N/R/W Trains - 49 St. (Extra Days, stop #464)

Out:  At 49 St. and 7 Ave. the craziness of Times Square is nearing its northernmost extent.  There are still huge ads and neon lights, but looking north it really fades out past 50th St.  Most of the people on the street are either tourists or guys trying to get them to buy stuff (hats, sunglasses, tickets, etc.).  Right above the stop is the Hawaiian Tropic Zone as well as nearby chintzy souvenier stores along with the typical-type deli and coffee shop.  

To the south are large, new-ish looking office towers while to the north some of the buildings become markedly older-looking, possibly residential but likely still office space.  On the street, one of the entrances even has the glossy-brick facade.

In:  The layout here is two platform, four track with express bypass.  The walls are in glossy-red painted brick here, similar to some of the E stop at Lexington (if I remember correctly).  Besides that nothing too remarkable; there are no columns by the platform.  There are exits out to 47 and 49 Sts. on 7th Ave, with a small newsstand at the 49 St. end.

R/V Trains - Elmhurst Ave. (Day 9, stop #378)

Out:  This intersection is both busy and very ethnically mixed, as I am again approaching Jackson Heights.  The people around are Asian, Hispanic, white, Middle Eastern and South Asian.  The housing is mostly brick apartment buildings, but the diversity of both the people and commercial establishments makes sure that the surroundings of this station definitely no longer feel suburban.  Some of the stores and restaurants include the Asia Bank, a Chinese seafood restaurant, and a Latin restaurant.  

The “Winners” bar looks pretty shady, and the little shopping center across the street has both a Pho Bang and Pho Bac; maybe there are some Vietnamese folk around here as well.  Pretty interesting stop here.

In:  This station is similar to the previous ones under Queens Blvd., but in this case the wall tiles look dirtier than usual, plus there are yellow metal columns by the platform instead of blue.  Again the mezzanine is divided into controlled and uncontrolled by a chain link fence.  There are some retail shops attached to the exit of the train here, and on my way back in I bought a chorizo con arepa from a Colombian place; it literally is just a big sausage and a piece of semi-fried dough wrapped up in aluminum foil.

R/V Trains - Grand Ave.-Newtown (Day 9, stop #377)

Out:  Here there is a mix of large apartment buildings as well as some small houses off of Queens Blvd.  There is the “Post Time” Sports bar & beer garden.  

Over here there are more Asian people than before, as well as more signs in Chinese, but it’s still fairly mixed with some white and Hispanic.  A block off Queens Blvd, I see a number of Chinese establishments including a bakery and spa, among others.  

On Q.B. there’s a Levitz and some other big retail stores along with some restaurants.  The area still looks pretty residential and middle class, but maybe a little less wealthy than the previous stops farther out.

In:  Similar to previous stops under Queens Blvd., but the blue tiling might be a slightly darker color.  The mezzanine is again very long with different ways to access the controlled part of the station; here a typical black grating provides the partition, and the booth is in the middle of the station.

R/V Trains - Woodhaven Blvd.-Slattery Plaza (Day 9, stop #376)

Out:  As I exit the station here, I see why the exits were not focused towards exiting where I did: it’s only an on-ramp for I-495.  

The main attraction here is on the other side of Queens Blvd: there’s a huge suburban-style mall! Damn.  Somehow, that’s depressing.  But at least it explains the ads in the train station.  The residents seem to be mostly white, but it’s hard to tell who lives here and who is just in the area to shop.  Besides the mall, there is also a large office building, some large brick apartments, a McDonald’s, T-Mobile, and a few similar stores.  However, the mall definitely dominates the scene here.

In:  Similar to 63 Dr. on the platform, but the mezzanine is covered with backlit ads for California Pizza Kitchen at the Queens Center Mall.  There are also decorated, reflective metallic columns composed of various shapes on the mezzanine.  The exit to Woodhaven Blvd. involves walking through a circuitous maze of pedestrian tunnels; I see some kid skateboarding through them just to get around.

R/V Trains - 63 Dr.-Rego Park (Day 9, stop #375)

Out:  This area again seems predominantly white/Eastern European, with some Asians around.  Again seems very middle class, as well.  There is a similar mix of stores near the stop as I saw at 67 Ave., such as Pizza Hut and GNC, but there is also “Wiggles” which looks like a strip club.  There are again big apartment blocks for housing.  

A block or two away, though, this neighborhood tries to resemble the suburbs even more: there’s a big box strip mall with a Marshalls, Circuit City and a Bed Bath & Beyond.

In:  Similar to 67 Ave., except here the mezzanine is divided with separate turnstile access for the Manhattan and Queens-bound sides.

R/V Trains - 67 Ave. (Day 9, stop #374)

Out:  There are more large (~12 story) brick apartment buildings near the stop, as well as others more like ~6 stories.  

The people around include a mix of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and a few Asian, but the area seems mostly white/Eastern European.  

Again, what you expect for middle-class Queens. Some of the businesses around include a CVS, coffee shop, and Knish Knosh restaurant.  There’s also a Hungarian pastry place, the Kosher “King David” restaurant, and some signs in Russian, along with (gasp) a Starbucks.  I took advantage of this familiar establishment to buy a bottle of water and use the bathroom.

In:  The layout here is two platform, four track with express bypass.  The tile mosaic station sign is in the IND style, with a black background and sky blue border.  The tile stripe down the wall is in sky blue and there are royal blue metal columns by the platform edge.  The layout is similar to other stops under Queens Blvd, but here the booth is at the end of the mezzanine instead of in the middle.

E/F/R/V Trains - 71st Ave.-Continental Ave. (Day 9, stop #363)

Out:  The neighborhood here is very mixed, ethnically; not surprising for Queens.  There are Asians, whites, South Indian, black, and Hispanic people around, but it seems predominantly white.  

Queens Blvd. here is very wide, with 12 lanes across (6 in the middle are express lanes, with few turnoffs, while there are also three separated local lanes on each side).  

There are some large brick apartments nearby and plenty of stores.  Many are not open yet (9 a.m.) but still looks pretty pleasant in general; very middle class and mostly residential off of Queens Blvd.  Strangely, there is a large office tower directly on top of the station; I guess it could be considered convenient.

In:  Took the train all the way out to Queens on the E express to explore the stops out here and then work my way back towards Manhattan.  The layout here is two platform, four track, with local (R/V) and express (E/F) access.  The station looks old and dirty, and it is the last stop for the R and V.  There are dirty white tiles on the wall with a sea green tile stripe.  There are also sea green metal columns by the platform edge.  Even though it’s not too late in the day, it is HOT in here!  The mezzanine is long and dimly lit.  The Manhattan-bound platform is packed with commuters waiting for the express train.

N/Q/R/W Trains - 57 St.-7 Av. (Day 7, stop #310)

Out:  Now back to the big skyscrapers of midtown, including the Hearst Building just a block away.

It’s pretty dark outside so it’s tough to take good photos.  There are also affluent apartment buildings as well as Carnegie Hall.  There are a few quick-food places and upscaled shopping spots.  The mix of people is similar to 5 Av.

In:  The layout here is two platform, four track setup; the middle tracks are for the Q train to begin/end its run.  The floors have grey tiling, and the metal columns on the platform are painted white, but it makes the station look a little bleak.  The walls are primarily covered in white tile with some small mosaic tile bordering on the top with “57”.  There is some jazz- and classical-related artwork in the station, presumably because the stop is right next to Carnegie Hall.

N/R/W Trains - 5 Ave. (Day 7, stop #309)

Out:  At the corner of Central Park S. and 59 St.  There is the unpleasant smell of horses in the air (those damn tourist traps), lots of trees, and still a number of people out after 8 p.m.  There is a mixture of people in work clothes, shoppers, and tourists.  

Almost everyone I see is white here.  The Plaza Hotel is right here, as are a number of very upscale stores, homes and offices.

The Apple flagship store is also right here on 5^th Ave.  While I was outside I noticed that there was someone who had collapsed to the ground near 59 St. and was being transported into an ambulance.

In:  The layout here is two platform, two track.  The walls are covered in white tiles with a gold and brown border.  There are many mosaic tile station names and mosaic tile borders on the top of the wall with “5”.  The floor is tiled.  The walls on the mezzanine and exits also have mosaic pictures of horses, butterflies, snails, rabbits, penguins, and polar bears (in a reference to the Central Park Zoo, presumably).

N/R/W Trains - Lexington Ave. (Day 7, stop #308)

Out:  This area is very similar to the 6 at 59 St., not surprisingly (see that description), as I am just one block away at 60^th and Lex.  There are tall office buildings, Bloomingdale’s, etc.  the light is getting pretty low and it’s getting tougher to take photos.  The people around are mostly office workers and shoppers.

In:  The layout here is a single platform with trains in both directions.  The walls have white tiles with red tile borders as well as “Lex” written in small red letters.  There’s also mosaic tiling at the top of the wall saying “Lex”.  There are green metal columns near the edge of the platform, and the lighting is ok.  There are connecting tunnels to the 4/5/6 here.  This stop is still pretty crowded, even though it’s the tail end of rush hour (almost 8 p.m.).  There’s an escalator up to the mezzanine and the 6 platform.

E/R/V - Queens Plaza (Day 7, stop #307)

Out:  This area near the stop, now that it’s post-rush-hour, is almost devoid of foot traffic (who knows, maybe it was also pretty deserted before as well).  The intersection itself seems heavily trafficked with cars, though, and overhead there are lots of train tracks coming together as well.

There are some relatively tall office buildings, but nothing really like in downtown Brooklyn.  I again can’t tell who (if anyone) lives in the vicinity; there are just a few office workers straggling around.

In:  Two platform, four track layout with local and express access.  The tiling and colors are very similar to the Roosevelt Ave. stop on this line.  There are purple metal columns, instead of the white tile columns at Roosevelt, and there are purple tile accents instead of blue.  There is a large mezzanine with a mosaic tile mural depicting the Queens skyline on the walls.  There are many exits from the station off the mezzanine.

R/V Trains - 36 St. (Day 7, stop #306)

Out:  Exiting at the corner of 36 St. and Northern Blvd., there are very few people around and the intersection is pretty deserted.  

The feeling is very industrial, with factories, storage buildings, repair shops, and a Mercedes place.  Interesting contrast to previous stops; it’s not residential at all, I guess things can change quite quickly from stop to stop around here.  I can’t really tell who (if anyone) lives around here.

In:  The columns here by the platform are red, and there still a purple tile stripe on the walls, but there is a long fence to create a separated corridor on the side of the platform; the reason for this isn’t clear.  Otherwise it’s similar to previous stops on this stretch.

R/V Trains - Steinway St. (Day 7, stop #305)

Out:  The area here is mostly white, with some Asian and Hispanic as well.  This is a big commercial strip with lots of small stores.  Some look pretty old, while others look kind of trendy (see photos).  There are also some 3-4 story apartment buildings around.  

The area looks solidly middle-class, but no real signs of gentrification (even though there is a yoga studio and some new condos).  There are also furniture stores and a nails place, along with an eclectic-looking jazz bar and restaurant.  There are plenty of banks, pharmacies, etc. on Broadway.

In:  Same as 46 St., but maybe a bit dirtier and worse-maintained.  The mezzanine is very large here.  For some reason at this stop I can access both sides from the same entrance.

R/V Trains - 46 St. (Day 7, stop #304)

Out:  The area around this stop is again very residential.  There are mostly small houses with some smaller apartments.  The people are a mix of South Asian, East Asian, white, and Hispanic, and each group seems about equally divided.  The block itself looks very quiet.  There are only a couple of small businesses, including mom & pop grocery, donuts, hairstyling, insurance, etc.  This definitely appears to be a nice place for the kids.  There may be some gentrification going on in this neighborhood, or at least there is a surprising number of well-off-looking white people.

In:  Similar to N. Blvd. but with purple columns.  On this hot day I managed to find a spot on the platform that somehow has a cool breeze of A/C, which is a great relief.

R/V Trains - Northern Blvd. (Day 7, stop #303)

Out:  Northern Blvd. is wide and busy here, with six lanes across.  This intersection is decidedly not residential, but instead feels kind of industrial.  On the side streets there are small row houses.  At the intersection there is a car dealership along with a couple of fruit stands and a diner.  There’s also a Sports Authority and immigration services.  The area still seems primarily South Asian, but there is a good mix of whites, Hispanics, and East Asians as well.

In: Similar to 65 St., with blue/grey metal columns at the edge of the platform.  There setup here is also only two track, two platform (the express tracks are not visible here and go through a different tunnel).  This station is also somewhat better-maintained than 65 St.

R/V Trains - 65 St. (Day 7, stop #302)

Out:  At corner of 65 St. and Broadway.  There’s a playground, apartment buildings, and entrance to the BQE right outside the stop.  

Only a few small stores, including a deli, restaurant, and bakery.  Overall though, it is extremely residential with lots of families around; quite a contrast from all the 7 stops along Roosevelt.  The neighborhood looks pleasant and ethnically mixed, with lots of South Asians but also some East Asian and Hispanic.

In:  The station is again underground.  The platforms here have white tiled walls and are a little bit dirty.  The layout here is two platform, four track with express bypass.  There is a purple tile stripe running down the wall, but the color is somehow off.  There is a mosaic tile sign for “65^th St.”.  There is a long mezzanine that is dimly lit.  The walls of the stairs are covered in old-looking yellow tiles.  Also many of the fluorescent lights around are burnt out.

E/F/G/R/V - Roosevelt Ave.-Jackson Heights (Day 7, stop #301)

Out:  The outside here is similar to the 7 at 74^th St., as the main entrance for that stop is really only a couple blocks away (and there is also a free transfer between these trains and the 7).  

Across Roosevelt here there are a few Korean stores, but otherwise it’s still mostly South Asian.

In:  The station here is underground.  There are some small shops attached to the station entrance: florist, watch repair, convience mart.  The mezzanine is wide with white tile walls and a grey tile floor.  The layout here is two platform, four track with access to both local and express trains.  There are white tiles on the wall with a blue tile stripe going the length of the platform.  “Roosevelt” is in small letter on a black background.  There are large square columns covered in white tiles on the Manhattan-bound side, and overall the station looks renovated fairly recently.

R Train - 95 St. (Day 6, stop #252)

Out:  This neighborhood is clearly very residential.  There are large apartment buildings as well as some row houses on the side streets.  

The buildings are mostly in brick and well-maintained.  Some of the apartment buildings have sharp, sloping roofs, approaching Tudor-style architecture.  

There is a nice Brooklyn public library building, an upscale-looking bar called “Speakeasy”, a fancy steakhouse, and an “International Food” restaurant with Cyrillic characters.  There are also some other services and a church.  Ethnically, it looks mostly white around here.

In: The layout here is single platform with two tracks for trains to lay up at the end of the line.  There is white tiling on the walls with a mosaic tile top border, mostly in yellow.  The station is definitely nicer than 86 St., but still a little dingy  the lighting is good, at least.  The mezzanine is long and wide with yellow metal columns.  On the way back into the train I used the bathroom here, which was in surprisingly good shape with bright blue tiles.  It was kind of strange, though, as there were no partitions for stalls and just a couple of toilets sitting out in open space.