Grand Central/42nd St
Lines:
IRT 42nd St Shuttle
IRT Lexington Ave Line
IRT Flushing Line
List of closed areas:
(IRT 42nd St Shuttle)
Grand Central/42nd St was originally built as an express station on the first subway line in New York City. However, as Grand Central became a busier area, it became an important express station on subsequent lines that were built around the complex.
The station has been reconfigured countless times, with the 42nd Street Shuttle station having been most heavily reconfigured, as it was originally a four-track express station that was converted to a three-track terminal station and eventually a two-track terminal station in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the reconfiguration of the 42nd Street Shuttle station, there are several closed passages and entrances throughout the station complex. One passage is located at the northern end of the Lexington Avenue Line station's mezzanine, and went to the "Graybar Building" at the west side of Lexington Avenue at 43rd Street. It was closed in the 1990s due to security concerns. Another passage went to the "Socony-Mobil Building" on the south side of 42nd Street and also had a street entrance next to the building's lobby. It was closed due to security concerns, but part of the passage was reopened when new entrance from the southeastern corner of Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street were opened. An entrance at a closed mezzanine in the middle of the 42nd Street Shuttle station led to the southeastern corner of Madison Avenue and 42nd Street, right next to the lobby of 315 Madison Avenue. It was closed in the late 1980s, and the mezzanine is now an employee facility. An entrance to the Lincoln Building was closed before the 1990s, likely due to security concerns. Finally, additional entrances from the Pershing Square Building were closed in the 1980s or 1990s.
Pictures of the closed areas can be viewed in the gallery below:
IRT 42nd St Shuttle
IRT Lexington Ave Line
IRT Flushing Line
List of closed areas:
(IRT 42nd St Shuttle)
- Closed mezzanine, with exit to Madison Ave & 42nd St (SE)
- Closed entrance to Lincoln Building/1 Grand Central Pl, at north side of 41st St between Madison Ave & Park Ave South
- Closed exits to:
- Graybar Building, at west side of Lexington Ave at 43rd St
- Pershing Building/100 East 42nd St, at north side of 41st St between Park Ave South & Lexington Ave
- Socony-Mobil Building, at south side of 42nd St between Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave, with street stair
Grand Central/42nd St was originally built as an express station on the first subway line in New York City. However, as Grand Central became a busier area, it became an important express station on subsequent lines that were built around the complex.
The station has been reconfigured countless times, with the 42nd Street Shuttle station having been most heavily reconfigured, as it was originally a four-track express station that was converted to a three-track terminal station and eventually a two-track terminal station in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the reconfiguration of the 42nd Street Shuttle station, there are several closed passages and entrances throughout the station complex. One passage is located at the northern end of the Lexington Avenue Line station's mezzanine, and went to the "Graybar Building" at the west side of Lexington Avenue at 43rd Street. It was closed in the 1990s due to security concerns. Another passage went to the "Socony-Mobil Building" on the south side of 42nd Street and also had a street entrance next to the building's lobby. It was closed due to security concerns, but part of the passage was reopened when new entrance from the southeastern corner of Lexington Avenue and 42nd Street were opened. An entrance at a closed mezzanine in the middle of the 42nd Street Shuttle station led to the southeastern corner of Madison Avenue and 42nd Street, right next to the lobby of 315 Madison Avenue. It was closed in the late 1980s, and the mezzanine is now an employee facility. An entrance to the Lincoln Building was closed before the 1990s, likely due to security concerns. Finally, additional entrances from the Pershing Square Building were closed in the 1980s or 1990s.
Pictures of the closed areas can be viewed in the gallery below: