Pneumatic Air
Beach Pneumatic Transit
The Interborough Rapid Transit subway, which broke ground in 1900 after many years of political maneuvering, was not the first attempt at transit tunneling in New York City. Several other groups attempted to build tunnel lines with varying degrees of success. Probably the most well known of these early attempts, at least in terms of subway lore, was an 1870 demonstration line, the Beach Pneumatic Transit.
Alfred Ely Beach, inventor and editor of Scientific American, had designed a pneumatic (air-driven) system which he demonstrated at the American Institute Fair in 1867, and he thought it viable for transit operation in underground tunnels. He applied for a permit from the Tammany Hall city government, and after being denied, decided to build the line in secrecy, in an attempt to show that subterranean transit was practical. (He actually did receive a permit to built a pneumatic package delivery system, originally of two small tunnels from Warren St. to Cedar St., later amended to be one large tunnel, to “simplify construction” of what he really intended to build.)
Sketch of Beach installation at the American Institute Fair.
The Beach tunnel was constructed in only 58 days, starting under Warren Street and Broadway, directly across from City Hall. The station was under the south sidewalk of Warren Street just west of the Broadway corner. The single track tunnel ran east into Broadway, curved south, and ran down the middle of Broadway to Murray Street, a distance of one block, about 300 feet in all. The subway opened to the public on February 26, 1870.
Operated as a demonstration from 1870 to 1873, the short tunnel had only the one station and train car. While frequently mentioned as an important early development in New York City’s transit history, it was merely a curiosity. It is unclear that such a system could have been practical on a large scale. Smaller tube systems are used in buildings for mail delivery, but a rail-car sized system has never been developed. The perfection of electric multiple-unit traction and electric locomotives came about so quickly after this experiment that it wasn’t deemed worthwhile to even try an expanded pneumatic system.
So what remains now? Probably nothing. The tunnel under Broadway was almost definitely destroyed during the BMT subway construction. A report in the New York Times in 1912 describes the tunnel, but the station had probably been destroyed when the building at Broadway & Warren was torn down and rebuilt. During the replacement of the building, the station, which was essentially a basement vault under the sidewalk, may have been incorporated into the new basement. Gratings in the sidewalk on Warren Street indicate some vault or ventilation areas are down there today.
In 1912, construction workers on what is now the BMT Broadway subway (N and R trains) took possession of the tunnel, and found the original shield at the south end of the tunnel, as well as the wooden remains of the car. The successor company to Beach Pneumatic Transit even sued the city for destroying their property! (The outcome of this lawsuit is unknown.)
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Mini General Purpose Filter MP5138 These mini air filters remove unwanted dirt particles and condense water to extend the tools’ life. The 5 micron element provides maximum filtration. It also includes a screw – on bowl with a manual drain. Features: -Extended tool life -5 Micron element -Screw – on bowl -1/4” NPT(f) ports Specifications: -Maximum pressure: 21 SCFM flow capacity at 90 PSI -Weight: 0.26 lbs. -Warranty: 1 y… |
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Interstate Pneumatics WR1020 1/4 Inch Standard Poly Bowl In-Line Filter $4.99 General purpose filter protects tools and equipment by removing most solid and liquid contaminants. This may include dust, dirt, pipe scale, rust, liquid water and bulk oil. A 25-micron filter element removes the smallest of particles. See-through bowl with metal guard allows easy monitoring of fluid level while protecting unit against impact. Quick-release bowl and quarter-turn drain for easier u… |
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Costa Brava St. Germain Pneumatic Corkscrew, Tubular Line $105.00 Our pneumatic corkscrew is an elegant wine opener where form meets function. This slender design incorporates a hardwood native to Argentina called incense wood for a rich look and feel. A stainless steel needle pierces the cork, and by upward and downward movement internal pressure pushes the cork up gently, uncorking the bottle without a struggle. In this line our products are packed in attra… |
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Astro Pneumatic 4505 5-Piece Fastener and Molding Remover Set $6.70 Set includes 5 distinctive tools for easy removal of fastener, molding, wheel hubs, etc. For use on internal and external vehicle molding and trim fasteners. Plastic construction of tools prevents scratching and damage to vehicle paint, leather, chrome, etc…. |
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TEKTON 4755 Oil/Water Separator $7.72 MIT OIL/WATER SEPARATOR features: Durable Aluminum and Nylon Construction, Keeps Damaging Water out of Air Line, Allowing Tools to Perform at Maximum Efficiency, Traps Water and Oil for a Clean Air Spray Job, 1/4″ NPT, Installs Easily Between Air Tool and Line… |
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GoodYear 045 3/8-Inch-by-50-Feet Safety Yellow Rubber Hose 3/8 -Inch by 50-Feet 250 PSI With 1/4-Inch Ends $16.95 Features: Oil Resistant. Air Inlet: 1/4″. Hose Size: 3/8″. Hose Length: 50 Ft. Max Pressure: 300 PSI. Operation Pressure: 150 PSI. Made In The U.S.A By GoodYear…. |
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Arrow Fastener T50 Heavy Duty Staple Gun $12.99 The Arrow fastener heavy-duty staple gun has a durable chrome finish and an all-steel construction. It features long lasting hardened steel working parts, a visual refill window and the patented jam-proof mechanism…. |
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Metro Vacuum MS-4C 115-Volt DataVac PC Desktop Electronics Cleaner $24.95 A lightweight, compact, powerful, 115 volt vacuum that cleans out dirt and dust from the smallest places…. |
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RapidAir Compressed Air Piping System – Air Outlet Kit $26.29 Add a compressed air line to your RapidAir system quickly and easily! Simply mount an additional RapidAir Compressed Air Outlet on your wall, ceiling, or inside new construction walls and connect to the main line using RapidAir Nylon Tubing (sold separately). The tubing connects quickly and easily, just push the 1/2″ nylon tubing into the fitting until seated and you’re ready to go. Removal is jus… |
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Self-Vacuuming Air Palm Sander 6 $39.99 This self-vacuuming air sander features a palm grip for optimal comfort and control, and simulates hand motion to provide a virtually swirl-free, scratch-free finish. Ideal for producing fine finishes on flat, convex or concave surfaces. Self-vacuuming for less mess, easier clean-up. Includes dust-collection hose and bag. Use with 6″ diameter hook-and-loop sanding paper (not included). Lightweight… |