34 replies to this topic

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Had to use the train today up in Washington Heights for a tutoring session and was wondering about 168th, 181st & 191st street? I believe someone said that those are the deepest stations in the system (correct me if I'm wrong), but I've always wondered what happens if those elevators stopped working? I'm kind of amazed that they actually seem in pretty good working order considering how much use they must get.

Also how come the train doesn't involve any elevators at 168th street?

[Threxx]

Had to use the train today up in Washington Heights for a tutoring session and was wondering about 168th, 181st & 191st street? I believe someone said that those are the deepest stations in the system (correct me if I'm wrong), but I've always wondered what happens if those elevators stopped working? I'm kind of amazed that they actually seem in pretty good working order considering how much use they must get.

There are emergency stairs.

Also how come the train doesn't involve any elevators at 168th street?

Um, it's not deep enough...

[Via Garibaldi 8]

There are emergency stairs.



Um, it's not deep enough...

I thought I've seen some around, but I would imagine it would take forever to get out, or are those elevators just that slow??

Also why were those three stations built so deep that they require an elevator to begin with??

[Threxx]

I thought I've seen some around, but I would imagine it would take forever to get out, or are those elevators just that slow??

Also why were those three stations built so deep that they require an elevator to begin with??

The IRT was built so the whole line was level. Manhattan has hills in Inwood & Fort George, so that's why those stations are deep. That's also why there is a viaduct at 125 Street.

[Roadcruiser1]

Not just that 125th Street is a fault line. It hasn't be active recently but it is dormant. So an earthquake can come out of there, but it hasn't yet.

[Brighton Express]

I actually have to agree with VG8. Why would they build them so deep? I mean, they would have to rip the ground up back in the day with no tunneling machines, build it closer to the surface.

[Lance]

The stations were built that deep to keep the grading relatively the same across the board. It's also why the 125 St/Broadway station is so high up away from the street. If the builders were to keep the stations close to the surface, the tracks would have to dip, dive and climb to match the terrain in the neighborhoods the lines travel through.

[Threxx]

I actually have to agree with VG8. Why would they build them so deep? I mean, they would have to rip the ground up back in the day with no tunneling machines, build it closer to the surface.

They actually used a tunnel shield, they ripped up no ground...

[Via Garibaldi 8]

The stations were built that deep to keep the grading relatively the same across the board. It's also why the 125 St/Broadway station is so high up away from the street. If the builders were to keep the stations close to the surface, the tracks would have to dip, dive and climb to match the terrain in the neighborhoods the lines travel through.

Yeah I was actually wondering about 125th street too... I don't see how they have the walls so low at that station towards the end of the platform... Not a good idea IMO... I saw some kids looking over the wall down there... Anywho, so how is it then that the train isn't built the same way up there?? I would think that line would also be affected by the steep hills up there as well...

Edited by Via Garibaldi 8, 05 May 2012 - 08:05 PM.

[Threxx]

Yeah I was actually wondering about 125th street too... Okay fine, so how is it then that the train isn't built the same way up there?? I would think that line would also be affected by the steep hills up there as well...

Because, the IND didn't wan't to have a similar elevator situation. Also, 168th is 4 tracks, and sheilds back then couldn't hold a four-track station. 190th on the is quite deep.

Edited by ThrexxBus, 05 May 2012 - 08:05 PM.