MHV9218 Posted May 19, 2015 Share #1 Posted May 19, 2015 The MTA is rapidly replacing the old signs of the 8th Avenue Line, even when signs are in fine condition and no in no need of repair. This is a shame, because the line has long been a stronghold of Akzidenz-Grotesk porcelain enamel signs that are much more simple and pleasing to the eye (a simple "72" instead of "72nd Street") then the new Helvetica metal pieces. The entire line received these porcelain enamel signs in roughly 1982, to the best of my knowledge. They have been replaced only at rehabbed stations since then, but the MTA is finally getting rid of them now. Normally I wouldn't make a list like this as it'd simply seal the fates of the current pieces of history, but these will be removed regardless. 207th St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced mid-2000s 200th St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced late 1990s/early 2000s 191st St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced 2010 181st St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced 2014 175th St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced mid-1990s 168th St - original Azkidenz-Grotesk porcelain, installed 1981-1982 163rd St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced early 2000s 155th St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced early 2000s 145th St - modern Helvetica signs, replaced spring 2015 135th St - original Akzidenz-Grotesk porcelain, installed 1981-1982 125th St - pillars: modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-1990s; hanging: original Azkidenz-Grotesk porcelain, installed 1981-1982 116th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-1990s 110th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed early 2000s 103rd St - modern Helvetica signs, installed early 2000s; one A-G sign remaining on platform 96th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed 2013 86th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s, two A-G signs remaining on platforms 81st St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s 72nd St - original Akdizend-Grotesk porcelain, installed 1981-1982 59th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s 50th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s 42nd St - modern Helvetica signs, installed early 2000s 34th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed early 2000s 23rd St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s 14th St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s W 4 St - modern Helvetica signs, installed late 1990s Spring St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s Canal St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s Chambers St - modern Helvetica signs, installed late 1990s Fulton St - modern Helvetica signs, installed mid-2000s Saving time, because I need to run out. All remaining Brooklyn C train stations except Euclid are in modern Helvetica signs. Hoyt and Utica a few remaining A-G signs each. There may be a few stragglers left over. As for the line, there are a few remaining stragglers but almost all were replaced in the Rockaway rehab. Far Rock may have a couple remaining. My message is: get your shots while the history is still there! If there are updates or corrections to any of these, please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Sith Posted May 19, 2015 Share #2 Posted May 19, 2015 Which part of 72nd has the original signs?I know that the uptown platform of 72nd has new route signs. They even messed up with one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Union Tpke Posted May 19, 2015 Share #3 Posted May 19, 2015 At I think 72nd on the brooklyn bound platform on one ot the signs, the old No B weekends is peaking out under other times, you should check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHV9218 Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted May 19, 2015 Which part of 72nd has the original signs? I know that the uptown platform of 72nd has new route signs. They even messed up with one of them. Oh, I was talking about the platform pillar signs. There are no stations with the original AG route signs 'cause those would still have the signs. Couple older ones with the black covering at Jay St., etc. though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lance Posted May 19, 2015 Share #5 Posted May 19, 2015 The last vestiges of the Vignelli-Noorda design are being phased out and I'm not so thrilled about that. I also like the simplistic look of the older numbered station signage. It also may have something to do with my preference Akzidenz-Grotesk over Helvetica. Which part of 72nd has the original signs?I know that the uptown platform of 72nd has new route signs. They even messed up with one of them. <pic removed> Again, what is this "proofreading"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3F Posted May 19, 2015 Share #6 Posted May 19, 2015 If I have the time I might print out a sticker and go fix that. Probably won't if it's illegal. (Is it?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q43LTD Posted May 19, 2015 Share #7 Posted May 19, 2015 I just LOL'ed at the to 168 St Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Sith Posted May 20, 2015 Share #8 Posted May 20, 2015 Oh, I was talking about the platform pillar signs. There are no stations with the original AG route signs 'cause those would still have the signs. Couple older ones with the black covering at Jay St., etc. though. Gotcha, I'll check em out. I'll post up on other findings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokkemon Posted May 20, 2015 Share #9 Posted May 20, 2015 To be honest, I like the modern signs better. It fits with the current Graphic House Style of the MTA far better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel The Cool Posted May 20, 2015 Share #10 Posted May 20, 2015 116th Street southbound still has an original sign Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulrivera Posted May 20, 2015 Share #11 Posted May 20, 2015 I always preferred the Akzidenz-Grotesk font on the pillar signs along with the simple number on them too. Regarding the goof at 72nd, there was another sign at 59th that they goofed up that either had a blue or an orange bullet but I can't remember which (or was it both?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel The Cool Posted May 20, 2015 Share #12 Posted May 20, 2015 I always preferred the Akzidenz-Grotesk font on the pillar signs along with the simple number on them too. Regarding the goof at 72nd, there was another sign at 59th that they goofed up that either had a blue or an orange bullet but I can't remember which (or was it both?) It was both but they fixed it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHV9218 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted June 20, 2015 A few corrections to this thread: 145th Street received new signs well before Spring 2015--probably around 2011/2012. Grant Avenue still has a handful of condensed font signs, like Utica and Hoyt. I had thought this was Akzidenz-Grotesk Super Black Condensed or the like, but some sources say it's in fact Helvetica Ultra Compressed at Grant and Helvetica Inserat at Hoyt/Utica. These signs are from about 1986, a little later than some of the other 8th Ave line porcelain signs. 116 does not have any original signs southbound, unless I'm blind. I looked. A couple photos, working south: 168 - whole station 103 - one sign 96 - none remaining 86 - two signs 72 - all signs Hoyt - handful of pillar signs, all signs facing tracks The key distinction for many of these is the use of porcelain enamel, rather than thin metal on newer signs. The fonts play a part too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriston Lewis Posted June 22, 2015 Share #14 Posted June 22, 2015 There's an overhead A-G sign at the far end of the southbound platform at Clinton-Washington Avs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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