Posted by Jack (198.151.203.131) on October 21, 2009 at 10:26:04:
I am planning to build an N scale model of the 61st Street Woodside IRT and Long Island RR stations that cross over each other at Rooosevelt Avenue. I have some photos, but I'm looking for more detailed photos and blue print type drawings to position the tracks and stairs.
The period I'm modeling is late 1950 to mid 1960's, prior to the addition of the elevators.
Detailed photos of the stairs on the north side of Roosevelt and the escaltor on the south side of the street will help, as well as photos of the mezzanine level above the LIRR and the enclosed part of the IRT platform.
I haven't been to Woodside since around 1960, but I remember a diner tucked under the LIRR tracks on the south side of Roosevelt, a bar, a hobby shop, and the Deluxe movie theater. On the north side corner I remember a newspaper/magazine/tobacco shop with service available at a window for root beer in frosted mugs and salted pretzels, and opposite the IRT stairs a table with the papers that you took and left your money in the weighted holders. There was also a multi-seat shoe shine stand under the LIRR tracks and I seem to remember a produce stand as well. Around the corner, going north on 61st was the entrance/exit to the LIRR platforms. You could also get to the LIRR platforma from stairs to the IRT mezzanine level.
Any photos or plans of these two stations and the street level store fronts under them would be great. I would like to do a good job on this corner, but need research assistance and photos or drawings. It was a great corner, and when I was a kid, it was my gateway to the world. I could take the LIRR out to the island, the IRT to the world's Fair and the Mets or into the city. The Fifth Ave. bus line stopped at that corner, as well as the bus to Rockaway Playland. Somewhere near there, I can't remember exactly, I also used to take the bus to LaGuardia to sit on the roof of the terminal and watch the planes. The only thing missing on that corner was the BMT, but that station was over at 65th Street, and from there I could go to the Museum of Natural History. As a 10-14
year old visitor during the summers, Woodside was a great place.