The SEPTA Train is Leaving its 4th Avenue Station
[nggallery id=”22444″ template=galleryview] Late last week, construction equipment and a new fence arrived at the mostly vacant lot near the entrance to the Union Street subway station on 4th Avenue. The visible signs of pending redevelopment are backed up by the fact that the DOB just gave the go-ahead for a 12-story, 40-unit building on…
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Late last week, construction equipment and a new fence arrived at the mostly vacant lot near the entrance to the Union Street subway station on 4th Avenue. The visible signs of pending redevelopment are backed up by the fact that the DOB just gave the go-ahead for a 12-story, 40-unit building on the property. The L-shaped lot has been distinctive because of the rusted SEPTA car that’s been parked on it for quite some time. Above, a photo farewell to 4th Avenue’s SEPTA, whose days appear to be numbered. We’d love to know how it is that the train car came to be parked on 4th Avenue and Union; if anyone’s got the scoop, please fill us in! GMAP DOB
Car 2739 is one of the PCC trolleys SEPTA retired in the early ’90s (some are still running after being rebuilt). This one is in pretty good shape despite the rust, so hopefully it will go on to good use either in Brooklyn or Lancaster. So funny to see a Philly PCC on Brownstoner… I grew up in Philadelphia and I love these cars!
Here’s a website that gives a good background on trolleys in Philadelphia then and now: http://www.phillytrolley.com/
1:15,
wow, that’s the weirdest story i think i’ve ever read on brownstoner.
As for the trolley cars in Red Hook, they belong to that eccentric character who runs the tours of the underground railroad tunnel beneath Atlantic Avenue, Bob Diamond. They are part of his dream to creat a trolley loop between Redhook and the Atlantic Ave. tunnel, but from what I’ve heard, he’s run up against tons of obstacles and run out of money. Also, the previous DOT Commissioner wasn’t exactly a fan of his so during her tenure, his proposal lost traction. http://www.brooklynrail.net/about_history.html I wonder how the Ikea affected his dream project.
Yeah it was brought there a few years ago by the people who own the Lyceum. It once had a blue tarp “protecting” it from the elements which didn’t last long, though you can still make out some shreds of it. I was always hoping they’d do something cool and fun with it but it seems they never had the money/time to invest.
Owner here.
Trolley came to be there when we thought a diner would work well. SEPTA was selling, so we purchased it and brought it here. Neighborhood was much more problematic back then (1995) so it didn’t get much traction. For a time it was even in the adjacent Lyceum (when it went by its original name Public Bath #7).
Unfortunately the local architect we had used for the lot was not appropriate for that and other Lyceum related jobs. Litigation ensued and is still in progress.
The architect sold the trolley illegally (he isn’t the owner) to a group from Lancaster PA where they have thoughts of doing what Brooklyn can’t or won’t do, implement light rail. When they came to take it away (Jan 25, 2008) we were here and let them know it wasn’t the architect’s to sell. They gave us a bill of sale and a canceled check. We immediately went to court to enjoin the architect from any more shenanigans. Judge heard oral arguments in chambers with no court reporter, parties, press or public present. Then, 98 days later, judge finds against us in a decision that we believe is faulty.
Once that decision came in, architect hired scrappers to cut it up. On this past Tuesday we went back to court for an injunction. Same judge happened to be on the bench. Gave us seven days to remove it.
We will be appealing the decision. Hopefully in time to save old number 2739.
I’ve always thought it would be a terrific idea to run a trolley line along Union Street from Grand Army Plaza to Red Hook. What a cool and organic way to stimulate small business along the Gowanus corridor! Plus it would make a great connection betwee Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. Imagine standing by the canal and hearing those trolley bells go ding! ding!
There are also some rusting trolleys down in Red Hook, but those are old Green Line cars from Boston’s T. Could the SEPTA train also belong to the same guy? Apparently he has this idea of restoring trolley service down there.
Were you really married there? That building has something like 50 building violations, pieces of it fall into the street all the time. It’s a historical building that isn’t respected at all by its owners
I believe the car belongs to The guy who owns the Lyceum(Bath house)next door. Nice place, my wife and I were married there.