The subway mysteries thread!

[metsfan 2]

This thread is to be used for ongoing mysteries of the NYC subway, as well as questions involving historical time periods ranging from a day prior to the beginning of the system. What not to ask here, are subway direction questions. What you can ask, is when the last time such and such a station saw regular service, which car was the first to go to a specific station etc etc. Only post if you are completely stumped, and can't find the answer elsewhere. This is to avoid the need for people creating a thread for each question and reduce forum clutter. The goal here is to have this thread be -the- resource for figuring out subway mysteries. Also included can be questions about subway entrances, various system configurations such as former free transfers, service interruptions etc etc. I encourage all other members participate here and throw their full knowledge and resource base into getting a solid correct answer down for everyone's reference. Thanks in advance to all who participate!

 

- Andy

[xloakedx 0]

Ok for starters, what was the true intention of the abandoned platform and rail underneath the 8th avenue IND at 42nd or 34th st. Was it to alleviate train traffic? I think i heard at one point that it was a terminal for a train to the plane sort of service, I dont know how true that is but I know its still there and was accessible by escalators if I'm not mistaken?

[7LineFan 256]

Ok for starters, what was the true intention of the abandoned platform and rail underneath the 8th avenue IND at 42nd or 34th st. Was it to alleviate train traffic? I think i heard at one point that it was a terminal for a train to the plane sort of service, I dont know how true that is but I know its still there and was accessible by escalators if I'm not mistaken?

 

Well. The (NYCT) used the lower level platform at 42 St (there is none at 34 St) for Aqueduct Racetrack special trains when that service was offered decades ago, but it has been permanently out of service for over 10 years- the track connection was severed. It was accessible by escalators. It cannot have possibly served trains as those originated at 57 St/6 Av.

 

Legend has it that it was built to prevent the from expanding to the West Side; ironically, part (or all) of the platform will be demolished to make way for said extension.

 

 

Nycsubway.org has a few pictures of the lower level, and the description there is better than mine.

[metsfan 2]

Well. The (NYCT) used the lower level platform at 42 St (there is none at 34 St) for Aqueduct Racetrack special trains when that service was offered decades ago, but it has been permanently out of service for over 10 years- the track connection was severed. It was accessible by escalators. It cannot have possibly served trains as those originated at 57 St/6 Av.

 

Nycsubway.org has a few pictures of the lower level.

 

Legend has it that it was built to prevent the from expanding to the West Side; ironically, part (or all) of the platform will be demolished to make way for said extension.

 

Don't forget the tidbit about it being the station from the movie "ghost"! Also, it does not have tactile platform edge warning strips.

 

- Andy

[7LineFan 256]

Don't forget the tidbit about it being the station from the movie "ghost"! Also, it does not have tactile platform edge warning strips.

 

- Andy

 

Oh yeah, the station was heavily used for movie shoots. As the first pic from nycsubway.org shows, the lower level was a stand in for other stations along the line. Read the notes too.

 

Metsfan, you explain the "Ghost" tidbit. I've only seen the movie once, and that was a few years ago.

 

Please don't forget that all photographs of the lower level on nycsubway.org are ©Peter Dougherty.

[metsfan 2]

This has always bugged me... When was the last time (if ever) the middle platform at columbus circle saw service? I know they are fully renovating this station, will the stairs leading to the platform be made into a lockable door in a wall, or put into regular service?

 

- Andy

[7LineFan 256]

This has always bugged me... When was the last time (if ever) the middle platform at columbus circle saw service? I know they are fully renovating this station, will the stairs leading to the platform be made into a lockable door in a wall, or put into regular service?

 

- Andy

 

1974 or 1981, both according to Joe Brennan.

 

They've used it for fantrips before. I don't see any reason to lock it off.

[metsfan 2]

1974 or 1981, both according to Joe Brennan.

 

They've used it for fantrips before. I don't see any reason to lock it off.

 

I see a large plywood enclosure on that platform now, any idea what its used for? I will get photos & post them here next time i get lunch at whole foods (probably july 17).

 

- Andy

[xloakedx 0]

Oh the aqueduct, wow IND built whole seperate platform just for that, interesting. Yeah i heard they were gunna knock down an abondoned platform area for the extension.

 

Another question, On the line after Broadway Junction, going towards Jamaica, there some structure that looks like where a third rail line that would go on top of the other two assuming it assuming it being the express line? Now would that have run on top along the other two rails or would it run on its own and meet up with it at Cypress Hills so it would bypass the S curve between crescent st station and Cypress Hills station?

[East New York 4,104]

Oh the aqueduct, wow IND built whole seperate platform just for that, interesting. Yeah i heard they were gunna knock down an abondoned platform area for the extension.

 

Another question, On the line after Broadway Junction, going towards Jamaica, there some structure that looks like where a third rail line that would go on top of the other two assuming it assuming it being the express line? Now would that have run on top along the other two rails or would it run on its own and meet up with it at Cypress Hills so it would bypass the S curve between crescent st station and Cypress Hills station?

 

I know hardly anything about RTO, but I know this one!!! At the time, the BMT was planning on making an express line. Not sure how it would work, or what level it would be on, but the plan was abandoned for the B56 route, and the skip-stop was implemented. Why??? Who knows. As many of you already know, BMT was the dominant operator of both buses and trains. The B56 became the Q56 after the MTA take-over.

[ghome 0]

I see a large plywood enclosure on that platform now, any idea what its used for? I will get photos & post them here next time i get lunch at whole foods (probably july 17).

 

- Andy

 

The is doing a rehabilitation of Columbus Circle. According to 2nd ave sagas, once the rebabilitation is completed, the middle plaform will be used a passageway.

http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/04/08/reconstructing-the-columbus-circle-station/

[via White Plains Road 189]

The is doing a rehabilitation of Columbus Circle. According to 2nd ave sagas, once the rebabilitation is completed, the middle plaform will be used a passageway.

http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/04/08/reconstructing-the-columbus-circle-station/

 

Nice....can't wait to see it when its finished

[metsfan 2]

Nice....can't wait to see it when its finished

 

I was just there last week. The tiles look nice. There are piles of sacks of what i guess is mortar & grout, and piles upon piles of boxes & bundles of tiles. On the 17th i'll be sure to get photos!

 

- Andy

[Pablo M 201 35]

I was just there last week. The tiles look nice. There are piles of sacks of what i guess is mortar & grout, and piles upon piles of boxes & bundles of tiles. On the 17th i'll be sure to get photos!

 

- Andy

The tiles are nice, but the station lighting is too dim, almost though like a cave. I'm not exactly in favor with the work being done but oh well.

[MattTrain 3,120]

The between 59th Street and Coney Island has two express tracks, and only one of them is powered, (northbound side). The other track *(southbound track is disconnected from electrical power and was allowed to deteriorate. I heard of a special train that didn't make any stops between 59th Street and Stillwell Avenue, and then terminated to Brighton Beach station in the late 1960's.

[7LineFan 256]

I heard of a special train that didn't make any stops between 59th Street and Stillwell Avenue, and then terminated to Brighton Beach station in the late 1960's.

 

Yeah, that was the short-lived . Less than a year of service because of low ridership. It used the express tracks when both were completely electrified and in service.

[Pablo M 201 35]

The between 59th Street and Coney Island has two express tracks, and only one of them is powered, (northbound side). The other track *(southbound track is disconnected from electrical power and was allowed to deteriorate. I heard of a special train that didn't make any stops between 59th Street and Stillwell Avenue, and then terminated to Brighton Beach station in the late 1960's.

The southbound Sea Beach express track is usable from about Kings Highway to 86th Street. I've been on trains that used the northbound express track heading towards Stillwell, then just before Kings Highway, it switches to the southbound express track and continues out to CI.

[N-Trizzy2609 11]

The southbound Sea Beach express track is usable from about Kings Highway to 86th Street. I've been on trains that used the northbound express track heading towards Stillwell, then just before Kings Highway, it switches to the southbound express track and continues out to CI.

 

I think they should be reopened as far as Fort Hamilton to turn back that will terminate at 59th Street. That my idea. I gotta ask something about our mysterious subway, What was the purpose of Aqueduct Raceway Station of being just on platform and why doesn't MTA just abandon it if it's within walking distance from North Conduit Station

[Pablo M 201 35]

 

I think they should be reopened as far as Fort Hamilton to turn back that will terminate at 59th Street. That my idea. I gotta ask something about our mysterious subway, What was the purpose of Aqueduct Raceway Station of being just on platform and why doesn't MTA just abandon it if it's within walking distance from North Conduit Station

It would be better for people coming from the racetrack since its right there. The two stations are right there and MTA could simply make a walkway to North Conduit but well, its the MTA. Good thing races aren't as often.

[metsfan 2]

It would be better for people coming from the racetrack since its right there. The two stations are right there and MTA could simply make a walkway to North Conduit but well, its the MTA. Good thing races aren't as often.

 

So, they will get on the regular level of the at the PABT? Or did they change that completely after de-activation of that level? Seeing as the is going to stop there.... how's that work exactly?

 

- Andy

[7LineFan 256]

So, they will get on the regular level of the at the PABT? Or did they change that completely after de-activation of that level? Seeing as the is going to stop there.... how's that work exactly?

 

- Andy

 

The doesn't stop at Aqueduct Racetrack... and for the extension they're just gonna blast a hole through the abandoned platform. and make it tunnel. Either that or take down the platform entirely.

[metsfan 2]

The doesn't stop at Aqueduct Racetrack... and for the extension they're just gonna blast a hole through the abandoned platform. and make it tunnel. Either that or take down the platform entirely.

 

Ah. Should be fun.

 

- Andy

[xloakedx 0]

The City Hall Loop Station, I heard you can just stay on the 6 and see the city hall station from within the train, is this true? Or do you have to let the TO you want to stay on?

[UlmerPark B6 0]

The City Hall Loop Station, I heard you can just stay on the 6 and see the city hall station from within the train, is this true? Or do you have to let the TO you want to stay on?

 

no you don't have to notify a T/O. the loop for the annoucement is "This is a 6-Local Train, next stop is brooklyn-bridge city hall" at no time is there a this is the last stop and tahnk you for riding with the but to me it's better off to tell the T/O

[Pablo M 201 35]

no you don't have to notify a T/O. the loop for the annoucement is "This is a 6-Local Train, next stop is brooklyn-bridge city hall" at no time is there a this is the last stop and tahnk you for riding with the but to me it's better off to tell the T/O

It doesn't matter. It'll be wrong on their part to kick you off the train. Hell, just wait til the announcement come on, they'll shut up.