Subway: The Curiosities, Secrets, and Unofficial History of the New York City Transit System Hardcover – October 6, 2020

It only makes sense that a city as popular as New York city would have streets massively congested with pedestrians, carriages, wagons and more. And that doesn't include the tons of manure that would collect every single day. So two different men decided to follow the idea of London and Paris and construct elevated railways.The darkness, noise, and limited access and routes steadily encouraged the digging of tunnels. There were two different men who had the idea of subterranean railways but then the tunnels, in turn, had cars pulled by locomotives with all the smoke and cinders. Eventually three different lines or rather competitors since they made a point to not make transferring between companies convenient or even possible. A third company only increased the confusion getting from one place to another. But eventually the city managed to gain control and ownership of all three.BMT - the former Brooklyn Manhattan Transit - which are the current routes labelled J on down.IRT - the former Interborough Rapid Transit - which are the currently numbered routes.And IND - the former Independent Subway System - which are the current routes lettered A through GAnd only once they became city-owned, did some crossover of routes as well as shared tunnels and stations occur. TA or the NYC Transit Authority was established in 1953 and the MTA or Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been the 'parent' of TA since 1968.The author does provide a listing of some of the abandoned tunnels, closed off or restricted stations due to changing mechanical needs. The gorgeous tiled and clear glass ceiling of the original City Hall station can only be accessed either by tour or by staying on one route as it uses the sharply curved rails to turn around. Several of the older stations have glazed tiles with hints behind the names of the station. Traces of abandoned elevated tracks as well as lower platforms which are now only used for storage areas.There are also interesting bits about the various cars used over the decades. The development of maps to attempt to clarify the routes. Many of the old discarded cars were dumped into the Atlantic in the hope to attract sea life and protect from shore erosion. There is discussion about graffitti, crime, hoped for lines/routes, the annual NO Pants Day in January (yep, riding the subway with coat, scarf, gloves, boots and no pants.) The 2nd Avenue route that had been promised for over 40 years which is finally in the works with stage 2 of 4 under construction. The restoration of the Cortlandt Street station after 9/11 when edges of the towers collapsed into edges of the station (there is a picture) which has only been completed in 2018. The Superstorm Sandy repairs - started in 2012 - are still in progress and there is a picture of water to the street-level top step of an escalator.One thing I feel I must caution readers about - a knowledge of the street grid as well as the NYC subway will definitely be a plus. Some of the routes - actual and planned - meant nothing to me since I am unfamiliar with the street grid. Otherwise, it was interesting to see how the mass transit system for NYC developed and changed and is still undergoing further construction.

COMPREHENSIVE with excellent pictures

just what I was looking for i.e. information and stills of the past and present.

This book is very accessible (great photos and graphics, doesn't get mired in the weeds) and very informative on many aspects of the subway (history, politics, trivia, geology, etc.). Well-sourced and good notes too, if one wishes to pursue other reading. I kept a subway map and my phone's map app nearby, they helped for some references. I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would.

Enjoyed reading this book for history of the NYC subway. Glad to see more photos and details.

An enjoyable book for casual knowledge of the NYC subways. Don't expect a lot of in-depth details.

This interesting book has more depth than its title might suggest. One might think book is a compilation of subway factoids, but author observes and identifies how the NYC subway influenced development and reflected politics of its day. The archival photographs are well-chosen. The book was a delight to read!

This book is a great treat and a grand tour of the New York transit system. It's full of nuggets and information that I have never seen from other information sources. Well researched and written with obvious joy. It was so much fun, it has become a frequent 'gift book' we give others. I recommend this for yourself or as a present for others!

In NYC teurer gesehen und deshalb nicht gekauft. Ist super tolles Buch zur Metro wie die New Yorker Metro selbst.

Engaging history. Nicely written.