The Fulton Street branch of New York City’s Independent Subway (IND) was constructed during the 1930s with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. On April 9, 1936, nine stations opened in Brooklyn, including the Court Street subway… read more
In 1934, it was reported that the American Locomotive Company “is building 15 freight engines for the ‘Nickel Plate’ Railroad, in its plant at Schenectady, N.Y… All of these engines are being built with a PWA loan to the Nickel… read more
In the mid-1930s, the Public Works Administration (PWA) funded a $6,000,000 grade crossing elimination program for what was then Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway (SIRT). The final project was the mile-long Port Richmond-Tower Hill viaduct, which, at the time, was “the… read more
In 1933, the Public Works Administration (PWA) authorized a loan to the Northern Pacific Railway for $1,250,000 to purchase new locomotives. The Interstate Commerce Commission then issued a certificate of approval for the loan, although for a slightly lesser amount… read more
The Pennsylvania Railroad 4800 locomotive, nicknamed “Old Rivets,” was built in 1934-1935 and started service in early 1935. It was an electric “GG-1” class locomotive and cost about $250,000 to build (about $5.2 million in 2021 dollars). It was also… read more
In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia (P&WV) Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives, and an additional $47,000 for the “Purchase and installation of steel rail, track fastenings,… read more
In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives. The engines were Class J-1, numbered 1100-1102, and had somewhat unusual 2-6-6-4 wheel configurations. Howard… read more
In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives. The engines were Class J-1, numbered 1100-1102, and had somewhat unusual 2-6-6-4 wheel configurations. Howard… read more
In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives. The engines were Class J-1, numbered 1100-1102, and had somewhat unusual 2-6-6-4 wheel configurations. Howard… read more
The elevated Port Richmond railway station was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project along what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway). The structure opened Feb…. read more
The bridge carrying the the newly raised Staten Island Railway over Arden Avenue was built in the late 1930s, as one link in a large grade crossing removal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The bridge bears a 1938 date stamp.
The bridge carrying the the newly raised Staten Island Railway over Armstrong Avenue was built in 1939, as one link in a large grade crossing removal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The bridge bears a 1939 date stamp.
The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Canal St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA)… read more
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Faber St. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the… read more
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Maple Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the… read more
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Nicholas Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the… read more
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Park Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated Port… read more
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Port Richmond Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former… read more
The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Prospect St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA)… read more
The bridge carrying the the newly raised Staten Island Railway over Richmond Avenue was built in 1939, as one link in a large grade crossing removal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The bridge bears a 1939 date stamp.
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Park Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated Port… read more
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Sharpe Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former… read more
The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Thompson St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA)… read more
The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Treadwell Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated… read more
The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Water St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with several instances of the date 1936. The Public… read more
The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Wave St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided… read more
A trestle carrying what was then what was then the South Beach Branch of the Staten Island Railway across Robin Road Avenue was built in 1936 as part of a massive grade separation project. The line has long since been abandoned (as the line was discontinued in… read more
The Rosebank railway station was rebuilt as a concrete structure during the mid-1930s as part of a massive grade separation project along what was then the South Beach Branch of the Staten Island Railway. The station had “two tracks and two side platforms, and was located… read more
The overpass carrying Simonson Avenue over what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) was constructed during the mid-1930s, in conjunction with the lowering of the railroad right-of-way, as one link in a massive… read more
This is one of three subway stations along the Broad Street subway line, south of City Hall, whose construction was enabled by federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. As a result of this project the subway was extended from Lombard South Station… read more
Follows is a description of part of a massive Public Works Administration (PWA) grade crossing elimination project, undertaken on the South Beach Branch (a.k.a. “East Shore” branch) of the Staten Island Railway. Most of the structures created are no longer extant…. read more
Long planned, federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds enabled the development of the South Broad Street subway from its then-southern terminus at Lombard South Station to Snyder Ave., during the mid-to-late 1930s. Service along this stretch of subway was inaugurated at… read more
The Stapleton railway station was rebuilt as a concrete structure during the mid-1930s as part of a massive grade separation project along the Staten Island Railway. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project,… read more
The State Street subway line was one of two initial subway lines to open in the city of Chicago, IL. Running from north to south, the project began in conjunction with the construction of the Milwaukee-Dearborn subway line and was… read more
The federal Public Works Administration (PWA) financed part of the construction of ferry boats for the Staten island Ferry, to the tune of $1,397,500. The first boat, “Gold Star Mother,” was dedicated by Mayor La Guardia on May 7, 1937. The project… read more
“Between 1938 and 1940, a grade crossing elimination project was undertaken over three miles” of the Staten Island Railway “between Great Kills and Huguenot, eliminating seven grade crossings…” The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1,294,000 grant toward this $3… read more
The Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) supplied an “unprecedented” $3,120,000 loan to Charles W. Chase to “expand further the Indianapolis [street car] system and buy even more state-of-the-art cars.” These efforts helped increase patronage of the street car system by 25%,… read more
This is one of three subway stations along the Broad Street subway line, south of City Hall, whose construction was enabled by federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. As a result of this project the subway was extended from Lombard South Station… read more
A railway-crossing bridge carrying Tompkins Avenue was built during the mid-1930s as part of a massive grade separation project along what was then the South Beach Branch of the Staten Island Railway. The line has long since been abandoned (as the line was discontinued… read more
The elevated Tower Hill railway station was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project along what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway). The structure opened… read more