Many movies have been made on or about the New York subway. The latest is The Taking of Pelham 123 from Columbia Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The entire film revolves around the New York subway, one of the most recognizable underground transportation systems in the world.
The NY subway system first began in 1869 with a small, trial route which was only 312 feet in length. It was later demolished. Then after a snowy 1988 winter, the need for an underground transportation system became clear and the first of what was to be the NY subway system opened in 1904.
Fun Facts about the New York Subway System
The longest subway in the world is the London Underground, often referred to as the “tube.” It is the oldest too, having begun in 1863.
With over 6,400 cars, New York has the largest fleet of subway cars.
There are roughly 660 miles of track which transport passengers, which, when laid end to end would stretch from New York City to Chicago, Illinois.
The 191st Street Station in Manhattan is located 180 feet below the street, making it the deepest underground station in the system.
The NY subway system contains several lines, however if a passenger would like to take the longest ride without changing trains it would be the A train from Manhattan’s 207th Street to Far Rockaway in Queens.
Riders on the NY subway are often referred to as “strap hangers” because in the past there were only straps which hung from the ceiling onto which passengers would hold.
When subway cars get old and are replaced by newer models, they are then used for man-made reefs. This gives them a second life helping the sea life along the Atlantic coast.
The New York Subway and the Arts
The MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority), which oversees the New York subway, sponsors a “Music under New York” contest where street musicians compete to be assigned the high traffic locations. This contest began in 1987.
Many TV episodes have used the NY subway for location shots and for stories.
The 1949 musical On the Town, starred Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, and featured a location scene in the NY subway.
Other notable films which included scenes in the NY subway are Midnight Cowboy, The French Connection, the 1979 version of The Taking of Pelham 123, Death Wish, Saturday Night Fever, Night Hawks, Ghost, Rent, Little Manhattan, Knowing, and many more.
The remake of The Taking of Pelham 123 revolves around the subway as John Travolta’s character takes a train and the passengers hostage. Denzel Washington is the subway dispatcher who accidentally gets involved in the situation.
Sources:
The Columbia Pictures production information from The Taking of Pelham 123.
Wikipedia (NY Subway in Pop Culture)
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