Contract book collection
Scope and Contents
The Contract Books Collection is a series of approximately 400 discrete volumes (and numerous duplicates) depicting the construction, modification, modernization, and rehabilitation of routes, stations, and rail facilities built and operated by the IRT, BMT, and IND systems. Contracts document the lifespans of the New York City subway system’s various routes, from their original construction under the Dual Contracts Era and numerous platform extensions effected mid-century, to installation of new elevator, escalator, and other accessibility features towards the late 20th century. While most contracts pertain to track and line structures, the construction of other facilities is also included, depicting foundations, additions, and modernization projects performed on rail yards, electric substations, bus depots, administrative buildings, and police district offices. The contract books and by and large contain little text and are comprised nearly entirely of fold-out technical drawings reduced for binding purposes.
Dates
- 1912 - 1995
- Majority of material found within 1912 - 1970
Conditions Governing Access
Restrictions apply to drawings depicting currently active facilities. Because most sites depicted in these materials are still operational, access to this collection will be strictly limited.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is retained by the New York Transit Museum and permission for use must be granted.
Biographical / Historical
The construction and maintenance of New York City subway routes, stations, yards, substations, and other infrastructural installations was effected through the assignment and performance of various contracts awarded by the private operators IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit) and BMT (Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Company) and the municipally-owned IND (Independent Subway System). Following 1940 system unification, construction and maintenance work mandated by the City were still administered in accordance with this operational distinction, and the same systemic designation remains in place to date, with IRT representing the ‘A’ division, and BMT and IND lines forming the ‘B’ division. The projects described in the contracts represented in this collection are entitled in accordance with the unique route and section numbers originally assigned to each line’s trackage; while some are affiliated with definitive alphanumeric contract codes, those identifiers have been removed from the present finding aid and are available instead through in internal database accessible at the discretion of the archivist.
Extent
600 Volumes (Contract books)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Contract books depicting routes, stations, and facilities on the transit lines of the IRT, BMT, and IND systems, as well as substations, rail yards, and surface transit structures.
System of Arrangement
The volumes comprising the collection are arranged and described in function of operating agency and line, and thereafter chronologically. Because volumes are titled predominantly by route and section number, the present finding identifies the name and operating agency of each line. Lines are ordered alphabetically within each operating agency; contracts are arranged by date within each line. Note that the agencies appear in the order of their establishment and not alphabetically, with IRT coming first, followed by BMT, and finally, the municipally-owned BMT. It is also important to note that the Culver Line appears under both BMT and IND agencies, as its management was transferred to IND in 1954. Volumes depicting work on more than one line are shown in grey and repeated under each applicable line in order to indicate their repetition elsewhere in the finding aid (although their physical arrangement is confined to a single location). The index by agency and line is followed by volumes documenting construction or rehabilitation of rapid transit yards, shops, and administrative buildings and structures; substations; system-wide work in which lines were not specified or isolated; surface transit facilities; and miscellaneous materials, specifications, studies, and loose pages. In all instances, volumes are listed according to their original titles, and appear alongside their dates of issue and respective locations.
Other Finding Aids
PDF URL
Provenance
Provenance and custodial history of this collection are unknown.
Processing Information
The inventory provided in this finding aid shows titles for each book, but not necessarily contract numbers. For that reason, an alphabetized index of contract numbers included in this collection is furnished in a supplementary appendix. Because of the uniform format and self-evident titles of the contents of this collection, a formal series structure has not been imposed.
The inventory contents are as follows:
Appendix: Index of Contracts Represented
- A-20171: New Routes game plan, 1979
- A-20172: Station finish, 21st Street Station (IND 63rd Street Line), 1982-1983
- A-20173: Station finish, Roosevelt Island Station (IND 63rd Street Line), 1989
- A-20174: Station finish and equipment, Lexington Avenue Station (IND 63rd Street Line), 1992
- A-20770: Station finish and equipment, Jamaica–Van Wyck Station (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1995
- A-20772: Station finish and equipment, Parson Boulevard Station (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1991
- A-30156: Modernization, Jackson Avenue Station (IRT White Plains Road Line), 1982-1988
- A-30587: Modernization, 125th Street Station (IND Eighth Avenue Line), 1983-1989
- A-30591: Modernization, DeKalb Station (BMT Brighton/Fourth Avenue Line), 1981-1988
- A-33301: Construction, New Transit Police District Office #34, Stillwell Avenue Station (BMT); Modernization, Franklin Avenue Station (IRT Eastern Parkway Line), 1987
- A-33304: Modernization, Transit Police District Office #3, 145th Street Station (IND Eighth Avenue/Concourse Line), 1987
- A-33314: Rehabilitation, Train dispatcher’s office and crew quarters, Pelham Bay Park Station (IRT Pelham Line), 1985
- A-33315: Rehabilitation, Train dispatcher’s office and crew quarters, 95th Street Station (BMT Fourth Avenue Line), 1981-1986
- A-33322: Alteration, 2nd Floor, 370 Jay Street, 1990
- A-33604: Installation, Off-hours waiting areas, various stations, 1988
- A-33610: Installation, Signage, various stations, 1988
- A-33612: Installation, Off-hours waiting areas, various stations, 1989
- A-35504: Rehabilitation, RTO facilities, Flushing–Main Street Station (IRT Flushing Line), 2002
- A-35505: Modernization, Pelham Bay Park Station (IRT Pelham Line), 1974-1991
- A-35518: Modernization, Fulton Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1982-1991
- A-35519: Modernization, 5th Avenue Station (IND Queens Boulevard Line), 1990
- A-35521: Modernization, Astor Place Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1986-1990
- A-35522: Modernization, Church Avenue Station (BMT Brighton Line), 1984-1990
- A-35523: Modernization, 61st Street–Woodside Station (IRT Flushing Line), 1990
- A-35528: Modernization, 125th Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1982-1989
- A-35530: Modernization, Pelham Parkway Station (IRT Pelham Line), 1982
- A-35531: Modernization, Borough Hall Station (IRT Seventh Avenue/Lexington Avenue Line), Court Street Station (BMT Fourth Avenue Line), 1995
- A-35537: Modernization, Utica Avenue Station (IRT New Lots Avenue Line), 1982
- A-35539: Modernization, 137th Street-City College Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1981-1990
- A-35551: Modernization, 191st Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1982
- A-35554: Modernization, 46th Street Station (IRT Flushing Line), 1983-1989
- A-35559: Modernization, 103rd Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1991
- A-35561: Modernization, Clark Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), n.d.
- A-35563: Modernization, 74th Street Station (IRT Flushing Line), Roosevelt Avenue Station (IND Queens Boulevard Line), 1995
- A-35605: Accessibility, 125th Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1992
- C-101: Extensions, Station platforms, 80th Street to Lefferts Boulevard Station (IND Fulton Street Line), 1954
- C-102: Reconstruction, DeKalb Avenue Station (BMT Brighton Line), 1954-1961
- C-118: Extensions, Station platforms, 50th Street to 66th Street (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1956
- C-119: Extensions, Station platforms, 79th Street to 86th Street (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1956
- C-120: Extensions, Station platforms, Times Square, 72nd Street, 96th Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1957
- C-124: Construction, Chrystie Street to Stanton Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line), 1957
- C-125: Installation, Stairways, Lexington Avenue/53rd Street Station (IND Queens Boulevard Line), 1959
- C-128: Reconstruction and Extensions, Station platforms, Brooklyn Bridge Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1959-1963
- C-129: Construction, Fresh Pond Bus Depot (NYCT), 1958
- C-131: Modification, Station entrance, South Ferry Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1959
- C-135: Extensions, Station platforms, Bowling Green to Fulton Street, and Canal Street to Astor Place (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1959
- C-136: Extensions, Station platforms, Grand Central Station, 86th Street Station, 125th Street Station, 138th Street Station, 149th Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1960
- C-137: Extensions, Station platforms, 167th Street to Woodlawn, Nereid Avenue to 241st Street (IRT Jerome Avenue/White Plains Road Line), 1959
- C-138: Extensions, Station platforms, Borough Hall Station, Atlantic Avenue Station, Franklin Avenue Station, Utica Avenue Station (IRT Eastern Parkway Line), 1960
- C-139: Extensions, Station platforms, Sutter Avenue Station, Rockaway Avenue Station, New Lots Avenue Station (IRT Eastern Parkway Line), 1960
- C-140: Extensions, Station platforms: 51st Street Station, 68th Street Station, 77th Street Station, 96th Street Station, 116th Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1960
- C-141: Extensions, Station platforms, 3rd Avenue to Hunts Point Avenue (IRT Pelham/White Plains Road Line), 1960
- C-142: Extensions, Station platforms, Whitlock Avenue to Pelham Bay Park, East 180th Street to 233rd Street, (IRT Pelham/White Plains Road Line), 1960
- C-144: Modification, Subway structures, Flatbush Avenue to 41st Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line), 1960
- C-146: Extensions, Station platforms, Nevins Street and Atlantic Avenue Station (IRT Eastern Parkway Line), 1961
- C-147: Alteration, Elevated structure, Queens Plaza to Jackson Avenue (IRT Flushing Line), 1961
- C-148: Alteration, Subway structures, 45th Street to 59th Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line), 1962
- C-149: Construction, Stairways and escalators, Lexington Avenue/53rd Street Station (IND Queens Boulevard Line), 1962
- C-153: Extension, Station platform, Wall Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), Wall Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1963
- C-154: Extensions, Station platforms, Clark Street to Kingston Avenue, President Street to Flatbush Avenue (IRT Eastern Parkway/Nostrand Avenue Line), 1962
- C-155-1: Modification, Station platform, Times Square–42nd Street Station (IRT Flushing Line), 1962
- C-156: Rehabilitation, Elevators, 42nd Street–Grand Central Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line, IRT Flushing Line), 1963-1964
- C-158: Extensions, Station platforms, Rector Street to 34th Street–Penn Station, (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1964
- C-164: Extensions, Station platforms, Avenue H to Stillwell Avenue (BMT Brighton Line), 1964-1965
- C-167: Construction and installation, Car wash facilities, Concourse Yard, Jamaica Yard, Coney Island Yard (IND/BMT), 1964
- C-169: Construction, SS062 (Broadway–73rd Street Substation), SS061 (Lenox–113th Street Substation), and SS060 (Lenox–141st Street Substation), (IRT Lenox Avenue Line), 1964
- C-170: Modernization, SS116 (Sea Beach–16th Avenue Substation) (BMT), 1967
- C-172: Construction, Signal tower, Coney Island Yard (BMT), 1966
- C-173: Construction and equipment, Elevators, Park Place Station and Borough Hall Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1965
- C-175: Modification, Jamaica Bus Depot, 1968
- C-176: Modification, 116th Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1967
- C-178: Extensions, Station platforms, Court Street and Jay Street–Metro Tech Station (BMT Broadway Line), 1966
- C-181: Extensions, Station platforms, Rector Street to Penn Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1964
- C-185: Construction, Terminal station and crossovers, 148th Street Yard (IRT Lenox Avenue Line), n.d.
- C-189: Construction and installation, Car wash facilities, Westchester Yard, 239th Street Yard (IRT), 1967-1973
- C-192: Extensions, Station platforms, 45th Street to 95th Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line), 1968
- C-193: Extensions, Station platforms, Atlantic Avenue to 36th Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line), 1968
- C-194: Extensions, Station platforms, 8th Street to 5th Avenue (BMT Broadway Line), 1967
- C-200: Construction, Passageway, 42nd Street–Bryant Park Station, 34th Street–Herald Square Station (IND Sixth Avenue Line), 1969
- C-20112: Construction, 3rd Avenue to York Avenue (IND 63rd Street Line), 1978
- C-20160: Construction, York Avenue to 29th Street (IND 63rd Street Lin), 1987
- C-20198: Alignment, East 63rd Street/3rd Avenue/FDR Drive (IND 63rd Street Line), 1989
- C-202: Extension, station platform, and replacement, mezzanine and escalator, Lexington Avenue–59th Street Station (BMT Broadway Line), 1968
- C-203: Construction, Station entrance, 77th Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1967
- C-20704: Construction, 144th Place to 147th Place (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1991
- C-20706: Consultant, Hydrologist (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1986-1989
- C-208: Construction, Passageway, Lexington Avenue/53rd Street Station (IND Queens Boulevard Line) & 51st Street Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1968
- C-209: Construction, Station entrances, 103rd Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), n.d.
- C-210: Extensions, Station Platforms, 9th Avenue to 25th Avenue (BMT West End Line), 1969
- C-21705: Construction, 126th Street to 129th Street (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1988
- C-221: Extensions, Station platforms, 8th Avenue Station, New Utrecht Avenue Station, 18th Avenue Station, 20th Avenue Station, 86th Street Station (BMT Sea Beach Line), 1971
- C-225: Extensions, Station platforms, Stillwell Avenue Station and Bay 50th Street Station (BMT West End Line), 1969
- C-240: Rehabilitation, Blowing Green Station (IRT Lexington Avenue Line) and SS075 (Battery Park–State Street Substation) (IRT), 1971-1972
- C-247: Construction, CBH for SS218 (Washington Heights Substation) (IRT), 1973
- C-255: Construction, SS079 (50th Avenue–11th Street Substation) (IRT), 1972
- C-266: Modernization, Mezznine, 42nd Street–Bryant Park Station (IND Sixth Avenue Line), 1973
- C-30132: Rehabilitation, Thru span, Fort Hamilton Parkway to 62nd Street (BMT West End Line), 1982-1988
- C-30133: Rehabilitation, Thru Span, 71st Street to Bay Parkway (BMT West End Line), 1982-1988
- C-30141: Rehabilitation, Stillwell Avenue Station (BMT Brighton Line, IND Culver Line, BMT West End Line, BMT Sea Beach Line), 1983-1987
- C-30228: Construction, Escalator, 125th Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1990
- C-30340: Construction, Deepwells and sewer lines, Newkirk Avenue Station (IRT Nostrand Avenue Line), 1986
- C-30358: Rehabilitation, 8th Avenue to 86th Street (BMT Sea Beach Line), 1982
- C-30388: Rehabilitation, Stillwell Avenue Station (IND Culver Line, BMT Brighton Line, BMT Sea Beach Line, BMT West End Line), 1980
- C-30394: Reconstruction, Subway invert, 117th Street to 124th Street (IRT Lenox Avenue Line), 1986-1988
- C-30395: Rehabilitation, Elevated structure, Mets–Willets Point Station (IRT Flushing Line), 1983-1987
- C-30472: Rehabilitation, Inspection shed, Corona Yard (IRT), 1981
- C-30497: Construction, Coney Island Yard Facilities Building (BMT), 1982-1988
- C-30553: Installation, Platforms, Rockaway Avenue Station, Junius Street Station, Pennsylvania Avenue Station, Van Siclen Avenue Station (IRT New Lots Avenue Line), 1975
- C-30555: Installation, Platforms, Livonia Avenue Station, East 105th Street Station (BMT Canarsie Line), 1984
- C-30573: Rehabilitation, Platform canopy roofs (BMT West End Line, BMT Brighton Line, BMT Canarsie Line), 1981-1989
- C-30710: Expansion and alteration, SS106 (Jamaica–120th Street Substation) (BMT), 1982-1983
- C-30716: Construction, SS081 (Broadway–19th Street Substation) (BMT), 1981
- C-30717: Construction, SS135 (Albermarle Substation) (BMT), 1974
- C-30719: Construction, Grand Concourse–East 144th Street Substation (IRT), 1984-1989
- C-30720: Construction, Broadway–West 39th Street Substation (BMT), 1986
- C-30730: Construction, Pelham–Tiffany Street Substation (IRT), CBHs (IRT Pelham Line), 1985-1986
- C-30732: Construction, SS284 (Eastern Parkway Substation) (IRT), 1979-1982
- C-30734: Construction, SS257 Rockaway Park Substation) (IND), 1981-1985
- C-30735: Construction, SS257 (Rockaway Park Substation) (IND), 1982
- C-30736: Construction, SS104 (Brighton–East 15th Street Substation) (BMT), 1988
- C-30747: Construction, Park Avenue–East 25th Street Substation (IRT), CBH (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), 1981-1988
- C-30748: Construction, Van Sinderen–Blake Substation (BMT), 1985
- C-30749: Construction, Van Sinderen–Blake Substation (BMT), 1987
- C-30764: Renovation, SS045 (Jerome Avenue–Kingsbridge Road Substation) (IRT), 1984-1988
- C-30772: Renovation, SS018 (Westchester–Simpson Street Substation) (IRT), 1984-1988
- C-30773: Construction, SS014 (Substation #14) (IRT), 1985-1989
- C-30779: Construction, SS248 (Eastern Parkway–Underhill Substation) (IRT), 1987-1993
- C-30786: Construction, Stillwell Yard Substation (BMT), 1987
- C-30788: Construction, CBHs #254, #388, #242 (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1990
- C-30951: Construction, Yukon Bus Depot, 1981-1986
- C-30981: Construction, Permanent control area, Howard Beach–JFK Airport Station (IND Rockaway Line), n.d.
- C-31212: Construction, Ventilation and smoke detectors, 157th Street to 191st Street (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1982-1996
- C-31224: Rehabilitation, Ventilation Grates, 14th Street to Dean Street (BMT Fourth Avenue Line), 1986
- C-32108: Construction, Signal enclosure and signal tower, East New York Complex, 1982-1989
- C-32142: Construction, Signal enclosures, Clark Street to Christopher Street (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1987
- C-32270: Construction, Signal enclosures, 59th Street to 207th Street Yard (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1984-1986
- C-32320: Construction, Signal enclosures, Kings Highway to West 8th Street (BMT Brighton Line), 1988-1996
- C-32932: Rehabilitation, Flushing Bus Depot, 100th Street Bus Depot, 1984-1988
- C-33104: Rehabilitation, Expansion plates (IND Eighth Avenue Line/IND Rockaway Line), 1984-1988
- C-33308: Rehabilitation, Stillwell Avenue Station (BMT Brighton Line, BMT Sea Beach Line, BMT West End Line, IND Culver Line), 1981-1986
- C-33354: Furnish and installation, Fans, pump rooms, water remediation, 8th Avenue to Central Avenue (BMT Canarsie Line), 1986-1991
- C-34429: Extension, New chemical carwash, Pitkin Inspection Barn, 1986
- C-34601: Construction, New refuse disposal facility, 36th-38th Street Yard (BMT) and 9th Avenue Station Crew Quarters (BMT West End Line), 1983-1990
- C-34634: Rehabilitation, Maintenance shop and wheel machine, Coney Island Complex (BMT), 1974, 1986-1992
- D-20104: Construction, 63rd Street Tube (IND 63rd Street Line), 1984
- D-20106: Construction and repair, 63rd Street Tube (IND 63rd Street Line), 1989
- D-20705: Construction, Van Wyck to 144th Place (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1970
- D-21306: Construction, Manhattan Bridge to Canal Street (IND Second Avenue Line), 1988
- D-21703: Construction, 144th Place to 147th Place (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1973-1988
- D-21704: Construction, 138th Street to Route 133 Sections 2&8, Route 131D, Section 2 (IND Archer Avenue Line), 1974
- D-21750: Installation, Local/express connection, 29th Street to Route 108, Section 1 (IND 63rd Street Line/Queens Boulevard Line), 1989
- D-30214: Installation, Escalator, 125th Street Station (IRT Seventh Avenue Line), 1973
- D-30669-1: Construction, Power Control Center, West 53rd Street (IND), 1977-1988
- E-194: Modification, Lighting and power, Coney Island Complex (BMT), 1962
- E-30278: Construction, Accessibility, 17th Street Station (IND Eighth Avenue Line), 1988-1991
- E-31: Modification, Windows, 5th Avenue (Jackie Gleason) Bus Depot, 1945-1946
- F-506 to F-536: Construction, 174th Street to Dyre Avenue (IRT Dyre Avenue Line), 1940
- L-8: Installation, Drainage, IND Eighth Avenue Line), 1930
- L-91: Installation, Station and tunnel lighting, Liberty Avenue to Grant Avenue (IND Fulton Street Line), 1946
- P-36278: Furnish and installation, Power rectifier equipment, SS021 (Joralemon–Willow Place Substation), 1997-2000
- T-20121: Installation, Track and contact rail, 7th Avenue to 5th Avenue (IND 63rd Street Line), 1978
- T-30492: Rehabilitation, Livonia Avenue Yard (IRT), 1981-1987
- T-31562: Installation, Track connection (IRT Seventh Avenue Line to 207th Street Yard) (IRT/IND); Replacement of contact rail, 207th Street Yard, 1983-1990
- T-31728: Regrading, Tracks, Corona Yard (IRT), 1986-1987
- T-37033: Rehabilitation, Track, Pelham Parkway to Allerton Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line), 1970-1981
- T-52: Installation, Track and contat rail, 14th Street to 68th Street (IND Eighth Avenue Line), 1928
- Title
- Finding aid for the Contract book collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Inventoried by Lew Kraft, 2015
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Revision Statements
- 2022: Edited and reformatted by Elise Winks
- 2023: Manually entered into ArchivesSpace by Joanna Satalof
Repository Details
Part of the Gabrielle Shubert Research Center Repository