2 TRAIN - 7th AVENUE EXPRESS
Welcome to another New York City Subway Cache.
--
Following the 2 Express Train (7th Avenue Express), from Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn College to Wakefield 242nd Street. End to end, stopping at 4 stops in between, 6 stops altogether.
Calling at the following stops -
- Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn College (2/5) - {WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
- Grand Army Plaza (2/3) - {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
- Park Place (2/3) - {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
- 72nd Street (1/2/3) - {WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
- Bronx Park East (2/5) - {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
- Wakefield 242nd Street (2) - {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
--
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)
--
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 (Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn College, Grand Army Plaza, Park Place, 72nd Street, Bronx Park East and Wakefield 242nd Street 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.
--
First parts of the 2 line began in 1905, along a corridor still remaining in the Bronx. From East 180th Street, to West Farms, to 149th Street Grand Concourse. By the 1910s, the line was extended to Wakefield 242nd Street and the full line in the Bronx was completed.
Into the 1930s, new parts of the “line” were created in Brooklyn. Running from Flatbush Avenue to South Ferry.
Into the 1950s, the line in Manhattan was made as an express line along the 7th Avenue Line with the 1 Local Train to get commuters to work faster judging from the slow paced, start and stop 1 train.
Before the 3 train began operations, 2 trains ran the Brooklyn line on the 3.
--
This cache is a NON-PREMIUM cache
Even though this is a mutli-cache series (non-traditional), not all of the caches are premium. I don't believe cachers should need to have to pay a subscription to explore the city in a certain way via Geocaching. Although premium caches are a good thing, this series will not include any as I want anyone who chooses to complete this cache to be able to.
--
A few extra notes (PLEASE READ OVER) -
- The cache is NOT located at the posted coordinates on the main map
- At Manhattan waypoints, please stay on the 2 train. 5 trains run on a separate route in Manhattan, yet merge in Brooklyn and Bronx
- 3 trains are available between Grand Army Plaza and 72nd Street waypoints
- All final cache coordinates are located between a 6-16 minute walk from Wakefield Station.
--
Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn College {WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
Welcome to the end of the line, and welcome to Brooklyn College. This is Brooklyn’s largest college/sector, being a part of CUNY (City University of New York). CUNY is a set of colleges all around the city providing education for university students.
Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.6323165, -73.9508223
QUESTION -
What are the Roman Numerals on the bottom of the circular plaque?
- MCMXX
- MCXXX
- MCMXXX
Please continue to the next station waypoint, Grand Army Plaza. - DO NOT GET ON THE 5 BROOKLYN LOCAL TRAIN - STAY ON THE 2 BROOKLYN LOCAL.
--
Grand Army Plaza {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
Welcome to Grand Army Plaza, right by the plaza traffic circle. Prospect Park, the biggest park in Brooklyn is also near you. You’ll pass under or walk by a tall archer, dedicated to Ulysses S. Grant; the 18th president of the country. Next to the arch, you’ll walk across the street and see a smaller monument as a fountain.
Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.673988, -73.970036
QUESTION -
What is the object made from stone on the north side of the fountain monument?
- Shell
- Trident
- Crystal
Please continue to the next station waypoint, Park Place. - YOU MAY TAKE EITHER THE 2 OR 3 TRAINS UNLESS MTA HAS A CHANGED SERVICE STATUS.
--
Park Place {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
Welcome to Park Place, and our first stop in Manhattan. This is another major area of Lower Manhattan, with major avenues like Canal Street passing through. The Twin Tower Monuments are also nearby.
You’ll be headed to a building and specific plaque in memory of Thomas Dongan. A New York Catholic Governor and a general in English and French armies. He was the father of the first Representative Assembly, a political institution.
Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.7125573, -74.0094631
QUESTION -
What is the last word on the monument?
- Fourth
- Knights
- Columbus
Please continue to the next station waypoint, 72nd Street. - YOU MAY TAKE EITHER THE 2 OR 3 TRAINS UNLESS MTA HAS A CHANGED SERVICE STATUS.
--
72nd Street {WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
Welcome to 72nd Street, and the Upper West Side. One of the most famous Manhattan Neighborhoods, home to many celebrities. You’ll be making your way to a monument in the center of a small little park.
The monument honors Chev C. Barsotti, the editor of the Italian Daily Newspaper, Il-Progresso Italo-Americano (Italian American Progress in English).
Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.7793502, -73.9814185
QUESTION -
When was this plaque erected?
- October 16th, 1906
- October 12th, 1906
- November 16th, 1910
Please continue to the next station waypoint, Bronx Park East. - STAY ON THE 2 TRAIN. - DO NOT GET ON ANY OTHER LINE.
--
Bronx Park East {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
Welcome to Bronx Park East, our first stop in the Bronx. Unfortunately due to the expressway, we weren’t able to take you to the other side of the park with more activities as a crossover is around 2 miles from the station. Call this station Bronx Park East? Should've stopped 2 miles ago.
You’ll be making your way to a Parks Department HQ for the city of New York and visiting a plaque honoring the Algonquin People, indeginous people in the northeast US and southeast Canada. As with other tribes, the Algonquins lived on the land that the Europeans ‘bought’ from them in the 1600s.
Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.8473127, -73.8708171
QUESTION -
What word on the plaque is translated from Algonquin to English? (WORD IN ENGLISH)
- Starting Point
- End Place
- Allies
Please continue to the last station waypoint, Wakefield 242nd Street - DO NOT TAKE WEEKEND SERVICE 5 TRAINS TO NEREID AVENUE. - TAKE A WAKEFIELD BOUND 2 TRAIN.
Take this time to add up your answers.
--
Wakefield 242nd Street {NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}
Welcome to Wakefield, the end of the line and the farthest most subway station in New York City. For all cache coordinate options, you’ll be walking over a highway on a sidewalk going over the Bronx River.
The Bronx River is the only natural freshwater body of water in the city. Unfortunately, it’s quite polluted. Back in the 1630s, the borough was purchased by Jonas Bronk as a 500 acre piece of land. Later on, factories were built along the river and it turned into an industrial area. From this, oils and chemicals were poured into the river. The Bronx River society has been working for 20 years now on a plan to clean up the only freshwater body of water in the city.
--
The final coordinates are listed below.
NANO CONTAINER
--
If you got 9, please proceed to the following coordinates: 40.9067463, -73.8569638
If you got 10, please proceed to the following coordinates: 40.9066163, -73.8578871
If you got 11, please proceed to the following coordinates: 40.9067661, -73.8564666
If you got 12, please proceed to the following coordinates: 40.9057231, -73.8551925
--
Best of luck on finding the cache! Message me if you notice the cache may be missing.
The 1, 7, C, F, G, L and J/Z 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!