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VR Railfinder:
NYCTA
By Alfred
Barten
If you're looking for concentrated rail action, look no further than the New York Transit Authority (NYCTA). It's the largest component of New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The system combines subway, surface, and elevated running, with an emphasis on subways. For the virtual railroader and subway modeler, the NYCTA is as close to Nirvana as one could come. (OK, the London Underground is another worthy candidate, but today we're talking about the NYCTA.)
Although the NYCTA was created in 1953, its roots lie in the city's horse car, street car, and elevated lines of the 19th century. What we think of as the NYCTA today is largely a 20th century-built rapid transit system, beginning with the subways of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The first to open was Manhattan's Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) line in 1904. The IRT is known for it's sharp curves and narrow, short rolling stock.
Next came the Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) line in 1915. It was later renamed the Brooklyn Manhattan Transit (BMT) line.
The third major component was the Independent (IND) line, which opened in 1932.
In 1940 all three lines - IRT, BMT, and IND - came under single, public
control of the city, but the lines are still
known to New Yorkers as the IRT, BMT, and IND (or Independent). In 1953 the New NYCTA was created to manage the city's subway system. In 1968 the MTA was created to manage all the city's public transportation systems with the NYCTA becoming a subsidiary.
You can find a current route map at the nycsubway.org web site, one of the great treasure troves of subway information.
Transit modeling, an under developed aspect of model railroading, is a perfect
match for virtual railroading. One reason is that VR is able to simulate
extensive subway running. Another is the frequent start-stop nature of transit
service provides the virtual train driver with plenty to do. Meeting a tight
schedule while obeying the signals and speed restrictions and providing
passengers with a comfortable ride is a challenge that adds to the fun of
virtual railroading.
There are big systems in other cities, especially London, which we'll save for another day. Following are my comprehensive listings of what's
currently available for New York virtual trainsit modelers. I'll try to update
this article as new items become available. Meanwhile, comments, corrections,
and input are welcome. The comments in the tables are almost entirely those of
the route/train authors.
This article is so long, we've broken it into components according to simulator. Be sure to have a look at simulators other than your current favaorites. The comments by the various authors are informative.
Al
Article and screen shots (C)2006 Alfred Barten. All rights
reserved.
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