Subway train sizes

[ems731 0]

I was wondering if anyone knows why someone subway cars are wider than others. I know that this might sound stupid but I have noticed that the N-R-Q line has a much wide car (looks like a Metro-North train car) than the 4-5-6 line, just as an example. I ride the 4-5-6 line and it gets very crowded, so why not use a wide car to make more room. I know that some people will say that it has a more narrow tunnel to travel through but i thought that alot of the tunnels were dug out around the same time. Im just curious if anyone knows the answer to this, and sorry if it sounds stupid.

[M' Ave 1,466]

I was wondering if anyone knows why someone subway cars are wider than others. I know that this might sound stupid but I have noticed that the N-R-Q line has a much wide car (looks like a Metro-North train car) than the 4-5-6 line, just as an example. I ride the 4-5-6 line and it gets very crowded, so why not use a wide car to make more room. I know that some people will say that it has a more narrow tunnel to travel through but i thought that alot of the tunnels were dug out around the same time. Im just curious if anyone knows the answer to this, and sorry if it sounds stupid.

The answer is:

The NYC Tranist has two division. The "A" division and the "B" division. The numbered lines (i.e. the 4,5,6) are part of the "A" division while the lettered lines (i.e. the N, R, Q) belong in the "B" division. The "A" division trains were built by the IRT (Independant Rapid Transit Company). The "B" division was built, mostly, by the BMT (Brooklyln Manhattan Tranist Company, I think). Two different companies decided to do things two different ways. The MTA inherited this system, they didn't build it. "B" division cars are MUCH bigger. They're longer and wider. A LOT longer and wider. There would be no way for "B" division cars to fit in the IRT lines. They're more or less stuck with the sizes. The only way to increase capacity on the 1,2,3,4,5,6 lines would be to update the signal system to allow trains to run closer together. the better fix will be the 2nd Ave. line. Hopefully they'll actually make it all the way down to Hanover Sq.

Any new subway line built will be built to "B" division specs, ie the larger cars. This is why the 2nd ave line will be disgnated the"T" and not a number.

**The #7 line is built to "A" divison specs, but it is considered part of the "B" division. This is the only line that breaks the rule.

[Guest WolfEMT]

IRT cars, because of the system's specs that pre-date the MTA, are roughly 60 feet long and 8 1/2 feet wide. BMT/IND cars because of their respective systems' specs, are roughly 75 feet long and 10 feet wide.

Some pieces of random trivia:

Prior to 1971, the BMT/IND cars were 60 feet long and 10 feet wide.

Because of their smaller size, IRT cars can go anywhere in the system; conversely, BMT/IND cars cannot, which is why all work trains are made up of retired IRT cars.