Electric Railroads" archives

.

.


#7 - 39th Street & Second Avenue
- unknown date (post 1940)
Marked for New York City Transit System. Believed to be a railfan trip with BMT Gate El cars. Note dual couplers.
(Thanks to Bob Delmonico for identification of the last car)
unknown photographer
J. Testagrose collection

.

.


#7 - Coney Island Shops
- unknown date (post 1940)
Note dual couplers, BMT Standards and Culver El to right. Marked for New York City Transit System.
H. Pinsker photo
J. Testagrose collection

.

.


#7 - unknown date
Note dual couplers.
Marked for New York City Transit System.
#2584 is a BMT Standard.
Bill Volkmer collection
"Daves Electric Railroads" archives

.

.


#7 - unknown location
- December 16, 1942
unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

.

.


#7 - McDonald Avenue and Avenue I
- unknown date
Under the Culver El
On back of photo it is written: "Transfer of IRT cars from Flushing."
Back is also marked AJL and Hirsch. I'm figuring this to be a A. J. Lonto photo.
authors collection

added 31 October 2016

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#7 - Coney Island Shops & Yard - March 30, 1971
Now painted red. Note trolley poles removed from roof and dual couplers.
#6472 is a R16.
S. Zabel photo
J. Testagrose archives

added 27 Sept 2009

.

.


#7 - Coney Island Yards - May 25, 1971
Note trolley poles removed from roof, and dual couplers.
R248 is a converted R6 (ex #925).
M503 is now a transition car converted from an R4.
S. Zabel photo
J. Testagrose archives

added 27 Sept 2009

.

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#7 - Coney Island Yards
- June 1971
Note trolley poles removed from roof.
#6019 C is a BMT D Type Triplex  
553 is a converted R4?
S. Zabel photo
J. Testagrose archives

added 27 Sept 2009

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.


#7 - Coney Island Yards - June 1971
Note repainted, but trolley poles still not on roof, and dual couplers.
#377 is an R44
S. Zabel photo
J. Testagrose archives

added 27 Sept 2009

.

.


#7 - NYCTA Coney Island Yard
- April 2007
Note trolley poles reinstalled and dual couplers.
BMT Standard behind.
P. F. Strubeck photo

added 07 Sept 2009

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.


#7 - NYCTA Coney Island Yard
 - April 2007
Note dual couplers.
P. F. Strubeck photo

added 07 Sept 2009

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#7 - Second Avenue & 39th Street SBK / NYNJ Interchange - July 18, 2021
preparing to be loaded aboard heavy hauler for transport to Shore Line Trolley Museum.
J. McCluskey photo

added 18 July 2021
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#7 - Second Avenue & 39th Street SBK / NYNJ Interchange - July 18, 2021
preparing to be loaded aboard heavy hauler for transport to Shore Line Trolley Museum.
J. McCluskey photo

added 18 July 2021
.

.


#7 - Second Avenue & 39th Street SBK / NYNJ Interchange - July 18, 2021
being loaded aboard heavy hauler for transport to Shore Line Trolley Museum.
W. Wall photo

added 21 July 2021
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.


#7 - Second Avenue & 39th Street SBK / NYNJ Interchange - July 18, 2021
being loaded aboard heavy hauler for transport to Shore Line Trolley Museum.
W. Wall photo

added 21 July 2021
.

.


#7 - Second Avenue & 39th Street SBK / NYNJ Interchange - July 18, 2021
being loaded aboard heavy hauler for transport to Shore Line Trolley Museum.
W. Wall photo

added 21 July 2021
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#7 - Second Avenue & 39th Street SBK / NYNJ Interchange - July 18, 2021
being loaded aboard heavy hauler for transport to Shore Line Trolley Museum.
W. Wall photo

added 21 July 2021
.

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#7 - Second Avenue & 39th Street SBK / NYNJ Interchange - July 18, 2021
being loaded aboard heavy hauler for transport to Shore Line Trolley Museum.
W. Wall photo

added 21 July 2021
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8


#8 - crossing Second Avenue at the 39th Street Yard "Bush Interchange"
- ca. 1955
Wide (overhanging frame) straight sides cab, high roof: prior to modification)
Also note sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank.
unknown photographer
authors collection
added 06 March 2012

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.


#8 -
39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- 1958
with #5 - looking northwest
Wide (overhanging frame) straight sides cab, high roof: prior to modification)
Also note sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank.
G. Abere photo
A. Huneke archives

added 07 Sept 2009

.

.


#8 - 36th Street Yard
- unknown date
Wide (overhanging frame) straight sides cab, high roof: prior to modification).
Also note sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank.
unknown photographer
D. Pirmann collection
added 25 Dec 2009

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.


#8 - unknown date - 37th Street Right Of Way (under Culver Shuttle Elevated)
black diamond around numeral 8 gone.
unknown photographer
added 31 October 2022
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#8 - unknown date - McDonald Avenue (under Culver Elevated)
black diamond around numeral 8 gone.
unknown photographer
added 31 October 2022
.

.


#8 as #20005 - 36th - 38th Street BMT Yard
- October 1959
Narrowed straight sidecab. Note Compromise coupler.
Sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank remained in place.
G. Landau photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 02 January 2010

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#8 & #13 - McDonald Avenue & Avenue I - 1961
Under the Culver El.
Narrowed straight side cab.
Sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank remained in place.
(ERA Headlights issue May June 1993 caption state locomotive #9, but this is incorrect. Also: #8 had safety stripes on pilot.)
A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009

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.


#8 - Coney Island Yard
- September 1967
Narrowed straight side cab. Note Compromise coupler.
Sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank remained in place.
Note compromise coupler!
S. Hoskins photo
D. Pirmann archives

added 02 January 2010

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9 (first)


#9 (first) - Coney Island Yards & Shops
- ca. November 1946
Note tapered cab sides but not wider than frame.
Sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank in place.
Also note handrails do not extend along sides of locomotive to cab and the MU connector in center stanchion of the front handrail.

This photo also raises some questions regarding cab modifications.
This photo shows the frame marked for "U.S. Army" and the number board is marked 7966, obviously making this SBK #9 (first).
(and as #9 "second" did not directly come from US Army). But, this photo clearly shows the cab tapered inwards towards the roof.
The next photo below however shows the cab sides were made vertically straight, with the entire cab widened to overhang the frame!
Why the NYCTA widened the cab remains a mystery as this would preclude usage in subway tunnels.

On 03 July 2010, I received an email from John Baggaley of the UK who states:
"I believe that this loco may well have been used by the US Army in Europe late in WWII as the two dark patches on the pilot beam would be the where the European buffers would have been bolted on and further the top of a slot in the pilot beam above the rather new looking coupler is where the hook and screw or chain link coupling would have been.
The tapered cab would also have been necessary for European or maybe even UK operations as the loading gauge over here is considerably smaller than in the US.
"
Excellent eyes John! Something us railfans on this "side of the pond" never noticed!

unknown photographer
G. Collora archives
authors collection

added 08 March 2010

.

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#9 (first) - Parkville Interchange - McDonald Avenue & Avenue I
- unknown date
Straight cab sides and rebuilt cab overhanging frame. S. B. RY. Co. under cab window.
Sheet metal "skirt" under frame and cab covering air reservoirs and fuel tank in place.
Also note handrails now extend along sides of locomotive to cab.
unknown photographer
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

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#9 (first) - Second Avenue & 38th Street "Bush Interchange"
- 1947
Straight cab sides and rebuilt cab overhanging frame.
M. D. Meyer archives
authors collection

added 23 Oct 2009

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#9 (first) - unknown date (but pre-September 1955, and before the locomotive sold)
Note poling bar under cab! Under the Culver El.
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

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#9 (first) - Entering Coney Island Yard (looking north-northeast.) - ca. 1948 or 1949
R12's or R14's arriving, with BMT Standards on the IND Culver Elevated IND "Culver / Sixth Avenue" in background.
unknown photographer
M. DeLuca collection
authors collection

added 29 June 2018
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#9 (second) - NYCTA Coney Island Yard
- May 19, 1968
Angled cab sides, and cab not overhanging frame. No fuel tank skirts and sand fills at corners of hood.
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

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.


#9 (second) - Staten Island, NY - May 1975
While no longer on the South Brooklyn Railway roster, I have included this image because of its history, not to mention it is still technically under MTA parentage.
unknown photographer
Lee Rogers collection
( I cannot remember who submitted this image to me. If it is yours please contact me for credit or removal.)

added 29 July 2018
.

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#9 (second) - Travis Yard, Staten Island
- August 10, 1986
Con Ed Generating Station. Painted drab green.
SIRT cars.
E. Oszustowicz photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

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12


#12 - on Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) by Avenue Y entering Coney Island Yard
- May 30, 1961
Under the Culver El.
Very rare shot of #12 before cab was modified for subway tunnel clearances!
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

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.


SBK 12 with 20008 on cab - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - June 27, 1962
After cab modification.
F. G. Zahn photo
authors collection

added 06 Sept 2009

.

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SBK 12 with 20008 on nose and cab - 39th Street Yard between Second and First Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - June 27, 1962
After cab but before sandbox modification
unknown photographer

added 08 January 2023
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#12 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - unknown date
Looking northwest.
Note the unusual box mounted on front grill. Paul Strubeck states this is the sand box.
unknown photographer
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

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#12 with SBK 5 - NYCTA Coney Island Yard - July 18, 1971
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

.

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#12 - on LIRR Bay Ridge Branch at Parkville Interchange - February 28, 1972
Looking east. Track to right is to interchange & McDonald Avenue.
Transition car in an R1/9 with R44's.
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection
added 06 September 2009

.

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#12 - Parkville Interchange - February 28, 1972
Looking east. Train now on interchange track and subways cars are curving towards McDonald Avenue.
That appears to be transition car M503. If so, it was converted from an R4.
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


#12 - Parkville Interchange - March 5, 1972
Looking north. The "alley" between Bay Ridge Division and McDonald Avenue.
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

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Parkville Interchange - Brooklyn, NY - March 5, 1972
Looking north-northwest and taken from the elevated platform of the Avenue I station of the IND 'F' (Sixth Avenue Local) line.
#12 on interchange track at curbline of Avenue I with Penn Central Bay Ridge Branch (ex-NYNH&H / LIRR) tracks in background.
Note boxcar at top center of photo is on "Leeds Paper" siding and gondola with pipe is on Bay Ridge Branch freight lead.
Also note the single interchange track (as opposed to twin interchange tracks and other parallel trackage) shown in Emery map above.
Telephoto compression makes length of track appear shorter than actual.
G. Povall photo
authors collection

added 18 December 2009 - rescanned 18 April 2021

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.


#12 - Parkville Interchange - 1972
Looking north. Under the Culver El, #12 is on McDonald Avenue, subway cars curve off into "alley" to LIRR Bay Ridge Branch
R44's enroute to Coney Island.
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

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#12 - McDonald Avenue  (unknown intersection) - May 1972
Note the Ford NYPD or NYTPD Station Wagon escort vehicle.
McDonald Avenue
W. Schneider photo
J. McCluskey collection

added 07 November 2016

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#12 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - August 1972
Davidson Pipe Yard
W. Schneider photo
J. McCluskey collection

added 07 November 2016

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#12 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - August 1972
W. Schneider photo
J. McCluskey collection

added 07 November 2016

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#12 - Coney Island Yard? - August 1972
LV32 (4 motors) former 5425

W. Schneider photo
J. McCluskey collection

added 07 November 2016

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#12 - southbound on
McDonald Avenue at Bay Parkway under the Culver El - April 18, 1974
SBK12 pulling the Department of Transportation's "Urban Rapid Rail Vehicle" "State Of Art Car / SOAC" trainset.
W. Schneider photo
J. McCluskey collection

added 07 November 2016

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.


#12 -
39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - unknown date (post 3/4/1975)
Looking northwest.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


#12 - Coney Island Yard?
- unknown date (post 3/4/1975)
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 01 December 2012

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.


#12 - Parkville Interchange - unknown date
(ca . 1971-73 - receiving new R44's)
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

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#12 - 37th Street and unknown intersection - unknown date
U
nder the BMT "Culver Shuttle" elevated (now demolished)
(ca . 1971-73 - receiving new R44's)
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

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#12 - 39th Street between Second & Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - unknown date
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


#12 - Parkville Interchange - unknown date
 "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line / McDonald Avenue in background.
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


#12 - northbound on McDonald Avenue and Avenue P on the northbound track! - unknown date
Under the "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

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#12 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - unknown date
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

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#12 - southbound into Coney Island Yard, South Brooklyn Railway sub-yard (south of main facilities). - unknown date
(ca . 1971-73: receiving R44's) 
"Culver / Sixth Avenue" line to left. Looking south.
Also, take note of the cut vertical gussets on the gondola with what appears to be stenciled  "Platform Side" on the sides of the gondola. These appear to be modified from standard freight gondolas
for captured service on the NYCTA System. This modification would allow the gondola to fit past subway station platforms.

M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

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#12 - southbound on Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) - unknown date
between Avenue Y and Avenue Z (behind photographer) and
approaching the SBK switch into Coney Island Yard (bottom left corner of image) with R40M's. Looking north.
Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

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#12 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - 1976
Note headlight and cab window glass covered for shipment.
And, I have a sneaking suspicion, that all those pock marks on the front of the sandbox are hammer marks from beating on the box in the winter to break up frozen sand.

M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


NIMX (ex-SBK) #12 - Naparano Scrap, Newark, NJ - September 12, 1976
W. Matuch photo
P. Strubeck collection

added 31 January 2010

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.


NIMX (ex-SBK) #12
- Naparano Scrap, Newark, NJ - unknown date -
T. Darnell photo

added 13 Dec 2009

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13


#13 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) and Avenue Y - May 31, 1961
Looking north. Bringing brand new R30's into Coney Island Yard.
Note the New York Central gondola being used as a transition car.
A. J. Lonto collection
ERA Headlights May - June 1993 Issue

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


#13 - NYCTA Coney Island Shops
- ca. 1963
S. Meyers photo
D. Keller archives
authors collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


#13 also numbered 20009 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - March 11, 1965
C. G. Parsons photo
authors collection

added 06 March 2012

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.


#13 also numbered 20009 - SBK / LIRR Parkville Interchange - 1964
SBK picking up new R32's set out by LIRR for pre-service inspection at Coney Island Shops.
unknown photographer
added 07 November 2022
.

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#13 / 20009 - Parkville Interchange entering McDonald Avenue at Avenue I - March 11, 1965
A. G. Raabe photo
authors collection

added 06 March 2012

.

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#13 - Ninth Avenue
- unknown date
R32's enroute to Coney Island. Note the DL&W gondola being used as transition car.
Plume of exhaust shows locomotive is leading with no pusher locomotive.
J. Shanus photo

J. Testagrose collection
added 06 September 2009

.

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#13 - NYCTA Coney Island Shops - 1971
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


#13 - McDonald Avenue; Brooklyn, NY - 1971
Joseph Biem photo
William Mangahas collection

added 18 April 2021
.

.


#13 - McDonald Avenue; Brooklyn, NY - 1971
Joseph Biem photo
William Mangahas collection

added 18 April 2021
.

.


#13 - McDonald Avenue; Brooklyn, NY - 1971
Joseph Biem photo
William Mangahas collection

added 18 April 2021
.

.


#13 - 37th Street
under the BMT "Culver Shuttle" line (now demolished) - March 1972
With a truck blocking the right of way.
W. Schneider photo
J. McCluskey collection

.

.


#13 - 37th Street
under the BMT "Culver Shuttle" line (now demolished) - March 1972
And they got the truck to move. But does anyone wanna buy a VW bug?
W. Schneider photo
J. McCluskey collection

.

.


#13 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) between Avenue Y and Avenue X
- June 21, 1973
Looking south. NYCTA Coney Island Shops on right.
Note the red Plymouth Valiant SBK "escort" car following behind.
With information from Evan Jennings of the Trolley Museum of New York in Kingston, NY; I was able to piece together the history of this car:

ex-Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee #411
Built in 1923 by Cincinnati Car Company (Order #2640)
Type of car: Interurban - built as open end observation (converted to tavern / lounge 1942)
Retired first during the Depression because of declining revenues. Rebuilt and reactivated during World War II as a coach to help handle the increased passenger traffic of Glenview Naval Station.
Out-of-service / Retired: 1963
Acquired by Trolley Museum of New York in 1963. Sold in 1973 to John Lauber / East Troy Trolley Museum; East Troy, Wisconsin.
In 1988, Lauber sold the car to John Larkin, owner of the Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad; Wells, Michigan
As far as known, 411 remains stored at the E&LS facility in Escanaba, Michigan.
One of only three 400-series parlor/dining cars from the North Shore preserved.

D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


#13 - Parkville Junction - June 21, 1973
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018

.

.


#13 - 39th Street between Second & Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe) - June 21, 1973
M. DeLuca photo
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


#13 - NYCTA Coney Island Shops
- March 20, 1974
#1376 is a R6. Car on right edge is R40M or R42.
S. Zabel photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


#13 - 39th Street Yard and Third Avenue (Davidson Pipe Yard) - October 1974
R. F. Makse photo
authors collection

added 13 October 2012

.

.


#13 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - November 11, 1975
Note #12 behind. Note the disparity in cab shape and height. 
M. J. Herson photo
authors collection

added 13 October 2012

.

.


#13 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) 
- unknown date
F. G. Zahn photo
P. F. Strubeck photo

added 03 January 2010

.

.


#13 - Parkville Junction - unknown date
Note what appears to be a tunnel inspection car behind locomotive.
M. DeLuca photographer
authors collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


#13 - Parkville Junction - unknown date
M. DeLuca photographer
authors collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


#13 - Coney Island Yard - unknown date
Dumped school desks!
M. DeLuca photographer

authors collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


#13 - Parkville Interchange - unknown date
Delaware & Hudson boxcar on the Leeds Paper track.

M. DeLuca photographer
authors collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


#13 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - 1976
Note headlight and cab window glass covered for shipment to Naparano.
M. DeLuca photographer
authors collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


#13 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - 1976
Note headlight and cab window glass covered for shipment.
M. DeLuca photographer
authors collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.

Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2


3000 and 9000 series



N1


N1 - builders plate
P. F. Strubeck photo

added 16 Dec 2009

.

.


N1 - First Avenue & 40th Street (Bush Terminal trackage)
- September 20, 1975
Locomotive is leading. Looking southeast. NYCTA Sponsored Fan Trip.
#6019 C is a BMT D Type Triplex.
See N2 photo section for additional photos take during this Fan Trip.
D. Pirmann photo
added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N1 - 38th Street Yard (between Third & Fourth Avenues)
- September 20, 1975
Looking east-northeast, Third Avenue crossing to left. NYCTA Sponsored Fan Trip.
Locomotive is trailing, N2 is on other end leading. Note graffiti on hood.
See N2 photo section for additional photos take during this Fan Trip.
#6019 C is a BMT D Type Triplex.
W. J. Madden photo
authors collection

added 03 March 2010

.

.


N1 - Davidson Pipe Yard (38th Street Yard between Second & Third Avenues) - November 6, 1975
Note graffiti on hood and note higher cab profile of SBK #13 behind.
unknown photo
P. F. Strubeck collection

added 18 April 2021
.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - February 1977
T. Darnell photo
T. Darnell collection

added 08 Nov 2009

.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - June 27, 1977
Taken from the Gowanus Expressway over 3rd Avenue, looking west.
The bright red Plymouth Valiant, is the South Brooklyn Railway "escort car" used when locomotives are street running.
R46's.
S. Zabel photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - August 10, 1979
G. Povall photo
authors collection

added 09 September 2010

.

.


N1 & N2 - 39th Street Yard between First & Second Avenues
- March 1982
Now in maroon and white livery.
S. Milstein photo
authors collection

added 19 March 2010

.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - September 1984
Looking east.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - May 1985
Looking east.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 39th Street between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - November 1986
Bringing R62A's through Davidson Pipe from Bush Interchange on Second Avenue. Looking west.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 39th Street between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - November 1986
Bringing R62A's through Davidson Pipe from Bush Interchange on Second Avenue. Looking west from Third Avenue. Looking west.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 38th Street "unloading" Yard between Third and Fourth Avenues - November 1986
Looking east.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 38th Street "unloading" Yard between Third and Fourth Avenues - November 1986
Facing east.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 38th Street "unloading" Yard between Third and Fourth Avenues - November 1986
Looking northwest.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - BMT West End Line El (then the line, now line) approaching 55th Street Station
- March 12, 1988
Looking north over New Utrecht Avenue & 54th Street.
Southbound towards Coney Island Yard.
Rebuilt R42's.
D. Pirmann photo

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N1 -
38th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues
- August 1988
Looking southwest. Unloading rebuilt R4
2's off flatcars from Morrison Knudson (Hornell, NY)

D. Pirmann photo

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N1 -
38th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues
- 1988
Looking southwest. Unloading rebuilt R38
's off flatcars from General Electric (Buffalo, NY)

D. Pirmann photo

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - October 1988
Looking west.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - October 1988
Looking west.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 & N2 - 39th Street Yard between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- November 22, 1991
F. G. Zahn photo
P. F. Strubeck collection

added 03 January 2010

.

.


N1 - 39th Street Yard between First & Second Avenues
- May 30, 1992
Looking southwest.
T. Mader photo
authors collection

added 27 September 2009

.

.


N1 - 36th / 38th Street BMT Yard - June 1, 1992
R44's behind.
M. DeLuca photo

P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 - 36th Street Yard
- August 26, 2001
Looking southeast. Fan trip.
BMT D Type Triplexs.
D. Pirmann photo

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N1 - Seneca Ave Station of BMT Myrtle Avenue El
- September 27, 2003
BMT D Type Triplexs on fan trip with SBK Steeplecab on rear of train.
J. Testagrose photo

added 06 September 2009

.

.


N1 - September 28, 2003 - Seneca Ave Station of BMT Sea Beach Line - Eight Avenue Station
BMT D Type Triplexs on fan trip with SBK Steeplecab on rear of train.
J. Testagrose photo

added 06 September 2009

.

.


N1 - NYCTA Coney Island Yard, Brooklyn, NY
- April 2008
Note front grill has been covered.
"TA Roadeo"
P. F. Strubeck photo

added 24 Dec 2009

.

.

Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2


3000 and 9000 series



N2


N2 - builders plate
P. F. Strubeck photo

added 16 Dec 2009

.

.


N2 - Parkville Junction, Brooklyn, NY
- unknown date (ca. 1975)
Looking pretty spiffy because it's pretty much brand new!
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 16 October 2012

.

.


 N2 & N1 - Shell Road between Avenue X and Avenue Y
- April 23, 1975
Looking south.
R46's on street, with R38's on el.
S. Zabel photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


September 20, 1975 - NYCTA Fan Trip

The following sequence of images, were taken by three different photographers: Michael DeLuca, William Madden and Doug Grotjahn, all of whom are (or were) Brooklyn rail & transit afficionados.
The images were taken on September 20, 1975 during a New York City Transit System sponsored fan trip over the South Brooklyn Railway.
The trip originated at Brooklyn Army Terminal at First Avenue and 58th Street and concluding at Coney Island Yard. The images were acquired on separate dates by the author.
They are now presented here in order of location.


N2 - First Avenue and 58th Street - September 20, 1975
Brooklyn Army Terminal behind photographer.
Spur on right edge of photo (out of service) led into Brooklyn Army Terminal Warehouse B and Yard along Second Avenue.
SBK N1 is other end of train and will lead train north to NYD "Bush Interchange" and into the SBK's 2nd Avenue & 39th Street Yard and pull in.
The train will then reverse direction with N2 leading east up to 36th Street Yard along 37th Street to Kensington Junction, and then south along McDonald Avenue
and finally to Coney Island Yard. (There is a photo of N1 in that photo section

W. J. Madden photo
authors collection

added 03 March 2010

.

.


N2 - First Avenue and 43rd Street - September 20, 1975
Approaching Bush Terminal Yard.
W. J. Madden photo
authors collection

added 03 March 2010

.

.


N2 - NYCTA 38th Street Yard between Third & Fourth Avenues (looking west) - September 20, 1975
(This image taken same time as image of N1 in that photo section above)
D. Grotjahn photo
J. Testagrose collection

added 06 September 2009

.

.


N2 - 37th Street approaching Ft. Hamilton Parkway
- September 20, 1975
Under the BMT "Culver Shuttle" line (now demolished).
W. J. Madden photo
authors collection

added 03 March 2010

.

.


N2 - McDonald Avenue crossing Kings Highway (looking south) - September 20, 1975
Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - looking north onMcDonald Avenue between Avenue S (behind photographer) and Kings Highway (behind train) - September 20, 1975
Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - looking north on McDonald Avenue between Avenue S (behind photographer) and Kings Highway (behind train) - September 20, 1975
Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - looking north on McDonald Avenue crossing intersection of Avenue T - September 20, 1975
Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.
Note older style two aspect vehicular traffic signal (caution was indicated by illumination of both red and green lenses).
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) just past Avenue Y - September 20, 1975
SBK's two track main combine into single track and approaching SBK's Coney Island Yard entrance about two hundred feet behind photographer (looking north)

Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.

NYCTA Coney Island Shops and Yard are to left. Note the Culver Line's Coney Island Yard approach ramp upper right corner of image.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - Shell Road (McDonald Avenue) approaching the SBK Coney Island Yard entrance between Avenues Y and Z - September 20, 1975
Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.
W. J. Madden photo
authors collection

added 03 March 2010

.

.


N2 - exiting Parkville Interchange southbound and about to cross Avenue I - January 1976
This particular move will enter upon McDonald Avenue, throw turnout and proceed north to 36th / 38th Street Yard with load of tieplates.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - exiting Parkville Interchange southbound and about to cross Avenue I - January 1976
This particular move will enter upon McDonald Avenue, throw turnout and proceed north to 36th / 38th Street Yard with load of tieplates.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.

.

.


N2 - exiting Parkville Interchange southbound, crossing Avenue I and 20th Avenue - January 1976
This particular move will enter upon McDonald Avenue, stop, throw turnout and proceed north to 36th / 38th Street Yard with load of tieplates.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - stopped on McDonald Avenue between Avenue I and Avenue J - January 1976
With the turnout thrown for the McDonald Avenue alignment, the train can now continue north to the 36-38th Street Yard.
Under the  "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line.

M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection
added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - Northbound on McDonald Avenue between Avenue M and Bay Parkway (looking south) - April 6, 1976
Under the "Culver / Sixth Avenue" line. Washington Cemetery to right, Friends Field on left.
NYCTA Coney Island Shops and Yard are to left. Note the Culver Line's Coney Island Yard approach ramp upper right corner of image.
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - 39th Street between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - February 1977
T. Darnell photo
T. Darnell collection

added 08 Nov 2009

.

.


N2 - 39th Street Yard (39th Street between First & Second Avenues)
- Feb 12, 1978
Looking west.
J. Testagrose photo

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N2 - 39th Street & Second Avenue Yard - July 1984?
with NYCTA L893 (GE SL50 - 50 ton)
T. Darnell photo
T. Darnell collection

added 08 Nov 2009

.

.


N2 and N1 - 39th Street between First and Second Avenues "39th Street Yard" (looking west) - September 1984
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018


N2 - "39th Street Yard" (39th Street between First & Second Avenues)
May 5, 1986
Looking north.
unknown photographer
P. F. Strubeck collection

added 16 Dec 2009

.

.


 N2 - 38th Street "unloading" Yard between Third and Fourth Avenues - October 1988
Loading R32's for shipment to rebuilder Morrison Knudsen
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 & N2 - 38th Street "unloading" Yard between Third and Fourth Avenues - October 1988
Loading R32's for shipment to rebuilder Morrison Knudsen (Hornell, NY)
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 & N2 - 38th Street "unloading" Yard between Third and Fourth Avenues - October 1988
Loading R32's for shipment to rebuilder Morrison Knudsen (Hornell, NY)
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N1 & N2 - 38th Street "unloading" Yard between Third and Fourth Avenues - October 1988
Loading R32's for shipment to rebuilder Morrison Knudsen (Hornell, NY)
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - Second Ave & 39th Street
- April 23, 1988
Looking southwest. N2 and R30 subway cars are on Second Avenue trackage at
the Bush Terminal / South Brooklyn Railway interchange between 39th and 38th Streets.
J. Testagrose photo
added 06 September 2009

.

.


N2 - 38th Street Yard between Fourth and Third Avenues
- unknown date circa 1988
Looking west. Unloading rebuilt R42's off flatcars from Morrison Knudson (Hornell, NY) via the ramp.
D. Pirmann photo

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N2 - 38th Street Yard between Fourth and Third Avenues - March 1989
Looking west. After unloading rebuilt R32's off flatcars from Morrison Knudson (Hornell, NY) via the ramp.
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 22 Dec 2009

.

.


N2 - March 29, 1995 - 36th-38th Street "BMT" Yard
Note wording on side of car: "Transition Car" - also not the spacing between N2 and the Transition Car as opposed to N1 and the Transition Car. N2 has a compromise coupler / adapter mounted.
M. DeLuca photo

P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - 38th Street "Unloading" Yard between Third Avenues and Fourth Avenues - unknown date
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - 39th Street between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - March 29, 1995
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


N2 - 39th Street between Second and Third Avenues (Davidson Pipe Yard) - March 29, 1995
M. DeLuca photo
P. M. Goldstein / P. F. Strubeck collection

added 02 July 2018
.

.


SBK N2 & NYCH #22 - Bush Terminal Railroad Yard - First Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
- July 5, 1995
NYCH #22 is ex-BEDT #22 ALCo S1. This photo shows the size comparison between GE 47 Ton, standard freight cars and an ALCo S1.
The SBK locomotives were not that big in comparison to other switchers.
C. G. Perelman photo
P. F. Strubeck archives

added 24 Dec 2009

.

.


N2 - Coney Island Shops
- April 17, 2007
Note front grill has been covered.
"TA Roadeo"
P. F. Strubeck photo

.

.


N2 - Coney Island Shops
- September 4, 2007
S. Milstein photo
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.

...
N1 control stand - April 2008  (left) - N2 control stand - April 2007 (right)
both photos P. F. Strubeck
added 16 Dec 2009

.

.


N2 - looking out firemans side cab window - April 2008
P. F. Strubeck photo
added 16 Dec 2009

.

.


N2 - Coney Island Shops - April 2008
"TA Roadeo"
B. Demas photo

added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - Coney Island Shops - April 2008
"TA Roadeo"
B. Demas photo

added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - Coney Island Shops - April 2008
"TA Roadeo"
B. Demas photo

added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - Coney Island Shops - April 2008
"TA Roadeo"
B. Demas photo

added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - Canarsie Yard - October 2008
B. Demas photo
added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - Canarsie Yard - October 2008
B. Demas photo
added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - Canarsie Yard - October 2008
B. Demas photo
added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - Canarsie Yard - October 2008
B. Demas photo
added 03 July 2010

.

.


N2 - 207th Street Yard - unknown date
B. Demas photo
added 03 July 2010

.

.

Electric Locomotives

1

2

3

4

5

6

7



Diesel Locomotives

8

9 (first)

9 (second)

12

13

N1N2


3000 and 9000 series



Miscellaneous Electric Work & Freight Equipment

.

.


#9006 - 39th Street & Second Avenue Yard
- October 1, 1934
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives 

.

.


#9006 & 9007 - 39th Street Yard (pre-Davidson Pipe Yard) 
- April 3, 1959
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.


#9007  / 20162 - 39th Street Yard (Davidson Pipe Yard) - 1968
Note under 20162 the stencil: TYPE 9007.
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.


#9136
- 36th Street Yard
- unknown date
unknown photographer

.

.


#9137 - First Avenue & 39th Street Yard - 1957
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 31 October 2022
.

.


#9137 - 36th Street Yard
- April 4, 1959
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.


#9161 - 39th Street & Second Avenue Yard
- October 1, 1934
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives

.

.


#9421 - Canarsie Carbarn
- unknown date
unknown photographer
Joseph Testagrose collection

.

.


#9422 - 39th Street  & Third Avenue Yard (Davidson Pipe)
- April 3, 1959
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011

.

.


#9423 - 39th Street & Third Avenue Yard (Davidson Pipe Yard) - April 3, 1959
unknown photographer
authors collection
18 March 2011

.

.


#9425 - 39th Street & Third Avenue Yard (Davidson Pipe Yard)
- April 3, 1959
unknown photographer
authors collection

added 18 March 2011 

.

.


#9431 - October 1, 1934 - 39th Street & Third Avenue Yard (Davidson Pipe Yard)
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives 

.

.


#9433 - 39th Street & Second Avenue Yard
- October 1, 1934 -
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives 

.

.


#9444 - unknown location
- 1928
(note the "people catcher" on the front of the unit!)
Bill Volkmer collection
"Daves Electric Railroads" archives

.

.


#9980 - 39th Street & Second Avenue Yard
- October 1, 1934
G. Votava photo
D. Keller archives 

.

.


unknown number - unknown date - unknown location
Bill Volkmer collection
"Daves Electric Railroads" archives

.

.

.

   The following image was taken by my father; in the South Brooklyn Railway's 39th Street Yard, which was located between Second and First Avenues. If only these wooden boxcars could talk! At the least, they appear to have been painted.


South Brooklyn Railway Yard - 39th Street between First & Second Avenues - September 1968
Looking west. The shallow peaked roof in the background is the piershed that replaced the ferry terminal)
S. Goldstein photo
authors collection


   In July of 2023 I received the following email from Bill Wall;

"These are not South Brooklyn Railway boxcars, as you have listed on your site (obviously now amended). These are ex-Singer Sewing Machine Company boxcars that were brought to the SBK by a gentleman named Bruce Thain, who had gotten a bunch of them from the Singer plant in Elizabethport, NJ to use for parts storage at Branford.  Many went to Branford of assorted types, some also went to what is now the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor. They had all been used on the in plant railroad they had at Elizabethport.  

   In 1961, the SBK ended electric operation and the contract to remove the overhead wire removal was given to the Sarnelli Brothers scrap firm.  Over the next few years, the wire was removed from Avenue X to Fort Hamilton Parkway by Sarnelli's crew. The section from just below Fourth Avenue to the end of track in the lower yard; however, was done under some kind of deal worked out with Sarnelli by Bruce Thain and his brother Bob, with others. They removed the overhead wire, keeping some of it and the overhead line fittings for use at Branford, with the rest going to scrap by Sarnelli, with some payment to Bruce and Bob in the form of cash and a trolley or two from the SBK yard. A deal within a deal within a deal...

   Now the boxcars were part of this operation. Bruce got them trucked down there, with one being put on the east side of Third Avenue as seen in the photo from the Q car website (at right); and the other two on the west side of Second Avenue, as also seen on your website.

   These became the temporary storage areas for the wire and fittings that were removed until the job was done.

   Bruce purposely left up the one section of overhead under the highway on Third Avenue in the trough work, which later was salvaged by Bob Diamond for use in Red Hook (and scrapped, ultimately).

   The idea was that the boxcars would eventually come to Branford for more parts storage use but did not happen for two reasons. First, Branford had been overwhelmed with a bunch of these Singer boxcars and Bruce was told to stop bringing them.

   Second, there had been an explosion in the South Brooklyn Yard where Davidson Pipe used to be, caused by Bruce using the South Brooklyn Brownhoist crane 9007 that was still on site when no one from the SBK was around...

   What most people do not know is that though the overhead wire was being taken down and deenergized, feeder cables still existed from the substation at 38th Street and Fifth Avenue that fed down to the lower yard and had been retained to power the crane for lifting heavy loads (though not used for a long time).

   The same feeders fed the crew shack on the west side of Second Avenue to provide power for the heaters and lights and also the B35 bus loop lights on First Ave and 39th Street.

   There was a knife switch on a pole along the track in the pipe yard to energize the crane.
Bruce and Bob knew of it and on weekends were powering up the crane to help take down the overhead. The crane had a stinger on it (power cable) plugged into the knife switch. This went on for a few weekends until they ran over the power cable and blew the breaker in the substation. Now the substation personnel knew that nothing was supposed to be drawing power like that anymore, so when officialdom showed up and went down to the SBK, the game was up. Photo from your site is attached of the crane and power source. At that point all unofficial use ended of the crane and a deal struck to avoid any "issues".

   Now, what does this have to do with the boxcars? Well, not being able to take them to Branford and wanting to make nice with the SBK folks; as a peace offering, Bruce gave them the boxcars to use as storage areas on the SBK. It seems that the last storage area they had before was box motor 9425, which was sold to Branford in 1964, so Bruce was able to make nice while avoiding having to find of some other way to deal with taking the boxcars off the SBK.  

   They were still there for years, finally being burned by vandals and ultimately junked. And if you really want some trivia, Singer had purchased these from the Seaboard Air Line, who they had been built for in the 1880's with link and pin couplers and no air brakes, which you can see in the photo. Branford still has one of these, and inside it still has the Seaboard number and lettering.

   Now the real debate can begin, as while these cars were given to the SBK to use, no paperwork was ever generated, all done on a handshake and a wave bye-bye.  So they really are not SBK boxcars, per se, more along the line of abandoned vehicles or an unofficial donation.

   All of this saga was told to me by Bruce Thain and confirmed by Bob Thain, which is how I came to know about it.

   It's a Brooklyn thing...

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RETURN TO INDEX

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South Brooklyn Railway Locomotive & Equipment Roster

all equipment listed was/is standard gauge: 4' 8.5" / 56 ½"

Locomotives - Electric & Diesel
number / name
builder

c/n
build
date
wheel
arrangement
model wheel 
dia

acquired

disposition

notes
ref
1 BHRR   1904 B-B     new scrapped 1955 steeple cab - sold 1920 to NY Municipal Railway $5,199.58? [55]
2 BHRR   1904 B-B     new scrapped 1944 steeple cab
sold 1920? to NY Municipal Railway
[55]
3 BHRR   1904 B-B     new scrapped 1954 steeple cab - sold 1921 to NY Municipal Railway
$6065.85
[55]
4 BHRR   1907 B-B      new out of service 1965, to Shore Line Trolley Museum
under restoration / stabilization 2016
first locomotive actually lettered for South Brooklyn Railway
box cab [c]
temp renumber 1962: NYCTA 20001
[55]
5 /
20002
ALCo / GE 48559
/ 3266
9/2/1910 B-B E517 34"  new to NYCTA 1961,
currently on static display in NY Transit Museum;
Brooklyn, NY
55 ton steeple cab [i]
ALCo order #S-726
temp renumber NYCTA #20002
(3/1962)
[55]
[1]

[25]
6 (first)GE46213/23/1914B-B0440-LS404-E-110
-4GE212

36"new new for Transit Development Co (South Brooklyn #6)
sold 12/1917: to West Side Railway; Charleroi, PA
sold 5/1937: Niagara, St Catherines & Toronto #21 (20?)
55 ton steeple cab, 600 volt
0440-E-110-4GE212
gearing: 64:19

GE
ERA
[25]
6 (second)
re #20003
GE 7280 4/2/1921 B-B B-B-100/100-4GE-248
RM95A - 248B
34¼" new to NYCTA 1961,
NYCTA Coney Island Shops, Museum Collection
operational?
ca. 2021: to NYCTA 207th Street shops - for?
50 ton steeple cab [a][j]
B-B-100/100-4GE-248
gearing: 66:17
temp renumber NYCTA #20003 (3/1962)
[55]
[25]
7 (first)GE46223/23/1914B-B0440-LS404-E-110
-4GE212
36"newnew for Transit Development Co (South Brooklyn #7)
sold 10/1917 to Interurban Railway, Iowa #806
absorbed into Des Moines & Central Iowa #1806

55 ton steeple cab, 600 volt
0440-E-110-4GE212
gearing: 64:19

GE
ERA
[25]
7 (second)
re# 20004
GE /
Westinghouse
9946 12/7/1925 B-B B-B-100/100-4GE-248
RM95A - 248B
34¼" new to NYCTA 1961,
formerly NYCTA Coney Island Shops, Museum Collection
non-operational
sold to Shoreline Trolley Museum 7/2021
50 ton steeple cab [a][k]
B-B-100/100-4GE-248
gearing: 66:17
temp renumber NYCTA #20004 (5/1962)
[55]
[25]
8 /
20005
Whitcomb 60353 12/1943 B-B 65DE19A 42" used
11/1946
Transferred to NYCTA general usage,
believed to be scrapped

ex-US Army #7983;
purchased directly from US Army 11/1946
renumbered NYCTA #20005 - 11/1961
renumbered South Brooklyn Railway #8 - 6/1966
cab widened by NYCTA
to NYCTA general roster 1957
[d]
[13]
$
9 (first)
Whitcomb 60336 10/1943 B-B 65DE19A 42" used
11/1946
sold 9/1955 to Acme Equipment Co, Detroit, MI (dealer)
resold to American Aggregates #5082
; Brighton, MI
ex-US Army #7966;
purchased directly from US Army 11/1946
[d]
[13]
$
9 (second) /
20000
Whitcomb 60350 11/1943 B-B 65DE19A 42" used
1961
from Marshall Equipment Co, Ashley, PA (dealer)
Trolley Museum of NY; Kingston, NY

operational
ex-US Army #7980; contract W-2789-TC-976
to Union Railroad, #408; PA
11/1946;
to Johnstown & Stony Creek RR #3, PA 1954
purchased from Johnstown & Stony Creek RR #3, PA 1961
renumbered NYCTA #20000 - 11/1961;
renumbered #9 and assigned to South Brooklyn Railway - 6/1966
cab narrowed by NYCTA
transfered to Staten Island Rapid Transit #9, painted blue
(faded or painted to odd drab color)
stored Travis Generating Station track, before being sold to TMNY, Kingston, NY
[d]
[e]
[13]
$

NYCTA locomotives #10 & 11 were not assigned to or used on South Brooklyn Railway, but did exist on the NYCTA roster.

12 /
20008
GE 30021 8/1948 B-B B-B-140/140-4GE748
70 Ton
36" used 1960 sold to Naparano Scrap, Jersey City, NJ;
then believed to have been scrapped
Cooper Bessemer FWL-6LT  600hp
renumbered NYCTA 20008  (11/1961)
built as Grafton & Upton #12
[f]
[g]
13 /
20009
GE 28239 10/1946 B-B B-B-140/140-4GE748
70 Ton
36" used11/1960 sold 11/1981 Geo. Silcott (dealer)
12/1981: Thurso & Nation Valley
(Thurso Pulp & Paper) #13; Thurso, Quebec, Canada
1983: re-engined w/ Cummins 600hp (turbo)
1990: sold to Port Stanley Terminal Rail; Ontario, Canada
1994: leased to Ontario Southland Railway
currently in service leased to Babcock & Wilcox #L4; Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Cooper Bessemer FWL-6LT  600hp
built as Saratoga & Schuylerville #11 -
(second recorded built GE 70 Ton)

exxx-Claremont & Concord #11  (unknown date)
exx-Montpelier & Barre #23  (1957)
ex-Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington #23  (1959)
renumbered NYCTA 20009  (11/1961)
[f]
[l]
N1 GE 38946 2/1975 B-B B-B-90/90-4GE763
47 ton
34" new in general service NYCTA System B-B-90/90-4GE763
Cummins NT855 - 400hp
overhauled 1985?
[h]
N2 GE 38947 2/1975 B-B B-B-90/90-4GE763
47 ton
34" new in general service NYCTA System B-B-90/90-4GE763
Cummins NT855 - 400hp
overhauled 1985?
[h]
.
.
Trolley Motors, Trailers & Non Revenue Cars
2580-2599Stephenson Car1907purchased from BMT 3/21/1914revenue service - passenger trolleyERA
7200-7205Cincinnati Car1918for use on Norton Point Shuttle and Gravesend Avenuerevenue service - passenger trolley
"Birney Cars"
ERA
3000 series                 unpowered boxcars  
3020-3039McGuire-Cummings1904gondolas
(3037, 3038, 3039 renumbered from 3017, 3018, 3019)
ERA
3040-3044McGuire-Cummings1906flatcarsERA
3052-3059Western Wheeled Scraper1914air dump, ex-trailers 9940-9947ERA
3062-3079Western Wheeled Scraper1914air dump, ex-trailers 9948-9959, 9981-9986ERA
3080-3099Western Wheeled Scraper1914dump ex-1-27, sold to SBK 1916ERA
3100-3109McGuire-Cummings1904box freight trailerERA
3110unknown1903box freight, purchased 1924ERA
9004Brooklyn Heights RR1900crane car with Whiting hoistERA
9006 Brown Hoisting
Machinery

1910
      unknown
on property in 1959
rail derrick
sold BMT to SBK 1928; renumbered 20161 in 1962
[30]
9007 Brown Hoisting
Machinery?
          unknown
on property in 1959
 
rail crane
renumbered 20162 in 1962; renumbered 21 in 1966
ERA
9120-9130Brooklyn Heights RR1903gondola motorsERA
9131-9137Middletown19039137 @ Shore Line Trolley Museumgondola derrick motorsERA
9138-9139Middletown1903plows - renumbered 85 & 86 in 1948ERA
9140-9154Middletown1903gondola motorsERA
9156-9183Baltimore Car19049161 @ Shore Line Trolley Museumgondola motorsERA
9200-9234Laconia Car1905gondola motorsERA
9405-9406Brooklyn Heights RR1903freight box motors (from Am Rwy Trfc Co in 1910)ERA
9408-9428Middletown19039421, 9425 @ Shore Line Trolley Museum
9422, 9423 unknown, on property 1959
freight box motors ERA
[31]
9429-9443Laconia Car19059431, 9433 on property in 1934freight box motorsERA
9444 Transit Development   1907         in use 1928 freight box supply car (unpowered) ERA
9558-9564Middletown1903freight box motorsERA
9802-9805Smith & Wallace1905plows - 9802, 03, 05 sold to Brooklyn City Development in 1920ERA
9806-9807Ruggles1903rotary plowsERA
9912-9913Brooklyn Heights RR1903line carsERA
9940-9947Western Wheeled Scraperrenumbered in 1916 from 3052-3059 aboveair dump, ex-trailers 9940-9947ERA
9948-9959

Western Wheeled Scraperrenumbered in 1916 from 3062-3073 aboveair dump, ex-trailers 9948-9959, 9981-9986ERA
9960-9963Brooklyn Heights RR1906pusher cars (sold to SBK 1910)ERA
9980 Treadwell   1905 B-B     used scrapped 1958 acquired in 1910 from American 
Railway Traffic as ash dump car.
[b]
converted by South Brooklyn Railway in 1927.
[55]
9981-9986Western Wheeled Scraperrenumbered from 3074-3079 aboveair dump, ex-trailers 9981-9986
ERA
9987-9988Transit Development1915rail car trailerERA

There were additional cars assigned to South Brooklyn Railway. Please refer to the Official Railway Equipment Register page for a detailed roster:


ALCo = American Locomotive Company
ARTC = American Railway Traffic Corp
BHRR = Brooklyn Heights Railroad
BRT = Brooklyn Rapid Transit
GE = General Electric
NYCTA = New York City Transit Authority



Locomotive Footnotes:

[a]

Locomotive #5 only has MCB/AAR coupler.
Locomotives # 6 & 7 are equipped with dual couplers (F-H2-MCB):

Locomotive #7 is the only remaining locomotive to be equipped with trolley pole.

#5 had arched top cab windows.
#6 & #7 have square cab windows.

#5 has straight handrails
#6 & 7 have retained ornate (curved) handrails,
#7 has no front hand rail in builders photo above, unknown if #5 & 6 were built this way as well

#5 has vaulted roof
#6 & 7 have flat roofs

#5 has four GE 212B traction motors
#6 & #7 have four GE 248B traction motors

#1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,  and 7 were equipped with both trolley pole and third rail pick up shoes (overriding type)

[b]

American Railway Traffic Co was a subsidiary of the Brooklyn Heights RR.

[c] #4 specs:

Owner/City:
Builder:
Date Built:
Number of Trucks:
Truck Type:
Number of Motors:
Motors:
Controls:
Brakes:
Compressor:
Length:
Weight:
Height:
Seats:
Ends:
Open closed:
Roof:
Structural:
Type:

South Brooklyn Ry. NYC
Brooklyn Heights Ry.
1907
2
Alco Z-380
4
Westinghouse 300
Westinghouse 251A

D3F
31'
114,000 lbs.

0
2
Closed
arch
steel
work locomotive, boxcab

[d] #8 & 9 (first & second) specs:
Engine:
Cylinders:
Horsepower:
Bore:
Stroke:
Number of  Motors:
Motor Type:
Controls:
Brakes:
Weight:
Length:
Height:

Lubricant cap'y
Fuel cap'y
Buda LaNova 6DCS-1879 w/ supercharger
6
251
6 3/4"
8 3/4
4
Westinghouse 970A, 100hp
Westinghouse
14EL
138,200 lbs
43' 2" (coupler to coupler)
12' 1/4"

23 gal
750 gal
[e] #9 cab roof modified for tunnel clearances
[f] #12 & 13 specs:
Engine:
Cylinders:
Horsepower:
Bore:
Stroke:
Number of  Motors:
Motor Type:
Controls:
Brakes:
Weight:
Length:
Height:

Width:
Lubricant cap'y
Fuel cap'y
Cooper Bessemer FWL 6T
6




GE 5GE748C17


137,600 lbs
37' (coupler to coupler)
13' 5 3/8"

10'
[g] #12 cab roof modified for tunnel clearances
[h] N1 & N2 specs:
Engine:
Cylinders:
Turbocharger:
Horsepower:
Bore:
Stroke:
Number of  Motors:
Motor Type:
Master Control:
Brakes:
Weight:
Length:
Height:
Width:
Lubricant cap'y
Fuel cap'y
Coolant cap'y
Sand cap'y
Exhaust Cleaner:
Cummins NT350
6
T590
335 hp


4
5GE763A2
17KC101A2
14EL / SA9
94,000 lbs.
37' 7" (pulling face to pulling face)
10' 6"
8'
11.5 gal
400 gal.
16 gal.
13.2 cu. ft.
National Mine Scrubber
[i]
motors: 212B
gear ratio: 64:19
[j]
[k]
motors: 248B
gear ratio: 66:17
[l] #13 disposition courtesy of Old Time Trains and Colin Churcher websites
as well as info furnished by Tom Brill in  "NY Railroads, Subways & Trolleys" facebook group
$ = Hugh A. Dunne's roster that appeared in the March 1961 issue of Electric Railroaders' Association "Headlights" has the US Army road numbers transposed between SBK #8 and SBK #9 (first).  This Dunne roster was subsequently reprinted in the Souvenir Brochure for the September 20, 1975 ERA Fan Trip of the South Brooklyn Railway, which restated this error in numbering, which has subsequently caused a lot of confusion in the following years. This roster above is confirmed to be correct.

Tally of cars in service as of January 1:

gondolasgondola /
derricks
boxcarssnowplowstow carstrailing cars
1924655946644
1925645946644
1926585846544
1927444746544
1928444746544
1929414346524
1930314246524
1931143146424
1932143142424
1933143139424
1934132732424
1935132731424
1936132731424
1937132731424
1938132731420
1939132631420
1940132631420
1941132122420

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this webpage or the author is not affiliated with:
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South Brooklyn Railway,
New York City Transit Authority,
Metropolitan Transit Authority,
City of New York,
South Brooklyn Marine Terminal,
New York City Economic Development Corporation,
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Davidson Pipe Supply Company, or
Costco Wholesale Corporation;

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This webpage sees revision for the purpose of the addition of information, or correction of inaccurate data.

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