How come NYC Trains F V B D switch tracks from Rockefeller Center going to Bryant Park?
J H asked:
Hi,
Hi,
Does anyone know why NYC Trains F V B D switch tracks from Rockefeller Center going to Bryant Park? I mean why do they do it and how it is possible. I have witness many times that I see trains from each side arrive at the same time at Bryant Park platform. How is it possible? Do each side go either above one another ? Can someone explain it?
The F and V go under the B and D. This is because the F and V are local while the B and D are express. The local has to be on the outer track.
they don’t so much switch tracks (meaning tracks actually cross each other) as they do switch sides (the outer express track at rock ctr passes under the local track on the way to becoming the inner express track at 42nd st.)
if you look at the map here:, it may be a clue as to why this is so. my guess is that it must have been easier to construct it this way when it was built in 1932, to have as few overcrossing tracks as possible with the tight turns and spaces, especially vertical space. and then have the tracks realign themselves after passing through rock ctr going downtown.
so i do think the reason is simply engineering.
Express usually runs on inner tracks and will skip to it correct while local use the outer tracks. Its done for simplicity, safety and to reduce bottlenecks.