Brooklyn Freight: Underneath East New York

August 24th, 2007 -

A 1914 tunnel runs under East New York, Brooklyn, along a section of a freight line originating in Bay Ridge. This tunnel, a grade crossing elimination built by Robert Moses, is approximately one mile long. It travels underneath the tangled tracks of Broadway Junction, where the LIRR meets several MTA trains. It is pitch black inside the tunnel, which is home to an abandoned train station and empty freight cars. One entry is guarded by a massive junkyard rottweiler, while the other end is active with homeless visitors.

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

Abandoned Station Platform

Abandoned Station Entrance

On the Tracks

Underneath East New York

Track Glow

Dark Exit

Leaking Tanker

Worlds Oldest Subway Tunnel - Part 2

August 8th, 2007 -

In this second set of photographs from inside the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel in Brooklyn, the generator was working and all the lights were on. When you can see more then two feet in front of you, the space is even more spectacular.

As previously written, 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. Though 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.

The tunnel is now regularly open for tours - contact the BHRA for more information.

Previous photos from the tunnel can be seen here.