(7) trains reverse running under CBTC protection

While yesterday's single-track operation between Hunters Point Avenue and 33 Street was certainly unique, it was not the first time such an operation has been carried out. In fact, it happened at the beginning of the week early Monday morning! CBTC provides incredible flexibility that allows the direction of traffic to be changed instantaneously enabling more fluid movement of trains including in a situation where they must operate against the normal direction of traffic (reverse running).

This video takes a look at CBTC protected reverse running and single-track operations on the (7) line. You will not only see footage taken during yesterday's track maintenance, but also unplanned service disruptions that necessitated single-tracking, short-turning, or reverse running in general, including some interesting double reverse moves and reverse running at Grand Central! I have divided the video by date so you can view each incident separately. The video is in reverse chronological order (October 4 footage is at the beginning).

0:00 October 4, 2024
Urgent track repairs on the northbound track south of Queensboro Plaza require both northbound and southbound trains to use the southbound track.

22:18 September 30, 2024
A stalled work train south of Queensboro Plaza requires both northbound and southbound trains to use the southbound track.

33:55 August 27, 2024
A signal problem at 33 Street delays northbound service. Single-tracking is attempted, but by the time the first train is sent to run around, the incident has cleared leading to a very unusual view of two northbound trains on both tracks at Court Square.

35:00 May 10, 2024
Switch problems at both Times Square-42 Street and 34 Street-Hudson Yards limit service into the area. Some trains are short-turned at Grand Central. Others that were stuck in the incident area reverse run from Times Square to Grand Central.

43:13 May 2, 2024
A person struck by a train on Queensboro Plaza's lower level causes select northbound (7) trains to short-turn on the upper level.

48:19 February 7, 2024
A single-track operation is performed to get around a signal problem at Court Square. One train is short-turned at Hunters Point Avenue resulting in a unique double reverse move.

49:25 January 28, 2022
A signal problem between Court Square and Hunters Point Avenue causes a southbound train to short-turn at Court Square. The following southbound train makes a reverse move going south from 33 Street to Hunters Point Avenue while the short-turned train makes a reverse run going north out of Court Square where the two trains meet.

54:40 December 5, 2021
A person is struck by a train on Queensboro Plaza's upper level. (7) trains single-track between Hunters Point Avenue and 33 Street.

55:47 September 14, 2021
An unknown incident causes a southbound train to short-turn at Court Square.

56:24 June 11, 2021
Signal problems cause select southbound trains to short-turn at Grand Central.

A debt of gratitude to the many teams at MTA New York City Transit who continue to work tirelessly to keep New Yorkers moving!

Videos from the rooftop/outside of stations were taken from a private location off MTA property. Reminder: Do not trespass in restricted areas and always railfan safely.