The Proposed Motor Parkway Monorail in Queens
In the early 1930s, the crushing impact of the Depression coupled with the ever-expanding free New York State highly system effectively sealed the fate of the Long Island Motor Parkway. Several innovative proposals were made for the parkway's right-of-way, including a monorail rapid transit system proposed by the Queens Chamber of Commerce in 1935. The above image is from the files of Wiliam K. Vanderbilt Jr. and courtesy of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.
Unfortunately, Willie K. never seriously considered the project due to the absense of funding. The most famous suspended monorail of this era was Schwebebahn, or floating railway, of Wuppertal, Germany, which began service in 1901 and is still in use today.
Comments
Of course…this is extremely similar to the Monorail that was built and used at the 64/65 New York Worlds Fair. One of the few suspended monorails ever done as most sit On the track - ala the Seattle World’s fair Monorail that is still in service today
Hi Steve:
I was surprised that monorail technology was available in the early 1900s. The video of Schwebebahn in Germany is amazing.
Howard
Additional documentation from the Exec. Vice-President of the Queens Chamber of Commerce pertaining to the proposal for a monorail making use of the Motor Parkway’s ROW. From the files of William K. Vanderbilt Jr. and courtesy of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.