On the brink of winter, weekend service changes

This snow thrower is just itching for some action. (Photo via MTA New York City Transit)

It’s not supposed to snow in the New York area until next weekend at the earliest, but New York City Transit gearing up for winter. Last year, they had to do battle with snow-related service changes 10 times, and their plans include diverting trains and ending some above-ground services early on. The thing up there atop this post is an industrial strength snow thrower that can clear tracks in short order.

Meanwhile, we’ve got service changes but not too many of them. These come to me via the MTA and are subject to change without notice. Check out the local signs and listent on-board announcements for the latest and greatest. Subway Weekender has the map.

From 4 a.m. Saturday, December 18 to 10 p.m. Sunday, December 19, uptown 2 trains operate express from East 180th Street to Gun Hill Road, skipping Bronx Park East, Pelham Parkway, Allerton Avenue and Burke Avenue stations due to track panel and tie installation north of Pelham Parkway. For service to these stations, customers may take the uptown 2 to Gun Hill Road and transfer to a downtown 2.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19, uptown 4 trains skip 176th Street, Mt. Eden Avenue, 170th, 167th and 161st Streets due to rail replacement at 161st Street-Yankee Stadium.

From 10:30 p.m. Friday, December 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 20, free shuttle buses replace A trains between Far Rockaway and Beach 98th Street due to station rehabilitations. A trains replace the S (Rockaway Park Shuttle) between Broad Channel and Rockaway Park.

From 11 p.m. Friday, December 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 20, D trains run on the R line between DeKalb Avenue and 36th Street, Brooklyn due to switch renewal north of Pacific Street and track work south of DeKalb Avenue.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, December 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 20, M trains are replaced by free shuttle buses between Metropolitan Avenue and Myrtle Avenue due to platform edge rehabilitation.

From 11 p.m. Friday, December 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 20, N trains run on the R line between DeKalb Avenue and 59th Street, Brooklyn due to switch renewal north of Pacific Street and track work south of DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, Sunday, December 19 and Monday, December 20, Manhattan-bound N trains are rerouted over the Manhattan Bridge from DeKalb Avenue to Canal Street due to Lawrence Street station rehabilitation. (No Manhattan-bound trains at Lawrence Street, Court Street, Whitehall Street, Rector Street, Cortlandt Street or City Hall. Customers may take the 4 train at nearby stations.)

(Rockaway Park Shuttle)
From 11 p.m. Friday, December 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, December 20, A trains replace the S (Rockaway Park Shuttle) between Broad Channel and Rockaway Park due to station rehabilitations.