Service History
On October 27, 1904, local and express service opened on the original subway in Manhattan, following the route of the present IRT Lexington Avenue Line from City Hall to Grand Central – 42nd Street. From there, the service traveled west on 42nd Street on the route of the present 42nd Street Shuttle, and then north on the present IRT Broadway – Seventh Avenue Line to 145th Street.
The current "H" configuration—with separate services along Lexington Avenue and Broadway – Seventh Avenue—was introduced in 1917. Full Lexington Avenue local service from City Hall to 125th Street opened on July 17, 1918.
On August 1, 1918, 138th Street – 3rd Avenue opened. Over the next two years, the IRT Pelham Line was extended piece by piece to Pelham Bay Park.
From that point on, the current 6 service was formed. All trains ran local between Pelham Bay Park and Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall, with some trains terminating at the City Hall loop. On weekdays, there was peak direction express service between Parkchester – East 177th Street and Third Avenue – 138th Street. During this time, local trains terminated at Parkchester instead.
On December 31, 1945, City Hall station closed, making the former Brooklyn Bridge station (renamed Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall) the permanent southern terminal. However, 6 trains today use the loop to get from the southbound to the northbound local track at Brooklyn Bridge - City Hall. Passengers are allowed to remain on trains as they travel through this loop unless told to get off by police officers or the train crew.
During the 1970s, rush hour trains were extended to the inner loop at South Ferry. Due to poor condition, lack of ridership, and little space, this was discontinued and a shuttle ran between Bowling Green and South Ferry until 1977.
Beginning in 1979, late night service terminated at 125th Street in Manhattan with the 4 running as a local in Manhattan.
During Spring and Summer 1985, there was one rush hour 6 train that ran to/from Atlantic Avenue. This was the only 6 service to run in Brooklyn.
In 1999, late night service returned to Brooklyn Bridge, but the 4 still runs local.
Read more about this topic: 6 (New York City Subway Service)
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