[PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special

[PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special (1649362)	Home · Maps · About

Home > SubChat

[ Post a New Response | Return to the Index ]

(1649362)	view threaded
[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. 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. And it's off top to the races furnished by a speedy set of R-10s. (March 20, 1962) The special seems to be passing or stopping at Chambers St. as seen by an "H" for H&M. (March 21, 1960) Arrival at the Aqueduct Race Track station. (March 16, 1964) Original R1/9 equipment was also used. Hoping to win big ? Most likely not ! (June 1, 1961) Aqueduct Race Track station as seen on October 7, 1967 View of the grandstand and Detroit steel in the parking lot. R-7 #1450 at 88th St [Boyd Ave] (April 1967 R-7 #1402 at Rockaway Blvd (April 1967) 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) R-38's at Rockaway Blvd. (May 1967) For the final photo, R-38's posing at Aqueduct Race Track station. Was the "special" considered a high seniority job ? (September 1, 1967)
Post a New Response

(1649365)	view threaded
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.
Post a New Response

(1649367)	view threaded
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.
Post a New Response

(Sponsored)

iPhone 6 (4.7 Inch) Premium PU Leather Wallet Case - Red w/ Floral Interior - by Notch-It

(1649369)	view threaded
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.
Post a New Response

(1649370)	view threaded
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.
Post a New Response

(1649373)	view threaded
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
Post a New Response

(1649376)	view threaded
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!
Post a New Response

(1649378)	view threaded
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
Post a New Response

(1649379)	view threaded
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
Post a New Response

(1649380)	view threaded
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?
Post a New Response

(1649385)	view threaded
Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special
Posted by randyo* on Tue Jun 30 03:56:00 2026, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Mon Jun 29 20:23:12 2026.* Not all the racetrack specials were covered by the extra list at leasst not when I was a T/. The first 2 specials were actually F trains that terminated at 2nd Ave in the AM rush. the then ran light o Qns Plaza where they turned to make the first 2 specials. The span of service was such that they were able to return light back to Qns Plz and turn to make the last 2 specials of the day. Daily, a few specials that had laid up S/O Aqueduct during the day returned N/B picking up at Aqueduct and fell in place of the Euclid Ave E put ins in the PM.
Post a New Response

(1649390)	view threaded
Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special
Posted by IRT/O* on Tue Jun 30 12:37:13 2026, in response to [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026.* Great photos! The nerve of those degenerate gamblers smoking on the train! The first time I went to Aqueduct by myself I ended up at Lefferts. I walked to the big A from there. 1985ish.
Post a New Response

(1649391)	view threaded
Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special
Posted by LuchAAA* on Tue Jun 30 13:13:52 2026, in response to [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026.* Thanks for the photo roll.
Post a New Response

(1649396)	view threaded
Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special
Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP* on Tue Jun 30 18:36:58 2026, in response to [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Jun 29 13:55:33 2026.* I remember the signs along the 42nd St. mezzanine that said, "Entrance to Aquedust Specials at 40th St." There was also a sign the directed customers to the escalator. Sometimes it would still be running on Saturday mornings, but more often than not, it was turned off.
Post a New Response

(1649415)	view threaded
Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special
Posted by murray1575* on Wed Jul 1 18:09:25 2026, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Aqueduct Special, posted by randyo on Tue Jun 30 03:56:00 2026.* I remember seeing special trains staged on the normally unused center track between Queens Plaza and 36th Street. They would be sent through along the line with regular E and F trains in order to avoid delaying regular service.
Post a New Response

[ Return to the Message Index ]