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Old 12-02-2020, 06:16 PM
 
Location: Manhattan
8,936 posts, read 4,774,977 times
Reputation: 5970

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And here I thought it was just done haphazardly.

https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-sub...me-1-31116195/

The subway train numbers and letters New Yorkers are familiar with weren’t introduced until the 1960s, decades after the first underground trains were running in the city.

So how did they each get named? And why were some letters skipped?

Here’s a look back at the history of the city’s subway nomenclature.
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Old 12-02-2020, 10:24 PM
 
Location: Honolulu/DMV Area/NYC
30,654 posts, read 18,263,167 times
Reputation: 34525
Neat history lesson! I didn't know this.
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Old 12-03-2020, 08:27 PM
 
Location: Staten Island, NY
2,450 posts, read 974,370 times
Reputation: 3008
Very interesting.
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Old 12-03-2020, 08:28 PM
 
34,104 posts, read 47,331,471 times
Reputation: 14280
As a New Yorker its a badge of pride to me that I take the A train.
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Old 12-05-2020, 11:08 PM
 
44 posts, read 23,884 times
Reputation: 63
Very informative, thank you !
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Old 12-06-2020, 12:17 PM
 
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Reputation: 7653
Interesting stuff.

It was some time ago, but I distinctly remember conductors still using the IRT and BMT designations in hear early/mid 80s.
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Old 12-06-2020, 12:31 PM
 
Location: Staten Island
2,317 posts, read 1,155,134 times
Reputation: 3663
The BMT numbers appeared on later cars through the 1950s but never on the maps which is strange. After the major service changes of November, 1967 all IND/BMT routes had a letter and all IRT routes had a number. Double-letter routes were eliminated in 1985/86.
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Old 12-06-2020, 01:25 PM
 
Location: USA
9,177 posts, read 6,216,162 times
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The names IRT, BMT, and IND were used long after any consolidation. Several thoughts about the subways:

What number comes after 86, 59, 42, . . .?
What does BMT stand for?
What is the only regular (non-shuttle) line that does not go through Manhattan?


Answer: 14. these are express stops on the Lex Ave trains.
Answer: By Means of a Thumb (because service was so bad).
Answer: G line (formerly the GG)
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Old 12-10-2020, 06:39 AM
 
3,570 posts, read 3,761,246 times
Reputation: 1349
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lillie767 View Post
The names IRT, BMT, and IND were used long after any consolidation. Several thoughts about the subways:

What number comes after 86, 59, 42, . . .?
What does BMT stand for?
What is the only regular (non-shuttle) line that does not go through Manhattan?


Answer: 14. these are express stops on the Lex Ave trains.
Answer: By Means of a Thumb (because service was so bad).
Answer: G line (formerly the GG)
Brooklyn Manhattan Transit.

Smith and 9th is the tallest station in all of NYC.
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