Coney Needs F Express Service

Today our Council Member Mark Treyger along with many other supporters are pleading their case at the City Council transporatation committee hearing to restore express subway service to Coney Island.

This is not the first time the case for express service to Coney Island was debated. In fact developer Andrew Culver answered the demand for an express steam locomotive line from Greenwood Cemetery to the Culver Depot on W. 8th st. A 15 minute ride! Although the route has changed over the years it still exists as the F Train/ Culver Line. The very same line that our council member is fighting for today.

Culver Plaza with it’s bands and attactions like the 300 foot Iron Tower and a mechanical cow that pumped 5 cent glasses of cold milk was adjacent to Charles Feltman’s Pavilion.

It was hot dog inventor Charles Feltman who recognized the need for an express line to Coney Island. Against popular opinion Feltman believed that wealthy business men would take advantage of an express line spending their weekends at his hotel and dining at his restuarant. People thought he was crazy. According to the NY Times article below he was even laughed at! However he was right.

In June of 1875 the Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad (Culver Line) terminated near modern day Surf ave. Culver, Feltman and Coney Island prospered as a result.

The Coney Island of today is mostly residental and is in the midst of a development and tourist boom. So more than ever we need the Culver Line express service restored. To meet the demands of vistors that travel here and for the convenience of the residents that live here.

Read below about Feltman’s “grand idea.”