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Mapping Local and Commuter Rail Transit in NYC: SIR/SIRT/SIRTOA (Staten Island)

This guide covers how to research for maps related to subways and railroads in New York City within the Lionel Pincus and Princess Firyal's Map Division.

Quick Facts about Railways on Staten Island

  • Abbreviations:
    • SIR is an initialism for Staten Island Railway
    • Plate 27, Part of Ward 5 [Map bound by Sheldon Ave, Jefferson Boulevard, Rathbun Ave, Arden Ave (Washington Ave), Carton Boulevard, Detroit Ave, Annadale Road, Franklin St, Moffett St, Staten Island Rail Road, Seguine PL, Centre Ave, Eagan Ave (Forest Ave), Amboy Road]SIRT is an abbreviation for Staten Island Rapid Transit Company
    • SIRTOA is an abbreviation for Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority
  • Years of Note: 
    • 1851: On August 2, SIR was organized. 
    • 1860: The first SIR passenger train ran on February 1, with regular passenger service starting on April 23.
    • 1865: SIR took over the NY & Richmond Ferry Company, and would later take over operations for the ferries to Manhattan.
    • 1880: The SIRT was organized on March 25, with assistance from Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O). 
    • 1884: The first SIRT train would run on July 31. 
    • 1971: The MTA bought the line from St. George to Tottenville, and was reorganized as SIRTOA. 
    • 1994: The MTA reverted the line's name to MTA Staten Island Railway (alternatively called MTA SIR).

Image: Cropped section of Plate 27, Part of Ward 5 [Map bound by Sheldon Ave, Jefferson Boulevard, Rathbun Ave, Arden Ave (Washington Ave), Carton Boulevard, Detroit Ave, Annadale Road, Franklin St, Moffett St, Staten Island Rail Road, Seguine PL, Centre Ave, Eagan Ave (Forest Ave), Amboy Road]. 1917. NYPL Digital Collections Image ID 1646294

A Selection of SIR/SIRT Maps at NYPL

Track map of the trolley lines of Staten Island : Richmond Boro - New York City

Image Source: Track map of the trolley lines of Staten Island : Richmond Boro - New York City. 1960 NYPL Digital Collections Image ID 5082525

How to Search the Catalog for SIR/SIRT Maps

Maps by Staten Island Railway Companies

When using the Online Research Catalog:

  • In the Advanced Search function, checkmark "Cartographic" under Format.
  • If you are interested in finding maps concerning rail transit on Staten Island, we recommend the following searches into the Author field:
  • Not all maps that include Staten Island routes were created by the rapid transit companies themselves. Commercial, government, and other rapid transit companies would also showcase these local transit lines on their maps. As such, to include these maps in your search results, we recommend the following searches in the Keyword field:

  • Please note that you can have narrow your search to more specific results by combining the above search terms with any of the terms listed in the "Terms to Search in the Online Research Catalog" portion of this guide's Using Our Catalogs page.

Dictionary Catalog

Books

To find supplementary books and documents related to the rail lines in Staten Island, please conduct the searches listed on this page's "Catalog Tips" with "Cartographic" NOT checkmarked  in either our Online Research Catalog or Digital Collections Portal. See below for a list of recommended materials: