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[PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026

Yesterday was the last day of thoroughbred racing at the famed Aqueduct Race Track. Although the LIRR did provide service, I'll focus on the NYCTA operation.
0)-Aqueduct-Racetrack-poster

We begin at the lower level 42nd St. station at 8th Ave. On this day of March 16, 1964, a horse shoe shaped floral arrangement greeted riders.
1)-March-16-1964-(3)-Roland-Harvey

And it's off top to the races furnished by a speedy set of R-10s. (March 20, 1962)
2)-March-20-1962-(2)-Roland-Harvey

The special seems to be passing or stopping at Chambers St. as seen by an "H" for H&M. (March 21, 1960)
3)-Aqueduct-Special-Mar-21-1960

Arrival at the Aqueduct Race Track station. (March 16, 1964)
4)-March-16-1964-(4)-Roland-Harvey

Original R1/9 equipment was also used.
5)-Undated

Hoping to win big ? Most likely not ! (June 1, 1961)
5a)-(1961)-Special-Studies-Jun-1-1961-(1)

Aqueduct Race Track station as seen on October 7, 1967
6)-Aqueduct-Race-Track-(1)-Oct-7-1967-DH

View of the grandstand and Detroit steel in the parking lot.
7)-Aqueduct-Race-Track-(2)-Oct-7-1967-DH

R-7 #1450 at 88th St [Boyd Ave] (April 1967
8)-1450-(Special)-88th-St-Boyd-Apr-1967-Gerald-Landau

R-7 #1402 at Rockaway Blvd (April 1967)
9)-1402-(Special)-Rockaway-Blvd-May-1967-Gerald-Landau

At 88th St [Boyd Ave] R-7's passing R-38's both assigned to the Aqueduct Special. The R-7's are incorrectly signed for destination. (April 1967)
10)-88th-St-Boyd-(Special)-Apr-1967-Gerald-Landau

R-38's at Rockaway Blvd. (May 1967)
11)-Rockaway-Blvd-(Liberty)-May-1967-Gerald-Landau-(1)

12)-Rockaway-Blvd-(Liberty)-May-1967-Gerald-Landau-(2)

For the final photo, R-38's posing at Aqueduct Race Track station.
Was the "special" considered a high seniority job ? (September 1, 1967)

13)-3982-Aqueduct-Special-Aqueduct-Race-Track-Sep-1-1967-Gerald-Landau

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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Mon Jun 29 15:25:20 2026, in response to [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026.

Great pics and memories Bill.

I worked it one Saturday with a train of R40 slants, round trip. I can't recall if I dropped out at CTL as scheduled or continued on to 179 where the train was layed up for E or F service for another use.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Wallyhorse on Mon Jun 29 16:47:03 2026, in response to [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026.

Excellent photos!

The Aqueduct building itself did undergo some changes over time, but really didn't change all that much for decades even after racing in New York went year-round in 1975. The biggest changes were in 1976 when much of the 3rd level of the clubhouse was eliminated to add the Equestris restaurant that would be there to the end. Other big change was in 1999 when they re-did the paddock so the horses could be seen more easily and patrons didn't have to go outside to see the paddock.

Often went there myself in the '80s when by then the JFK Express replaced the Aqueduct Special. I'd get free grandstand admission included with the fare then. Continued in the '90s-early 2000s on the A.



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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 18:24:14 2026, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Wallyhorse on Mon Jun 29 16:47:03 2026.

Excellent photos!

Thank you.

Bill M.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 18:26:40 2026, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Mon Jun 29 15:25:20 2026.

Great pics and memories Bill.

I worked it one Saturday with a train of R40 slants, round trip. I can't recall if I dropped out at CTL as scheduled or continued on to 179 where the train was layed up for E or F service for another use.


Thank you. I searched by database and didn't find any photos of slants on the Aqueduct Special.

I posed a question on the last photo. Was this job considered high seniority ?

Bill M.


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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by trains61 on Mon Jun 29 18:55:21 2026, in response to [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026.

Great photo layout. Thanks for posting.

The Lurkers'Guild

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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Numbersix on Mon Jun 29 19:10:34 2026, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Wallyhorse on Mon Jun 29 16:47:03 2026.

Horses ride free!


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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Mon Jun 29 20:23:12 2026, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 18:26:40 2026.

Those were covered by the extra list, Bill

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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Catfish 44 on Mon Jun 29 22:37:33 2026, in response to [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026.

Outstanding collection
Thank you

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Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

Posted by Catfish 44 on Mon Jun 29 22:38:29 2026, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Wallyhorse on Mon Jun 29 16:47:03 2026.

What about the 1959 rebuild and reopening after Jamaica was closed and turned into Rochdale?

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