Old passageway between IRT and BMT at Times Square

[MikeGerald]

There used to be an exist from the IND subway station at 42nd Street & Eighth Avenue (although this entrance/exit might not have been on 42nd Street) that led to a video arcade and I think a barber shop (or another type of shop). This was in the days of the "seedy Times Square District".

 

However time with the renovation of the IND station this entrance was closed. Could this entrance also be the one that used to be near the end of the #7 train ramp that lead to the IND subway?

 

Just a question.

Mike

[traildriver]

There used to be an exist from the IND subway station at 42nd Street & Eighth Avenue (although this entrance/exit might not have been on 42nd Street) that led to a video arcade and I think a barber shop (or another type of shop). This was in the days of the "seedy Times Square District".

 

However time with the renovation of the IND station this entrance was closed. Could this entrance also be the one that used to be near the end of the #7 train ramp that lead to the IND subway?

 

Just a question.

Mike

I don't think so. The one for the Flushing line was much closer to seventh avanue, and was built well before the Eigth Avenue subway was built.

The exit at 8th and 42nd, on the northeast corner sounds like what you describe. There's a new one now with an escalator on the southeast corner.

There's another few exits on 40th and 8th. I think there was what you described also on the southwest corner. Due to the offset platforms, that station stretches from 40th to 44th streets with a lot of exits along the way, including two directly into the Port Authority Bus Terminal. If you include that building to the mix, you can walk indoors from 41st and 9th avenue, all the way to 40th and Broadway.

[Eric B]

The one with the video arcade was where Chili's is now. That was basically moved further down 8th Ave in the building from the corner. That was was also connected to the new one on the SE corner, so it's fare control area is right where the arcade was. (Perhaps not exactly on the same level).

 

Man, I forgot about all that. They completely changed the area. I remember being with my father, and he went on somewhere (probably catching a bus to New England), and I went to the arcade, and he warned me about people asking me for money and trying to rob me. Ever since, I tended to ignore people asking for money.

[dolowicz]

The ramp (singular) is still there, not replaced by stairs. You probably are confused with the area I am referring to. It is at the extreme western end of the Flushing line mezzanine. It rises to the level of the long passageway under 41st Street that connects with the 8th Avenue - 42nd Street station.

Since the IRT section is older than the IND station, at one time there was no connecting passage, just an exit to 41st Street somewhat west of 7th Avenue. I believe there was even a change booth there. When they did build the passage, the exit remained for several decades. It was only when they decided to make the passage part of the fare control zone to allow free transfers between the two stations that they closed the exit. The area is just behind or west of the current newstand at that location. There is a door next to the newstand that may lead to a utility room or something that may reveal traces of what was there, but I've never seen it open.

 

Yes you are right. I was thinking of the big ramps that lead from the lower Flushing mezzanine up to the upper level and street exits.

 

The diagram shows there is a sealed up exit there, even back in the 1970s version it is boarded up, so I assume it closed quite early, probably when the new passageway connecting to the IND was built. The climb up to to the street must have been quite long though I assume.

 

Here is a photo showing what the end of the passageway looked like, there is a fare control area there because there was no free transfer between the two stations back then.

 

 

Anyone remember this?

[4P3607]

Okay... So where exactly would this "abandoned transfer passage" be? I'm trying to make a diagram of Times Square so someone can point it out where it is.

 

Also, is it visible from anywhere?

[7LineFan]

Okay... So where exactly would this "abandoned transfer passage" be? I'm trying to make a diagram of Times Square so someone can point it out where it is.

 

Also, is it visible from anywhere?

 

Twas just there today... like Eric B said there are restrooms there now and an escalator on the other side.

 

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?122093

 

It's around there if I have inferred correctly... go up those stairs and it's right on your left, in that area.

[dolowicz]

Okay... So where exactly would this "abandoned transfer passage" be? I'm trying to make a diagram of Times Square so someone can point it out where it is.

 

Also, is it visible from anywhere?

 

I posted a diagram on page one that outlines where the old passageway was located. There is no doubt about that it was there. Now I am trying to figure out if anyone has any information or photos of the old BMT mezzanine that extended all the way to the shuttle before they merged the stations into one complex.

[KeystoneRegional]

Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters

[dolowicz]

I was actually also thinking about it a long time ago, something is a bit fishy when I used that entrance/exit outta 42nd - TSQ back in the 90's, now I know it might be a passageway. However, I don't have any media of that particular passage, though I've seen it slightly open but never took a look down as there were MOW workers standing around during the renovations of TSQ back in the early-mid 2000's...

 

Would be interesting to know when this passageway was actually closed and for what reason. Looking at the diagram it looks like it would have been similar to the passageway to the IRT Flushing line from the BMT before it was renovated. Narrow and slightly off-set half way.

[dolowicz]

Anyone got any more information to share about this passageway or old lost BMT mezzanine? Thank you!

[dolowicz]

The ramp (singular) is still there, not replaced by stairs. You probably are confused with the area I am referring to. It is at the extreme western end of the Flushing line mezzanine. It rises to the level of the long passageway under 41st Street that connects with the 8th Avenue - 42nd Street station.

Since the IRT section is older than the IND station, at one time there was no connecting passage, just an exit to 41st Street somewhat west of 7th Avenue. I believe there was even a change booth there. When they did build the passage, the exit remained for several decades. It was only when they decided to make the passage part of the fare control zone to allow free transfers between the two stations that they closed the exit. The area is just behind or west of the current newstand at that location. There is a door next to the newstand that may lead to a utility room or something that may reveal traces of what was there, but I've never seen it open.

 

I think I found a photo of the exit you are talking about. This photo was taken just as they were starting the renovations in that area, so I am guessing around 2004-2005? There would have been a small fare control here, a change booth and then a long staircase leading directly up to somewhere around 41St/7th Av.

 

[dolowicz]

Let's kickstart this thread again, I am sure there are more information about these passages and forgotten mazzanines to be told! :tup:

[GarbageTruckJuice]

I often wonder if they might use that as an extension of the new Bank of America passage (sealed, but brand new, not old) as a shortcut instead of having to go all the way around the end of the shuttle tracks. Though I wondered if it would be too narrow.

 

I've been waiting for them to do something over there, and break through the wall where some rooms were built, and there used to be a door to the old building where the Durst towers were built. I don't know what's going on with that. The other end of the passage (built in the sidewalk vault of the new 1 Bryant Park or BOA tower) is clearly visible on the 6th Ave. mezzanine, behind a temporary wall and the fencing. The mid block entrance is apparently underneath a wide bench in the new arcade they built, and the red globe is already up on the curb.

 

I read this post way back when it was originally posted and just tried looking for it this past weekend. I couldn't find anything so I thought I misread something. On the 6th Avenue side is it what's behind the glass doors on the western side of the station mezzanine? And where is it supposed to connect to on the other end? Will you be able to connect to the Times Square station without leaving fare control?

[INDman]

That last photo looks like the news stand in the passage way from 8th Av to the Times Square Station. I'll look at some old station dept, stuff later in the week, but I have a hard time picturing what your talking about.

[dolowicz]

That last photo looks like the news stand in the passage way from 8th Av to the Times Square Station. I'll look at some old station dept, stuff later in the week, but I have a hard time picturing what your talking about.

 

Yes that photo above is from the 8th Avenue passageway that connects with the Flushing line. There was once a exit there complete with a token both and turnstiles. This was most likely boarded up around the same time as the free transfer was built. The staircase is most likely still there though, and it would make a good location for a entrance and/or exit to the complex.

[Eric B]

I read this post way back when it was originally posted and just tried looking for it this past weekend. I couldn't find anything so I thought I misread something. On the 6th Avenue side is it what's behind the glass doors on the western side of the station mezzanine? And where is it supposed to connect to on the other end? Will you be able to connect to the Times Square station without leaving fare control?

It's not behind the glass; it's behind the iron fence, blue wood, and concrete knockout wall with the janitor door.

 

I'm not sure if it will be under fare control. Probably not, since it's apart of the BOA property. (It will probably be like the connection from 6th to 7th under 49th).

 

Also, not sure where it will come out on the other side. They have not even begun any work on connecting it, and according to the tenant, is what's holding up its completion. I assume it will be where there used to be an exit to the old building, on the far side of the shuttle station where station facilities were built. I also wondered if they would connect it to that underpass I was mentioning. But I have no idea what's going on what that whole thing now.

[Ceya]

IIRC in the last picture there was no Token Booth there just stairs, if this is the long passage way from 41st to 42nd under Bway. Two stairs , one in front of the other.

 

Token booth was at where the stairs are now located for the southbound R,N and Q.

 

Token Booth where the shuttle on the NB exit/entrance that leads to 43rd st NYPD spot.

 

There was an token booth or Iron Maiden where Duane Reade btween 43 and 42nd , once was a porno movie . I think that had a Iron Maiden.

 

There was an entrance / exit was at the News stand where the 8th ave connects to the 7th ave/Bway lines and Flushing line.

 

Im trying to remember what was at the spot the original poster was asking about.

 

Street level was an old building that was torn down in the late 80s. they put up make shift building with stairs for awhile.

 

I once had pics of that spot when we use to hang out by the Salsa record shop/ Flower shop before the big move, the pics were destroyed.

 

I ll try to find 90s pics to see what I have.

 

S/F,

CEYA!

[dolowicz]

IIRC in the last picture there was no Token Booth there just stairs, if this is the long passage way from 41st to 42nd under Bway. Two stairs , one in front of the other.

 

It's the 8th Avenue passageway. My diagrams from the 70s and 90s only show one long staircase, are you sure there were two there?

 

Token booth was at where the stairs are now located for the southbound R,N and Q.

 

Token Booth where the shuttle on the NB exit/entrance that leads to 43rd st NYPD spot.

 

There was an token booth or Iron Maiden where Duane Reade btween 43 and 42nd , once was a porno movie . I think that had a Iron Maiden.

 

There was an entrance / exit was at the News stand where the 8th ave connects to the 7th ave/Bway lines and Flushing line.

 

Im trying to remember what was at the spot the original poster was asking about.

 

Street level was an old building that was torn down in the late 80s. they put up make shift building with stairs for awhile.

 

I once had pics of that spot when we use to hang out by the Salsa record shop/ Flower shop before the big move, the pics were destroyed.

 

I ll try to find 90s pics to see what I have.

 

If you could find photos of these places you are mentioning it would help a lot, thanks!

[dolowicz]

IIRC in the last picture there was no Token Booth there just stairs, if this is the long passage way from 41st to 42nd under Bway. Two stairs , one in front of the other.

 

It's the 8th Avenue passageway. My diagrams from the 70s and 90s only show one long staircase, are you sure there were two there?

 

Token booth was at where the stairs are now located for the southbound R,N and Q.

 

Token Booth where the shuttle on the NB exit/entrance that leads to 43rd st NYPD spot.

 

There was an token booth or Iron Maiden where Duane Reade btween 43 and 42nd , once was a porno movie . I think that had a Iron Maiden.

 

There was an entrance / exit was at the News stand where the 8th ave connects to the 7th ave/Bway lines and Flushing line.

 

Im trying to remember what was at the spot the original poster was asking about.

 

Street level was an old building that was torn down in the late 80s. they put up make shift building with stairs for awhile.

 

I once had pics of that spot when we use to hang out by the Salsa record shop/ Flower shop before the big move, the pics were destroyed.

 

I ll try to find 90s pics to see what I have.

 

If you could find photos of these places you are mentioning it would help a lot, thanks!

[R68 Subway Car]

I am guessing that they shut that baby down because of crime issues. If I am not mistaken, I think that some like this has been done before to at least one other passageway.

[R68 Subway Car]

I am guessing that they shut that baby down because of crime issues. If I am not mistaken, I think that some like this has been done before to at least one other passageway.

[dolowicz]

I am guessing that they shut that baby down because of crime issues. If I am not mistaken, I think that some like this has been done before to at least one other passageway.

 

You mean the exit in the 8th Avenue passageway? Probably not because of crime, because a manned exit / entrance would probably discourage crime.

 

There was however a sealed up ramp at the far side of the complex that probably closed in the early 1980s for crime reasons. It lead to the eastern most staircase (which was also blocked off). It could be seen up until the recent renovations, and the ramp is probably intact behind the new staircase and escalator which was installed then.

[dolowicz]

I am guessing that they shut that baby down because of crime issues. If I am not mistaken, I think that some like this has been done before to at least one other passageway.

 

You mean the exit in the 8th Avenue passageway? Probably not because of crime, because a manned exit / entrance would probably discourage crime.

 

There was however a sealed up ramp at the far side of the complex that probably closed in the early 1980s for crime reasons. It lead to the eastern most staircase (which was also blocked off). It could be seen up until the recent renovations, and the ramp is probably intact behind the new staircase and escalator which was installed then.

[Eric B]

You mean the exit in the 8th Avenue passageway? Probably not because of crime, because a manned exit / entrance would probably discourage crime.

 

There was however a sealed up ramp at the far side of the complex that probably closed in the early 1980s for crime reasons. It lead to the eastern most staircase (which was also blocked off). It could be seen up until the recent renovations, and the ramp is probably intact behind the new staircase and escalator which was installed then.

Where is this you're talking about? the ramps, stairs and escalators leading down to the platform?

[Eric B]

You mean the exit in the 8th Avenue passageway? Probably not because of crime, because a manned exit / entrance would probably discourage crime.

 

There was however a sealed up ramp at the far side of the complex that probably closed in the early 1980s for crime reasons. It lead to the eastern most staircase (which was also blocked off). It could be seen up until the recent renovations, and the ramp is probably intact behind the new staircase and escalator which was installed then.

Where is this you're talking about? the ramps, stairs and escalators leading down to the platform?