subway trains...is there a way to tell from which direction the train is coming? (Utica: vs., gardens) - City-Data Forum

TunaBoy · 07-12-2009, 12:43 PM

Its convenient for me to be in the trains towards the back since its close to the exit at my stop. But whenever im at a station im not familiar with, I end up at the wrong end and when I get off my stop, I have to walk quite a bit to the exit.

analyticalkeys · 07-12-2009, 12:47 PM

Don't quote me on this, but from the stations I've been in.

Train always comes from your left.

If there's two trains that arrive on the platform, and you're standing on the express side, both trains will come from your left. Likewise, if you're standing on the local side, both trains will come from your right.

Caralho · 07-12-2009, 01:10 PM

Look both ways on the track and you will see green/red signal lights; the train will come from the direction facing these lights in order to see them. The other direction will have either no lights or white (non signal lights.) Usually you'll be able to tell before you even get that far by the people already looking in the proper direction. But that's how you know which direction the train will come from.

Green Irish Eyes · 07-12-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by analyticalkeys

Don't quote me on this, but from the stations I've been in.

Train always comes from your left.

If there's two trains that arrive on the platform, and you're standing on the express side, both trains will come from your left. Likewise, if you're standing on the local side, both trains will come from your right.

Unfortunately, nice as it would be, you can't generalize train direction (left vs. right). The better way, as Caralho said, is to look for the red/green lights.

Fred314X · 07-12-2009, 03:25 PM

You can look for the signal lights, as stated, and you can also look for little plates with numbers mounted above the edge of the platform. The numbers on these plates will most often be 4, 6, 8 or 10. (They're guides for the train operator, so he or she knows precisely where to stop a train with that particular number of cars). Just as good as the signal lights as an indicator of which direction the train will enter the station!

omigawd · 07-12-2009, 07:12 PM

Be careful before bending over and looking down the tracks --- I saw a guy get hit by a train this way back in the 80s in Kew Gardens. He bent over to look down the tracks and was looking the wrong way. Didn't realize the train was already coming in the station and -- splat.

SilkCity0416 · 07-12-2009, 07:24 PM

I wish this was like the Washington Metro. The platform actually has lights on them, and they will flash when it tells you that your train is near!

Though this is NYC, just wait for the squeeking noise, and dirty air, to rush in your face.

ddhboy · 07-12-2009, 09:06 PM

Northbound trains (in manhattan) are on the right hand side of the platform while facing northward bound. How these trains appear in the other boroughs depends on the feed direction they are into Manhattan. The 4 train towards Manhattan on Utica Ave. would be leaving the station west bound. Certainly I hope that many of you have enough dexterity to figure out which direction you are facing, and if it becomes to much of a bother remember that in NYC the sun is always due south.

ShayLove · 07-13-2009, 08:15 AM

When standing on the platform and your looking for the train... If the people are looking at you... Your looking the wrong way!!

Chava61 · 07-13-2009, 09:55 AM

I think you need to orient yourself according to the above ground landmarks. Associate an entrance above the ground with where you are relevant to the platform and track. If you are able to do this you will always know what part of the train will be nearest to the exit you want as long as the station has more than one exit.