The subway comes to Second Ave, finally (with lots of photos)

It's finally here - after 87 years of planning, false starts, and a work stoppage in 1975 - - a portion of the Second Avenue subway finally opened for passenger service on New Years Day, 2017- let THIS sink in.

With that in mind, let's stop the history lesson and go right to the photos on the first day, as well  as other photos taken a few days later. Enjoy them


NOTE:  The first revenue train, departed 96th Street/2nd Ave shortly after 12 Noon.  Car #8957 was the lead car in this train and it traveled southbound on the northbound track to south of 72nd Street where it switched over to the normal southbound track.  This was because two Q trains were starting on the southbound track, one each at 86th Street and 72nd Street stations and placed into regular service.  The first northbound Q, from 57th Street and 7th Ave (not from Coney Island) entered the 2nd Ave corridor around 12:20 PM.  


96th Street - 2nd Ave, including opening day and when I attended the PM open house on December 23rd.

86th Street - 2nd Ave

The Q train with the colorful Second Ave Subway wrap

An Q train (left) with an N train (right).  Some rush hour N trains run to/from 96th Street/2nd Ave instead of Astoria-Ditmars Blvd

Now 72nd Street station:

NEXT:  What I think the MTA should do in the next phases of the Second Ave Subway