Third Avenue El

“With many a hoot of the whistle, a six-car train of the Third Avenue elevated made a slow and sentimental progress early last evening,” declared a New York Times article on May 13, 1955, as a 77-year era ended with the final run of the original “El” train. It is seen here pulling out of Chatham Square station in Chinatown, heading north.

About 850 passengers were on the last train of the last New York elevated line. The train was due to leave at 6 p.m. from the Chatham Square station, “but it was 6:04 before it rolled away, the whistle hooting – half defiantly, half mournfully,” The Times wrote.

“About Forty-second Street the ride turned into more of salute than a wake. All along Third Avenue upper story windows were crowded and throngs emerged from the taverns and drinking establishments to raise glasses of beer in a friendly toast.”