Under the Sidewalks of New York: The Story of the Greatest Subway System in the World

by Brian J. Cudahy

Since the first subway opened in 1904, the New York Subway system and its trains have provided millions of New Yorkers with cheap, fast, and remarkably reliable transportation. The New York subway system lacks the electronic complexity of such modern operations as the Washington, D.C. Metro or San Francisco's BART, and New Yorkers have few qualms in admitting that theirs is not the world's most beautiful subway. But as it is in no other city on earth, the subway of New York is intimately woven into the fabric and identity of the city itself.

Transportation expert Brian Cudahy recounts the history of the New York subway systems in a book that is full of detail, historical anecdote, and the wonders of twentieth - century technology. Tracing the system from it first short IRT look to the extensive network of today, with information about such fascinating sidelights as the city's traim systems and the PATH trains linking New York and New Jersey, he has produced a complete, thoroughly researched and annotated, and fully illustrated history that will delight subway buffs, students of urban affairs, and all those who love the city of New York.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Transport, Engineering

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Conor Ahern · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine. I saw it as a recommendation in the comments section of a blog I follow on NYC transportation--Second Avenue Sagas--and thought it might be an interesting read. What I am always looking for is discussion about the building of individual lines, the drama that ensues, the compromises brokered, etc., etc. Unfortunately, these narratives tend to proceed in more macroscopic fashion, addressing things like budgets, the IRT/BMT/IND, and entire boroughs, rather than decisions that went into individual lines/stops.

Oh well. For my money (or library card, as it were), I think 722 Miles: The Building of the Subways and How They Transformed New York by Clifton Hood is the superior NYC subway monograph. I did finally find out the convoluted system by which the subways signal each other and prevent crashes, but my quest to understand the genesis of the G train (aka the "IND Crosstown Line") persists!

[Avi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting history of the NYC subway filled with excellent ancillary photographs and pictures. I wish however that he would devote more time to analysis as opposed to simply retelling the history of the subways, as interesting as it is. This book is also due for an update following things like the 7 line extension, and the Second Avenue Subway among others

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a good read if you are a transit geek. Many photographs and maps. I have a distinctly better understanding both of the engineering details and also of the political maneuvering behind the system.

My biggest complaint is that the black and white reproductions of old colored BMT maps make it hard to follow what the map is showing.