Closing Bell: Signs of the G Train Extension
This photo was just submitted by a tipster along with the comment, “Evidence that they may actually finally be extending the G train to Church.” In fact, service to Church Avenue is scheduled to start July 5. For more background on the track work and reroutings can be found here.
“Yeah – the Z is doneski. They had it’s mock funeral during that whole MTA Doomsday fare hike fiasco.”
This is incorrect. There are no current plans to remove the Z train from active service.
Bxgrl, “buff” is probably too strong — I don’t collect things, for example — but I do love New York history, and the subways are a huge part of that. I took the City Hall station tour a few years back, which wasn’t as much fun as the Nostalgia Train, but I’m glad I did it anyway. I do get a kick out of knowing about the Money Train gate at Jay St., the abandoned stations (such as Worth St. on the 6 and 91st St. on the 1), and the old track beds that lead from the 4-5-6 tracks to where the Shuttle stops now.
Crap. I’m not a subway buff; I’m a subway nerd, aren’t I?
The #5 train is also being extended to Brooklyn middays, as of this week.
Just wanted clarification – if I understand the referenced article correctly the extension of the G is in response to forthcoming construction. So it seems like although this extension will bring about many good things, it also signals the beginning to other headaches for commuters as the F line is disrupted. Does it also mean that after the construction/repair is finished that this G train extension will then be discontinued? That would be unfortunate.
Joe, extending the 2 and 5 is a GREAT idea. I often have wished the same. Flatbush is the main thoroughfare for the borough (arguably) and subway service runs only halfway. WTF??
rob- I’ll also post on the open thread but yes- the transit museum is a lot of fun. Definitely go! I used to live up he block and took my niece and nephew there when they were growing up. They loved it!
ProfRobert- then you know! You sound like a subway buff! I love looking for bits and pieces of the old stations when I’m on the train.I was always so curious about the Hudson Tubes sign.
Rob, the Hudson Tubes are the old name for what’s now called the PATH Tubes. The original train (which started service 100 years ago) was operated by the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad.
Sorry if I’m misreading your comment, but there are express tracks that run under Carroll and Bergen. Indeed they don’t stop at the platform at 4th Ave so that connection couldn’t work.
There are F express tracks but they don’t do much good. South of Church Ave. there is only a single express track, so you can only run an express train in one direction. North of Church there are two express tracks, stopping at 7th, Bergen (lower level, now closed but I saw it once when they had route changes on a weekend), and Jay. I’m not sure how much time an F express would actually save, given the complicated logistics of running it, which the MTA is sure to screw up. The 4th Avenue platforms would have to be entirely rebuilt if you wanted to make an express stop there.
That said, I do love the direct trip from Kensington to Williamsburg and Greenpoint and even (shudder) Queens.