IRT White Plains Road Line
Encyclopedia
The White Plains Road Line (Sometimes referred to as WPR Line) is a rapid transit
line of the IRT
division of the New York City Subway
, serving the central Bronx. It is mostly elevated
, and served both subway and elevated trains until 1952. It is currently being used by the 2
as the local at all times and the 5
as the local at all times except rush hours in peak direction (when it runs express between East 180th Street and Third Avenue – 149th Street) and late nights (when it runs as a shuttle between Eastchester – Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street).
The IRT White Plains Road Line begins at the Wakefield – 241st Street terminal
, with two tracks and one island platform (and two closed side platforms). Crossovers just south of the station take trains to the correct tracks, and a center express track comes out of those crossovers. Between Wakefield – 241st Street and Nereid Avenue, a connection comes in from the 239th Street Yard.
Just north of Gun Hill Road
, the IRT Third Avenue Line
used to split from the local tracks (with crossovers to the express tracks just to the north). The line went to a lower level of Gun Hill Road station and then turned west.
The IRT Dyre Avenue Line
merges to the local tracks just north of East 180th Street
, and then crossovers allow those trains to reach the express tracks. The late-night Dyre Avenue Shuttle uses the center track to end its run, and rush hour trains in the peak direction change to the express track here. On the west side of this junction is the East 180th Street Yard; the Unionport Yard is to the east.
The now-gone three-track Bronx Park Spur merged from the west after East 180th Street, with one track into each of the mainline tracks. Just after this on the east side was a connection to the West Farms Yard
, also gone.
The express track ends north of Third Avenue – 149th Street, and from there to the end the line has two tracks. Formerly in that area there was a connection just to the north to the local tracks of the IRT Third Avenue Line
, and a connection to the south, bypassing 149th Street station on the Third Avenue Line (Bergen Street Bypass). Just past those former connections, the line goes underground.
Just after 149th Street – Grand Concourse, tracks split off and the two tracks currently used by the train turn south to merge with the local tracks of the IRT Jerome Avenue Line
. The Jerome Avenue Line then merges with the IRT Pelham Line
after 138th Street – Grand Concourse to become the IRT Lexington Avenue Line
.
The other tracks, currently used by the train, pass under the Harlem River
and end at the at-grade 142nd Street Junction
, connecting to the IRT Lenox Avenue Line
.
to 180th Street – Bronx Park was built as part of Contract 1
. According to an article of the New York Times, Service on the IRT White Plains Road Line was extended from East 177th Street – East Tremont Avenue to East 219th Street – White Plains Road beginning on March 4, 1917.
In 1956, 180th Street – Bronx Park was closed and was demolished. Former trackways of this station can still be seen north of the current West Farms Square – East Tremont Avenue Station.
The part of the line from the S-curve north of West Farms Square – East Tremont Avenue to the terminal at 241st Street was built as a part of the Dual Contracts. The line was later connected to the IRT Dyre Avenue Line
north of East 180th Street
.
Due to rehabilitation of East 180th Street and signal replacements along the line, rush hour peak direction 5 express service was suspended from March 29 to September 3, 2010. PM northbound express service was suspended again on March 28, 2011 to allow for the second phase of the signal replacement project. Normal service was restored on August 8, 2011.
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 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...
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 central Bronx. It is mostly 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...
, and served both subway and elevated trains until 1952. It is currently being used by the 2
2 (New York City Subway service)
The 2 Seventh Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored red on station signs, route signs, and the official subway map, since it uses the IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line through most of Manhattan....
as the local at all times and the 5
5 (New York City Subway service)
The 5 Lexington Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored green on station signs, route signs, and the official subway map, since it uses IRT Lexington Avenue Line in Manhattan....
as the local at all times except rush hours in peak direction (when it runs express between East 180th Street and Third Avenue – 149th Street) and late nights (when it runs as a shuttle between Eastchester – Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street).
Extent and service
The following services use part or all of the White Plains Road Line:| Route | Service | Section of line |
|---|---|---|
| Local | Full line | |
| Local (express rush hours in peak direction, no service late nights) | East 180th Street East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway... to 149th Street – Grand Concourse |
|
| Local, rush hours in peak direction only | Nereid Avenue to East 180th Street East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway... |
|
| Section of line | Tracks | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Wakefield – 241st Street to Nereid Avenue | Local | always |
| Express | ||
| Nereid Avenue to East 180th Street East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway... |
Local | always, rush hours in peak direction |
| Express | ||
| East 180th Street East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway... to 149th Street – Grand Concourse |
Local | always, all but late nights and rush hours in peak direction |
| Express | rush hours in peak direction | |
| South of 149th Street – Grand Concourse | All | always via 7th Avenue Line, always, except late nights, via Lexington Avenue Line. |
The IRT White Plains Road Line begins at the Wakefield – 241st Street terminal
Terminal Station
Terminal Station is a 1953 film by Italian director Vittorio De Sica. It tells the story of the love affair between an Italian man and an American woman. The film was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.-Production:...
, with two tracks and one island platform (and two closed side platforms). Crossovers just south of the station take trains to the correct tracks, and a center express track comes out of those crossovers. Between Wakefield – 241st Street and Nereid Avenue, a connection comes in from the 239th Street Yard.
Just north of Gun Hill Road
Gun Hill Road (IRT White Plains Road Line)
Gun Hill Road is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the Bronx at the intersection of Gun Hill and White Plains Roads, it is served by the 2 train at all times while the 5 train provides additional rush hour service in the peak direction.This...
, the IRT Third Avenue Line
IRT Third Avenue Line
The IRT Third Avenue Line, commonly known as the Third Avenue El, was an elevated railway in Manhattan and the Bronx, New York City. Originally operated by an independent railway company, it was acquired by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company and eventually became part of the New York subway...
used to split from the local tracks (with crossovers to the express tracks just to the north). The line went to a lower level of Gun Hill Road station and then turned west.
The IRT Dyre Avenue Line
IRT Dyre Avenue Line
The IRT Dyre Avenue Line is a New York City Subway rapid transit line as part of the A Division . It is a branch of the IRT White Plains Road Line serving passengers in the northeastern section of the Bronx...
merges to the local tracks just north of East 180th Street
East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)
For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway...
, and then crossovers allow those trains to reach the express tracks. The late-night Dyre Avenue Shuttle uses the center track to end its run, and rush hour trains in the peak direction change to the express track here. On the west side of this junction is the East 180th Street Yard; the Unionport Yard is to the east.
The now-gone three-track Bronx Park Spur merged from the west after East 180th Street, with one track into each of the mainline tracks. Just after this on the east side was a connection to the West Farms Yard
West Farms Yard
The West Farms Yard was an elevated rail yard of the New York City Subway. It was demolished along with the redundant 180th Street – Bronx Park station. The yard formerly served trains of the and services.- External links :* * *...
, also gone.
The express track ends north of Third Avenue – 149th Street, and from there to the end the line has two tracks. Formerly in that area there was a connection just to the north to the local tracks of the IRT Third Avenue Line
IRT Third Avenue Line
The IRT Third Avenue Line, commonly known as the Third Avenue El, was an elevated railway in Manhattan and the Bronx, New York City. Originally operated by an independent railway company, it was acquired by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company and eventually became part of the New York subway...
, and a connection to the south, bypassing 149th Street station on the Third Avenue Line (Bergen Street Bypass). Just past those former connections, the line goes underground.
Just after 149th Street – Grand Concourse, tracks split off and the two tracks currently used by the train turn south to merge with the local tracks of the IRT Jerome Avenue Line
IRT Jerome Avenue Line
The IRT Jerome Avenue Line, also unofficially known as IRT Woodlawn Line, is a New York City Subway Line along Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. It was opened on June 2, 1917 as a shuttle service between Kingsbridge Road and 149th Street. This was in advance of through service to the IRT Lexington Avenue...
. The Jerome Avenue Line then merges with the IRT Pelham Line
IRT Pelham Line
The IRT Pelham Line is a rapid transit line on the New York City Subway, served by the 6 and <6> trains. It was built as part of the Dual Contracts expansion and opened in 1919. It is both elevated and underground, with Whitlock Avenue being the first elevated station...
after 138th Street – Grand Concourse to become the IRT Lexington Avenue Line
IRT Lexington Avenue Line
The Lexington Avenue Line is one of the lines of the IRT division of the New York City Subway, stretching from Downtown Brooklyn or Lower Manhattan north to 125th Street in East Harlem. The portion in Lower and Midtown Manhattan was part of the first subway line in New York...
.
The other tracks, currently used by the train, pass under the Harlem River
Harlem River
The Harlem River is a navigable tidal strait in New York City, USA that flows 8 miles between the Hudson River and the East River, separating the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx...
and end at the at-grade 142nd Street Junction
142nd Street Junction
The 142nd Street Junction is an intersection on the New York City Subway where the IRT White Plains Road Line and IRT Lenox Avenue Line join at grade . South of the junction, there is a double crossover. Then, two tracks turnoff , and that is where the 2 train connects to the White Plains Road...
, connecting to the IRT Lenox Avenue Line
IRT Lenox Avenue Line
The Lenox Avenue Line is one of the IRT lines in the New York City Subway, mostly built as part of the first subway system. It is a rather short line, only serving upper Manhattan.-Extent and service:...
.
History
The part of the line from the IRT Lenox Avenue LineIRT Lenox Avenue Line
The Lenox Avenue Line is one of the IRT lines in the New York City Subway, mostly built as part of the first subway system. It is a rather short line, only serving upper Manhattan.-Extent and service:...
to 180th Street – Bronx Park was built as part of Contract 1
History of the IRT subway before 1918
The first regularly operated subway in New York City was built by the city and leased to the Interborough Rapid Transit Company for operation under Contracts 1 and 2. Until 1918, when the new "H" system that is still operated - with separate East Side and West Side lines - was placed in service, it...
. According to an article of the New York Times, Service on the IRT White Plains Road Line was extended from East 177th Street – East Tremont Avenue to East 219th Street – White Plains Road beginning on March 4, 1917.
In 1956, 180th Street – Bronx Park was closed and was demolished. Former trackways of this station can still be seen north of the current West Farms Square – East Tremont Avenue Station.
The part of the line from the S-curve north of West Farms Square – East Tremont Avenue to the terminal at 241st Street was built as a part of the Dual Contracts. The line was later connected to the IRT Dyre Avenue Line
IRT Dyre Avenue Line
The IRT Dyre Avenue Line is a New York City Subway rapid transit line as part of the A Division . It is a branch of the IRT White Plains Road Line serving passengers in the northeastern section of the Bronx...
north of East 180th Street
East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)
For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway...
.
Due to rehabilitation of East 180th Street and signal replacements along the line, rush hour peak direction 5 express service was suspended from March 29 to September 3, 2010. PM northbound express service was suspended again on March 28, 2011 to allow for the second phase of the signal replacement project. Normal service was restored on August 8, 2011.
Station listing
| Station | Tracks | Services | Opened | Transfers and notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wakefield – 241st Street | December 13, 1920 | originally East 241st Street Connection to Metro-North Railroad Metro-North Railroad The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United... (Harlem Line at Wakefield Wakefield (Metro-North station) The Wakefield Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of the Wakefield section of The Bronx via the Harlem Line, and it is the last station on the line before it crosses into Westchester County, New York. It is 12.6 miles from Grand Central Terminal and is located on East 241st Street... ) |
|||
| Center Express track begins (no regular service) | |||||
| connecting tracks to 239th Street Yard | |||||
| Nereid Avenue | local | March 31, 1917 | originally East 238th Street | ||
| 233rd Street 233rd Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) 233rd Street is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. It is located in the Bronx at the intersection of 233rd Street and White Plains Road. It is served by the 2 train at all times and the 5 train during rush hours in the peak direction.This elevated... |
local | March 31, 1917 | originally East 233rd Street Connection to Metro-North Railroad Metro-North Railroad The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United... (Harlem Line at Woodlawn Woodlawn (Metro-North station) The Woodlawn Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of the Woodlawn section of The Bronx via the Harlem Line. It is 11.8 miles from Grand Central Terminal and is located on East 233rd Street, three blocks from the 233rd Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York... ) |
||
| 225th Street 225th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) 225th Street is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in Wakefield, Bronx at the intersection of 225th Street and White Plains Road, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train during rush hours in the peak direction.This elevated... |
local | March 31, 1917 | originally East 225th Street | ||
| 219th Street 219th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) 219th Street is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 219th Street and White Plains Road in the Bronx, it is served by the 2 train at all times and the 5 train during rush hours in peak direction.This elevated station, opened... |
local | March 3, 1917 | originally East 219th Street | ||
| Gun Hill Road Gun Hill Road (IRT White Plains Road Line) Gun Hill Road is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the Bronx at the intersection of Gun Hill and White Plains Roads, it is served by the 2 train at all times while the 5 train provides additional rush hour service in the peak direction.This... |
all | March 3, 1917 | Connection to Metro-North Railroad Metro-North Railroad The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United... (Harlem Line at Williams Bridge Williams Bridge (Metro-North station) The Williams Bridge Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of the Williamsbridge section of The Bronx via the Harlem Line. It is 10.5 miles from Grand Central Terminal and is located at the intersection of Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue. Service at Williams Bridge is hourly... ) |
||
| Burke Avenue Burke Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line) Burke Avenue is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the Bronx at the intersection of Burke Avenue and White Plains Road, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train during rush hours in peak direction.This elevated station, opened... |
local | March 3, 1917 | |||
| Allerton Avenue Allerton Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line) Allerton Avenue is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the shopping district of Allerton, Bronx at Allerton Avenue and White Plains Road, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train during rush hours in the peak direction.This... |
local | March 3, 1917 | |||
| Pelham Parkway Pelham Parkway (IRT White Plains Road Line) Pelham Parkway is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the Bronx at the intersection of Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train during rush hours in the peak direction... |
local | March 3, 1917 | Bx12 Select Bus Service | ||
| Bronx Park East Bronx Park East (IRT White Plains Road Line) Bronx Park East is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located in the Bronx on White Plains Road at Bronx Park East, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train during rush hours in the peak direction... |
local | March 3, 1917 | |||
| Merge from IRT Dyre Avenue Line IRT Dyre Avenue Line The IRT Dyre Avenue Line is a New York City Subway rapid transit line as part of the A Division . It is a branch of the IRT White Plains Road Line serving passengers in the northeastern section of the Bronx... |
|||||
| connecting tracks to Unionport Yard (east of the line) | |||||
| connecting tracks to East 180th Street Yard (west of the line) | |||||
| East 180th Street East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) For the previous 180th Street station on the IRT White Plains Road Line, see 180th Street – Bronx Park .East 180th Street is an express station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway... |
all | March 3, 1917 | |||
| 180th Street – Bronx Park | Bronx Park Bronx Park Bronx Park, laid out along the Bronx River in the Bronx, New York, is the home of the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo. Bicycle paths go northwest, north and east, along Mosholu Parkway, Bronx River Parkway and Pelham Parkway respectively... spur |
November 26, 1904 | Closed August 4, 1952; later demolished. | ||
| West Farms Square – East Tremont Avenue | local | November 26, 1904 | originally 177th Street, then East Tremont Avenue–Boston Road | ||
| 174th Street 174th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) 174th Street is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 174th Street and Southern Boulevard in the Crotona Park East section of the Bronx, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and by the 5 train at all times except late... |
local | November 26, 1904 | |||
| Freeman Street Freeman Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) Freeman Street is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Freeman Street and Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, it is served by the 2 train at all times and the 5 at all times except late nights and rush hours in the peak... |
local | November 26, 1904 | |||
| Simpson Street Simpson Street (IRT White Plains Road Line) Simpson Street is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Simpson Street and Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train at all times except late nights and rush hours in the peak... |
local | November 26, 1904 | |||
| Intervale Avenue Intervale Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line) Intervale Avenue is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway... |
local | November 26, 1904 | originally Intervale Avenue–163rd Street | ||
| Prospect Avenue Prospect Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line) Prospect Avenue is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Prospect and Westchester Avenues in the Bronx, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and by the 5 train at all times except late nights and rush hours in peak... |
local | November 26, 1904 | |||
| Jackson Avenue Jackson Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line) Jackson Avenue is a local station on the IRT White Plains Road Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Jackson and Westchester Avenues in Melrose, Bronx, it is served by the 2 train at all times, and the 5 train at all times except late nights and rush hours in peak... |
local | November 26, 1904 | |||
| Center Express track ends | |||||
| Third Avenue – 149th Street | all | July 10, 1905 | originally Third Avenue | ||
| 149th Street – Grand Concourse | all | July 10, 1905 | (IRT Jerome Avenue Line IRT Jerome Avenue Line The IRT Jerome Avenue Line, also unofficially known as IRT Woodlawn Line, is a New York City Subway Line along Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. It was opened on June 2, 1917 as a shuttle service between Kingsbridge Road and 149th Street. This was in advance of through service to the IRT Lexington Avenue... ) originally Mott Avenue |
||
| Split with connection to IRT Jerome Avenue Line IRT Jerome Avenue Line The IRT Jerome Avenue Line, also unofficially known as IRT Woodlawn Line, is a New York City Subway Line along Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. It was opened on June 2, 1917 as a shuttle service between Kingsbridge Road and 149th Street. This was in advance of through service to the IRT Lexington Avenue... |
|||||
| Merge with IRT Lenox Avenue Line IRT Lenox Avenue Line The Lenox Avenue Line is one of the IRT lines in the New York City Subway, mostly built as part of the first subway system. It is a rather short line, only serving upper Manhattan.-Extent and service:... |
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External links
- nycsubway.org - IRT Lenox/White Plains Line
- IRT White Plains Road Line Extended from East 177th Street to 219th Street in the Bronx |NY Times Archive, March 4th, 1917 [PDF]
- E. 180th St Station Rehab