BMT 12
Encyclopedia
12 was the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
's designation for trains that used the BMT Lexington Avenue Line
. This number was used on service listings on company maps, but was never displayed on train equipment, nor were trains referred to as "12 trains" in the manner of the current system, but were called Lexington Avenue Line trains.
The BMT
assigned numbers to its services in 1924, and 12 was applied to trains between Park Row
and Eastern Parkway via the Brooklyn Bridge
, BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
, BMT Lexington Avenue Line
and BMT Jamaica Line
. During rush hour
s, service extended east to Crescent Street
; some afternoon rush hour trains continued to 111th Street
or 168th Street
.
Between 1925 and 1931, all rush hour service was extended to 111th or 168th Street. In addition, some afternoon rush hour trains were added between Sands Street
(on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge) and 111th Street.
By 1937, normal service had been truncated to the Brooklyn side of the bridge; rush hour trains still crossed the bridge to Park Row. Additionally, trains no longer ran to 168th Street, with all rush hour trains going to 111th Street. The extra afternoon rush hour trains from Sands Street to 111th Street remained.
On May 31, 1940, service was ended on the BMT Fulton Street Line west of Rockaway Avenue
and the full length of the BMT Fifth Avenue Line and BMT Third Avenue Line. All Lexington Avenue trains were once again extended across the Brooklyn Bridge
to Park Row
, and a new service called Fulton – Lexington Avenue was inaugurated, replacing service that had been provided by Fulton Street trains, and operating to the Fulton Street Line terminus at Lefferts Avenue.
On March 5, 1944, the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
was closed west of Bridge–Jay Streets, and all 12 trains were truncated there (with a free transfer first to streetcars, and then to the IND
at Jay Street – Borough Hall) – see List of New York City Subway transfer stations for details.
By 1948, Fulton – Lexington Avenue trains were truncated to Grant Avenue
. The BMT Lexington Avenue Line
closed on October 13, 1950, ending all 12 service.
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
's designation for trains that used the BMT Lexington Avenue Line
BMT Lexington Avenue Line
The Lexington Avenue Elevated was the first standard elevated railway in Brooklyn, New York, operated in its later days by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation, and then the City of New York.The original line, as it existed at the end of 1885, traveled...
. This number was used on service listings on company maps, but was never displayed on train equipment, nor were trains referred to as "12 trains" in the manner of the current system, but were called Lexington Avenue Line trains.
The BMT
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
assigned numbers to its services in 1924, and 12 was applied to trains between Park Row
Park Row (BMT station)
Park Row was a major elevated railway terminal constructed over the New York end of the Brooklyn Bridge, across from New York City Hall in Manhattan that served as the terminal for BMT services operating over the Brooklyn Bridge from the BMT Fulton Street Line, BMT Myrtle Avenue Line and their...
and Eastern Parkway via the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
, BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
The Myrtle Avenue Line, also called the Myrtle Avenue Elevated, is a fully elevated line of the New York City Subway as part of the BMT division. The extant line is the final remnant of one of the original Brooklyn elevated railroads...
, BMT Lexington Avenue Line
BMT Lexington Avenue Line
The Lexington Avenue Elevated was the first standard elevated railway in Brooklyn, New York, operated in its later days by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation, and then the City of New York.The original line, as it existed at the end of 1885, traveled...
and BMT Jamaica Line
BMT Jamaica Line
The Jamaica Line is an elevated rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, in Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, United States. It runs from the Williamsburg Bridge southeast over Broadway to East New York, Brooklyn, and then east over Fulton Street and Jamaica Avenue to...
. During rush hour
Rush hour
A rush hour or peak hour is a part of the day during which traffic congestion on roads and crowding on public transport is at its highest. Normally, this happens twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening, the times during when the most people commute...
s, service extended east to Crescent Street
Crescent Street (BMT Jamaica Line)
Crescent Street is a skip-stop station on the BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Crescent and Fulton Streets in Brooklyn, it is served by the J train at all times, and the Z train during rush hours in the peak direction. It has two tracks and one island...
; some afternoon rush hour trains continued to 111th Street
111th Street (BMT Jamaica Line)
111th Street is a skip-stop station on the BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 111th Street and Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill, Queens, it is served at all times by the J train. The Z train bypasses the station when it operates.This elevated station, opened...
or 168th Street
168th Street (BMT Jamaica Line)
168th Street was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line. It had 2 tracks and 1 island platform This station was built as part of the Dual Contracts. It opened December 12, 1916, seventeen years after the closing of Canal Street Station along the Atlantic Avenue Rapid Transit...
.
Between 1925 and 1931, all rush hour service was extended to 111th or 168th Street. In addition, some afternoon rush hour trains were added between Sands Street
Sands Street (BMT station)
Sands Street was a station on the demolished BMT Myrtle Avenue Line. It was a large complex with 2 levels. The upper level served trains going to Park Row. It had 4 tracks and 2 island platforms with the outside of the platforms serving streetcars. The lower level had a terminal and a loop for...
(on the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge) and 111th Street.
By 1937, normal service had been truncated to the Brooklyn side of the bridge; rush hour trains still crossed the bridge to Park Row. Additionally, trains no longer ran to 168th Street, with all rush hour trains going to 111th Street. The extra afternoon rush hour trains from Sands Street to 111th Street remained.
On May 31, 1940, service was ended on the BMT Fulton Street Line west of Rockaway Avenue
Rockaway Avenue (BMT Fulton Street Line)
Rockaway Avenue was a station on the demolished BMT Fulton Street Line, served by the 13 train throughout its existence. It had two tracks and two side platforms, and a center island platform...
and the full length of the BMT Fifth Avenue Line and BMT Third Avenue Line. All Lexington Avenue trains were once again extended across the Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River...
to Park Row
Park Row (BMT station)
Park Row was a major elevated railway terminal constructed over the New York end of the Brooklyn Bridge, across from New York City Hall in Manhattan that served as the terminal for BMT services operating over the Brooklyn Bridge from the BMT Fulton Street Line, BMT Myrtle Avenue Line and their...
, and a new service called Fulton – Lexington Avenue was inaugurated, replacing service that had been provided by Fulton Street trains, and operating to the Fulton Street Line terminus at Lefferts Avenue.
On March 5, 1944, the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
The Myrtle Avenue Line, also called the Myrtle Avenue Elevated, is a fully elevated line of the New York City Subway as part of the BMT division. The extant line is the final remnant of one of the original Brooklyn elevated railroads...
was closed west of Bridge–Jay Streets, and all 12 trains were truncated there (with a free transfer first to streetcars, and then to the IND
Independent Subway System
The Independent Subway System , formerly known as the Independent City-Owned Subway System or the Independent City-Owned Rapid Transit Railroad, was a rapid transit rail system in New York City that is now part of the New York City Subway...
at Jay Street – Borough Hall) – see List of New York City Subway transfer stations for details.
By 1948, Fulton – Lexington Avenue trains were truncated to Grant Avenue
Grant Avenue (BMT Fulton Street Line)
Grant Avenue was a station on the demolished BMT Fulton Street Line. It had two tracks and one island platform. It was the eastern terminal of the line until September 25, 1915, when Hudson Street–80th Street opened. The next stop to the west was Crescent Street. It closed on April 26,...
. The BMT Lexington Avenue Line
BMT Lexington Avenue Line
The Lexington Avenue Elevated was the first standard elevated railway in Brooklyn, New York, operated in its later days by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation, and then the City of New York.The original line, as it existed at the end of 1885, traveled...
closed on October 13, 1950, ending all 12 service.