1 TRAIN -
Welcome to another New York City Subway Cache.
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Following the 1 Local Train (7th Avenue/Broadway Local), from South Ferry to 242nd Street Van Cortlandt Park. End to end, stopping at 4 stops in between, 6 stops altogether.
Calling at the following stops -
- South Ferry (1/R/W) - {ACCESSIBLE FOR 1 TRAINS ONLY}
- WTC Cortlandt (1) - {ACCESSIBLE}
- 14th Street (1/2/3/F/L/M) - {NOT ACCESSIBLE}
- 59th Street Columbus Circle (1/A/B/C/D) - {ACCESSIBLE}
- 191st Street - (1) - {NOT ACCESSIBLE}
- 242nd Street Van Cortlandt Park - (1) - {NOT ACCESSIBLE}
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Before we head off, please remember to check mta.info for service changes and status. (Let's try not to get stuck somewhere 10 miles from your house with no trains coming, that would kinda suck - hi tourists looking at you as well)
Please also remember to follow safety requirements and regulations addressing the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic. Remember to stay safe. Public Transportation can be risky during a pandemic. Health and Safety Guidelines | The Official Guide to New York City (nycgo.com)
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A bit of information before we begin -
Every cache in this series follows ONE TRAIN LINE, from the start to the end, stopping at between 4-6 stops (unless the route is shorter than 5 stops). At each stop that is listed here in the description (South Ferry, WTC Cortlandt, 14th Street, 59th Street Columbus Circle, 191st Street, and 242nd Street Van Cortlandt Park in this scenario), you'll need to hop off the train and make your way to the coordinates given. When you reach the coordinates, a question will be given. Around the coordinates, you should be able to find the answer.
The answers are multiple-choice. On each multiple-choice answer, there will be a number. For example -
1. ()
2. ()
3. ()
Take the number and remember it.
At the final stop, add up all the numbers. 3-5 sets of coordinates will be given. Add the numbers from each answered choice up. At the bottom of this description, it'll say "If you have (), go to (coordinates), if you have (), go to (coordinates), etc". The final coordinates will lead to the cache.
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The 1 Train began operations between South Ferry and Van Cortlandt in 1904 (being the first and oldest line in New York City). Believe it or not, this is the only line in the entire MTA system (BMT, IND and IRT) that has kept the same route and same stations since its inception.
In the early 20th Century, walking a long distance in New York City wasn’t that simple. Garbage on the streets, too many pedestrians, horses and horse poop, etc, made even short trips a challenge. As a result, the 1 stopped every 4-6 blocks. For anyone who’s familiar with riding the 1, it starts and stops like a yoyo, with very short distances between stops.
A problem with this was that people in the Bronx needed to wake up at the break of dawn just to get to work in Manhattan on time. In the late 1910s the solution was voted in by the community of Washington Heights, an express line. Boom. This was a made-in New York City innovation, a first for subway systems in the world. Express trains would begin at the first and last stops, but would only stop in between at major “express” stops, where most people got off. The 1 express was very successful and was ultimately replaced in the 1950s when the dedicated 2 and 3 express lines came into service on the same track in Manhattan. By this point, the city was a lot bigger and needed more lines throughout the system. The 2 began and ended in Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and Wakefield in Bronx, while the 3 began and ended in New Lots in Brooklyn and Harlem in Manhattan. Both these trains serviced the previous 1 express route on the 7th Avenue/Broadway line in Manhattan and were named the Broadway Express.
As wonderful as express lines are, we know from the other caches in this MTA Subway Multicache Series, that the stops along the way are what make the line beautiful.
A few extra notes (PLEASE READ OVER) -
- The cache is NOT located at the posted coordinates on the main map
- Throughout the year of 2021, 1 trains are skipping 181st Street. Please go to 191st for the 181st Street waypoint until further notice.
- Do NOT take the 2 or 3 trains in Manhattan. Most waypoints are local stops, only serviced by the 1 line. Stay on the 1.
- All final cache coordinate options are located between a 5-18 minute walk from 242nd Street Van Cortlandt Park.
- All final cache coordinate options are located in Van Cortlandt Park. None are located on the street.
South Ferry
Welcome to the end of the line, South Ferry. This is an area mainly seen by tourists in Battery Park, on their way to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. This area was a major part of the Revolution between England and America.
Another artifact here was the first Jewish Community. Men, women and children all came from European lands and created the community around where Battery Park is now. The USA is now the 2nd highest population of Jews, and New York City is ranked one of the highest population of them in the country. Please make your way to the coordinates for this station to answer the question:
QUESTION -
From looking at the plaque, what is the number of people (men, women and children combined) who came and created the first Jewish Community?
- 33
- 23
- 74
Once you have your answer, head back to South Ferry, and jump onto the 1 train. Continue to your next stop, WTC Cortlandt.
Please continue reading WHEN AND ONLY WHEN you reach WTC Cortlandt Station. {This IS an accessible station}
World Trade Center Cortlandt
Welcome to WTC Cortlandt Station. When you exit the station, you’ll enter into the Oculus. This is a majestic and modern building that was just recently created. It was mainly made as a train hall, but made into a mall as well. The oculus serves the Path Train and E train at World Trade Center Station, The A/C at Canal Street, the 1 at WTC Cortlandt and 2/3 at Chambers Street.
When you exit the Oculus, you’ll find yourself amongst the Twin Tower monuments in the heart of downtown. This is the area where the Twin Towers were bombed by two commercial aircraft and shot down. Please make your way to the coordinates for this station to answer the question: 40.711339, -74.013321
QUESTION -
You should be brought to a small stone monument in the grass. What is the last sentence in the text on the monument?
- And motivated the nation.
- And inspired the world.
- And inspired the nation.
Once you have your answer, head back to WTC Cortlandt Station, and jump back onto the 1 train. Continue to your next stop, 14th Street.
Please continue reading WHEN AND ONLY WHEN you reach 14th Street Station. {This IS NOT an accessible station}
14th Street
Welcome to 14th Street Station. Transfer is available to the 1, 2, 3, F, L and M trains.
You’ll be making your way to a church, also the meeting place for PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). This was created in 1975 and is a supportive place for LGBTQ families and friends to meet.
Please make your way to the coordinates for this station to answer the question: 40.738083, -74.000212
QUESTION -
On the plaque in front of you, what are the last two words written?
- sprung here
- begun here
- begun prior
Once you have your answer, head back to 14th Street, and jump back onto the 1 train (DO NOT GET ON THE 2 OR 3 EXPRESS TRAINS RUNNING NORMAL SERVICE). Continue to your next stop, 59th Street Columbus Circle. {This IS an accessible station}
59th Street Columbus Circle
Welcome to 59th Street Columbus Circle. Transfer is available to the A, B, C and D trains.
Columbus Circle. This is around the lower tip of Central Park and a big tourist trap. Horse drawn carriages can be found here, shops, top class restaurants, and much fun to be found in Central Park right next door. You’ll be making your way to a monument dedicated to RT. REV. MSGR. John P. Chidwick who fought in the United Spanish War in the United States Navy. He served aboard Battleship Maine at the time of her destruction.
Please make your way to the coordinates for this station to answer the question: 40.768155, -73.981242
QUESTION -
What date was this monument dedicated (located at the bottom of the plaque on the monument)?
- September 15th, 1935
- September 15, 1945
- September 15th 1905
Once you have your answer, head back to 59th Street Columbus Circle, and jump back onto the 1 train. Continue to your next stop, 191st Street. {This is NOT an accessible station}
191st Street
Welcome to 191st Street Station. The deepest station in the New York City subway system (MTA). You’ll be making your way to a Jewish Synagogue. Please note this will be a longer walk to the station coordinates than most. Please make your way to the coordinates for this station: 40.849199, -73.937913
QUESTION -
What is the quote written above the doors?
- Thou shalt love thyself as thy neighbor
- Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself
- Thou shalt love thy friend as thy neighbor
Once you have your answer, head back to 191st Street, and jump back onto the 1 train. Continue to the final stop, 242nd Street Van Cortlandt Park. {This is NOT an accessible station}
Please take this time to add up all your answers.
242nd Street Van Cortlandt Park.
Welcome to the final stop, and to the Bronx! All final cache coordinate options are listed below.
THE CACHE IS A NANO CONTAINER
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When finished adding your answers up…
if you got the number 8, please make your way to these coordinates: 40.8880090, -73.8954062
if you got the number 9, please make your way to these coordinates: 40.8887014, -73.8942381
if you got the number 10, please make your way to these coordinates: 40.8911171, -73.8915673
if you got the number 11, please make your way to these coordinates: 40.8976026, -73.8959824
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Best of luck on finding the cache! Message me if you notice the cache may be missing.
The C, F, G, L, J/Z and 7 trains CURRENTLY are published as well, around the map (at the time this cache was published, there are most likely many more to follow).
Happy caching!