Brooklyn's Super Express Subway Line - The NX

[@brianhochberg6957]

I used to ride the NX with my Father when I was a kid. It was an extremely fast express train and it got you to where you were going in no time. They never should have discontinued this line. I really miss riding this train.

[@Urban_Man]

I think would maybe work as a Summer to the Beach Express, but not as a rush hour service.

[@stevenkalka1064]

For decades there was a Sunny Summer Sunday special that ran between Chambers St. and Franklin Av - Fulton Av via using the Fourth Ave. , Sea Beach, and Brighton Express tracks. It was discontinued during the 50s because low ridership.

[@djr.bklyn.ny.]

Hold up, so it ran via the J/Z in Manhattan, N in Brooklyn, Q in Brooklyn, and Franklin Ave Shuttle?!

[@qjtvaddict]

@@djr.bklyn.ny.yup

[@qjtvaddict]

It would work better if you deinterline manhattan bridge and have one 4th ave local go to CI via west end now you must use one of the extra services to be a super express

[@8avexp]

@@qjtvaddict From Chambers St. via the south side tracks of the Manhattan Bridge, that is.

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

Basically The N Via Sea Beach Express And Went To Brighton Going Thru Coney Island. It entered service on November 27th 1967 and was discontinued due to low ridership on April 12th 1968 only a few months after its debut.

[@WebSoak]

Thanks for spoiling the entire video

[@richiegarcia2819]

Thanks for the TLDR!

[@5toNewLots]

@@WebSoakis it really spoiling?

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

@@WebSoak I was just giving a quick explanation :/

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

@@richiegarcia2819what is that sarcasm

[@saulschlapik6818]

I rode the NX once, I was 10 at the time. It had a round NX logo metal disc on the front. As far as I know, it was the only train to run through Stillwell Ave. instead of terminating. Interestingly, it wasn't listed on the "New Subway Routes" map issued at the time. Several years ago, I got to ride the Sea Beach Express track when the D train was rerouted. Another short lived train introduced at the same time was the RJ. It ran rush hours only from 168 St. Jamaica to 95 St. Bay Ridge. After it was discontinued, a few RR trains ran to Chambers St. during rush hour.

[@8avexp]

In those days, the Sea Beach express tracks were not signaled. Consequently NX trains had to travel in an absolute block along the Sea Beach portion. Only one train could be at any point along that stretch at any given time. There were frequent delays at Brighton Beach, which was mentioned. I remember that service pattern, but never had a chance to ride on an NX.

[@qjtvaddict]

No wonder it failed

[@peppertree5706]

Took the NX in the PM rush as a "joy ride" about five times. Loved the ride down the express tracks. My usual stop was Sheepshead Bay, therefore I was one stop away when I got off at Brighton Beach. I heard that Fred Trump had influence in getting that subway line to be considered because he owned many apartment buildings in Coney Island close to the West 8th Street station. Would like to know more about the Trump connection to the inception of the NX. I remember R-27 subway cars then later R-32 cars were used on the NX.

[@hopeeisman811]

You have a fabulous voice and your knowledge is exceptional.

[@MysticTransit]

Thank you! 😃

[@michaelscott7706]

The NX might be beneficial on Weekends now.

[@michaelmorales1475]

Asmr Mystic Transit.

[@josiahdillard7428]

I rode the Q train on a weekend where it ran express from 59 to Coney Island then from Coney Island to 36 street via the N and D express it was so fast

[@jeremyjean5421]

I was wondering what the NX service was for awhile now lol so thanks for sharing this. Also I agree with you, it’s better that we don’t have that line

[@JoseNunez-hh1yr]

That map! That's the one I want! Not as common as the others. Old Timers told me that right off the bat, the NX logistics were bad. The T/D either emptied the layup tracks behind Brighton Beach to accommodate the arriving Q layups, or hastily changed side signs on a thru train. Plus, the race between an NX and any Brighton express to DeKalb Av. was no contest. Worse, only Track #1 at Coney Island was the connection to Brighton. Any occupation (work trains, etc) caused a lot of trips abandoned

[@ianrotheroe2540]

Damn I wish the NX could be annexed back into the system

[@langleywallingford260]

I get the pun... (NX/annexed)... 😏

[@ianrotheroe2540]

@@langleywallingford260 😎😉

[@NYLifeInNJ]

If they somehow retrofitted platforms onto 8th Abe, New Utrecht Ave (might be logistically unfeasable from station design) and Bay Pkwy, I think it could work pretty well with peak express due to the heavier usages of those stations. It baffles me as to why express stops were never designed for the Sea Beach Line.

[@qjtvaddict]

It can be done at new Utrecht and kings hwy

[@williamerazo3921]

Why notifications didn’t show this? Papa you doing good with this content

[@CanalConcourse1196]

Just like the NX we should add some express service for the N express during peak hours with them running 8-10 trains per hour

[@jr.gaming2205]

And rebuild the other track on Sea Beach

[@JakeGaming2634]

I think 2-4 trains fit.

[@peppertree5706]

A few stations must be converted to express stops. New Utrecht, Kings Highway and Bay Parkway.

[@JakeGaming2634]

@@peppertree5706 Not even sure because it’s gonna have lots of work tho..

[@CraigFThompson]

​@@JakeGaming2634Since when did "lots of work" stop development of the subway system?!

[@Interstella-ni3vh]

The biggest issue with NX is the interlining/bottlenecking that feeds into 4th Ave capacity and lack of ANY express stops. I would love to see a feasibility study if express stations were built on New Ucht. Av. and Kings Hwy and the W (N local) was added on the R line and NX stays on the N line, essentially de-interlining both lines and providing frequent local & express service without capacity interruption.

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

The one subway today that does not go through Manhattan, the G line, has changed over the years due to work on the line (even happening now) and the usage it gets. It gets lengthened, shortened, but keeps running to this very day. Now it is getting new signals so they can track the trains more closely starting this summer.

[@Big_O_1213]

In order for the NX to sort of stay in existence, the sea beach portion of the N needed to have been built with express stops in mind, much like what the 7 train line is capable of doing. Otherwise, it'll continue to get low ridership unless the MTA wants to deal with another layered hassle of N trains moving in and out of the local tracks.

[@ИльяМилягин]

Awesome video! By the way, where did you find that map with NX route? I've been searching for this route's scheme for about a year...

[@amazing50000]

I read somewhere online that the NX was created for people that was living in the newly built housing projects in Coney Island but it did not work (low ridership).

[@peppertree5706]

That was influenced by Fred Trump.

[@amazing50000]

@@peppertree5706 Thanks for the info about Donald Trump's dad who I did not know had something to do with what is Trump Village in Coney Island and the NX line. Thanks again

[@peppertree5706]

@@amazing50000 Fred Trump had friends at City Hall. That likely explains why his building were permitted to be higher than seven floor. Most are over 20 floors.

[@jameskeenan6030]

@MysticTransit, during the existence of the NX, what was the rush hour service pattern for the Brighton line between Brighton Beach and Coney Island? My recollection is that from at least 1969 (but perhaps earlier) the D-train *during rush hours* ran on the express tracks to Brighton Beach while the QB and QJ ran on the local tracks through to Coney Island. The QB was a rush-hour-only service. During non-rush-hours, the D ran express to Brighton; the QJ ran local to Stillwell. Nights and weekends: D local to Stillwell. Was the pattern I just described implemented when they killed the NX in April '68?

[@MysticTransit]

Seems like the case if this subway map is anything to go by: www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?/img/maps/calcagno-1969-system.gif

[@8avexp]

From Nov. 26, 1967 to August 16, 1968, D trains operated to Coney Island at all times while the QB and QJ terminated ar Brighton Beach. This caused frequent delays because trains had to switch tracks before Brighton Beach. On August 19, 1968, D trains began terminating at Brighton Beach when they ran express in Brooklyn, and QB and QJ trains ran all the way to Coney Island.

[@randolphtwells1360]

2:15; I paused this clip, and what I did see was that the "NX" train acted like the Q train from going Brighton Beach to Coney Island, and it also acted like the "N" or "Q" train going express after Canal Street until it reaches to 57th. Street Midtown.

[@davidgordon841]

I rode the NX both AM and PM from West8th St. to Canal St. I thought the NX was a great idea. The first day of service there were only a few seats available at W 8th St. After an about a week, the train arrived quite empty but it gave Bay Ridge riders transferring at 59th St. a chance to get a seat on an express train to Manhattan. Perhaps, if the NX could have stopped at Kings Highway or Bay Parkway, it would have been much more utilized and remained in service.

[@CraigFThompson]

I mentioned New Utrecht Avenue station as a possible conversion to express service....

[@langstonreese7077]

Ima upload the NX train announcements soon. It’s a pretty weird line

[@BMTEnjoyer160]

Thank you

[@Reformperson]

The Improvements I would have loved to see with the N would have been an extension to Ocean Pkwy keeping the Local service on Sea Beach. This would keep the resemblance of the NX Line but this time making the local stops to Ocean Pkwy to avoid interference with the trains terminating at Brighton Beach. The Express NX service should be a summer only service however just like the seasonal extension that the Rockaway Shuttle gets.

[@djr.bklyn.ny.]

That’s a good idea because Ocean Parkway has underutilized middle tracks and the middle tracks between Ocean Parkway and Brighton Beach are used as storage for oos B trains anyways so they can’t be used

[@CraigFThompson]

A total reconstruction of the New Utrecht Avenue station would be in short order; it needs to be converted into an express station. This would justify the return of express service on the Sea Beach Line by allowing a transfer to the West End Line.

[@Dragblacker]

@@CraigFThompson I think when they do use the express tracks down Sea Beach, they're only using the "Manhattan-bound" express track. Thus if you have New Utrecht an express stop, you could simply build a platform over the Coney Island-bound express track, thus making the station resemble Willets Pt on the 7.

[@qjtvaddict]

@@djr.bklyn.ny.they can be used for both services

[@collinparsons3363]

I think it would be cool to do a comparison between all 4 lines serving Coney Island. All 4 of them stop at 34th Street Herald Square. In terms of the number of stops between there and Coney Island, the N has the fewest with 16 (20 on weekends), then the D with 18, followed by the Q with 22, and finally the F with 29.

[@FlowieNYCT]

If the NX still lasted till the summer, it would've been a strange service for those wanting to go to the beach if the NX was heading to Manhattan during the morning rush hours.

[@leecornwell5632]

They should definitely add the NX on the R68S R68AS. Last couple of months ago they had the R62AS JFk signs Pelham 6 line Top of that they had the powder blue 🔵 6 just like the T JFK 8 Thrid Ave Elevated line powder blue 🔵 I'm telling you.

[@DennisLora2001]

I never took a ride on that subway line before

[@Newflyir]

That's because it got eliminated in the 1960s.

[@DennisLora2001]

@@Newflyir Oh I see that's sad plus I wasn't born in the 60s

[@captainjake7417]

@@DennisLora2001 did you even watch the video before commenting?

[@DennisLora2001]

@@captainjake7417 I just rewatch it

[@quinlanwconley4010]

I agree the NX is pointless we already had the 9 discontinued and the Z isn’t real popular I don’t think they need these kinda rush hour only lines

[@JSythe]

3:12 "Mownths"

[@ccityplanner1217]

Have an ‹N› service running at weekends in summer that operates as an extension of the B from Brighton Beach to Ocean Pkwy (where it would wait for several minutes to ensure punctuality), Aquarium, Coney Island, Kings Hwy, 59th St, Sunset Park, Pacific St, Union Sq, Herald Sq, Times Sq, Carnegie Hall, 5th Av, 59th St - Lexington Av, Queensboro Plaza, Astoria Blvd and Astoria Ditmars Blvd.

[@RealABGamerBoy]

Its an interesting line despite it only running s few months

[@daye9215]

I really want to ride it but i had no chance I wasn't born in that time

[@SirKenchalot]

"Idiotic service patterns". A bit harsh but funny.

[@qjtvaddict]

Like the current N in Manhattan

[@Noob_YT6969]

Yoo Bay Pkwy I was on it a few days ago, i could take it whenever i want.

[@skydiamond8705]

Than after this MTA ran Æ line but discontinued it because people did not know how to say the lines name being a Manhattan express only in Manhattan on the eighth Avenue line from WTC up to I think 125th St. and meeting the same fate as the NX service

[@xmega9526]

I still wonder why the Sea Beach branch has 4 tracks when the manhattan bound express track is filled with litter, construction equipment and sometimes the rail just cuts off at different spots

[@peppertree5706]

The express tracks were meant to be a quick ride to the beach. The mistake was not having any express stops along the Sea Beach line.

[@CraigFThompson]

Whatever tracks exist now earn their keep by being used as test tracks for new equipment, and for training new motormen.

[@marcitos_9329]

A Special Express should run Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day on the Brighton every 20 minutes. Maybe run B trains as far as 145 St or Special Q (or ) trains.

[@CraigFThompson]

Using museum equipment t'boot!

[@pjinnj35]

I think it should run during summertime on weekend. Q train did this one way during the go and it was vaersine

[@TheRailLeaguer]

That would be detrimental to other riders on the Sea Beach Line when Coney Island customers have other faster alternatives.

[@songyan6662]

cool.

[@pjinnj35]

They should try it summer time weekend

[@BigPops757]

Not finna lie it’d be nice to see this service pattern

[@danielwrynn4707]

I wish I could have ridden the NX train, just for the fun of it. Oh well.

[@darklegend6021]

they really need to utilize the sea beach line exp tracks. They have just been abondoned and isnt going into good use

[@TheRailLeaguer]

It is not warranted, given the lack of any express stations and whatnot. Also just because something is abandoned or no in regular use doesn’t mean that it has to be put in regular use.

[@CraigFThompson]

​@@TheRailLeaguerThose tracks aren't totally abandoned; they're used as test tracks for new equipment, and for instructing new train operators in handling whatever equipment they might be assigned to.... But YES, those tracks would be great in regular passenger service; all that needs doing is rebuilding the New Utrecht Avenue station as an express stop to allow transfers to the West End Line.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

@@CraigFThompson Maybe but then you run into the problem into frequency of both lines. Even if both express tracks were rebuilt and the New Utrecht Avenue station were rebuilt to an express station (which is next to impossible), given the mac frequency of the N route 8 trains er hour, that would result in inadequate frequencies for both services. Even with deinterlining with N service operating 15, it’s still pretty bad. You need to not put too much emphasis on quantity over QUALITY.

[@Newflyir]

Tbh in my opinion the NX wasnt a bad idea it just had bad execution. If it had some in between stops at Frequently used stations it might have lasted untill the 70s.

[@HalloweenHalloween-sc4jo]

Honestly they should bring it back, albeit under a different name or something, and not make it peak direction (because there’s 2 express tracks available, not one). It runs express straight from 59th street to Coney Island. That’s more stations bypassed (9) in an express journey than anywhere else in the entire subway, excluding the SIR.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

That would result in lower ridership since it would bypass every station on the line, doing nothing to speed up service on the Sea Beach Line. And even then given the frequency on the N route, you're just going to make Sea Beach commutes longer due to less frequent service. If anything, the track configuration on the Brighton Line should be changed to allow express trains to operate to Coney Island and local trains to terminate at Brighton Beach, speeding up trips between Coney Island and Downtown Brooklyn.

[@Nderak]

why was it rush hour only

[@alexharris2495]

So basically today's select (N) trips to 96 street

[@BienSwinginbase]

WTH was a NX? sounds kinda bueno bossman

[@Dragblacker]

I'm not against having a Sea Beach Express in general. Just use the diamond N for rush hours, express to Manhattan AM hours, express to Coney Island PM hours. Likewise, restore the Astoria Express permanently for rush hours.

[@Aaronhchisholm2]

My experience is N Xpress train

[@BigBoy_Thegamer]

Its the N but longer and faster 😅

[@boguette_]

the NX was a really sort of useless line to begin with, as since Sea Beach Exp tracks skip a lot of residential areas. It just ran with the N, so why make it a different color? (thanks 2nd ave for taking it) Also the TA Guide which you showed in this video had the most random colors and letter assignments known to mankind like GREEN C AND GREEN R WEREN'T EVEN CONNECTED EXCEPT AT ONE STOP? There had to be reason why the colors were marked that way, but that's all that I have to say.

[@peppertree5706]

As far as I know, the original colors were used to distinguish different lines on the subway map.

[@odemata87]

Area in Brooklyn it passed through is very car dependant. I doubt their study to that into account as these people's actual commuting patterns outside of actual extending an line further elsewhere or building a actual line reflective of these patterns. The IBX will be just as underutilized for the same giving reasons.

[@TheRailLeaguer]

What you’re saying isn’t 100% true, and you seriously need to stop having something against the mere concept of IBX. It will be very heavily utilized since it is a line reflective of actual commuting patterns, though many would’ve loved for it to be heavy rail

[@step_losev]

frst

[@gtavstepfordcounty1733]

Nope

[@Flash_Warn1ng]

Useless service

[@bennythepenny5831]

These should be the {NX} route stations via Central Avenue local, Rockaway Beach express, Breezy Point Bridge, Coney Island local, Sea Beach express, 4th Avenue express, Manhattan Bridge, Broadway local, & Morningside Avenue express: Ⓜ️ North Riverdale-263rd Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 259th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 252nd Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 246th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 235th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 215th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 168th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 125th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 57th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 49th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Times Square-42nd Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 34th Street-Herald Square {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 28th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 23rd Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 18th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 14th Street-Union Square {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 8th Street-New York University {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Prince Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Canal Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ DeKalb Avenue {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 36th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ 59th Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Stillwell Avenue {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ West 8th Street-New York Aquarium {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Ocean Parkway {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Brighton Beach {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Dover Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ MacKenzie Street {} {(NX)} Ⓜ️ Riis Landing {} Ⓜ️ Beach 116th Street {} Ⓜ️ Hammels Wye {} Ⓜ️ Mott Avenue {} Ⓜ️ Doughty Boulevard {} Ⓜ️ Lawrence {}