Vanderbilt Cup Races

Trains

While not the Motor Parkway this and the next photo show how automobiles were sometimes used on railroad tracks.  But in reverse, could a railroad make use of an automobile roadway right-of-way?

As early as 1910 there was a theory that the LI Motor Parkway would be used by the Vanderbilts to extend their railroad empire onto Long Island.   However, the author of this article frankly called the idea "hot air"!  (The Long Islander Apr. 25, 1910).

A Vanderbilt Proposition?

Creedmoor to Lakeville - could this have been for Vanderbilt's own use to travel to Deepdale?  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Nov. 17, 1914)

The Southampton Press in 1915 once again brought the theory into print.  (Southampton Press Apr. 15, 1915)

The Brooklyn Times Union also reported it a few months later. (Brooklyn Time Union Sept. 16, 1915)

Carle Place Wants a Railroad

Angry that the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) would not erect a station in Carle Place, its residents petitioned that another railroad be built using the Motor Parkway, presumably with a station there.  (Brooklyn Times Union Dec. 16, 1915)

The original Carle Place station was closed in 1859, but was revived in 1923, 8 years after the residents petitioned.  (Wikipedia)

More talk of using the Motor Parkway by the New York Central Railroad Co.  . . .  (The County Review Apr. 1, 1926)

. . . including its use of Pullman Automobile Buses.

Almost 20  years after being built some people still thought the Motor Parkway's original intent was to be used for a railroad.  (NY Daily News May 1, 1927)

"a railroad bed in camouflage"

. . . in competition with the New York Central Railroad Co., itself a Vanderbilt holding. 

Individual Proposals

A Brentwood real estate developer used the idea of the Motor Parkway becoming a railroad as a selling point.  He also thought it could be used as a State Parkway - in both cases increasing the value of an investment. (NY Daily News May 29, 1929)

In response to a proposed fare increase on the Long Island Rail Road and three years before the Motor Parkway closed, a commuter proposed a new railroad be organized using the parkway roadway.  (NY Daily News Feb. 9, 1935). 

Trolley

Trolleys using the Motor Parkway roadway were also envisioned by some.  (Brooklyn Daily Eagle Apr. 17, 1915)

New-York Tribune April 25, 1915

Anyone For A Bus Line?

Again as a response to actions to be taken by the LIRR, Mayor Geroge M. Estabrook of Hempstead proposed a bus line be created using the Motor Parkway.   (NY Daily News Aug. 31, 1935)

How About a Bike Path?

A prospective use as a bicycle path was proposed in 1935 by a NYC resident and while Willie K. was not interested, he did note that the Parkway was for sale and could be sold or leased to a group promoting such an endeavor.  (Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, Centerport)

Monorail Transportation?

Queens Chamber of Commerce officials requested to meet with Willie K. about a monorail system and General Manager Kienzle noted that an interview would be arranged if a suitable time was found. 

Further research is necessary to see if this meeting ever occurred.

So what do you think - were any of these reasons for the creation of the Motor Parkway reasonable?