Shuttle Track #4 - Swapping Trains

Ever wonder how the trains on the Grand Central-Times Square 42nd Street Shuttle get removed for maintenance? Track 1 is connected to the East Side IRT main line (#6 southbound local track) at the Grand Central end of the shuttle. Track 3 is connected to track 1 via a crossover near Grand Central. (Track 2 is no longer in service and has platforms built over it at both stations.) Track 4 is connected to the West Side IRT main line (#1 northbound local track) at the Times Square end. To swap out a train from track 4, a pedestrian bridge must be removed at the west end of the Times Square station. Here's how it's done.

A view of the bridge and bumper at the west end of track #4 (former IRT northbound local track). The bridge is used by Shuttle passengers to and from trains on track #4 to reach the rest of the Times Square station complex. In order for trains to be swapped out of track #4, the bridge must be removed. The trains can then access the northbound track of the IRT 7th Avenue Line. (All photos on this page courtesy "The NX".)

View of the bridge at platform level with the handrailings removed.

The bridge is comprised of steel plates on top of steel I-beams. To remove the bridge, the plates must first be removed and set aside.

All of the plates have been removed. Now the I-beams are lifted up and set aside.

The train on track 4 enters Times Square shuttle station.

A view from the rear window of the train on Track 4 at Times Square, while stopped at the platform. This train is about to be removed from the shuttle for maintenance/inspection.

Wheels turning on Track 4 heading onto the main line.

Passing by Track 4 platform on left side. Track 3 and platform is visible on the right. The platform for Track 3 is built over the former southbound express track, Track 2.

Passing the location of the bridge. Track 4 platform on left. The bridge also crosses the trackway of track #3 at right. (Trains on track #3 enter and leave the shuttle line via a crossover to track #1 at the Grand Central end of the line. Track #1 then connects to the southbound East Side IRT line just south of Grand Central.)

Leaving the shuttle platforms behind. The workmen get back to work reinstalling the transfer bridge, although there will be no train on track 4 until one is brought back via this same procedure in reverse.

The train has now totally cleared the platform. At the right the former trackways for tracks 3 and 2 can be seen.

Just north of the normally bolted switch connecting the Shuttle Track #4 (diverging left) and the northbound IRT West Side local track (diverging right).