by Tom Curtin
SInce I live on the west side I regularly use the 1-2-3 line and notice the following: expresses tend to slow quite a long way in advance of each express stop, in my layman's opinion a lot more than normal juducious operation calls for. This seems so consistent that I am coming to the conclusion that it is a rule.
Examples: a southbound express begins braking for 42d St when passing 50th St. local station. The same train begins braking for 14 St before passing 18th St; and braking for Chambers St before passing Franklin. The train then runs the last several blocks approaching each station at a fairly slow speed. I do not recall this was always the case. I can say with certainty that the signals are clear and this is NOT due to catching the signals of a train ahead. What's this about? Again, I see this very consistently.
Examples: a southbound express begins braking for 42d St when passing 50th St. local station. The same train begins braking for 14 St before passing 18th St; and braking for Chambers St before passing Franklin. The train then runs the last several blocks approaching each station at a fairly slow speed. I do not recall this was always the case. I can say with certainty that the signals are clear and this is NOT due to catching the signals of a train ahead. What's this about? Again, I see this very consistently.