Parking Trains

[Union Tpke]

Parking Trains?

Select Language​▼

 

January 22nd, 2014

Trains are stored underground during winter weather.

New York City is not a place known for an over-abundance of free parking spaces and when the weather turns especially nasty, even MTA New York City Transit’s subway fleet must be moved to alternate spots for overnight storage.

Normally, subway cars not needed for overnight service are parked in one of the system’s 14 outdoor subway yards, like the 207 St Yard in Manhattan’s Inwood section or Brooklyn’s Coney Island Yard. But extremely cold, snowy or icy weather requires that trains be parked underground along the express tracks of lines around the system. Deep snow, frigid temperatures and icy buildup on the third rails are liable to trap trains inside the yards, rendering them useless when needed and also making it far more difficult to clear the yards of snow.

New York City Transit has a cold-weather plan developed to protect the system against harsh weather and trains are parked underground when:

• Temperature is 10º F or less, or
  
• Freezing rain and/or icing, or
  
• Snow accumulation of 5" or more is forecast.
  

While customers benefit by having warm, comfortable trains ready for the next rush hour, the other side of the coin is the requirement that express service end early.

“We are one of only two subway systems in the world with express tracks and this gives us a tremendous amount of flexibility, including the ability to store hundreds of cars in areas where they can be safe from the weather and easily accessible when needed for the next rush period,” said Assistant Chief Transportation Officer Pamela Elsey.

The first couple of winter storms in 2014 and the following days of frigid weather required the activation of the cold weather plan. When express service was halted and the lay-up process began, trains were pulled into assigned locations and then parked one behind the other. Train operators were able to walk through the trains and then out at the nearest station. In the morning, that process is reversed. Train operators clear the trains one by one and then move them into their terminals to begin their morning runs.

The underground train parking system has been in place for decades and in the past, it was especially important because the older trains had air operated systems that were prone to freezing.

Today’s trains are a lot more dependable, but they still need a little tender loving care and a warm, dry place to spend the night.

[darrylbaniaga38]

I wonder which other system has express trackage other than NYC.

[trainfan22]

I wonder which other system has express trackage other than NYC.

Only the Broad Street line in Philly.

 

NYC and the Philly Broad Street line are the only two subway systems in the world that use the local/express four track setup.

[SevenEleven]

Only the Broad Street line in Philly.

 

NYC and the Philly Broad Street line are the only two subway systems in the world that use the local/express four track setup.

Chicago has the 4 track setup as well.

[NYtransit]

Chicago has the 4 track setup as well.

But I dont think they run express and local lines like nyc, 

[Orion V 9441]

London has some express trackage in the northwest part of the city between Baker Street and Wembley Park, with the Jubilee line running local and the Metropolitan Line running express. In addition, there are numerous express services (referred to as "fast" and "semi-fast" trains) on the Metropolitan line itself.

[bobtehpanda]

Seoul definitely has four-track express on Line 1, and I'm pretty sure that Tokyo also has some four track segments, but Tokyo's rail system is just flat out weird (expresses, limited-express, semi-express are all services on a single set of tracks at times)

 

 

 

But I dont think they run express and local lines like nyc, 

 

I believe the Purple Line runs express during rush hours.

[GojiMet86]

London has some express trackage in the northwest part of the city between Baker Street and Wembley Park, with the Jubilee line running local and the Metropolitan Line running express. In addition, there are numerous express services (referred to as "fast" and "semi-fast" trains) on the Metropolitan line itself.

 

I think they actually share those tracks with mainline railroads.

[N6 Limited]

I like the NYC 4 track express set up.

Chicago has the 4 track setup as well.

 

 

But I dont think they run express and local lines like nyc, 

I think they have one line, the brown or purple that goes to north Chicago that's express.

[AndrewJC]

London has some express trackage in the northwest part of the city between Baker Street and Wembley Park, with the Jubilee line running local and the Metropolitan Line running express. In addition, there are numerous express services (referred to as "fast" and "semi-fast" trains) on the Metropolitan line itself.

 

The Piccadilly and District lines also have a four-track express-local setup between Earl's Court and Acton Town.

 

I believe the Purple Line runs express during rush hours.

 

Absolutely.

 

I wonder, do any other systems have three-track lines with peak-direction express service, or is that purely a New York phenomenon? I certainly can't think of any others.

 

 

SEPTA runs a variety of express-type services on the Norristown High-Speed Line, but the line only has two tracks - service is infrequent enough that the expresses are simply scheduled to not-quite-catch-up to their leading locals.

[bobtehpanda]

Absolutely.

 

I wonder, do any other systems have three-track lines with peak-direction express service, or is that purely a New York phenomenon? I certainly can't think of any others.

 

 

SEPTA runs a variety of express-type services on the Norristown High-Speed Line, but the line only has two tracks - service is infrequent enough that the expresses are simply scheduled to not-quite-catch-up to their leading locals.

 

According to Wikipedia, Melbourne utilizes third tracks on its commuter rail system (which would be similar in function to the LIRR third track, if that ever gets built)

[SevenEleven]

But I dont think they run express and local lines like nyc,

When the Purple Line runs, it runs express between Howard and Belmont. The Red Line runs has a short express run from Belmont to Fullerton.

[CenSin]

New York probably has the most extensive local/express setup in the world. It's a shame that new subway tunneling will be only 2 tracks with stations far apart. The subways of yesterday struck the best balance between flexibility, capacity, distance between stations, and speed of travel.

[Vistausss]

Only the Broad Street line in Philly.

 

NYC and the Philly Broad Street line are the only two subway systems in the world that use the local/express four track setup.

 

Aside from the other systems people mentioned in this thread, let me add that Rotterdam and The Hague also has a four track subway setup on intercounty subway line E. Not on the whole stretch but on some parts it does. Though don't have express service set up as of now, but maybe in the future.

Utrecht's only subway line also has three or four tracks on some places which they do use for express rush hour service.

If I'm not mistaken, Brussels also has four tracks in some places of its subway system.

[Jsunflyguy]

New York probably has the most extensive local/express setup in the world. It's a shame that new subway tunneling will be only 2 tracks with stations far apart. The subways of yesterday struck the best balance between flexibility, capacity, distance between stations, and speed of travel.

And then when no one rides the line we'll bore in a lower level 30yrs from now.

[Union Tpke]

I sure hope that phases 3 and 4 of SAS are 4 tracks. I also hope they can have a L.L express for phases UNO y dos like el Lexington Avenue Line. Don't screw up MTA

 

 

Using Tapatalk

 

 

[bobtehpanda]

I sure hope that phases 3 and 4 of SAS are 4 tracks. I also hope they can have a L.L express for phases UNO y dos like el Lexington Avenue Line. Don't screw up MTA Using Tapatalk

 

There is no need for express tracks; where exactly would you get trains to fill up both a pair of local and express tracks? And what stops would it be skipping?

 

If they ever need express tracks (and I highly doubt they will, since two tracks will be able to handle needs for quite some time), they'll be added in as a lower pair of tubes, similar to how they did the 6th Av express.

[Juelz4309]

I think Its a true stroke of luck and just good common sense that We are fortunate enuff to not only have an extensive subway system but to also have a 4 track local/express setup..its just an amazing thing to bypass local stops at high speed like we do currently...My favorite being the 4/5 Lex personally...I cant wait to get behind the controls of a "5" one day lol...(currently in waitng to be called back for the medical from the test I took back in 2009..keepin my fingers crossed)

[Vistausss]

There is no need for express tracks; where exactly would you get trains to fill up both a pair of local and express tracks? And what stops would it be skipping?

 

If they ever need express tracks (and I highly doubt they will, since two tracks will be able to handle needs for quite some time), they'll be added in as a lower pair of tubes, similar to how they did the 6th Av express.

 

Exactly. Plus, if demand is that much higher than expected, they can always add skip-stop service. (note that I do talk about phase 3 and 4 being completed, skip-stop wouldn t be useful as of now)