Overview
The IRT Pelham Line is a rapid‑transit subway line in the New York City Subway system. It forms the northeastern branch of the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit) network and is primarily served by the 6 train, with the <6> express service operating during weekday peak periods. The line runs from the Lexington Avenue Line in Manhattan to Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, covering a distance of approximately 12 miles (19 km) and serving a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional areas.
History
- Construction and opening: The Pelham Line was built under the Dual Contracts of 1913, a set of agreements between the City of New York and the private operators of the IRT and BMT (Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit). Construction proceeded in phases, with the first segment opening on August 1 1918 between 125th Street in Manhattan and Third Avenue–138th Street in the Bronx. Subsequent extensions reached Pelham Bay Park on December 20 1920.
- Integration into the subway system: After the city’s acquisition of the IRT in 1940, the line became part of the unified, municipally operated subway system. It retained the “IRT” designation to differentiate it from the BMT and IND (Independent Subway System) lines, which use wider loading gauges.
- Recent developments: The line has undergone periodic rehabilitation, including signal upgrades to communications‑based train control (CBTC) on portions of the route and station accessibility improvements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Route description
- Manhattan segment: The line diverges from the IRT Lexington Avenue Line at 125th Street, proceeding eastward along Lexington Avenue before turning north onto the 138th Street–Grand Concourse corridor.
- Bronx segment: After crossing the Harlem River on the 138th Street Bridge, the line continues northward through the Bronx, serving major stations such as 149th Street–Grand Concourse, 161st Street–Yankee Stadium, Pelham Parkway, and East 180th Street. The terminal station, Pelham Bay Park, is located near the Pelham Bay neighborhood and the Pelham Bay Park recreation area.
Services
- Local service (6): Operates at all times, stopping at every station along the line.
- Express service (<6>): Runs during weekday morning and evening rush hours, providing limited‑stop service between Parkchester (or occasionally Hunts Point) and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall, bypassing intermediate stations to reduce travel time for longer-distance commuters.
Infrastructure and specifications
- Track gauge and loading gauge: Standard IRT dimensions (4 ft 8 ½ in gauge, narrow loading gauge) compatible with other former IRT lines.
- Power supply: 600 V DC delivered via a third‑rail system.
- Signalling: A combination of legacy block signalling and newer CBTC installations, the latter improving headway and operational flexibility.
- Rolling stock: Primarily R62 and R62A stainless‑steel subway cars, which are configured for the IRT’s narrower dimensions.
Ridership
The IRT Pelham Line carries several hundred thousand passenger trips per weekday, reflecting its role as a primary commuter corridor for residents of the eastern Bronx traveling to Manhattan.
Future plans
Proposals under consideration by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) include further CBTC deployment, station platform extensions to accommodate longer trains, and additional ADA‑compliant elevators at select stations. No definitive schedule has been set for these projects.