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Grand Central–42nd Street facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Grand Central–42nd Street is a super important subway station in New York City! It's also known as 42nd Street–Grand Central. You can find it right in the middle of Midtown Manhattan, where Lexington Avenue, Madison Avenue, and 42nd Street all meet.

This station is a huge hub for the New York City Subway. It serves the 4, 5, 6, and 7 subway trains. You can also catch the special Shuttle train here. Plus, it connects directly to the Metro-North Railroad at the famous Grand Central Terminal.

If you're riding the Lexington Avenue Line (4, 5, or 6 trains) from here, your next stops will be 33rd Street or 51st Street. For those on the Flushing Line (7 train), the next stations are Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue (in Queens) or 5th Avenue–Bryant Park (in Manhattan).

A Busy Subway Hub

NYCS IRT LexAve GrandCentral 6train
Grand Central 42nd Street

Grand Central–42nd Street is one of the busiest subway stations in New York City. Thousands of people use it every day to get around. It's a key spot because it connects many different subway lines. This makes it easy for people to switch trains and reach different parts of the city.

What Trains Stop Here?

This station is a major transfer point. You can catch several different subway lines here:

  • The 4 train (express)
  • The 5 train (express)
  • The 6 train (local)
  • The 7 train (local and express)
  • The 42nd Street Shuttle (a short line that goes to Times Square)

These trains help people travel north, south, and east across Manhattan and into Queens.

Connecting to Grand Central Terminal

One of the coolest things about this subway station is its connection to Grand Central Terminal. This isn't just a subway station; it's a huge, historic train station. From Grand Central Terminal, you can catch Metro-North commuter trains that travel to places outside of New York City, like upstate New York and Connecticut. The terminal itself is a beautiful landmark with amazing architecture.

Images for kids

  • PostcardNewYorkNYEntranceToSubwayGrandCentral1912

    Entering the subway from the new Grand Central Terminal, 1912

  • Grand Central Flushing vc

    The Flushing Line platform opened in 1915 as part of the Dual Contracts.

  • Grand Central Shuttle platform in 1962

    A view of the shuttle platform between Track 3 and 4, with the automatic train on the right in 1962

  • Grand Central subway 1918

    1918 plan

  • NYCS Grand Central Shuttle

    Train on track 3 (since removed)

  • Shuttle entrance from Grand Central vc

    Entrance from the Grand Central Terminal Main Concourse

  • NYC Subway Grand Central 10

    Tile mosaic

  • 42nd Street Grand Central IRT 004

    Close-up

  • 42nd Street Grand Central IRT 001

    6 train on one of the local tracks

  • 7 Train directional sign at Grand Central Terminal

    Directional sign above the staircase to the Flushing Line platform

  • 42nd Street GCT Sign; IRT Tunnels

    Metal sign on tunnel wall with 42 St–Grand Central name

  • NYCSub 7 Grand Central

    Looking down a staircase toward the IRT Flushing Line platform

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Grand Central–Calle 42 (metro de Nueva York) para niños

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Grand Central–42nd Street Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.