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Question: best place to photograph NYC subway trains


bikkuri bahn

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I'm planning on a visit to New York City this summer, and want to squeeze in an hour or so of railfan photography (the trip is primarily touristic/cultural rather than hardcore railfanning).  I want to get some pics of the R32 cars, which elevated stations have the best vantage points?  I reckon the location will be somewhere in Brooklyn.  Thanks.

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I don't think this forum is a very good source of information for this question, so here are some resources for you.

 

http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Main_Page

 

http://www.subwaynut.com/

 

http://www.railroad.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=68

 

http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/

 

http://www.rapidtransit.net/net/links.htm

 

http://www.railfanwindow.com/

 

 

 

 

 

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Be cautious as rail fanning with a camera here can still be dicy. Seems to change all the time. It's been a big no no here on metro here in DC, but one of our members talked with staff to get photos of new equipment for our sister club in Iwate and they were helpful and let him shoot as long as he did not do it for long periods. Hopefully some New Yorkers here can let you know where NYC city metro is on photography. I was yelled at last summer for taking a single quick shot at DC union station of an engine...

 

Jeff

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Well I figured that since most people here are traction fans rather than locomotive fans, someone might chime in, especially any east coasters.

 

Anyway, Marcy Ave Station on the BMT Jamaica Line looks promising.

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BB - One of the nicest places is in Long Island City the Number 7 train going towards Queens. I used to get the subway at Hunters Point and it is at the area where the train is elevated and goes into a tunnel.

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I'm planning on a visit to New York City this summer, and want to squeeze in an hour or so of railfan photography (the trip is primarily touristic/cultural rather than hardcore railfanning).  I want to get some pics of the R32 cars, which elevated stations have the best vantage points?  I reckon the location will be somewhere in Brooklyn.  Thanks.

 

According to Wikipedia, the R32s are used on the A (rush hour only), C, J and Z services. Your best bet is the J and Z - these two services have the largest number of allocated sets and the line west of Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn is entirely elevated as far as 121st Street in Queens. The section between Marcy Avenue and Myrtle Avenue is three-tracked which will give you ample camera angle.

 

Just a word of advice...give yourself ample time, the J and Z and just about the slowest train services of the whole NYCTA!

 

Cheers NB

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BB - One of the nicest places is in Long Island City the Number 7 train going towards Queens. I used to get the subway at Hunters Point and it is at the area where the train is elevated and goes into a tunnel.

 

Two reasons to consider Long Island City.

 

The Isamu Noguchi Museum:

 

http://www.noguchi.org/museum

 

Two "preserved" gantry cranes:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gantry_Plaza_State_Park

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R32s, I know them well. They run mainly on the C line which is all underground. Photos of them there are a challenge.

 

There are some still on the J line (they run out there in the summer due to temperamental air conditioning units). As noted, Broadway Junction is a good spot so too is Marcy Avenue station. If you want to travel off the train, take a walk up the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge from Marcy. The ramp on the north side of the bridge is quite good. 

 

Of course the best place to go is to one of the shops, but they're a little bit more difficult to access.

post-526-0-51634500-1454202075_thumb.jpg

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Two reasons to consider Long Island City.

 

The Isamu Noguchi Museum:

 

http://www.noguchi.org/museum

The Noguchi museum is fantastic! I have not been since the remodel, but sounded like some better spaces were made. It is like 1.5 mile walk from the subway if memory serves me right though and not much else around there.

 

Jeff

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Out of curiosity I did a search on Marcy Ave. station.

These were some of the hits, and some / most are dated.

OTOH, be conscious of what's around you.

 

 

gallery_941_192_121547.jpg

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