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iv2892 t1_jbrwpev wrote

Reply to comment by runningwithscalpels in Latest subway cars roll into service, start their journey on the A line by kuberlog

Damn I didn’t realize that , I guess that’s also why numbered lines and lettered lines don’t share platforms . Good to know

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BijouPyramidette t1_jbs5877 wrote

There's an interesting historical reason for this. Before there was an MTA, NYC subways were run by private operators that were competing against one another. The was the IRT, which opened in 1904; the BMT, which incorporated in 1923; and the IND which was actually city-owned and operated, starting in 1932. It was only in 1940 that the city took over the privately operated lines. The IND and BMT lines became the B Division (the letter lines), and the narrower-gauge IRT lines because the A division (numbered lines and 42nd St shuttle). As a result of this competition, and the 20 years between IRT and the others, today you have a system with two different, incompatible track gauges.

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IIAOPSW t1_jbtsyh8 wrote

This is all nearly perfect but its not the track gauge that is different its the tunnel width and turning radius.

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BijouPyramidette t1_jbu8kjb wrote

My bad, I really thought the gauges were different. Does that mean you could technically send a number train down a letter line since they are smaller? Mind the gap, lol

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runningwithscalpels t1_jbvnz7v wrote

Yes, you could.

For example: The cars from the 7 line need to go to the yard at 207 Street they get the real scenic route to get there. It happens fairly frequently.

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