View source for IRT White Plains Road Line

{{short description|New York City Subway line}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox rail line
| name = IRT White Plains Road Line
| image = {{rint|nycs|2|size=50}} {{rint|nycs|5|size=50}}
| image_width = 150px
| caption = The '''[[2 (New York City Subway service)|2]]''' train serves the entire IRT White Plains Road Line at all times. The '''[[5 (New York City Subway service)|5]]''' train serves the entire IRT White Plains Road Line (except for Wakefield–241st Street) during rush hours in the peak direction, and part of the line from 149th Street-Grand Concourse to East 180th Street at all other times except late nights.
| type = [[Rapid transit]]
| system = [[New York City Subway]]
| start = [[Wakefield–241st Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Wakefield–241st Street]]
| end = [[149th Street–Grand Concourse (IRT White Plains Road Line)|149th Street–Grand Concourse]]
| stations = 20
|daily_ridership= 134,801 (2023)<ref name="ridership">{{NYCS const|riderref|weekday}}</ref>
| open = 1904-1920
|locale      = [[The Bronx]], [[New York City]]
|owner       = [[Government of New York City|City of New York]]
|operator    = [[New York City Transit Authority]]
| character = Elevated (<small>Most of the line</small>)<br/>Underground (<small>3rd Ave and Grand Concourse stations only</small>)
| linelength = 
| tracks = 2-3
| gauge = {{RailGauge|ussg}}
| electrification = [[Direct current traction|600V DC third rail]]
| map = {{IRT White Plains Road Line|inline=1}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}
[[File:WPR Local R142 at East Tremont- Boston Rd.JPG|thumb|[[West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line)|West Farms Square]] station is a southern station of the White Plains Road Line.]]

The '''White Plains Road Line''' is a [[rapid transit]] line of the [[A Division (New York City Subway)|A Division]] of the [[New York City Subway]] serving the central [[Bronx]]. It is mostly [[elevated railway|elevated]] and served both subway and elevated trains until 1952.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://community-2.webtv.net/ajkristopans/OLDSUBWAYS/page3.html |title=Old Subways |publisher=Community-2.webtv.net |access-date=May 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203172805/http://community-2.webtv.net/ajkristopans/OLDSUBWAYS/page3.html |archive-date=December 3, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The original part of the line, the part opened as part of the first subway was called the [[West Farms, Bronx|West Farms]] Division, and the extension north to 241st Street as part of the Dual Contracts was called the White Plains Road Line. Eventually, however, the two parts came to be known as the White Plains Road Line.

It is currently being used by the [[2 (New York City Subway service)|2]] at all times and the [[5 (New York City Subway service)|5]] at all times except late nights. During rush hours in the peak direction, the 5 runs express between [[East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|East 180th Street]] and [[Third Avenue–149th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Third Avenue–149th Street]]. During late nights, the 5 runs as a shuttle between [[Eastchester–Dyre Avenue (IRT Dyre Avenue Line)|Eastchester–Dyre Avenue]] and East 180th Street.

==Extent and service==
The following services use part or all of the IRT White Plains Road Line:<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Route
!colspan=5|Services
|-
!&nbsp;
!Time period
!West of<br/>[[149th Street–Grand Concourse (IRT White Plains Road Line)|E 149 St]]
!Between<br/>E 149 St<br/>and<br/>[[East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|E 180 St]]
!E 180 St
!Between<br/>E 180 St<br/>and<br/>[[Nereid Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Nereid Ave]]
![[Wakefield–241st Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|241 St]]
|-
| width="2" |{{rint|newyork|2}}
|align=center|All times
|colspan=5 align=center|Local
|-
| rowspan="3" |{{rint|newyork|5}}
| align="center" | Rush peak
|{{N/A|No service}}
| align="center" | Express
| colspan="2" align="center" |Local (some trains)
|{{N/A|No service}}
|-
| align="center" |Off-peak except late nights
| {{N/A|No service}}
| colspan="2" align="center" |Local
| colspan="2" {{N/A|No service}}
|-
| align="center" |Late nights
| colspan="2" {{N/A|No service}}
| align="center" |Center track
| colspan="2" {{N/A|No service}}
|}

The IRT White Plains Road Line begins at the [[Wakefield–241st Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Wakefield–241st Street]] [[terminal station|terminal]], with two tracks, one island platform, and two closed side platforms. Crossovers just south of the station take trains to the correct tracks and a center express track comes out of those crossovers. Between Wakefield–241st Street and [[Nereid Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Nereid Avenue]], a connection comes in from the [[239th Street Yard]].

Just north of [[Gun Hill Road (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Gun Hill Road]], the now demolished [[IRT Third Avenue Line]] split from the local tracks (with crossovers to the express tracks just to the north). The line went to a lower level of Gun Hill Road and then turned west.

The [[IRT Dyre Avenue Line]] merges to the local tracks just north of [[East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|East 180th Street]], and then crossovers allow those trains to reach the express tracks. The {{NYCS service|5}} late-night Dyre Avenue Shuttle uses the center track to end its run, and rush hour {{NYCS service|5}} trains in the peak direction change to the express track here. On the west side of this junction is the [[East 180th Street Yard]] while the [[Unionport Yard]] is to the east.

The now-gone three-track Bronx Park Spur merged from the west after East 180th Street with one track into each of the mainline tracks. Just after this on the east side was a connection to the [[West Farms Yard]], also gone.

The express track ends north of [[Third Avenue–149th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Third Avenue–149th Street]], and from there to the end the line has two tracks. Formerly in that area there was a connection just to the north to the local tracks of the [[IRT Third Avenue Line]], and a connection to the south, bypassing [[149th Street (IRT Third Avenue Line)|149th Street]] on the Third Avenue Line. Just past those former connections, the White Plains Road Line goes underground.

Just after [[149th Street–Grand Concourse (New York City Subway)|149th Street–Grand Concourse]], the tracks split off and the two currently used by the {{NYCS service|5}} train turn south to merge with the local tracks of the [[IRT Jerome Avenue Line]]. The other tracks, currently used by the {{NYCS service|2}} train, pass under the [[Harlem River]] via the '''149th Street Tunnel''' and end at the at-grade 142nd Street Junction, connecting to the [[IRT Lenox Avenue Line]].

==History==

=== Contract 1 ===
The first contract for the construction of a subway in New York, [[History of the IRT subway before 1918|Contract 1]], was executed on February 21, 1900, between the Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners and the Rapid Transit Construction Company, organized by [[John B. McDonald]] and funded by [[August Belmont]], for the construction of the subway and a 50-year operating lease from the opening of the line. Contract 1 called for the construction of a line from [[City Hall, Manhattan|City Hall]] north to [[Kingsbridge, Bronx|Kingsbridge]] and a branch under [[Lenox Avenue]] and to [[Bronx Park]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Walker|first1=James Blaine|title=Fifty Years of Rapid Transit — 1864 to 1917|date=1918|publisher=Law Printing|location=New York, N.Y.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/fiftyyearsrapid00walkgoog/page/n174 139]–161|url=https://archive.org/details/fiftyyearsrapid00walkgoog|access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref>

In August 1902, it was reported that the Rapid Transit Commission (RTC) had decided to spend an additional $400,000 to have the elevated portion of the line in the Bronx be constructed with three tracks instead of two.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=August 2, 1902 |title=New York Notes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YOMxAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22rapid+transit+commission%22+%22bronx+park%22&pg=PA80 |journal=Western Electrician |volume=31 |issue=5 |pages=80}}</ref>

On May 29, 1903, a proposal by August Belmont to speed up the opening of the subway line to Bronx Park by operating it with elevated trains was presented at a meeting of the RTC. The proposal required the speeding up of the line's construction between Brook Avenue and Bronx Park to have it complete within four or five months, and the commission's permission to construct a connection along Brook Avenue between Westchester Avenue and Third Avenue, where a track connection would be provided to the [[Third Avenue Elevated (Manhattan)|Third Avenue Elevated]]. If the proposal was approved, a portion of the line could be open by the fall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1903-05-29 |title=Would Build Another North River Tunnel; Interests Having Franchise for One Plan a Second Route. Would End at Fulton Street -- Bronx Park Subway Line May Be Run with the Elevated. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1903/05/29/archives/would-build-another-north-river-tunnel-interests-having-franchise.html |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On January 11, 1905, Assemblyman [[William J. Ellis (New York City)|William J. Ellis]] introduced legislation that would block the RTC's proposed extension of the line through Bronx Park via a new elevated structure.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=1905-01-12 |title=Prohibit Elevated Road in Bronx Park. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1905/01/12/archives/prohibit-elevated-road-in-bronx-park.html |access-date=2024-05-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The RTC abandoned its proposal at a public hearing the following day.<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SPBOAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22rapid+transit+commission%22+%22bronx+park%22&pg=RA1-PA39 |title=Annual Report of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society to the Legislature of the State of New York |date=1904 |publisher=American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society |pages=39 |language=en}}</ref>

The initial segment of the IRT White Plains Road Line opened on November 26, 1904 between East 180th Street and Jackson Avenue. Initially, trains on the line were served by elevated trains from the [[IRT Second Avenue Line]] and the [[IRT Third Avenue Line]], with a connection running from the Third Avenue local tracks at Third Avenue and 149th Street to Westchester Avenue and Eagle Avenue. Once the connection to the [[IRT Lenox Avenue Line]] opened on July 10, 1905, trains from the newly opened IRT subway ran via the line.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|title=Discuss Subway Signs in 18th St. Station — Engineer Parsons and Mr. Hedley Inspect Advertising Scheme — Bronx Viaduct Works Well — Delays There Only Those of Newness — Lenox Avenue Service Makes Fuss Below Ninety-Sixth Street|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/11/27/101350060.pdf|access-date=November 6, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=November 27, 1904|page=3}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite book|last1=Kahn|first1=Alan Paul|last2=May|first2=Jack|title=Tracks of New York Number 3 Manhattan and Bronx Elevated Railroads 1920|date=1973|publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association|location=New York City|url=https://archive.org/details/tracksofnewyork03kahn|access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Subway Trains Running From Bronx to Battery — West Farms and South Ferry Stations Open at Midnight — Start Without a Hitch — Bowling Green Station Also Opened — Lenox Avenue Locals Take City Hall Loop Hereafter|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F01E1DC103AE733A25753C1A9619C946497D6CF&legacy=true|access-date=November 6, 2016|work=The New York Times|date=July 10, 1905|page=1}}</ref> Elevated service via this connection was resumed on October 1, 1907 when Second Avenue locals were extended to Freeman Street during rush hours.<ref name=":0" />

On October 28, 1910, the new 180th Street station, known as Zoological Park station, opened as the new terminal of the West Farms Division of the subway, replacing the temporary station at 180th Street, which was later abandoned.<ref name="WestFarms">{{cite news|title=Subway Station at West Farms Open|date=October 28, 1910|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/10/28/104952966.pdf|access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

=== Dual Contracts ===
The [[Dual Contracts]], which were signed on March 19, 1913, were contracts for the construction, rehabilitation, and operation of rapid transit lines in the [[New York City|City of New York]]. The contracts were "dual" in that they were signed between the City and two separate private companies (the [[Interborough Rapid Transit Company]] and the [[Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company]]), all working together to make the construction of the Dual Contracts possible. The Dual Contracts promised the construction of several lines in the Bronx. As part of Contract 3, the IRT agreed to extend the existing West Farms Division from 179th Street to 241st Street as an elevated line along White Plains Road.<ref name="chapter 5">{{cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Chapter_5:_Terms_and_Conditions_of_Dual_System_Contracts|title=Terms and Conditions of Dual System Contracts|work=nycsubway.org|access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref><ref name="nycsubway dual">{{cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_Dual_System_of_Rapid_Transit_(1912)|title=The Dual System of Rapid Transit (1912)|website=nycsubway.org}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/55017329/?terms=nostrand%2Bavenue%2Bsubway|title=Most Recent Map of the Dual Subway System WhIch Shows How Brooklyn Borough Is Favored In New Transit Lines|date=September 9, 1917|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=August 23, 2016|via=Brooklyn Newspapers}}</ref>

[[Intervale Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Intervale Avenue]] station opened on April 30, 1910 as an in-fill station. It was the first station in the Bronx with escalators. The station was built at the cost of $100,000, and it was paid with private capital.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1910/04/28/101228907.pdf|title=New Escalator Subway Station Ready|work=The New York Times|date=April 28, 1910|page=8|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5yg_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA424 |title=Report of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State of New York|last=District|first=New York (State) Public Service Commission 1st|date=January 1, 1912|publisher=J.B. Lyon Company, printers|language=en}}</ref>

Portions of the White Plains Road Line were opened at different times, and they opened once construction finished on a segment, as opposed to waiting for the completion of the entire line. The first segment opened on March 3, 1917, from [[West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue station|East 177th Street–East Tremont Avenue]] to [[219th Street station|East 219th Street–White Plains Road]], providing the Bronx communities of [[Williamsbridge, Bronx|Williamsbridge]] and [[Wakefield, Bronx|Wakefield]] with access to rapid transit service.<ref name="HathiTrust 2013">{{cite journal|title=Annual report — 1916-1917|website=HathiTrust|date=December 12, 2013|url=http://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015016416920?urlappend=%3Bseq=23|publisher=Interborough Rapid Transit Company|hdl=2027/mdp.39015016416920?urlappend=%3Bseq=23|access-date=September 5, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/03/04/102320289.pdf|work=The New York Times|title=White Plains Road Extension of Subway Opened to the Public — New Branch, Which Runs from 177th to 219th Street, Gives the Williamsbridge and Wakefield Sections of the East Bronx Rapid Transit for the First Time|date=March 4, 1917|page=RE4|access-date=November 5, 2016}}</ref> Service on the new portion of the line was operated as a four-car shuttle from 177th Street due to the power conditions at the time. Service was extended to East 238th Street on March 31, 1917.<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":6">{{cite news|title=New Subway Line Opened — White Plains Extension is Now Running to 238th Street|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/04/01/102326919.pdf|date=April 1, 1917|page=16|access-date=August 17, 2015|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The part of the line from the S-curve north of [[West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line)|West Farms Square—East Tremont Avenue station]] to the terminal at [[Wakefield–241st Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|241st Street]] was built as a part of the [[Dual Contracts]].<ref name="nycsubway dual" />

On July 1, 1917, a new connection between the White Plains Road Line and the Third Avenue el express tracks opened as part of the Dual Contracts expansion of the Third Avenue Line, and since it ran via Bergen Avenue and bypassed the 149th Street station, it was called the Bergen Avenue cutoff or bypass.<ref name="HathiTrust 2013"/> The Bergen Avenue cutoff was abandoned on November 5, 1946, as part of the gradual curtailment of elevated service on the IRT Third Avenue Line.<ref name=":0" /> The cutoff was removed in 1950.

On December 13, 1920, the final portion of the line opened, extending the line from its previous terminal at 238th Street to the line's permanent terminus at 241st Street.<ref name=":7">{{cite news|title=Subway Line Extended — White Plains Avenue Branch Opens to 241st Street Tomorrow|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1920/12/12/112665334.pdf|access-date=December 20, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=December 12, 1920|page=E2}}</ref> This portion of the line had its opening delayed, owing to construction on the line between the two stations for the construction of the 239th Street Yard. Additional time was required to modify the structure to avoid a grade crossing at the entrance to the yard.<ref name="www.nycsubway.org 1914">{{cite web|title=Operation of the White Plains Road Line (1917)|website=www.nycsubway.org|date=March 24, 1914|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Operation_of_the_White_Plains_Road_Line_(1917)|access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

A [[Proposed expansion of the New York City Subway#1929–1939 plans|1929 proposal]] included a spur off the line that would have run from Van Nest to [[Baychester, Bronx|Baychester]]. The spur was to begin near Garfield Street as an elevated line then run underground beneath Morris Park Avenue and Wilson Avenue, finally terminating at [[U.S. Route 1 in New York|Boston Road]], where it was to connect to the formerly proposed [[IND Concourse Line|Concourse Line extension]]. This proposal was never carried out, however the IRT acquired the former [[New York, Westchester and Boston Railway]] right-of-way to create the [[IRT Dyre Avenue Line]] instead.

=== Improvements ===
The New York State Transit Commission announced plans to extend the southbound platforms at seven stations on the line from [[Jackson Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line)|Jackson Avenue]] to [[West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue (IRT White Plains Road Line)|177th Street]] to accommodate ten-car trains for $81,900 on August 8, 1934.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/08/09/archives/irt-to-extend-stations-platform-changes-to-be-made-on-white-plains.html|title=I.R.T. To Extend Stations. Platform Changes to Be Made on White Plains Line.|date=August 9, 1934|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 4, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On June 13, 1949, the platforms extensions at the stations on the line from Jackson Avenue to 177th Street opened. The platforms were lengthened to {{Convert|514|feet|meters|abbr=}} to allow full ten-car express trains to platform. Previously the stations could only platform six-car local trains.<ref name="BOT-1949">{{Cite book|title=Report For the Three and One-Half Years Ending June 30, 1949.|date=1949|publisher=New York City Board of Transportation|hdl = 2027/mdp.39015023094926}}</ref>

On March 1, 1951, the Board of Transportation announced a plan to implement express service along the White Plains Road Line between 241st Street and Third Avenue–149th Street using the middle third track. New signaling, including the installation of block signals, was to be installed on the local tracks, in addition to the installation of signals on the express track at the cost of $3.5 million. In addition, it was announced that a flyover to the Dyre Avenue Line would be built, allowing for through-service, and eliminating the need to transfer at East 180th Street. The final key element to the improvement plan was the elimination of the at-grade junction north of the West Farms Square station, which was a major bottleneck, by closing the spur to 180th Street–Bronx Park. To make up for the loss of service, an escalator and new stairway would be added at the West Farms Square station at 178th Street and Boston Road.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1951/03/02/82094296.pdf|title=Faster I.R.T. Service in the Bronx To Cut East Side Run 13 Minutes|last1=Ingraham|first1=Joseph C.|work=The New York Times |date=March 2, 1951|access-date=October 7, 2016|page=1}}</ref> The spur to 180th Street—Bronx Park closed on August 4, 1952.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1952|title=Notice to Passengers|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/16965436879/in/album-72157652636620504/|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Flickr|publisher=New York City Board of Transportation}}</ref>

Express service on the IRT White Plains Road Line began on April 23, 1953 with alternate '''5''' trains using the middle track between East 180th Street and 149th Street during the weekday rush in the peak direction. These trains skipped all stops between East 180th Street and Third Avenue–149th Street.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/04/24/archives/i-r-t-express-service-rushhour-schedule-started-on-white-plains-rd.html|title=I. R. T. EXPRESS SERVICE; Rush-Hour Schedule Started on White Plains Rd. Line|date=April 24, 1953|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 29, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Starting on October 2, 1953, 5 trains began running express between East 180th Street and Gun Hill Road using the middle track in order to encourage passengers who changed at Gun Hill Road for Third Avenue Elevated service to stay on subway trains.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/08/07/archives/transit-authority-to-tidy-subways-speed-up-service-fare-rise-to-pay.html|title=TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO TIDY SUBWAYS, SPEED UP SERVICE; Fare Rise to Pay for Posture Seats and New Lights in 300 Cars, Painting of Stations NEW MEMBER JOINS BOARD Mayor, Swearing Him, Assails Dewey -- Klein Praises Casey, Promises to 'Do Share' TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO TIDY SUBWAYS|last=Egan|first=Leo|date=August 7, 1953|work=The New York Times|access-date=October 29, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fg4KAQAAMAAJ&q=%C2%A0April+23,+1953+express+white+plains+road|title=A History of the New York City Subway System|last1=Cunningham|first1=Joseph|last2=DeHart|first2=Leonard O.|date=1993|publisher=J. Schmidt, R. Giglio, and K. Lang|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Linder|first=Bernard|date=October 1964|journal=New York Division Bulletin|publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association}}</ref> These trains were signed as the 5 Lexington Avenue Thru-Express.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24542430/daily_news/|title=Lex. Subway Speeds Up|date=April 24, 1953|work=New York Daily News|access-date=November 5, 2018|page=34}}</ref>

The Dyre Avenue Line was connected directly to the White Plains Road Line north of [[East 180th Street (IRT White Plains Road Line)|East 180th Street]] for $3 million and through service began on May 6, 1957. Night service continued to be operated by a shuttle.<ref>{{cite news|title=IRT Spur Opens Today — Dyre Avenue Line in Bronx Will Have Five Stations|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/05/06/90803273.pdf|access-date=December 20, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=May 6, 1957|page=31}}</ref> Through service was operated by Seventh Avenue express trains between 5:30 AM and 8:30 PM. Between 8:30 and 1:15 shuttle trains operated from East 180th Street to Dyre Avenue, and in the early morning hours no trains operated over the line.<ref>{{cite news|title=Subway Trains Run to Dyre Avenue — Through Service Replacing Shuttle for Part of Each Day on Bronx Line|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/05/07/84726091.pdf|access-date=December 20, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=May 7, 1957|page=37}}</ref>

In 1986, the [[New York City Transit Authority]] launched a study to determine whether to close 79 stations on 11 routes, including the White Plains Road Line north of East 180th Street, due to low ridership and high repair costs.<ref name="Brooke 1986 p781">{{cite web |last=Brooke |first=James |date=April 29, 1986 |title=Subway Aides to Weigh Cuts on 11 Routes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/29/nyregion/subway-aides-to-weigh-cuts-on-11-routes.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="n139526241">{{Cite news |last=Gordy |first=Margaret |date=1986-04-29 |title=MTA Studies Citywide Cuts in Subway Lines, Stations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-mta-studies-citywide-cuts-in-sub/139526241/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |work=Newsday |pages=3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-mta-studies-citywide-cuts-in-sub/139526291/ 27]}}</ref> Numerous figures, including New York City Council member [[Carol Greitzer]], criticized the plans.<ref name="n139526241" /><ref name="Finder 1986 j495">{{cite web |last1=Finder |first1=Alan |last2=Connelly |first2=Mary |date=May 4, 1986 |title=The Region; On Shrinking The Subways |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/04/weekinreview/the-region-on-shrinking-the-subways.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

Due to rehabilitation of East 180th Street and signal replacements along the line, rush hour peak direction '''5''' express service was suspended from March 29 to September 3, 2010. PM northbound express service was suspended again on March 28, 2011 to allow for the second phase of the signal replacement project. Normal service was restored on August 8, 2011.

==Station listing==
{{NYCS service legend
| alltimes        = show
| allexceptrush   = show
| allexceptnights = show
| rushpeak        = show
}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Neighborhood<br />(approximate)
!{{Access icon}}
!Station
!Tracks
!Services
!Opened
!Transfers and notes
|-
|rowspan=6|[[Wakefield, Bronx|Wakefield]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Wakefield–241st Street}}
|
|{{NYCS White Plains Wakefield|time=show}}
|December 13, 1920<ref name=":7" />
|originally East 241st Street<br/>Connection to [[Metro-North Railroad]] ([[Harlem Line]] at [[Wakefield station (Metro-North)|Wakefield]])
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:silver;"|Center Express track begins (no regular service)
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:silver;"|connecting tracks to [[239th Street Yard]]
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Nereid Avenue}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 31, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":6" />
|originally East 238th Street
|-
|{{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|233rd Street}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 31, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":6" />
|originally East 233rd Street<br/>Connection to [[Metro-North Railroad]] ([[Harlem Line]] at [[Woodlawn station (Metro-North)|Woodlawn]])
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|225th Street}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 31, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":6" />
|originally East 225th Street
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Williamsbridge, Bronx|Williamsbridge]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|219th Street}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 3, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":5" />
|originally East 219th Street
|-
|{{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|Gun Hill Road|White Plains}}
|all
|{{NYCS White Plains north |time=show}}
|March 3, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":5" />
|Connection to [[Metro-North Railroad]] ([[Harlem Line]] at [[Williams Bridge station|Williams Bridge]])
[[Bx41 SBS (New York City bus)|Bx41 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Allerton, Bronx|Allerton]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Burke Avenue}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 3, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":5" />
|
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Allerton Avenue}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 3, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":5" />
|
|-
|rowspan=1|[[Pelham Parkway, Bronx|Pelham Parkway]]
|{{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|Pelham Parkway|White Plains}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 3, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":5" />
|[[Bx12 SBS (New York City bus)|Bx12 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|rowspan=4|[[Van Nest, Bronx|Van Nest]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Bronx Park East}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains north local|time=show}}
|March 3, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":5" />
|
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:silver;"|Merge from [[IRT Dyre Avenue Line]] ({{NYCS Dyre|time=show}})
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:silver;"|connecting tracks to [[Unionport Yard]] (east of the line)
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:silver;"|connecting tracks to [[East 180th Street Yard]] (west of the line)
|-
|rowspan=3|[[West Farms, Bronx|West Farms]]
|{{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|East 180th Street}}
|all
|{{NYCS White Plains 180th|time=show}}
|March 3, 1917<ref name="HathiTrust 2013" /><ref name=":5" />
|
|-
|
| style="background:silver;"|{{stl|NYCS|180th Street–Bronx Park}}
|[[Bronx Park]] spur
|
|nowrap|November 26, 1904
|Closed August 4, 1952; later demolished.
|-
|
|nowrap|{{stl|NYCS|West Farms Square–East Tremont Avenue}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains local|time=show}}
|November 26, 1904
|originally 177th Street, then East Tremont Avenue–Boston Road<br/>[[Q44 SBS (New York City bus)|Q44 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Crotona Park East, Bronx|Crotona Park East]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|174th Street}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains local|time=show}}
|November 26, 1904
|
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Freeman Street}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains local|time=show}}
|November 26, 1904
|
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Longwood, Bronx|Longwood]]
|{{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|Simpson Street}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains local|time=show}}
|November 26, 1904
| 
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Intervale Avenue}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains local|time=show}}
|April 30, 1910<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
|originally Intervale Avenue–163rd Street<br/>[[Bx6 SBS (New York City bus)|Bx6 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Prospect Avenue|White Plains}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains local|time=show}}
|November 26, 1904
|
|-
|rowspan=5|[[Mott Haven, Bronx|Mott Haven]]
|
|{{stl|NYCS|Jackson Avenue}}
|local
|{{NYCS White Plains local|time=show}}
|November 26, 1904
|
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:silver;"|Center Express track ends
|-
|{{Access icon}}
|{{stl|NYCS|Third Avenue–149th Street}}
|all
|{{NYCS White Plains|time=show}}
|July 10, 1905<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />
|originally Third Avenue
[[Bx41 SBS (New York City bus)|Bx41 Select Bus Service]]
|-
|
|{{stl|NYCS|149th Street–Grand Concourse|White Plains}}
|all
|{{NYCS White Plains|time=show}}
|July 10, 1905<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" />
|{{NYCS Jerome|time=show}} ([[IRT Jerome Avenue Line]])<br />originally Mott Avenue
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:silver;"|Split with connection to [[IRT Jerome Avenue Line]] ({{NYCS 149 link|time=show}})
|-
! colspan="7" style="background:silver;"|149th Street Tunnel
|-
! colspan="7" style="background:silver;"|Merge with [[IRT Lenox Avenue Line]] ({{NYCS White Plains south|time=show}})
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{attached KML|display=inline,title}}
{{Commons category|IRT White Plains Road Line}}
*[https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/IRT_White_Plains_Road_Line nycsubway.org - IRT Lenox/White Plains Line]

{{Clear}}
{{NYCS lines navbox}}
{{NYCS navbox}}
{{NYCS stations navbox|whiteplains=yes}}
{{Crossings navbox
|structure       = Crossings
|place           = [[Harlem River]]
|bridge          = 149th Street Tunnel
|bridge signs    = {{NYCS White Plains south|time=bullets}}
|upstream        = [[145th Street Bridge]]
|upstream signs  =
|downstream      = [[Madison Avenue Bridge]]
|downstream signs =
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:White Plains}}
[[Category:New York City Subway lines]]
[[Category:Interborough Rapid Transit Company]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1904]]