ROAR
Enjoyed the video, but it got me to wondering about NYC’s subway system. First, any idea about the number of cars on an average train? Secondly, what about the maximum number of cars they could realistically use? thanks…
Cars on the IRT division are all 50’ long. All lines (except the (7) ) are 10 cars long or 500 feet. On the (7) trains are 11 cars long and platforms are 550’ long.
On the IND and BMT divisions cars are either 60’ long or 75’ long. The 60s run in trains of 10 cras for a 600’ train; the 75s run in trains of 8 cars long and are also 600 feet long. A few trains (The (C) (G)and the (H) are shorter). The shuttles are also shorter. Trains always run at full length, to slip a short train in would delay the railroad what with passengers having to shift positions to board the train. It also costs too much to break and reassemble the trains. That is yard work. They used to do it at night on certain lines, but found it all counter productive in many ways.
On Route of Broadway LION, we use the 50’ IRT type cars since that is what is available, I run six car trains (300’) and platforms are 4’ long. Cars come in sets of 4 which is far too short to look good, while 10 cars would make trains too long for the train room, and would cost too much money. The 6 car train is a good compromise. Trains of LION are permanently coupled with draw-bars and are hard wired to achieve 48 wheel pick-up, important to the automation system on my railroad.
Trains cannot be longer than 500’ on the IRT or 600’ on the IND/BMT because of platform lengths, signal block lengths, and union rules. They can combine a train for ememrgency reasons, but it would go out of service at the next station, and the PAX would have to walk through the cars to exit the train.
Subway trains NEVER (never say never) move backwards.
ROAR
So the train I saw in Metro Center in D.C. that missed the platform by a car and a half and had to back up…
(truth told they were breaking in a new driver and it was the weekend, so the pressure was off.)
Metro DC is a whole 'nother ball of wacks. That line is automated and the T/O does not have too much to do, but of course they need to know how to actually operate the equipment.
In New York City, if a train overshoots, it must hold in place with the doors closed, while the doors that are not platformed are cut out, then the rest of the train may be opened. The Operator is in big troube for over shooting, and for delaying the railroad. If he tries to back up he will be fired. There might be another train right behind him.
In New York City, the T/O does not operate the doors, that is the job of the conductor who rides in the middle of the train. When the train stops the conductor must open his window, and then he must find AND POINT to the zebra. That is a striped board that indicates that the train is properly platformed (and that the conductor is actually looking at the platform and is not on the worng side of the train.) He MUST POINT at this board, the MTA may well have inspectors out to insure that he does indeed point at the board. Sometimes the inspectors remove the board to see what the conductor will do. If the board is missing, or the train did not stop at the board, the CR must call the TO to assure himself that the train is indeed properly spotted before opening the doors.
Railroads can be very fussy about their rules. They are usually written in blood.
ROAR
Everything I ever wanted to know about NYC subway system! When I was younger I used to think that all the graffitti covered cars were so cool and so New York. Of course, now that I am much older and (hopefully) wiser, I realize that it was nothing more than vandalism, but it certainly left lasting memories of my hot and hazy summertime visits to the Big Apple…
Broadway Lion - Thanks for your response. I didn’t realize that the trains could be that long. I still miss the pre & post PCC streetcars I grew up with here in Pittsburgh. Anyway, I was reading our daily paper this morning & came across an article about the NYC subway system. Thought you might be interested. Here’s the link.
http://triblive.com/usworld/nation/7427611-74/york-subways-system#axzz3MeZv92mT