4 5 6 train stops
Y’all Ever Stand on a Lexington Ave Platform, Heart Racin’, Wonderin’—Is This the 6, the 5, or the *mythical* 4? Let’s Untangle the 4 5 6 train stops Saga.
Picture this: it’s 8:47 AM. You’re holdin’ a paper cup of coffee that’s seen better days, your tie’s crooked, and the platform’s so packed you can *taste* someone’s mint gum. Then—*lights*! A train roars in… but *which one*? The digital sign blinks: “4”… then flickers to “5”… then just says “Local” and gives up. Welcome to the IRT Lexington Ave Line—the backbone, the beast, the *beating heart* of Manhattan’s east side. And the stars of the show? The 4 5 6 train stops—three siblings, same track, wildly different personalities. One’s the overachiever, one’s the steady Eddie, one’s the neighborhood pal. Let’s meet ‘em—*properly*.
So… Which Train Is Express—4, 5, or 6? The Great IRT Trinity, Explained.
Short answer? The 4 and 5 are express. The 6 is local. But life’s never *that* simple—so let’s break it down like a bodega egg sandwich:
- 4 train — The All-Day Express. Runs express in Manhattan & the Bronx *24/7*. Skips local stops like 28 St, 33 St, 59 St. If you need to get from Grand Central to 125 St in under 8 minutes? This is your golden chariot.
- 5 train — The Peak-Hour Powerhouse. Express in Manhattan & Bronx—but *only* weekdays, ~5:30 AM–9:30 PM. Nights, weekends? It turns local or vanishes entirely (ghost mode activated). Think of it as the 4’s ambitious younger cousin who *really* wants that promotion.
- 6 train — The Neighborhood Anchor. Local. *Always*. Stops at *every* station—yes, even the one with the weird echo and the bench that’s slightly warmer than the others. It’s the train that knows your barista’s name.
Why the 5 Train Disappears on Weekends (And Where It *Really* Goes)
Conspiracy theory time? Nah—just logistics. The 5 train shares tracks *and* crew pools with the 2 and 5 lines in the Bronx. On weekends, demand shifts west—so crews get reassigned, and the 5’s route gets absorbed. Think of it like your favorite food truck: it’s not gone—just parked somewhere else, servin’ someone else’s neighborhood. Still, we miss its late-Saturday swagger. Maybe leave a candle at Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall. Just sayin’.
Where Does the 4 Train Stop in Manhattan? A Bullet-Point Ballet.
The 4 train cuts through Manhattan like a hot knife through butter—*fast*, *focused*, *unapologetic*. In the borough, it only stops at **7 stations**:
- 125 St (Lexington Ave) — Harlem’s crown jewel
- 86 St — Upper East Side glam, doormen, and dog walkers
- 59 St — Bloomingdale’s dreams & Central Park access
- Grand Central–42 St — where suits, tourists, and train nerds collide
- 14 St–Union Sq — chaos, commerce, and the best dumpling window
- Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall — that gorgeous, abandoned City Hall ghost station lurks just beyond
- Fulton St — the Financial District’s front porch
Fun Fact: The 4 Train Is the *Only* Subway Line That Touches All Four “Grand” Stations
Yep—the 4 hits Grand Central, Grand St (B/D) (via transfer), Grand Army Plaza (2/3) (via walk at 14 St), and—stretching it—Grand Concourse (4/5/D) in the Bronx. Call it the “Grand Slam Express.” We do.
What Stops Does the A Train Make in NYC? Wait—Hold Up. Different Line, Same Confusion.
Whoa, cowboy—let’s pump the brakes. The A train? That’s the *IND Eighth Ave Line*—blue on the map, runs from Inwood to Far Rockaway or Ozone Park. Gorgeous, sure (hello, ocean views at Howard Beach), but *not part* of the 4 5 6 train stops family. We get it—everyone mixes ‘em up. The A’s got *43 stations*, hugs the west side, and plays jazz in its soul. But if you’re standin’ at 59 St–Lexington, yellin’ “Where’s the A?!”—bless your heart—you’re in the wrong opera. Stick with the green line. The 4 5 6 train stops got enough drama of their own.
Why Folks Confuse the A and 4 Trains (And How to Never Do It Again)
Blame the map. To a newbie, “4” and “A” both look like vertical arrows through Manhattan. But here’s your cheat code:
- Green circle? → IRT Lexington. 4 5 6 train stops only.
- Blue circle? → IND Eighth Ave. A, C, E land here.
What’s the Real Difference Between the 5 and 6 Train in NYC? It’s Not Just Speed—It’s *Soul*.
Let’s get poetic. The 5 train is a sprinter—*lean*, *focused*, *all business*. It says: *“I got meetings. I got deadlines. I got a lunch reservation at 12:15.”* The 6 train? It’s the storyteller—the one that slows down, opens its doors wide, lets in the breeze, the chatter, the lady sellin’ socks from a suitcase.
| Feature | 5 Train | 6 Train |
|---|---|---|
| Service Hours | Weekdays ~5:30 AM–9:30 PM | 24/7 |
| Stops in Manhattan | 7 (express) | 16 (local) |
| Signature Sound | High-pitched brake squeal (urgency) | Low rumble + door *chime* (warmth) |
| Best For | Midtown ↔ East Harlem in under 10 min | Explorin’ side streets, late-night bodega runs |
The 6 Train’s Secret Superpower: The “Pelham Bay Park Lullaby”
Late at night, north of 110 St, the 6 train gets quiet. The lights dim, the turns soften, and the wheels hum a low, rhythmic song—like a subway lullaby. Conductor voices get gentler. Folks nod off on benches. It’s not transit anymore—it’s *transportation as meditation*. The 5? It’s already parked in the yard, dreamin’ of spreadsheets. Different purposes. Same city.
Who Actually Rides the 4 at 3 AM? A Midnight Census of 4 5 6 train stops Regulars
We sat (discreetly) with notebooks and cold coffee. Here’s who we saw:
- ER nurses from NYU Langone, still in scrubs, eyes sharp as scalpels
- Night bakers headin’ to Chelsea Market kitchens—flour in their hair, hope in their hearts
- Uber/Lyft drivers swapping stories at 125 St over dollar slices
- Transit workers off-shift, tired but proud—*they* painted those tiles, fixed those signals
- Students from CUNY, books in lap, headphones on, futures in motion
What Makes Each 4 5 6 train stops Station Unique? Beyond the Number on the Pole.
Don’t let the uniform green signs fool you—every stop’s got its own flavor:
- 86 St: Smells like roasted nuts and Chanel No. 5. Dogs wear sweaters.
- 51 St: Hidden transfer to the E/M—used by spies, interns, and folks avoidin’ the 53 St chaos.
- 23 St: Where the 6 train’s *best bench* lives (southbound, left side—sun hits it at 4 PM).
- Astor Place: Cube sculpture outside, punk ghosts in the tilework.
- Bleecker St: Guitar case open on platform—jazz at 7:15 AM, no tips needed.
What’s New in 2025? Signal Upgrades & “Quiet Car” Pilots on the 4 5 6 train stops Corridor
Big news: CBTC (Communications-Based Train Control) is rollin’ out on the Lexington Line—starting with the 4 train in Q1 2026. Translation? Trains can run closer, safer, *more often*. Peak-hour headways could drop from 4 min to **2.5 min**. And—plot twist—a “Quiet Car” pilot launches late 2025 on *select 6 trains*:
- No phone calls (texts only)
- Lower volume announcements
- “Shhh” decals on the doors (designed by NYC teens)
Where to Go Deeper on 4 5 6 train stops? Your Local Transit Whisperers Are Here.
Look—if you geek out over signal upgrades, memorize transfer times, or know which token booth clerk gives *extra* MetroCard swipes on Fridays… you’re family. And family checks in at Subway Life, where we track every rumble, reroute, and tile chip with love (and strong coffee). Cravin’ more regional deep dives? Our Transit zone’s got maps, hacks, and hot takes hotter than a platform heater in July. And if you’re eyein’ SoCal next? Don’t wing it—grab the lowdown in our sun-drenched guide: metro purple line los angeles links la sights. Knowledge ain’t power—it’s *peace of mind* when the 5 train skips your stop *and* your coffee spills. You got this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which train is express 4, 5 or 6?
The 4 and 5 trains are express on the IRT Lexington Ave Line; the 6 train is local. The 4 runs express 24/7, while the 5 runs express only on weekdays during peak hours (approx. 5:30 AM–9:30 PM). At night and weekends, the 5 often runs local or is suspended—leaving the 4 and 6 to carry the torch. So when in doubt? Look for the green circle—and check the digital sign *twice*. Every 4 5 6 train stops lineup shifts with the sun.
Where does the 4 train stop in Manhattan?
The 4 train makes just 7 stops in Manhattan: 125 St, 86 St, 59 St, Grand Central–42 St, 14 St–Union Sq, Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall, and Fulton St. It skips all local stops (like 28 St, 33 St, 53 St), making it the fastest north-south route on the east side. If you’re hopin’ off at 77 St? Sorry, honey—you want the 6. Know your 4 5 6 train stops, and the city bends to your will.
What stops does the a train make in NYC?
The A train (blue line) runs from Inwood–207 St in Manhattan to either Far Rockaway or Ozone Park–Lefferts Blvd in Queens—making 43 stops total. But—important!—it’s *not part of the 4 5 6 train stops* network (that’s the *green line*, Lexington Ave). The A serves the west side; the 4/5/6 serve the east. Mix ‘em up, and you’ll end up in Queens when you wanted Harlem. Check the circle color—*green vs. blue*—and save yourself a long walk home.
What is the difference between the 5 and 6 train in NYC?
The 5 train is *express* (weekdays only), skipping local stops to fly from Eastchester–Dyre Ave to Bowling Green in ~30 minutes. The 6 train is *local, 24/7*, stopping at every station—including gems like 23 St and Astor Place. The 5’s for speed; the 6’s for soul. One’s a bullet; the other’s a heartbeat. Together? They’re the rhythm of the 4 5 6 train stops symphony—each note essential.
References
- https://new.mta.info/maps
- https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/IRT_Lexington_Avenue_Line
- https://www.amny.com/news/mta-cbtc-upgrade-lexington-avenue-2025
- https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/quiet-car-pilot-program-nyc-subway