2/3/4/5 Trains - Borough Hall (Day 10, stop #437)

Out:  See photos and description of R Train - Court St.

In:  The station here is dingy with small white tiles.  The layout is one platform, one track; the local train in the other direction is downstairs.  The 4/5 are on also on different levels.  There is a mosaic tile station name in purple and blue with a multicolor background.  The top border has a brown tile stripe as well as a small picture of Boro Hall instead of the usual “B”; kind of a nice touch.  There is a long tunnel to the R train, but I’m surprised to find the only exit from the station is the same.  Therefore, I don’t go outside to take photos.

2/3/4/5 Trains - Nevins St. (Day 10, stop #435)

Out:  This exit is near the intersection of Flatbush, Fulton, and Nevins.  It’s pretty busy here at 5 p.m.  There is a McDonald’s, office buildings, and some apartments; a fairly interesting mix.  There are some big stores but plenty of smaller ones mixed in.  

There are people of all types here: mostly black, but plenty of Hispanic, white, and South Asian.  Again it’s not clear who lives here and who is just passing through.  There are also a decent number of homeless people around. This stop gives a feel for some of the grittiness of downtown Brooklyn.

In:  The layout here is two platform, four track with local and express access.  There are white tile walls and green rounded columns.  The station is kind of dingy, with a very small mezzanine.  There are some line drawings on flat panels near the exit stairs.

2/3/4/5 Trains - Atlantic Ave. (Day 10, stop #434)

Out:  This subway station, along with LIRR tracks, are actually directly attached to a large, mid- to upscale-looking shopping complex.  On Atlantic itself there is lots of traffic and some big box stores as part of the shopping center (P.C. Richards, Target) as well as smaller apartment buildings.  

There are people of many races around, but it’s not clear who lives here or who is just passing through.  The station here is also right next to the Williamsburgh Savings Bank building.  I got an Italian Ice from a cart here to relieve my parched-ness, but unfortunately it only tasted ok and left a metallic aftertaste.

In:  This station is actually quite nice.  There is a Penn Station-style division of tracks, with a four track, three platform layout.  The center platform is for express trains (4/5) in both directions, while the outer two platforms are for the local (2/3) trains only.  There is a large frosted glass wall covering one side of the station, but otherwise there are white tiles on the walls.  There is a maroon mosaic tile station sign, and granite staircases for transfer to other trains.  On the floor there is an inlaid pattern with symbols reminiscent of a Guyanese flag.  I exit via the LIRR tracks, which are directly attached to this set of subway tracks.

3/4 Trains - Utica Ave.-Crown Heights (Day 10, stop #414)

Out:  The exit here is in the middle of Eastern Parkway.  There is small outdoor market going on across Eastern (see photo).  

The neighborhood seems mostly black, with a strong West Indian presence.  However I also see a few Hispanics and a couple of Asians.  Some of the buildings around include a McDonald’s, a deli, and the “Pierre Toussant Health Center”.  

There’s an Army recruiting center and an old stone bank building, now converted to a Banco Popular.  The residential buildings are a mix of brick tenements, sloped roofs, and stone row houses, kind of an interesting mix.  The trees on Eastern Parkway give the intersection a fairly open feeling.  In general, this quite a bustling intersection with lots of people around.

In:  One platform, two track layout (one for 3 train, the other for the 4) split on two levels, with the Manhattan-bound side on the bottom.  The walls look recently renovated, with white tile and yellow accent, as well as a mosaic tile “U” on a brown background at the top of the wall.  There are blue metal columns by the edge of the platform as well as grey tile floors.  The station looks pretty decent, overall.  At the mezzanine there are small inlays of dinosaurs and other creatures in the wall.  Near the exit there is a blue tile painting of the moon and a rocket ship, too.  The mezzanine is small and fairly crowded.

2/3/4/5 Trains - Franklin Ave. (Day 10, stop #413)

Out:  There are a couple of stores here at the main entrance to these trains, which is only about half a block from the S station house.  The housing is still mostly tenements and larger apartment blocks, and there are a couple delis, a Golden Krust, and West Indian market.  Eastern Parkway is still wide with plenty of trees.

In:  The layout here is two platform, four track with local (2/3) and express (4/5) access.  The station is dingy and dimly lit.  The platforms have yellow metal columsn by edge and dirty white tiles on the walls.  There is some brown mosaic tiling on the top border with an “F” intersperesed on a dirty blue tile background.  The ceiling looks recently painted, but otherwise the station doesn’t look that great.

4/5 Trains - Fulton St. (Day 2, stop #101)

Out:  The feeling is a bit open at the corner because of construction site and an old church, but I’m not sure which one it is even though I feel I should.  

The architecture here is primarily classic skyscrapers.  

There again is a mix of office workers and tourists.  It's getting a bit late in the day and the light is starting to fade.

In:  The lighting is ok, but it’s under renovation so the platform is quite dirty and moldy smelling.

4/5 Trains - Wall St. (Day 2, stop #100)

Out:  at the corner of Wall St. and Broadway, Trinity Church is right on the corner.  This building is extremely important for New York history, and it’s heartening that it’s still standing in light of so much other development around here.  

Almost everyone on the street look like working stiffs trying to make their way home after a long day.  There are also a few tourists mixed in.  The canyoning effect of the tall buildings means I don’t see too much sun at this point in the afternoon.

In:  There are lots of people with blackberries.  There is a mix of marble/imitation marble in the pink below green tiling on wall; haven’t seen that elsewhere.  There is only one platform and one track on each side.

4/5 Trains - Bowling Green (Day 2, stop #99)

Out:  In this part of downtown there are plenty of tourists as well as historic skyscrapers.  

The stop is right next to Bowling Green and the U.S. Customs house towers over me as I exit the train.

Overall though it’s not too imposing as Battery Park is nearby and offers some feeling of open space by letting in some light from the west.  The station house itself is arching glass structure covering elevators down to the platform. Pretty unique.

In:  2 platforms, each with only 1 track.  The walls are covered in bright red brick, which is an intesting scheme.  You have to go below the tracks in order to get to the uptown side.  There is also an interesting art piece in the station, with long exposures and obvious motion.  The shots are blurry but look pretty cool overall.  There are also lots of cops in this station.  I'll keep the camera under wraps for sure.

4/5/6 Trains - Brooklyn Bridge (Day 2, stop #98)

Out:  things over here are pretty calm, as the exit is set back from the road but closer to City Hall (above) and City Hall Park.  Nice Calder-esque sculpture next to the park.

There are lots of tourists as well as city workers around.  Close to Manhattan borough hall as well and the station's namesake, the Brooklyn Bridge, is located a bit to the east.

In:  the platform here is curved, with a stop for the 4/5 uptown across.  Overall the station is in decent condition.

4/5/6 Trains - 14 St. (Day 2, stop #93)

Out:  there is lots of stuff going on here at Union Square, not surprisingly.  Really, it’s too much to describe; there’s the park, the stores, the traffic, and buildings.  

The people here are starting to look less corporate and more young & “unique”…but don’t be mistaken, there is still plenty of corporate.  The architecture around here is quite varied as well.  

When I had my camera out here, a homeless dude was the first to approach me…he asked if I knew what the numbers on the side of the building on the S side of Union Sq. stood for.  I told him I knew it was a clock and that I wasn’t a tourist; i.e. don’t try to get some cash out of me.  I think he got the hint and I walked on down to Astor Pl.

In:  The layout here is 2 platform, 4 track, with local and express access on the same level.  The platforms are curved, though, so platform extenders are needed to allow people access to the train.  There are also cooling fans in effect here.

4/5/6 Trains - 42 St.-Grand Central (Day 2, stop #89)

Out:  at corner of Park Ave. S and 42^nd St.  There is tons of street traffic out on 42 St.  there are people of all kinds, and while many are professional-looking, it is definitely not the case for everyone.  There are imposing skyscrapers as well as Grand Central Station; very “New York” kind of scene.  

The famous Cipriani's is right across the street.

I go into Grand Central and see some of the afternoon hustle and bustle.  It's a bit dim in there so the flash-less photos come out on the blurry side, unfortunately.

In:  Platform looks recently renovated, with cooling fans on the platform (which is great for my comfort on a hot day like this).  There are white tiles, with square columns each displaying “42” with mosaic tiles on top; looks quite nice.  There is also a huge mezzanine area with lots of foot traffic as well as some pan flute players.

4/5/6 Trains - 59 St. (Day 2, stop #87)

Out:  there are lots of people in work clothes as well as tourists.  

There are a number of big retail stores, including Bloomingdale’s, Zara, and Banana Republic, as well as some large office buildings here on the border of Midtown.

In:  Tiling and condition is pretty similar to other nearby stations.  There are express trains downstairs from the local track.

4/5/6 Trains - 86 St. (Day 2, stop #84)

Out:  There are lots of people out and about, but they’re almost all wealthy-looking and white.  

There are some big stores at this intersection, including a Best Buy and Petco. 

The streets are surprisingly crowded.  I walked down towards 77 St. in search of some lunch; ended up stopping for a chicken sandwich and a bathroom break (so important!).

In:  the station is in pretty decent condition, with good tiling in a burgundy/green color scheme.  The express trains are on the lower level.  

4/5/6 Trains - 125 St. (Day 2, stop #79)

Out: There is a large Pathmark supermarket here, as well as a large, stone, old-style Apple Bank on the corner. The Iglesia Pentocostal is also here, and the apartment building on the corner is in good repair. Almost everyone outside is black, but there are a few white office workers around, most likely commuters on their way to the Metro North station on Park Ave. In general though there is lots of hustle & bustle at this intersection.

In: this station is in good shape with adequate lighting. The uptown trains stop on the top level while downtown trains stop on the bottom. The floors are newly tiled instead of concrete, and the tiles are also in good condition.

4/5 Trains - 138 St.-Grand Concourse (Day 2, stop #78)

Out:  It’s totally desolate here, basically an onramp to the Major Deegan is the only outstanding feature of the immediate surroundings.  There is some area with a big retaining wall and some trees, but its purpose is unclear.  What is clear is that I definitely would not want to be over here at night!

In:  Single platform with tracks in both directions.  It’s dark and dirty down here.  There is some tiling in the station with the letters “MH”, presumably standing for “Mott Haven”.

4 Train - 149 St.-Grand Concourse (Day 2, stop #77)

Out:  At the corner of the intersection, there are a couple of big, boxy buildings both for Hostos Community College as well as the Post Office.  Hostos extends over Grand Concourse as shown in the sketch.

The only obvious commercial establishment is the “Steakhouse/Lobsterhouse”.  There are more stores a block or two away, but GC here seems like a main thoroughfare.  There are a few carts on the street selling gyro, coco helado, and cheap clothes.  Most of the people look like they are either at work or school, but don’t necessarily live in the area.

In:  the station here is now underground; the stretch of elevated stations is done.  The platform is old and poorly lit.  there is a single platform with tracks on both sides.  There is a transfer to the 2&5 on the lower level, via a tunnel.

4 Train - 167 St. (Day 2, stop #76)

Out:  Around the corner from the station there is a piano bar & restaurant.  The Win Hing Restaurant proffers “Chinese/Spanish/American” food, but for some reason I doubt it does any of them particularly well.  There is a decent looking place to buy fruits and veggies here: “Lee’s Market”.  To the west it’s possible to see up a hill to nicer-looking Tudor houses & apartments; probably University Heights neighborhood.  There is also a large graffiti mural of a speeding car on the side of one nearby store.  Directly under the El tracks there is an old, burnt-out house with 30’s style architecture.  The building is pretty intriguing, but it’s not clear whether it’s being demolished or renovated.

In:  The station is again in quite good condition.  Here the stained glass depicts trees, puppies, and other outdoor scenes.

4 Train - 170 St. (Day 2, stop #75)

Out:  The neighborhood here look a bit nicer than at the preceding stops.  There’s a little park by the train station.  Nearby businesses include a Liquor store, 99¢ store, “Todo Burrito” discount.  There is also a particularly interesting Wendy’s in a building with white columns and lots of plate glass; maybe it used to be some kind of station?  

Ethnically the neighborhood looks mostly black.

In:  the station here also looks nice, with stained glass depicted birds and plants.  Otherwise similar to previous stops.  From the platform here it’s possible to see an excellently shady-looking bar: The Equator Lounge.  Maybe one day I would be brave enough to go in there, but I doubt it’s ever gonna happen.

4 Train - Mt. Eden Ave. (Day 2, stop #74)

Out: As I leave the station, I realize that it’s right by the entrance to the Cross Bronx, bringing back memories of the time in 2004 I needed an emergency tire replacement and was towed from Washington Heights to a shady establishment over here. I try to pick out the cash-only business, and I’m pretty sure it’s called “Jerome Muffler”. There are also lots of other auto shops over here, but not too much else besides a McDonald’s and a sports bar. Otherwise the housing is the typical tenement BX-feel. I wonder if it will change much as I continue going south along the 4 line.

In: this elevated station is also recently renovated, with nice stained glass depicting the faces of many different people. As I’m leaving the station, a woman asks me for a swipe through the turnstile, but a bystander hears it and warns me: “it might be police…lock yo ass up!”. So I didn’t do it; I needed the swipe for myself anyway. When I’m leaving the station, I sat next to a cute kid and his dad; the kid was particularly fascinated by the train arriving on the opposite platform. On the car there was also a mom yelling at her daughter in Spanish.

4 Train - 176 St. (Day 2, stop #73)

Out:  The neighborhood here seems pretty empty, with some unremarkable restaurants (i.e. bad Chinese places and Comida Latina), plenty of grafitti, and the typical tenements.  There are a few auto repair places.  There is a staircase leading up to homes at higher elevation (see sketch).

In:  This station is in good shape, with newish stained glass at the entrances. There is a random guy in West African garb speaking loudly in English on the pay phone in the station, apparently talking about food.  From the platform it’s possible to see a staircase leading up to the next avenue to the west.