Editing 63rd Street lines (section)

==Extent and service==

The following services use the 63rd Street Lines:<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref><ref name="201608 Programs"/>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2 | Service information
! rowspan=2 | Lines served
! rowspan=2 | Section <br /> of line
|-
! Service
! Division
|-
| align=center | {{rint|newyork|F}} {{rint|newyork|Fd}}
| [[Independent Subway System|IND]]
| [[IND Culver Line|Culver Local]], [[IND Sixth Avenue Line|Sixth Avenue Local]], [[IND Queens Boulevard Line|Queens Boulevard Express]]
| entire IND section
|-
| align=center | {{rint|newyork|Q}}
| [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation|BMT]]
| [[BMT Brighton Line|Brighton Local]], [[BMT Broadway Line|Broadway Express]], [[Second Avenue Subway|Second Avenue Local]]
| rowspan=2 | entire BMT section
|-
| align=center | {{rint|newyork|N}} {{rint|newyork|R}}<br />(limited rush hour service)<ref>
* {{NYCS const|timetable|n}}
* {{NYCS const|timetable|r}}</ref>
| [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation|BMT]]
| [[BMT Sea Beach Line|Sea Beach Local]]/[[BMT Fourth Avenue Line|Fourth Avenue Express]], [[BMT Broadway Line|Broadway Express]], [[Second Avenue Subway|Second Avenue Local]] ({{rint|newyork|N}}) <br /> [[BMT Fourth Avenue Line|Fourth Avenue Local]], [[BMT Broadway Line|Broadway Local]], [[Second Avenue Subway|Second Avenue Local]] ({{rint|newyork|R}})
|}

The 63rd Street Lines comprise two physical pairs of trackage; each track pair's mileage is measured via different [[New York City Subway chaining|subway chaining schemes]]. One is chained as part of the [[Independent Subway System]] (IND), and the other is chained as part of the [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]] (BMT).<ref name=":1"/><ref name="tracks3"/>

The IND line begins as a northward continuation of the [[IND Sixth Avenue Line]] at [[57th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)|57th Street]] station. It runs under [[Sixth Avenue]] and [[Central Park]], turning east under 63rd Street and running through the [[63rd Street Tunnel]] under the [[East River]], with stations at [[Roosevelt Island (IND 63rd Street Line)|Main Street]] on [[Roosevelt Island]] and at [[21st Street-Queensbridge (IND 63rd Street Line)|21st Street-Queensbridge]] under 41st Avenue in Queens. At its eastern end, the line merges with the [[IND Queens Boulevard Line]] under Northern Boulevard, west of [[36th Street (IND Queens Boulevard Line)|36th Street]] station. This line is coded as chaining route "T", with the southbound track marked as T1 and the northbound track designated T2.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="tracks3" /> Beneath the subway tunnel is a lower level used by the [[Long Island Rail Road]] (LIRR), where it heads to [[Grand Central Madison]]. It is connected to [[Grand Central Terminal]] as part of the LIRR's [[East Side Access]] project, which commenced operations in 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/151214_0930_LIRR.pdf#page=17|title=Long Island Committee Meeting December 2015|date=December 14, 2015|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=February 17, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225054749/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/151214_0930_LIRR.pdf#page=17|archive-date=February 25, 2016}}</ref><ref name="MTA-ESA-EIS-Mod-AppendixB-2006">{{Cite book |url=http://web.mta.info/capital/esa_docs/eafiles06/Appendix%20B%20Upper%20Level%20Loop%20Alternative%20Analysis.pdf |title=East Side Access Modification to Environmental Impact Statement |chapter=Appendix B: Upper Level Loop Analysis |work=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]] |publisher=[[MTA Capital Construction]] |date=April 2006 |access-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-date=August 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825085744/http://web.mta.info/capital/esa_docs/eafiles06/Appendix%20B%20Upper%20Level%20Loop%20Alternative%20Analysis.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|2}}

The BMT line begins as a northward continuation of the express tracks of the [[BMT Broadway Line]] at the [[57th Street–Seventh Avenue station]]. It runs under [[Seventh Avenue (Manhattan)|Seventh Avenue]], Central Park and 63rd Street before turning north under [[Second Avenue (Manhattan)|Second Avenue]] and merging with the [[Second Avenue Subway]]. The tracks on this line are coded with BMT chaining, labeled as tracks G3 and G4 to distinguish them from the pre-existing G1 and G2 tracks associated with the [[60th Street Tunnel]] and [[BMT Astoria Line|Astoria Line]]. The odd-numbered tracks carry southbound trains, while the even-numbered tracks carry northbound trains.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://thejoekorner.com/out-the-front/index-chaining.shtm|title=Looking out the Front – Chaining|website=thejoekorner.com|last=Korman|first=Joseph|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105010648/http://thejoekorner.com/out-the-front/index-chaining.shtm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tracks3">{{NYCS const|trackref|trackbook3}}</ref>

[[File:Lex-63rd May 2017 2.jpg|300px|thumb|left|The two 63rd Street Lines meet at [[Lexington Avenue–63rd Street (63rd Street Lines)|Lexington Avenue–63rd Street]] station]]

The two lines intersect at the [[Lexington Avenue–63rd Street (63rd Street Lines)|Lexington Avenue–63rd Street]] station, where there are [[cross-platform interchange]]s for both northbound and southbound trains. Just west of Lexington Avenue-63rd Street, two [[diamond crossover|diamond crossover tracks]] allow trains to switch between the two lines. This connection, not used in passenger service, allows trains to run from the Broadway Line to the Queens Boulevard Line and from the Sixth Avenue Line to the Second Avenue Line.<ref name="tracks3"/>

===Service history===
The first segments of the two lines opened on October 29, 1989; the IND line opened between [[57th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)|57th Street]] and [[21st Street–Queensbridge (IND 63rd Street Line)|21st Street–Queensbridge]], and the BMT line opened between 57th Street-Seventh Avenue and Lexington Avenue-63rd Street. The BMT 63rd Street Line was not used for passenger service. The IND Line was usually served by {{NYCS|B}}, {{NYCS|F}} and {{NYCS|Q}} trains; during this time, Q trains ran on the [[IND Sixth Avenue Line]] due to reconstruction of the [[Manhattan Bridge]]. From the line's opening until September 1990, service was provided by Q trains during weekdays, by B trains during weekends, and by an F/Q{{efn|Between 1989 and 1993, a special daily late night F/Q combination service operated, in which F trains would operate along its normal route from Coney Island to [[47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center (IND Sixth Avenue Line)|47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center]], then operate as a Q train to [[21st Street–Queensbridge (IND 63rd Street Line)|21st Street–Queensbridge]]. In the southbound direction, Q trains would operate from 21st Street to 47th–50th Streets, then operate as an F train along the F's normal route to Coney Island. The special F/Q service was designated as F starting in April 1993.|name=F/Q train}} combination route late nights. Starting in September 1990, evening Q service was replaced by the B instead. In April 1993, the F/Q combination designation was dropped and was simply known as F. The [[JFK Express]] also served the IND line very briefly; the service was discontinued on April 15, 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/if-you-took-the-plane-to-the-train-sing-the-jingle/|title=If You Took the Train to the Plane, Sing the Jingle|last=Grynbaum|first=Michael M.|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027021816/http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/if-you-took-the-plane-to-the-train-sing-the-jingle/|url-status=live}}</ref> From April to November 1995, as part of the Manhattan Bridge reconstruction, the bridge's north side (Sixth Avenue) tracks closed during middays and weekends; the Q ran on the [[BMT Broadway Line]] during these times, using the BMT 63rd Street Line and switching to the IND 63rd Street Line to Queens west of Lexington Avenue-63rd Street.<ref name="Ronald Sullivan">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/26/nyregion/bridge-repairs-to-disrupt-off-peak-subway-service.html |title=Bridge Repairs to Disrupt Off-Peak Subway Service |date=March 26, 1995 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=July 2, 2016 |author=Ronald Sullivan |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819212037/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/26/nyregion/bridge-repairs-to-disrupt-off-peak-subway-service.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 1997, [[63rd Street Shuttle]] service via the IND Sixth Avenue Line replaced F service during late nights. Between February 22, 1998, and May 22, 1999, service between the Sixth Avenue Line and the 63rd Street Line was suspended because of construction on the IND tracks. B and Q trains were cut back to 57th Street, and the late night shuttle suspended. During this time, a different [[63rd Street Shuttle|shuttle]] provided full-time service between 21st Street–Queensbridge and [[34th Street-Herald Square (BMT Broadway Line)|34th Street-Herald Square]] via the [[BMT Broadway Line]]; for instance, in 1995, this shuttle switched between the IND and BMT Lines west of Lexington Avenue station. On May 22, 1999, the B and Q returned to 21st Street–Queensbridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thejoekorner.com/brochures/index-63shutt.html|title=The JoeKorNer Brochures|website=www.thejoekorner.com|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305031150/http://thejoekorner.com/brochures/index-63shutt.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 22, 2001, the north side tracks of the Manhattan Bridge, which served the Sixth Avenue Line, closed. B and Q service on the IND 63rd Street Line was replaced with a full-time shuttle via the Sixth Avenue Line.<ref>{{cite web | title=Manhattan Bridge Service Changes | website=The New York Times | date=July 21, 2001 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/21/nyregion/manhattan-bridge-service-changes.html | access-date=February 3, 2018 | archive-date=July 3, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703191041/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/21/nyregion/manhattan-bridge-service-changes.html | url-status=live }}</ref> On December 16, 2001, the 63rd Street Connector to the [[IND Queens Boulevard Line]] officially opened, and the F was rerouted to serve the IND Line at all times, replacing the shuttle and assuming its current service pattern.<ref name="Kershaw 2001"/><ref>See:
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.thejoekorner.com/brochures/V-train-2.gif|title=The Opening of the New 63 St Connector New Routes More Options Less Crowding|date=November 2001|website=thejoekorner.com|publisher=New York City Transit|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105010054/http://www.thejoekorner.com/brochures/V-train-2.gif|url-status=dead}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.thejoekorner.com/brochures/V-train-4.gif|title=The Opening of the New 63 St Connector|date=November 2001|website=thejoekorner.com|publisher=New York City Transit|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-date=November 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120061609/http://www.thejoekorner.com/brochures/V-train-4.gif|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On January 1, 2017, the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway opened,<ref name="SASOpens-2017"/> extending the Q (now running via the [[BMT Broadway Line]]), and some rush-hour [[N (New York City Subway service)|N]] [[short turn]] trips, along the BMT 63rd Street Line.<ref name="201608 Programs">{{cite web|url=https://progressiveaction.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/sub-division-b-general-distribution-fall-2016-wp-book.pdf|title=Sub-Division B Train Operator/Conductor Road & Non-Road Work Programs in Effect: November 6, 2016|date=July 29, 2016|website=progressiveaction.info|publisher=New York City Transit|access-date=August 19, 2016|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010184526/https://progressiveaction.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/sub-division-b-general-distribution-fall-2016-wp-book.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Q and N then turned north to connect to the Second Avenue Subway, terminating at [[96th Street (IND Second Avenue Line)|96th Street]].<ref name="SASOpens-2017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/nyregion/second-avenue-subway-opening-upper-east-side-manhattan.html|title=Opening of Second Avenue Subway: Updates|last1=Slotnik|first1=Daniel E.|date=January 1, 2017|last2=Wolfe|first2=Jonathan|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|last3=Fitzsimmons|first3=Emma G.|last4=Palmer|first4=Emily|last5=Remnick|first5=Noah|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=January 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101195614/http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/nyregion/second-avenue-subway-opening-upper-east-side-manhattan.html|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/new-yorkers-ride-ave-subway-making-history-article-1.2930822|title=New Yorkers take historic first ride on Second Ave. subway|last1=Rivoli|first1=Dan|date=January 1, 2017|last2=Sandoval|first2=Edgar|newspaper=New York Daily News|last3=Brown|first3=Stephen Rex|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415194911/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/new-yorkers-ride-ave-subway-making-history-article-1.2930822|url-status=live}}
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/see-new-years-eve-party-and-2nd-ave-subway|title=See Inside: The 2nd Avenue Subway Opens to All|last=Nessen|first=Stephen|date=January 1, 2017|newspaper=WNYC|access-date=January 1, 2017|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831013618/https://www.wnyc.org/story/see-new-years-eve-party-and-2nd-ave-subway/|url-status=live}}</ref>  Before the Second Avenue Subway opened in 2017, the BMT line was generally not used for passenger service, except for detours due to emergencies or construction on other lines (including the aforementioned periods in 1995 and 1998). Because the line was not used in regular service from 1989 to 2016, it was not shown on the official [[New York City Subway map|subway map]], except in 1995 and 1998.<ref>{{cite web | title=New Yorkers can start using a secret subway tunnel under Central Park this December | website=Quartz | date=July 1, 2016 | url=http://qz.com/697447/new-yorkers-can-start-using-a-secret-subway-tunnel-under-central-park-this-december/ | access-date=July 3, 2016 | archive-date=July 2, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702135841/http://qz.com/697447/new-yorkers-can-start-using-a-secret-subway-tunnel-under-central-park-this-december/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to 2011, these tracks were also used to store train sets outside of rush hour.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://ltvsquad.com/2015/11/04/abandoned-63rd-street-platform-mezzanine-circa-2004/|title=Abandoned 63rd street platform & Mezzanine, Circa 2004|date=November 4, 2015|website=LTV Squad|access-date=July 3, 2016|archive-date=September 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919014743/https://ltvsquad.com/2015/11/04/abandoned-63rd-street-platform-mezzanine-circa-2004/|url-status=live}}</ref>