Train on the IRT Pelham Line crossing the Bronx River Bridge. Photo by David Tropiansky, February 2012.

Overview

The IRT Pelham line is a Dual Contracts era extension of the East Side IRT line. It is partially in tunnel and partially an elevated structure. Like the later Concourse Line, the tunnel section is three tracks (these are the only two such three track tunnels in the system). The elevated portion is a standard three-track structure like nearly all of the other elevated lines in New York. The center track is used for peak direction express "Diamond 6" service similar to the peak direction service on the 2, 5, and 7 lines.

The tunnel segment stations are decorated with colorful mosaic friezes, initial/numeral tablets, and full name tablets. These are similar but not as intricate as the ones on the BMT Canarsie Line. The mosaics are in good shape but perhaps slightly ignored, and they could all use a general cleaning and freshening up. Fortunately, the MTA no longer covers up the old mosaics when renovating stations and when the time comes to renovate the Pelham Line stations, the mosaics should be restored to their original condition. The tunnel stations also have later platform extensions decorated in the plain subway tile typical of the platform extensions on the IRT.

The elevated portion of the line has seen many stations renovated in the period 2010-2011, and those that have been renovated feature artwork installations along the platforms.

Stations/Sites

Pelham Bay Park · Buhre Avenue · Middletown Road · Westchester Square · Zerega Avenue · Castle Hill Avenue · East 177th Street-Parkchester · St. Lawrence Avenue · Morrison-Soundview Avenues · Elder Avenue · Whitlock Avenue · Hunts Point Avenue · Longwood Avenue · East 149th Street · East 143rd Street · Cypress Avenue · Brook Avenue · 3rd Avenue-138th Street · 125th Street · 116th Street · 110th Street · 103rd Street · 96th Street · 86th Street · 77th Street · 68th Street · 59th Street · 51st Street · Grand Central · 33rd Street · 28th Street · 23rd Street · 18th Street · 14th Street-Union Square · Astor Place · Bleecker Street · Spring Street · Canal Street · Worth Street · Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall · City Hall

Page Credits

By David Pirmann.