2 (New York City Subway service)
The 2 Seventh Avenue Express[3] is a rapid transit service in the A Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored red since it uses the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line through most of Manhattan.
For the former Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation 2 service, see R (New York City Subway service).Northern end
- Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College
- New Lots Avenue (limited rush hour service)
49
52 (limited service)
61 (late night service)
239th Street Yard (fleet interchangeable with 
at East 180th Street Yard)
November 26, 1904
The 2 operates at all times between 241st Street in Wakefield, Bronx, and Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College in Flatbush, Brooklyn; limited rush hour service in the reverse-peak direction originates and terminates at New Lots Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn instead of Flatbush Avenue.[4][5][a] Daytime service makes express stops in Manhattan and all stops elsewhere; late night service makes all stops.
Historically, 2 trains have also run to Crown Heights–Utica Avenue or New Lots Avenue. They ran exclusively on the IRT New Lots Line until 1983, when the 2 was routed to Flatbush Avenue. This is still the case with some rush-hour trains, albeit just to New Lots Avenue.
Service history
Early history
The first section of what became the current 2 entered service on November 26, 1904, from the temporary 180th Street–Bronx Park terminal via the West Farms El to 149th Street–3rd Avenue. On July 10, 1905, the connection between the IRT Lenox Avenue Line and IRT White Plains Road Line (which was previously served by the Third Avenue El) opened, allowing subway service from Manhattan to the Bronx.[7][8][9]
On January 9, 1908, the Joralemon Street Tunnel opened, connecting the current IRT Lexington Avenue Line to Brooklyn. At this time, trains ran from East 180th Street to Borough Hall.[10] On May 1, 1908, trains were extended to Nevins Street and Atlantic Avenue.[11][12]
The IRT White Plains Road Line was extended to 219th Street on March 3, 1917,[13][14] to 238th Street–Nereid Avenue on March 31, 1917,[15] and to Wakefield–241st Street on December 13, 1920.[16][17] On August 1, 1918, the entire IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line was completed.[18] On April 15, 1919, the Clark Street Tunnel opened, connecting the line to Brooklyn as well.[19]
Beginning on December 19, 1919, trains ran to South Ferry with some rush hour trains to Atlantic Avenue.[16] In 1923, during rush hours, 2 trains alternated between South Ferry and Utica Avenue.[16] Beginning December 1, 1924, 2 trains that had previously ended at South Ferry were extended to New Lots Avenue.[16]
On January 16, 1928, the New York State Transit Commission announced that it had reached an agreement with the IRT to increase service on its lines by 8,000,000 car miles a year; the greatest increase since 1922. As part of the changes, on January 30, all West Farms trains were extended from Atlantic Avenue to Flatbush Avenue during middays.[20]
As of 1934, 2 trains ran from 180th Street-Bronx Park to Flatbush Avenue weekdays and Saturday during daytime and to South Ferry evenings and Sundays, running express in Manhattan. Late-night service was from 241st St to South Ferry, making all stops. There were occasional lay-up/put-ins from New Lots Avenue, and four weekday evening trains turned at Atlantic Avenue.[16] On September 5, 1937, some evening rush hour trains started running to Flatbush Avenue.[16]
As of July 1, 1938, weekday and Saturday evening service was extended to Flatbush Avenue from South Ferry.[21]
Sunday service was extended to Flatbush Avenue on March 5, 1950.
Beginning on December 26, 1950, alternate weekday rush trains were extended to 241st Street in the peak direction, but PM rush service to 241st Street was discontinued on June 26, 1952. Beginning on August 4, 1952, the 180th Street—Bronx Park station was closed, with trains rerouted to East 180th Street.
Under the New York City Transit Authority
Morning rush hour service to 241st Street was cut back to Gun Hill Road on October 2, 1953. On March 19, 1954, weekend service was rerouted to New Lots Avenue at all times except late nights. On May 4, 1957, a track connection to the IRT Dyre Avenue Line was completed and daytime 2 trains were rerouted to Dyre Avenue.[16] Evening service remained a shuttle between Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street, and morning rush service from Gun Hill Road was discontinued.
On December 20, 1957, weekday trains were rerouted to New Lots Avenue at all times except late nights. On June 26, 1958, late night service began between Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street. Beginning on December 12, 1958, late night service was extended to Flatbush Avenue and the 2 began running express at all times. Beginning February 6, 1959, trains ran between Wakefield–241st Street and Flatbush Avenue at all times except late nights, when they ran between East 180th Street and New Lots Avenue.[16]
Beginning on April 8, 1960, daytime service was rerouted from Dyre Avenue to 241st Street and service in Brooklyn was rerouted from New Lots Avenue to Flatbush Avenue. At the same time, late night service was rerouted from Flatbush Avenue to New Lots Avenue.