[7] The line had the worst accident in the history of New York City elevated railways, on September 11, 1905, when a train derailed and fell to the street.

[8][9] The predecessor of the Ninth Avenue Elevated was the West Side and Yonkers Patent Railway, which was built on Greenwich Street by Charles T. Harvey and ran from July 1, 1868, to 1870.

The line used multiple one-mile-long (1.6 km-long) cable loops, driven by steam engines in cellars of buildings adjacent to the track.

[13] On September 11, 1905, the worst accident in the history of New York's elevated railways took place at a curve at 53rd street, resulting in 13 deaths and 48 serious injuries.

[9] The rebuilding project was extended all the way north to 116th Street, creating Manhattan's first three-track elevated, although center-track express service did not begin until 1916.

[17] As of 1934, the following services were being operated:[citation needed] Most of the line was closed June 11, 1940, and dismantled, following the purchase of the IRT by the City of New York.