BMT Astoria Line
Encyclopedia
The Astoria Line is a rapid transit
line of the BMT
division of the New York City Subway
, serving the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens
. It runs from Ditmars Boulevard to 39th Avenue
along 31st Street. It then serves Queensboro Plaza along 27th Street. It was built as part of the Dual Contracts and jointly operated by the IRT
and BMT using IRT-sized cars until 1949. In 1949, the platforms were shaved to accept the wider BMT cars and joint service was discontinued.
The north end of the Astoria Line is a two-track terminal at Ditmars Boulevard, with one island platform. South of the station, the center express track begins (with crossovers to allow terminating trains to reach the correct track). The next station, Astoria Boulevard
, is the only express station on the three-track section.
North of Queensboro Plaza, the express track ends. Queensboro Plaza is a dual-level station with northbound trains on the upper level, southbound trains on the lower level, and cross-platform transfers to the IRT Flushing Line
. Crossover tracks exist between the upper level tracks just north of the station, one of a few connections between the BMT
/ IND
and IRT
. After Queensboro Plaza, the line turns west and merges with the 60th Street Tunnel Connection to become the BMT Broadway Line
via the 60th Street Tunnel
.
, as a spur off the IRT Queensboro Line, now the IRT Flushing Line
. The whole Astoria Line north of Queensboro Plaza opened on February 1, 1917, and was used by trains between Grand Central and Astoria. Through IRT service to the Corona Line (now the Flushing Line) opened two months later on April 21, 1917.
On July 23, 1917, the Queensboro Bridge
spur of the elevated
IRT Second Avenue Line
opened. At that time, all elevated trains to Queensboro Plaza used the Astoria Line, and all subway trains used the Corona Line, though this was later changed with trains alternating between branches.
The 60th Street Tunnel
opened on August 1, 1920, allowing BMT
trains to reach Queensboro Plaza. However, the stations on the Astoria and Corona Lines were built to IRT specifications, which were too narrow for BMT rolling stock. Those BMT subway trains terminated at Queensboro Plaza using a relay track east of the station to turn around for the return trip to Manhattan.
On April 8, 1923, the BMT
, using elevated cars, started running shuttles along the Astoria Line (numbered BMT 8 in 1924) and the Corona Line (BMT 9) in addition to the existing IRT service. On June 23, 1942, the IRT Second Avenue Line
spur to Queensboro Plaza closed.
The IRT services were numbered in 1948, with being assigned to the Flushing Line and to the Astoria Line. Only a year later on October 17, 1949, the Flushing Line became IRT-only. The platforms on the Astoria Line were shaved back to allow through BMT trains to operate on it, the first being the Brighton Local (BMT 1). Since then, the Astoria Line has hosted the "other end" of various services running from Brooklyn through Manhattan; see , , , , and for details.
In the early 2000s, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
considered extending the Astoria Line to LaGuardia Airport
, but this was scrapped in July 2003 due to heavy opposition from residents .
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
line of the BMT
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
division of the New York City Subway
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
, serving the neighborhood of Astoria, Queens
Astoria, Queens
Astoria is a neighborhood in the northwestern corner of the borough of Queens in New York City. Located in Community Board 1, Astoria is bounded by the East River and is adjacent to three other Queens neighborhoods: Long Island City, Sunnyside , and Woodside...
. It runs from Ditmars Boulevard to 39th Avenue
39th Avenue (BMT Astoria Line)
39th Avenue is a local station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. Located at 39th Avenue and 31st Street in Long Island City, Queens, it is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.This elevated station, opened on July 19, 1917, has two side platforms...
along 31st Street. It then serves Queensboro Plaza along 27th Street. It was built as part of the Dual Contracts and jointly operated by the IRT
Interborough Rapid Transit Company
The Interborough Rapid Transit Company was the private operator of the original underground New York City Subway line that opened in 1904, as well as earlier elevated railways and additional rapid transit lines in New York City. The IRT was purchased by the City in June 1940...
and BMT using IRT-sized cars until 1949. In 1949, the platforms were shaved to accept the wider BMT cars and joint service was discontinued.
Extent and service
The Astoria Line is served by two services, the and . The runs all the time, and the runs weekdays only from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. No services use the center express track, but some trains use this track to layup before the AM Rush Hour before starting service. During the middays, some trains lay up on the center track as well.The north end of the Astoria Line is a two-track terminal at Ditmars Boulevard, with one island platform. South of the station, the center express track begins (with crossovers to allow terminating trains to reach the correct track). The next station, Astoria Boulevard
Astoria Boulevard (BMT Astoria Line)
Astoria Boulevard or Astoria Boulevard – Hoyt Avenue is an express station on the BMT Astoria Line, it is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays....
, is the only express station on the three-track section.
North of Queensboro Plaza, the express track ends. Queensboro Plaza is a dual-level station with northbound trains on the upper level, southbound trains on the lower level, and cross-platform transfers to the IRT Flushing Line
IRT Flushing Line
The Flushing Line is a rapid transit route of the New York City Subway system, operated as part of the IRT Division and designated the 7 route...
. Crossover tracks exist between the upper level tracks just north of the station, one of a few connections between the BMT
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
/ IND
Independent Subway System
The Independent Subway System , formerly known as the Independent City-Owned Subway System or the Independent City-Owned Rapid Transit Railroad, was a rapid transit rail system in New York City that is now part of the New York City Subway...
and IRT
Interborough Rapid Transit Company
The Interborough Rapid Transit Company was the private operator of the original underground New York City Subway line that opened in 1904, as well as earlier elevated railways and additional rapid transit lines in New York City. The IRT was purchased by the City in June 1940...
. After Queensboro Plaza, the line turns west and merges with the 60th Street Tunnel Connection to become the BMT Broadway Line
BMT Broadway Line
The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
via the 60th Street Tunnel
60th Street Tunnel
The 60th Street Tunnel carries the trains of the New York City Subway under the East River and Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens.The tunnel was built as part of the Dual Contracts period of New York City subway construction...
.
History
The Astoria Line was originally part of the IRTInterborough Rapid Transit Company
The Interborough Rapid Transit Company was the private operator of the original underground New York City Subway line that opened in 1904, as well as earlier elevated railways and additional rapid transit lines in New York City. The IRT was purchased by the City in June 1940...
, as a spur off the IRT Queensboro Line, now the IRT Flushing Line
IRT Flushing Line
The Flushing Line is a rapid transit route of the New York City Subway system, operated as part of the IRT Division and designated the 7 route...
. The whole Astoria Line north of Queensboro Plaza opened on February 1, 1917, and was used by trains between Grand Central and Astoria. Through IRT service to the Corona Line (now the Flushing Line) opened two months later on April 21, 1917.
On July 23, 1917, the Queensboro Bridge
Queensboro Bridge
The Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, also known as the 59th Street Bridge – because its Manhattan end is located between 59th and 60th Streets – or simply the Queensboro Bridge, is a cantilever bridge over the East River in New York City that was completed in 1909...
spur of the elevated
Elevated railway
An elevated railway is a form of rapid transit railway with the tracks built above street level on some form of viaduct or other steel or concrete structure. The railway concerned may be constructed according to the standard gauge, narrow gauge, light rail, monorail or suspension railway system...
IRT Second Avenue Line
IRT Second Avenue Line
The IRT Second Avenue Line, also known as the Second Avenue El, was an elevated railway in Manhattan, New York City, United States, operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company until city takeover in 1940...
opened. At that time, all elevated trains to Queensboro Plaza used the Astoria Line, and all subway trains used the Corona Line, though this was later changed with trains alternating between branches.
The 60th Street Tunnel
60th Street Tunnel
The 60th Street Tunnel carries the trains of the New York City Subway under the East River and Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens.The tunnel was built as part of the Dual Contracts period of New York City subway construction...
opened on August 1, 1920, allowing BMT
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
trains to reach Queensboro Plaza. However, the stations on the Astoria and Corona Lines were built to IRT specifications, which were too narrow for BMT rolling stock. Those BMT subway trains terminated at Queensboro Plaza using a relay track east of the station to turn around for the return trip to Manhattan.
On April 8, 1923, the BMT
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
, using elevated cars, started running shuttles along the Astoria Line (numbered BMT 8 in 1924) and the Corona Line (BMT 9) in addition to the existing IRT service. On June 23, 1942, the IRT Second Avenue Line
IRT Second Avenue Line
The IRT Second Avenue Line, also known as the Second Avenue El, was an elevated railway in Manhattan, New York City, United States, operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company until city takeover in 1940...
spur to Queensboro Plaza closed.
The IRT services were numbered in 1948, with being assigned to the Flushing Line and to the Astoria Line. Only a year later on October 17, 1949, the Flushing Line became IRT-only. The platforms on the Astoria Line were shaved back to allow through BMT trains to operate on it, the first being the Brighton Local (BMT 1). Since then, the Astoria Line has hosted the "other end" of various services running from Brooklyn through Manhattan; see , , , , and for details.
In the early 2000s, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
considered extending the Astoria Line to LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally...
, but this was scrapped in July 2003 due to heavy opposition from residents .
Station listing
| Station | Tracks | Services | Opened | Transfers and notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astoria – Ditmars Boulevard | February 1, 1917 | originally Ditmars Avenue | |||
| Center Express track begins (No Regular Service) | |||||
| Astoria Boulevard Astoria Boulevard (BMT Astoria Line) Astoria Boulevard or Astoria Boulevard – Hoyt Avenue is an express station on the BMT Astoria Line, it is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.... |
all | February 1, 1917 | M60 bus to LaGuardia Airport LaGuardia Airport LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally... originally Hoyt Avenue |
||
| 30th Avenue 30th Avenue (BMT Astoria Line) 30th Avenue is a local station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. It is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.... |
local | February 1, 1917 | originally Grand Avenue | ||
| Broadway Broadway (BMT Astoria Line) Broadway is a local station in on the BMT Astoria Line, containing wooden canopies with transite and wooden mezzanines. Only the southbound platform has windscreens. The mezzanine is configured like 30th Avenue. It is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.- External... |
local | February 1, 1917 | |||
| 36th Avenue 36th Avenue (BMT Astoria Line) 36th Avenue is a local station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 36th Avenue and 31st Street, it is served by the N train at all times and the Q on weekdays.This elevated station, opened on July 19, 1917, has three tracks and two side platforms... |
local | February 1, 1917 | originally Washington Avenue | ||
| 39th Avenue 39th Avenue (BMT Astoria Line) 39th Avenue is a local station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. Located at 39th Avenue and 31st Street in Long Island City, Queens, it is served by the N train at all times, and by the Q train on weekdays.This elevated station, opened on July 19, 1917, has two side platforms... |
local | February 1, 1917 | originally Beebe Avenue | ||
| Center Express track ends | |||||
| connecting tracks to IRT Flushing Line IRT Flushing Line The Flushing Line is a rapid transit route of the New York City Subway system, operated as part of the IRT Division and designated the 7 route... (No regular service) |
|||||
| Queensboro Plaza | all | February 1, 1917 | (IRT Flushing Line IRT Flushing Line The Flushing Line is a rapid transit route of the New York City Subway system, operated as part of the IRT Division and designated the 7 route... ) |
||
| merges with the 60th Street Tunnel Connection and becomes the BMT Broadway Line BMT Broadway Line The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks... via the 60th Street Tunnel 60th Street Tunnel The 60th Street Tunnel carries the trains of the New York City Subway under the East River and Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens.The tunnel was built as part of the Dual Contracts period of New York City subway construction... |
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