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.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

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.

So what set up do they have at 190th street then and what set up existed on the in the past? They always had elevators?

[Threxx]

So what set up do they have at 190th street then and what set up existed on the in the past? They always had elevators?

Yes, there were always elevators. At 190, there is a huge ramp down to the platform. Why don't you go see the station for yourself?

[8thAveExpress]

Um, it's not deep enough...

That's what she said

Edited by 8thAveExpress, 05 May 2012 - 08:57 PM.

[Threxx]

That's what she said

Off topic randomness...

[Grand Concourse]

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...

I won't lie, I wouldn't go past the full wall section of that platform. That's a pretty long way to fall if one were to lose consciousness or was pushed off. But I do love the station for photo ops, both on the ground and on the platform. Do only problem is the boringness of it being just 1 train type running on it.

[CDTA]

181st on the is also quite deep aswell. But to answer your original question, there are quite a few elevators at each station. Not sure if you just started riding the , but they do infact breakdown. I wouldn't say frequently, but probably about one a year. IMO the MTA should replace them... They're very slow, sometimes stop midway, break down once a year, and have no A/C. Meh at least they can support 30 people. It really needs too.

[Kamen Rider]

When the IRT was built, the trains were still in "motor-trailer" configurations, the changes in grade would have been very heard for them to cope with when you only had half the train generating tractive effort.

[mark1447]

181st on the is also quite deep aswell. But to answer your original question, there are quite a few elevators at each station. Not sure if you just started riding the , but they do infact breakdown. I wouldn't say frequently, but probably about one a year. IMO the MTA should replace them... They're very slow, sometimes stop midway, break down once a year, and have no A/C. Meh at least they can support 30 people. It really needs too.

I think 190th is another one, for those going to Fort Washington Avenue. Not Bennette Ave. (Thats a long tunnel)

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I won't lie, I wouldn't go past the full wall section of that platform. That's a pretty long way to fall if one were to lose consciousness or was pushed off. But I do love the station for photo ops, both on the ground and on the platform. Do only problem is the boringness of it being just 1 train type running on it.

lol... I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday while waiting for the doors to close at that station. I said no way in hell would I wait in those areas. It doesn't take much to go over. One misstep in fact. The thing about the new renovations at some of the elevated stations is they're too open in that regard, having the spacing and such between the walls.

181st on the is also quite deep aswell. But to answer your original question, there are quite a few elevators at each station. Not sure if you just started riding the , but they do infact breakdown. I wouldn't say frequently, but probably about one a year. IMO the MTA should replace them... They're very slow, sometimes stop midway, break down once a year, and have no A/C. Meh at least they can support 30 people. It really needs too.

I've used those stations off and on over the years, but only when I feel like offering private tutoring lessons up there. Select areas of Washington Heights is tolerable so I'll go if the area is okay. Just started up there again a few weeks ago. I guess my main gripe is the whole elevator thing. I find them rather annoying because you have people constantly running to get on so they don't miss the train, holding everyone else up who is also trying not to miss the train. lol They should offer other options to get into those stations.

I can barely tolerate being in them for the short time that I'm in them but I can't imagine being in one and it breaking down.

[CDTA]

I can barely tolerate being in them for the short time that I'm in them but I can't imagine being in one and it breaking down.

You just wait.