Railroad Forums 

Discussion relating to the past and present operations of the NYC Subway, PATH, and Staten Island Railway (SIRT).

Moderator: GirlOnTheTrain

 #1535756  by Rightbackatchya
 
Why does the southbound A-train feel like it's going to hit warp speed when it approaches 42nd st? It seems a lot faster than any other stretch. Is it due to visibility (light from north bound station) and a straight length of track? Are the drivers each trying to outdo some record? Many questions..
 #1536312  by Allan
 
Rightbackatchya wrote: Wed Mar 04, 2020 6:01 pm Why does the southbound A-train feel like it's going to hit warp speed when it approaches 42nd st? It seems a lot faster than any other stretch. Is it due to visibility (light from north bound station) and a straight length of track? Are the drivers each trying to outdo some record? Many questions..
It is because the northbound platform is offset from the southbound platform (it is north of the southbound platform). Because of this offset it only gives the illusion that the southbound train is going to hit warp speed (actually it is only at impulse) as it passes the northbound platform.
 #1539496  by mark777
 
I was under the impression that the 8 ave line has a declining profile from 50th street into 42nd street where southbounds basically just let gravity do all the work, especially on the express track. I have seen some trains zoom by doing at least 50mph, which is fast in the subway.