Let's make this simple:

1) Taking Pelham Bay trains and running them as Lexington Avenue express trains is BAD - whether

a) we call them #8 trains or leave them as #6 trains;

b) while the 125th Street station can handle the switching duties, the Brooklyn Bridge station can not;

c) the riders will be confused about what train goes where and holding up the service - which means that there is something to be said for "stability" of train routes;

d) just because the switching capability is there does not mean that we have to use it - yes Pelham or Jerome trains can be equally local or express at 125th Street - big deal.

e) Taking the Pelham Bay trains away from the Lexington Avenue local (by making them express) leaves too few trains (Parkchester) to handle the amount of riders at the local stations. Even diverting a few #4 or #5 trains to serve as locals again "jams up" the line with riders confused about what train goes where, and huge amount of daily riders.

f) Transit fans like to think about every possible route that could be made, to ask "what if" -- which is very different from actually running a railroad that has to transport millions daily.

g) Considering that the TA runs the trains, one would have thought they could have come up with this "new bright idea", on their own. Or is that maybe this "new bright idea" is just no so good after all. What does the TA know, they "only have to actually run a railroad".

h) One could actually look at Lexington Avenue as a "system" for moving trains not as switch points to "play with the trains". The #4 and #5 lines are merged/split at 149th Street, and again at Franklin Avenue - in between the trains can just simply run. If all goes well, the #6 does not have to switch tracks with any other line at any station - so the trains can run fast.

Just a few thoughts,
Mike

The current pattern is the best. The same destination can be achieved with a transfer anyway.

Making the 5 a Lex local(bronx express) and the 4 and the 6 the Express is not a bad idea this would justify ridership on each line.


The 6 is bronx express only to have those people pour out of the train at 125th street (stay with me let me explain) if that train continues express then it relieves the crowds at 125th street.

The 4 and 6 prooves they have the crowds the Pelham line Proves that an express service was needed in the bronx meaning that high service could be needed in Manhattan


The 5 is express in the Bronx due to length and the areas it serves. (bringing the working class North Bronx )

The 5's transfer point for express service can be 149th street grand concourse people who really is on schedule would have the option to get off there as well as 125th street.

I would'nt have the 5 terminate @ brooklyn Bridge it will run it's course but the train will be local in Man. maybe extend the 6 express to Bowling green at rush hours the issue there is the two track issue that can work for and against . it against if there is a delay in Man. but a another resource if there is a delay in Brooklyn meaning that wall street riders will not be delayed if there is a 6 train coming from bowling green.


I am not to familuar with the track switching in that areas so i bet some of you will enlighten me on that

Track Maps (upon request)
Uptown
Central
Midtown
Downtown

Yes, all of the lines are crowded in both Manhattan and the Bronx but it isn't very justified here - ALL of the liens are crowded and that's just due to high ridership. Besides, instead of having a one-seat ride and changing all three routes you can just make a transfer at any express station.

B35 via Church, if the extensions approved by The Board Of Estimate in 1968 were built, I think the (4) down Utica Avenue to Kings Highway and the (2)(5) down Nostrand Avenue to Avenue U would be cool today.

You got that right. The B44 and 46 would be filled with elderly though.

B35 via Church, if the extensions approved by The Board Of Estimate in 1968 were built, I think the (4) down Utica Avenue to Kings Highway and the (2)(5) down Nostrand Avenue to Avenue U would be cool today.

From a previous message: "the 5 can easily be the lex ave local because it's ..."

Please, please think in terms of the track maps, the capabilities of the actual stations before entertaining another thought about the #5 train as a local.

In order to have #5 trains as the local, #6 trains as the express you will have to have trains switching to and fro between the local and express tracks. There will be situations where the tracks will be blocked - for example with both a #$ and #6 train arrive at 125th Street and they both need to use the express tracks downtown, or when both #4 and #5 trains traveling uptown arrive at 125th Street. Your "suggestion" results in a reduction of smooth operation. At the Brooklyn Bridge station, your "suggestion" is even WORSE since all switching would be done on the same level, when only one train (either direction) can switch from one track to another. This is basically a bad idea - it will tie up the tracks for no benefit to the riders.

However all of this has been explained in detail in the previous messages.

Mike