World's Oldest Subway Tunnel

July 30th, 2007 -

The Atlantic Avenue tunnel was built in 1844 and sealed in the 1860's. It was considered lost until Brooklyn's Bob Diamond discovered an entrance in 1980. The tunnel runs underneath Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Entry is gained through a manhole cover in the middle of a busy intersection. The tunnel was closed to the public for the last five years, but it will now be open at specific times.

Originally, the tunnel was closed for over a century. It is still remarkably intact. Brick and stone are all in place and - despite pouring rain outside - the tunnel was almost completely dry. The interior of the tunnel is eerily quiet and without light of any kind. Graffiti from the early 1900's is still legible on the walls.

For more photos of the tunnel - with the lights on - please click here.

For more about Bob Diamond and the tunnel, visit the Brooklyn Historic Railway Association.












Brooklyn Freight: Underneath Flatbush


July 28th, 2007 -

As the Bay Ridge freight line continues east on its route, it passes underneath Flatbush Avenue. A large platform being constructed overhead supports parking lots new and old, while several bridges allow traffic to flow by without allowing a glimpse of the nearly abandoned train line below.

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For more photo essays from Brooklyn's freight train tracks, please visit Underneath Bay Ridge (2007), Linden Hill Tracks (2007) and Underneath East New York (2007).