A Division (New York City Subway) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids A Division |
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        (42nd Street) |
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| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Minimum radius | 147.25 ft (44.88 m) |
The A Division is a special part of the New York City Subway system. Think of it like a big family of subway lines. These lines were originally built and run by a company called the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT).
What makes the A Division unique is how its subway lines are named. All the services in the A Division are given numbers. For example, you'll find the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains in this division. This is different from the B Division, where trains are named with letters like the A, B, C, or D trains.
Contents
What is a Subway Division?
A subway division helps organize a large system like the New York City Subway. It's a way to group lines that share similar features. These features often include how they were built and the size of their trains.
History of the Divisions
The New York City Subway grew over many years. Different companies built parts of it. The two main companies were the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) and the Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT). Later, the city also built its own lines, called the Independent Subway System (IND).
When all these lines became one big system, they kept their original groupings. This is why we still have the A Division (mostly former IRT lines) and the B Division (mostly former BMT and IND lines).
Why are the Divisions Different?
The A and B Divisions have some key differences. One big difference is the size of their subway cars.
- A Division trains (the numbered lines) use slightly narrower and shorter cars. This is because the tunnels and platforms for these lines were built first.
- B Division trains (the lettered lines) use wider and longer cars. Their tunnels and stations were built to fit these larger trains.
Because of these size differences, trains from the A Division cannot run on B Division tracks, and vice versa. It's like trying to fit a big truck into a small garage!
Important A Division Lines
The A Division includes many of the busiest and most famous subway lines in New York City. These lines connect many parts of the city, from Manhattan to the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens.
- The 1, 2, 3 lines run through Manhattan, connecting areas like Times Square and Wall Street.
- The 4, 5, 6 lines serve the east side of Manhattan and extend into the Bronx.
- The 7 line is famous for connecting Manhattan to Flushing, Queens, and is often called the "International Express."
- The 42nd Street Shuttle (often called the S train) is a short line that connects Times Square and Grand Central Terminal.
These lines are a vital part of daily life for millions of people in New York City. They help students get to school, workers get to their jobs, and tourists explore the city.
See also
In Spanish: División A (metro de Nueva York) para niños
