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| Re: Bellmouths and tunnel expansions (503754) | |||
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Re: Bellmouths and tunnel expansions |
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Posted by Michael549 on Wed Oct 17 12:39:01 2007, in response to Re: Bellmouths and tunnel expansions, posted by Broadway Lion on Wed Oct 17 11:06:14 2007. Ride along the R-train or the W-train south toward Whitehall Street. After passing the Prince Street station, you will notice a set of cross-over switches between the local and express tracks. The express tracks decline to a lower level, and curve into Canal Street. The Canal Street tunnel was originally designed to follow along under Canal Street, and the tunnel extends about 100 feet or more past the curve that N and Q trains use to enter the station. Of course, the N and Q express tracks travel over the Manhattan Bridge, and yes those tracks were reconfigured for the Chrystie Street set of improvements.Anyway on the local R and W trains, continue to look out of the windows. Just at the entrance to the Canal Street local station, a second set of "express tracks" appear. After leaving the local station, a set of switches between the local and express tracks appear as the express tracks decline and a set of switches between the express tracks appear. Often these tracks are covered by out-of-service W trains. These express tracks decline to a lower level under the City Hall Station to an unfinished set of platforms and three tracks. At the usual City Hall Platform, near the north end of the station before the Tower Room, there is a stairway to the lower level. Along the wall to the Tower Room is a plaque noting the original existence of Ely Beach's original pneumantic subway - the city's very first subway - well before the IRT - which this station replaced. As the downtown local trains enter the City Hall station you will notice that the tracks sharply move to the left, and then the right. If you are quick enough you will notice that the concrete floor has a pattern for a switch. Yes, that was where the diamond switch between the local tracks would have appeared if that upper level station had remained a terminal. Some of that area has been filled in by station expansion. Since it was the lower level express tracks that were originally to continue to lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, the tracks on the upper level have to quickly decline and go through a serious "S" curve to get to the Cortlandt Street station. Hope this helps. Mike |
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