If you’re a New Yorker, you know this stretch of subway inside and out. You’ve schlepped from Union Square to Grand Central Station on the 4, 5, or 6 trains how many times? Probably more than you care to count. But don’t worry, you’re in good company. New Yorkers have been making this journey since 1904, and here we have some vintage video to prove it. Shot on May 21, 1905, seven months after the IRT subway line opened, the video shows a train moving uptown. And then, during the last minute, you can see the New Yorkers exiting the train, svelte and dressed to the nines.
If you’re wondering how this clip was shot, let me add this: A camera was mounted on a subway train following another train on the same track. Lighting was provided by a specially constructed work car on a parallel track.
This public domain film can be found in the Library of Congress’ Early Motion Picture Collection. The video itself comes to us via the New York Daily News, where you can see maps and pictures of the early 20th century subway system.
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great and congratulations
Loved going back in time like this. In black and white the stations look the same for the most part. Just the way people are dressed is quite different. Thanks for posting this.
I am fascinated by the time of this film. It is like I am time travelling. Thank you so much for allowing m to see it.