09-11-27 PHOTOS: Black Subday

Every Black Friday it has become a tradition for me to journey to the Windy Apple to take a ride on the NYC Subway system. With the retirement of most of the fun vehicles just about the only thing left to do is scout out the interlocking towers and ride the (7), which is exactly what I did for Black Friday 2009. My journey consisted of taking the 'C' train down to Lafayette Ave to take some pictures of the IND interlocking tower at the end of the side-wall platform there, then continuing to catch the Franklyn Ave Shuttle to Prospect Park. From there I somehow got on the (7) train to Roosevelt Ave where I could transfer to a Queens Blvd train back to Manhattan.

That's pretty much it, you can see the whole set of photos which are heavy on the Flushing Line here.

So anyway we begin at Chambers St with R32 #3664.

AVE interlocking controlled a singe crossover on each of the local express pairs as well as a pocket/turnback track between the two express tracks. Here is the #31 signal next to the tower displaying an Approach Medium indication after my departed C train while a westbound train passes on the express track.

A bit later the signal turned Clear and a captured it with another westbound express train passing. Here you can see the single local to express turnout.

Slightly different angle of the riot proofed interlocking tower, a single green lamp visible on the mode board. The tower is normally closed and left in automatic mode when not needed for exceptional circumstances.

A (Q) train of R68's at Prospect Park.

Prospect Park interlocking with MoW workers and red flags.

The famous "What you punch is what you get" sign at the automated 50th St tower.

New (#206) and old (#213) P32 paint schemes at Grant Central Terminal. 

From Grant Central I caught an eastbound (7) train and decided to get some RFW video from there to Hunters Point. Here it is in two segments. Hopefully these will be integrated into a complete video documentary of the line, but due to the new policy on express service I'll have to stay awfully late to catch one.





Flushing Line signal 1371 with the Queensboro Bridge.

The lineup at Sunnyside Yard as seen from the (7) train.

A set of R62s on the (7) train at 46th Street with Flushing Line signal 2323.

The stupid new color light signals on the LIRR at Woodlawn.

The new local express crossover interlocking at Roosevelt Ave with an Approach Medium on the 566 signal.

Side of a westbound R62 next to the 568 signal at Roosevelt Ave.

That's it for this installment. The gray weather and lack of railfan windows generally curtailed my photography, but next time stay tuned to some blizzard enhanced photos of the SEPTA Paoli Station.