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B/D question at Columbus Circle

Posted by Italianstallion on Thu Oct 16 22:09:00 2025

The downtown B and D are scheduled to reach 59 St. a few minutes apart, but often they arrive at about the same time. My brother, who frequents those trains, says that most if not all of the time, when that happens the B leaves first. As you know, after 59th they share the same track in the rest of Manhattan. My brother says he’s heard conductors say the B leaves first because B comes first in the alphabet! I think that makes no sense. I suggested that if they arrive at the same time, which train leaves first is determined by which train was scheduled to arrive first at 59th. Who is right? Or is there some other explanation? (Like making sure the two trains alternate along 6 Avenue.)

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Re: B/D question at Columbus Circle

Posted by New Flyer #857 on Fri Oct 17 07:03:43 2025, in response to B/D question at Columbus Circle, posted by Italianstallion on Thu Oct 16 22:09:00 2025.

At this point the schedule for the B/D involves irregular headways even during the midday, so expecting perfect alternation of B - D - B - D etc. along 6th Ave won't happen. For years the B was simply every 10 minutes during the midday, leaving from 145th Street only. Now it alternates between 145 and Bedford Park and at slightly irregular intervals (as the D also fluctuates between 7 and 9 minute intervals at the same time of day). I can only guess that the intervals need to vary due to accommodation of the N and Q trains down the line in Brooklyn but don't know for sure if the irregularities are necessary.

The current published schedule has southbound B trains taking anywhere between 1 and 3 minutes to go the one stop from 72nd to 59th, meaning they are counting on holds at 59th.

To the extent that As and Cs are held up by such holds, I can understand why this may be another area to look at for de-interlining though there are problems that come up with de-interlining "solutions."

But to address your question: ideally which train goes first is based on who if anyone is being "blocked" behind (is there an A or C waiting to enter 59th St?) and/or whether a scheduled hold was planned (is this a situation when a full 3 minutes were left for the B to get from 72nd to 59th?)

It won't be based on perfect alternation along 6th Ave if the schedules mean anything.

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Re: B/D question at Columbus Circle

Posted by jabrams on Fri Oct 17 09:07:24 2025, in response to B/D question at Columbus Circle, posted by Italianstallion on Thu Oct 16 22:09:00 2025.

When I used to use the 59th Station, it was the A and the B that arrived at the same time, and the C and the D arriving at the same time. The holding lights would light for the second train to arrive.

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Re: B/D question at Columbus Circle

Posted by gbs on Fri Oct 17 21:20:16 2025, in response to Re: B/D question at Columbus Circle, posted by jabrams on Fri Oct 17 09:07:24 2025.


That's how it's supposed to work, so the trains don't interfere with each other. The holding lights enable transfers between trains.

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