A better picture would be of a LIRR passenger train crossing these tracks, but I settled for a couple of work trains (actually two trucks mounted on the tracks and driven backward). This is one of a handful of remaining grade crossings in New York City that cross streets open to regular traffic (I believe they are all concentrated in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island), located on Borden Avenue in Hunters Point, east of the Pulaski Bridge to Greenpoint, the big maroon thing in the background.
Once home to dozens of daily passenger runs when there were more stops in western Queens, there are only a few remaining run to Long Island City on weekdays, which these tracks serve, and service on the line through Maspeth, Glendale and Richmond Hill has been virtually eliminated, with most service now going through the Hunters Point station. LIC was a major passenger hub until 1910, when Penn Station opened.
12/5/12
7 comments
There are two grade crossings on Staten Island; one on South Ave and one on Western Ave. Brooklyn actually has street running.
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Brooklyn still has a few grade crossings: Bushwick Branch at Morgan and Varick Aves, and the waterfront trackage, if that’s still active.
In addition to the one mentioned, the Bushwick Branch of the LIRR has a very significant grade crossing at Metropolitan Avenue. Several years ago, this was the site of a serious – though thankfully not fatal – accident when a train lock apparently failed and a car drifted right through Metro. This event resulted in the installation of safety signals and other preventive measures..
The recent increase in solid waste transport along this route, makes the safety of this grade crossing especially important.
The grade cross is on side streets but not Metropolitan
I pass by the Bushwick line rather often on Metropolitan – the only crossing I see that’s been eliminated has been a rather extensive one over Flushing Ave right nearby.
There is an active grade crossing on Maurice Avenue near Rust St, also in Queens.