Freight trains rumble into wider use. That’s the story of the 65th Street Yard. Today, we are standing at a rail yard in Sunset Park and Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. It’s more than just tracks and trains. It’s a vital part of New York City’s freight network.
The 65th Street Yard is also known as Bay Ridge Rail Yard. This yard is equipped with transfer bridges. They let rail cars be loaded and unloaded onto car floats. This is the last of extensive car float operations in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The yard sits next to the Brooklyn Army Terminal. In the early 20th century, it was a crucial link in the city’s rail freight system. Later, it became a typical railroad yard at the end of the LIRR/NY&A Bay Ridge Branch.
Originally, the New Haven Railroad operated this yard. From the 1920s to the 1950s, four electrically operated car float bridges worked here. They were named Abie, Benny, Charlie, and Davy. These bridges managed over 1000 cars each day.
But times changed. Traffic declined, and in 1968, the yard closed. This happened after the New Haven was absorbed into Penn Central and float operations stopped. The four transfer bridges were removed in the 1970s.
Around 1978, a pontoon-supported float bridge arrived from Erie Railroad’s West 28th Street Yard in Manhattan. It was called the Brooklyn Army Terminal float bridge or BAT. It was used until about 1990. Its purpose was to keep the 65th Street Yard accessible during the First Avenue reconstruction. The wreck of this bridge still sits in the water.
In 1981, the City and State of New York bought the 24-acre site for $2.5 million. The transfer bridges were rebuilt in 1999 at a cost of $20 million. However, these new bridges remained unused for years. The New York Cross Harbor Railroad planned to move its operations here. Financial disputes stopped the move.
The New York Cross Harbor Railroad moved rail cars to and from Greenville Yard in Jersey City. In 2006, Mid Atlantic New England Rail, LLC bought it. They renamed it New York New Jersey Rail, LLC or NYNJ. In 2008, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey bought the railroad.
The Port Authority began restoring the 65th Street Yard in 2011. This was part of a $118.1 million investment. The goal was to restore the rail car float system between Greenville and Brooklyn sites.
Finally, in July 2012, the 65th Street Yard reopened. One transfer bridge was in use. The other was on standby. Car float operations moved from Bush Terminal to the 65th Street Yard. NYNJ aimed to increase traffic significantly. Future commodities included fruit, home heating oil, and new cars.
Today, the 65th Street Yard stands as a testament to the city’s enduring commitment to rail freight. It connects Brooklyn to the wider world. It ensures goods keep moving efficiently. As we conclude our visit here remember the 65th Street Yard. It is a vital artery in the city’s economic lifeblood.