Ever wondered where the subway trains go to rest? Right here at East 180th St. & Unionport Yards. This is more than just a parking lot for trains. It is a vital hub for the New York City subway system.
The East 180th Street Yard is located in the West Farms neighborhood of the Bronx. It is just east of the Bronx Zoo. This massive complex keeps the subway car fleet in good repair.
The East 180th Street Yard includes a shop and Unionport Yard. Unionport Yard is a supplemental facility. The East 180th Street Yard has seven storage tracks. The shop building has six tracks. Unionport Yard has 19 tracks.
The East 180th Street Yard is home to the Bombardier R142 cars that serve the 5 line. There is interchange with the 2 line. All engineering acceptance testing for new IRT-type cars is performed here.
The original shop building was built in 1918. A new shop building opened in 1999. Bombardier started delivering new R142s to this facility on November 16, 1999. Additional tracks in the yard went into service on October 11, 1923.
Unionport Yard lies to the northeast of East 180th Street Yard. It is primarily a lay-up facility for the 2 and 5 trains. The yard was expanded in the 1990s. It went from five tracks to its current 19. The expanded yard became fully operational in 1997.
Unionport Yard connects to the IRT White Plains Road Line to the south. It also connects to the IRT Dyre Avenue Line to the north.
Imagine the constant activity here. Trains rumble in and out. Workers inspect and repair the cars. New cars undergo rigorous testing. This is a place where the pulse of the city never stops.
The East 180th Street Yard plays a crucial role in keeping New York City moving. It ensures that the trains are ready to transport millions of passengers every day. The next time you ride the subway, remember this place. Remember the East 180th St. & Unionport Yards. Think of the work that happens here. It is a hidden but essential part of the city’s infrastructure.