Artist Recreates Forgotten Subway & Streetcar Maps, Including That Steam Locomotive Subway Proposal From 1865 - Photo Gallery

Artist Recreates Forgotten Subway & Streetcar Maps, Including That Steam Locomotive Subway Proposal From 1865

Slide 1 of 5

What the 1865 steam subway route would have looked like<br> — What the 1865 steam subway route would have looked like<br>
Courtesy of Jacob Berman

Slide 2 of 5

This map depicts Manhattan's elevated, trolley and cable car system in 1899, which, Berman says, was "immediately before the first subway was built. The els were powered by steam during this era, and made a gigantic racket running up and down the avenues-- never mention the smoke and the pollution."<br> — This map depicts Manhattan's elevated, trolley and cable car system in 1899, which, Berman says, was "immediately before the first subway was built. The els were powered by steam during this era, and made a gigantic racket running up and down the avenues-- never mention the smoke and the pollution."<br>
Courtesy of Jacob Berman

Slide 3 of 5

This is the "parallel system of els developing in Brooklyn, dated to 1912, run by the BRT," Berman says.<br> — This is the "parallel system of els developing in Brooklyn, dated to 1912, run by the BRT," Berman says.<br>
Courtesy of Jacob Berman

Slide 4 of 5

Here's "the Manhattan subway and elevated system at its largest extent in 1939. Elevated lines on 2nd, 3rd, and 9th, plus the subways on Lex, Broadway, 7th and 8th," Berman says.<br> — Here's "the Manhattan subway and elevated system at its largest extent in 1939. Elevated lines on 2nd, 3rd, and 9th, plus the subways on Lex, Broadway, 7th and 8th," Berman says.<br>
Courtesy of Jacob Berman

Slide 5 of 5

Berman offered this version of the current subway system, which was inspired by Massimo Vignelli's iconic design. What Berman has done is combined lines—for instance, the C and E run on the same line along 8th Avenue.<br> — Berman offered this version of the current subway system, which was inspired by Massimo Vignelli's iconic design. What Berman has done is combined lines—for instance, the C and E run on the same line along 8th Avenue.<br>
Courtesy of Jacob Berman