Lance Posted October 29, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 29, 2014 On this date in 1989, we commemorate the opening of the 63rd Street tunnel, along with the Lexington Av-63 St, Roosevelt Island and 21 St-Queensbridge stations. Part of the largely unsuccessful Program for Action of 1968, it was originally dubbed the Tunnel to Nowhere by many for its lack of connections and dead-ending just before hitting the Queens Blvd line. The tunnel itself was part of a much larger series of proposals, including a full length Second Ave line and a bypass along the mainline of the LIRR to alleviate congestion on the Queens Blvd tracks. 30+ years following the tunnel's original proposal, the line was finally connected to the Queens Blvd line and Queens/Manhattan through service began running through the tunnel starting in December 2001. When the line first opened in '89, it was served primarily by the B and Q trains, the latter of which running via 6th Avenue for Manhattan Bridge repairs. That would remain the case for the most part until 2001 when the 63rd Street connector to Queens Blvd opened. Following that, the line would be served by the F trains, which is still the case to this day. Here is a picture from opening day: 29 October, 1989 R10 3018 on a Fan-Trip at Roosevelt Island (63rd Street Line) Part of the Collection of Joe Testagrose And here are a few more pictures of the stations: 21 March, 2005 Lexington Av-63 St (63rd Street Line) Photo by: Robbie Rosenfeld 21 March, 2005 Roosevelt Island (63rd Street Line) Photo by: David Pirmann 27 August, 2005 21 St-Queensbridge (63rd Street Line) Photo by: David Pirmann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokkemon Posted October 29, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 29, 2014 I have to say, despite its stark and outdated architecture, 21 St-Queensbridge is one of my favorites given the vast amount of open space with no columns. That's infinitely preferable to columns everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteriousBtrain Posted October 29, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 29, 2014 25 years old and getting a new look. Good job . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted October 29, 2014 Share #4 Posted October 29, 2014 When did they complete this station? I heard the 63rd Street line was complete abit before it opened in "89" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupojohn Posted October 29, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 29, 2014 Because each station was styled, built and looked differently, these were my 3 favorite stations back-to-back-to-back. They ruined it when they started construction on Lex-63rd. I understand why, but it was a beautiful station before that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quill Depot Posted October 30, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 30, 2014 A great open line! Very well designed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamen Rider Posted October 30, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 30, 2014 I understand why, but it was a beautiful station before that. Maybe it will be even better when they get done. You knew that was all false walls and false ceilings and that they would eventually need to be replaced sooner or later if SAS never got off the ground. And if we're lucky, they'll finish 63rd street early, before SAS opens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtehpanda Posted October 30, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 30, 2014 I like the 63rd St and Archer Av stations (which were both built during the same time period). If only they weren't eye-searingly red... It feels like it's been so long since Lex-63rd had a wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46Dover Posted October 30, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 30, 2014 I would've liked to seen a train when it ran to Queensbridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupojohn Posted November 2, 2014 Share #10 Posted November 2, 2014 I would've liked to seen a train when it ran to Queensbridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNewYorkElevated Posted November 2, 2014 Share #11 Posted November 2, 2014 Wow, lol... XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lupojohn Posted November 2, 2014 Share #12 Posted November 2, 2014 Wow, lol... XD What? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Union Tpke Posted November 2, 2014 Share #13 Posted November 2, 2014 Here are some pics You can see the old sign to the rught Line: IND 63rd Street Location: 21st Street/Queensbridge Route: Q Car: R-68 (Westinghouse-Amrail, 1986-1988) Photo by: Mark S. Feinman Date: 1989 Line: IND 63rd StreetLocation: 21st Street/Queensbridge Route: QCar: R-46 (Pullman-Standard, 1974-75) Photo by: Mark S. FeinmanDate: 1989 Location: 21st Street/Queensbridge Route: Fan TripCar: R-30 (St. Louis, 1961) 8271 Photo by: Bob WrightDate: 11/10/1991 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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