De Kalb Avenue "Loop" Trackway - Any Photos?

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De Kalb Avenue "Loop" Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Mitch45 on Thu Jan 23 14:44:20 2025 Does anyone know of any photos of this loop or the tunnel portals? This is from nycsubway.org. "There is the remains of a turning loop, a larger version of the City Hall loop on the IRT East Side line, in the tunnel between DeKalb Avenue and Manhattan Bridge. It diverts from the uptown north side track and rejoins onto the downtown south side track. The loop passes under all four bridge tracks. It's likely that the loop was never actually finished with trackwork. The theory is that when DeKalb Avenue was built there was still uncertainty about the placement of lines on the Manhattan side of the bridge (which resulted in some changed plans on the BMT Broadway line and the disused lower level of BMT City Hall). Trains would not cross the bridge for lack of connections on the far end. So this loop was designed in order to get some subway service going in Brooklyn. When the Manhattan lines were sorted out and connected to the bridge, the loop plan was no longer necessary."
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Clayton* on Thu Jan 23 15:19:49 2025, in response to De Kalb Avenue "Loop" Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Mitch45 on Thu Jan 23 14:44:20 2025.* Very interesting. I don't see anything in the "Tracks of the NYC Subway" book. Paging Tunnel Rat...
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by New Flyer #857* on Thu Jan 23 15:25:54 2025, in response to De Kalb Avenue "Loop" Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Mitch45 on Thu Jan 23 14:44:20 2025.* Between around 29:55 and 30:10 in this video, you can see how the southbound Q (that is the train you are riding) has to slide off to the right to get over to the wall. I always wondered why since I thought nothing should be off to the train's right since it was already on the southernmost track of the bridge and then entering the southernmost track at DeKalb. That is, up until hearing about the loop you are asking for. But as far as I know you can just look out the right side of Q trains (and I guess N trains too? don't know) at this spot to see.
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Chris R16/R2730* on Thu Jan 23 15:55:44 2025, in response to De Kalb Avenue "Loop" Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Mitch45 on Thu Jan 23 14:44:20 2025.* The turnouts are clearly visible from northbound 6th Ave and southbound Broadway trains but I don't think anything else was built.
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by LuchAAA* on Thu Jan 23 16:30:38 2025, in response to De Kalb Avenue "Loop" Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Mitch45 on Thu Jan 23 14:44:20 2025.* That loop might have come in handy when The Manhattan Bridge was closed for repairs beginning in 1986. Or even today, for repairs on weekends or overnights.
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by zac* on Thu Jan 23 17:06:09 2025, in response to Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by New Flyer #857 on Thu Jan 23 15:25:54 2025.* The reason for that is the reconstruction of the approach to Dekalb. The Q train shifts over to what was the Myrtle Ave platform while the N train continues straight but descends into a cut. Meanwhile, the southbound north side track with the B/D crosses over the northbound south side track (N/Q to Manhattan). The D continues straight on what was and still is the bypass track while the B crosses over the N track to join the Q. The N track rises and has a wye at the end to both the Dekalb bypass track which is normally used, or can still enter the station against the wall. I've only once been through the duck under but still stopped at Dekalb. I was once on a Q train that stopped where the Myrtle station was and there was still a "No Smoking,Spitting or Littering" sign on the wall opposite where the platform was. This was probably 50 years after the reconstruction.
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by zac* on Thu Jan 23 17:09:12 2025, in response to Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by LuchAAA on Thu Jan 23 16:30:38 2025.* It wouldn't be handy to the 95% of the passengers going to Manhattan.
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by New Flyer #857* on Thu Jan 23 17:28:36 2025, in response to Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by zac on Thu Jan 23 17:06:09 2025.* Now that I watched it through again, the part of the video I referenced shows both N and Q sliding right between trackways (but without tracks except for the track the train is on). If you freeze the video at 30:07 it's clear that one track is simply sliding right to a separate "corridor" without any switches/divergences or other tracks to speak of. The third rail follows the single track all the way over. I've always assumed that to be our best look at what would have been the "loop." I know the N eventually diverges to an inner track but that seems to be later at around 30:40.
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by zac* on Thu Jan 23 18:17:50 2025, in response to Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by New Flyer #857 on Thu Jan 23 17:28:36 2025.* I see what you are saying. It is still probably a remnant of the rebuild. It appears that the tracks went straight originally. Maybe the original alignment didn't leave enough room to shift over later?
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[PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Bill Newkirk* on Thu Jan 23 19:58:25 2025, in response to De Kalb Avenue "Loop" Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Mitch45 on Thu Jan 23 14:44:20 2025.* Since there was no location written on the slide mounts, these photos could be the DeKalb loop or Brooklyn Bridge connection to Chambers St. The man in the pinstripe uniform should be the late George Abere Jr and the other gent may be the late Martin Schacne (sp?) .
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by LuchAAA* on Thu Jan 23 20:32:46 2025, in response to Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by zac on Thu Jan 23 17:09:12 2025.* True. But you'd be surprised how useful a loop track between DeKalb and Manhattan Bridge would be for GO's(long-term, or short-term), sudden emergencies when trains have to switch directions, the refuse collectors, etc...............
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Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by New Flyer #857* on Thu Jan 23 21:35:48 2025, in response to Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by LuchAAA on Thu Jan 23 20:32:46 2025.* Loops are like yards. Passengers have no specific interest in them, but if they improve operations, passengers indirectly benefit.
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by randyo* on Fri Jan 24 03:47:27 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Bill Newkirk on Thu Jan 23 19:58:25 2025.* The man in the M/M’s uniform is the late George E. Horn onetime vice president of the Electric RRers’ Ass’n.
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Bill Newkirk* on Fri Jan 24 07:10:02 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by randyo on Fri Jan 24 03:47:27 2025.* The man in the M/M’s uniform is the late George E. Horn onetime vice president of the Electric RRers’ Ass’n. Thank you. So George Abere Jr took the picture it seems. Where was the location of these photos in your opinion ? Bill M
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by TUNNELRAT* on Fri Jan 24 11:26:41 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Bill Newkirk on Thu Jan 23 19:58:25 2025.* I believe these are the caambers st.connection into the brooklyn bridge. in the 1st photo is the girder supporting the OFF RAMP of the BBinto manhattan.hey spidey,did I ever take you there?
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by TUNNELRAT* on Fri Jan 24 11:26:43 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Bill Newkirk on Thu Jan 23 19:58:25 2025.* I believe these are the caambers st.connection into the brooklyn bridge. in the 1st photo is the girder supporting the OFF RAMP of the BBinto manhattan.hey spidey,did I ever take you there?
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Wallyhorse* on Fri Jan 24 12:46:39 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Bill Newkirk on Thu Jan 23 19:58:25 2025.* In hindsight, even when the connection to the Broadway Line from the South side of the Manhattan Bridge was done they should have kept the Nassau Street connection in case it was needed for any reason.
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Clayton* on Fri Jan 24 12:59:31 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by TUNNELRAT on Fri Jan 24 11:26:41 2025.* Nope, sadly we never went. One day maybe!
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Chicagomotorman* on Fri Jan 24 14:22:27 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by randyo on Fri Jan 24 03:47:27 2025.* You can spell out Motorman.
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Catfish 44* on Fri Jan 24 15:35:15 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Chicagomotorman on Fri Jan 24 14:22:27 2025.* And Railroad and association
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Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?
Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP* on Fri Jan 24 20:13:46 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Re: De Kalb Avenue ''Loop'' Trackway - Any Photos?, posted by Wallyhorse on Fri Jan 24 12:46:39 2025.* Or at least the easternmost bridge-bound track could have been tied into the Broadway bridge-bound track for a loop of sorts.
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