4 Train ~ MTA Multicache Series ~ #10 Multi-Cache

4 TRAIN - LEXINGTON AVENUE EXPRESS

Welcome to another New York City Subway Cache.

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Following the 4 Express Train (Lexington Avenue Express), Crown Heights Utica Avenue to Woodlawn, end to end, stopping at 4 stops in between, 6 stops altogether. 

Calling at the following stops -

• Crown Heights Utica Avenue {3/4} - WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
• 14th Street Union Square {4/5/6/L/N/Q/R/W) - WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
• Lexington Avenue 59th Street {4/5/6/F/N/Q/R/W} - NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
• 161st Street Yankee Stadium {B/D/4} - WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
• Mosholu Parkway {4} - NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
• Woodlawn {4) - NOT WHEELCHAIR 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 (Crown Heights Utica Avenue, 14th Street Union Square, Lexington Avenue 59th Street, 161st Street Yankee Stadium, Mosholu Parkway and Woodlawn 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 4 train began as an early IRT train in the Bronx, running along Jerome Avenue and Grand Concourse between 149th Street Grand Concourse and Kingsbridge. The line was later extended to Woodlawn. Into the 1920s, the Lexington Avenue line was complete, running between Woodlawn and Utica Avenue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

At this time, the 2 and 4 trains were classified as ‘wealthy trains’ in Brooklyn as they ran underground as opposed to many elevated lines. At the turn of the century, neighborhoods like Crown Heights attracted wealthier people due to IRT trains being underground. This meant there was no noise from the rattling elevated trains above large avenues like in the rest of the city. 2 trains ran to East New York, and 4 trains terminated at Utica Avenue. 

The north end of the 4 train terminates near Woodlawn in the North Bronx, an area with many parks, open streets and a break from the crush of Manhattan. These amenities also attracted more wealth.The 4 train ran express in Manhattan further increasing demand over other areas in the Bronx serviced by mostly local trains. The 4 train even had its own express route once during rush hour within the Bronx to get into Manhattan faster, taking only 4 or 5 stops.

The 4 train was overall a very efficient and fast train, and to this day still is. It moved millions of New Yorkers, from 1917 to the present and helped them get to where they need to 24/7 and on-time.

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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.

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A few extra notes (PLEASE READ OVER) -

• The cache is NOT located at the posted coordinates on the main map
• Between each waypoint in the description, please read which trains you may take
• All cache coordinates are located in Woodlawn, in and around Van Cortlandt Park
• No cache coordinates are located in Woodlawn Cemetery 
• All cache coordinates are located a 2-8 minute walk from Woodlawn Station

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 Crown Heights Utica Avenue {WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE}

Welcome to Crown Heights. This is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, filled with people of multiple races and religions, and levels of wealth and education. Crown Heights is an area of the city well known to most New Yorkers, but not as much by tourists. 

Diving into deeper history, where did Crown Heights come from? In the 1800s and early 1900s, Crown Heights was one of the most wealthy neighborhoods in the city. A beautiful area of Brooklyn, with easy access to Manhattan. However, you might be surprised by another reason for it’s attraction. It was one of the only neighborhoods with underground IRT (Rapid Transit Company; 1/2/3/4/5/6/7 trains) tracks and stations. This was a huge benefit as in the early 1900s, most tracks were elevated with huge loud and heavy steel trains running over the street all day. Underground tracks and stations provided a peaceful and quiet place to live, but still provided easy access to the train.

Later into the 1920s, waves of human migration began. These were African Americans leaving the south moving to the north to find work, people from the Caribbean including places like Haiti and Trinidad & Tobago, and also Orthodox Jewish People. All of these people, rich and poor, moved into the neighborhood bringing the diversity Crown Heights has to this day. Crown Heights has always stayed a peaceful and lovely community, and it’s one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city both efficient and diverse.

Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.6740130, -73.9355431

QUESTION -

On the plaque below you, what is the last word (ABOVE “PARKS & RECREATION”)?

1. Designer
2. Commissioner
3. Mayor

Please continue to the next station waypoint aboard the 4 Express Train, 14th Street Union Square.

14TH STREET UNION SQUARE

Welcome to Union Square, an extremely famous part of the city. Union Square is known to have been the home of many groups including dance, music, activism, etc. The area is still known now as a famous part of the city and well maintained. The area is lovely with plenty of benches, grass, trees, playgrounds, monuments, history and much more.

Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.7362346, -73.9900583

QUESTION -

You should be in front of a monument dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. How many stars are there all around the monument? (they’re all in one place on every side of the monument)

1. 12
2. 28
3. 36

Please continue to the next station waypoint aboard the 4 or 5 express trains, Lexington Avenue 59th Street.

LEXINGTON 59TH STREET

Welcome to Lexington Avenue. This is a key area for the shopping districts. When exiting the train station, you should immediately notice there are many designer clothing brands; Louis Vitton, Gucci, Gap, Maximo Dutti, etc. 

For the question, you’ll be taking a short walk to Central Park. You’ll see a large monument dedicated to William Tecumseh Sherman, a general serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a huge help in winning the war. 

Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.7648207, -73.9730853

QUESTION -

What are both two years listed on the written part of the monument (plaque)?

1. 1824 1835
2. 1821 1897
3. 1820 1891

Please continue to the next station waypoint aboard the 4 express train, 161st Street Yankee Stadium.

 161ST STREET YANKEE STADIUM

Welcome to Yankee Stadium. The stadium is home to the New York Yankees. The plaques strongly dedicate Babe Ruth, a former Yankees player. Babe Ruth was one of the best baseball players to ever live and motivated many current MLB players, especially for the Yankees. 

Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.8269281, -73.9290743

QUESTION -

How many people paid respects to Babe Ruth from August 17th - 18th?

1. 100,000+
2. 200,000+
3. 300,000+

Please continue to the next station waypoint aboard the 4 express train, Mosholu Parkway.

MOSHOLU PARKWAY

Welcome to Mosholu Parkway. This is the second last station before Woodlawn. Around this area is the Bronx High School of Science, one of the 12 specialized High Schools in the city. 

What we’ll be focusing on at this station is the Jerome Park Reservoir. It was designed for life in the 1880s, but still to this day can hold the most water capacity of any reservoir for New York. It holds 773 million gallons of water, and serves 140 gallons per person to this day. It was designed to receive water from the new and old Croton Aqueducts.

Please make your way to the coordinates for the station question: 40.8780422, -73.8923089

QUESTION -

You should be in front of two poles with writing on them informing about the Jerome Park Reservoir. When was the Jerome Park Reservoir fully completed?

1. 1883
2. 1904
3. 1905

Please continue to the next and last station waypoint aboard the 4 express train, Woodlawn.

Welcome to Woodlawn, the end of the line. Let’s briefly connect the two neighborhoods that bookend the 4 train, Woodlawn in the Bronx and Crown Heights in Brooklyn. 

Woodlawn’s amenities and open spaces originally attracted people of wealth to the neighborhood. However, the super efficient and fast express 4 trains also contributed to  making Woodlawn a desirable place to live, making the commute to Manhattan much more reasonable and the option to live so far away possible.

At the other end of the line in Crown Heights, pretty streets and close proximity to Manhattan originally made the neighborhood attractive to people of wealth. However again, it was the quiet of the underground IRT 4 trains that made the neighborhood attractive and continue to attract the diverse population who call Crown Heights home.

The history of the 4 train clearly illustrates the importance, both physically and culturally, of good public transportation infrastructure, providing a critical catalyst in the growth of successful and diverse communities in New York City.

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PLEASE TAKE THIS TIME TO ADD UP ALL YOUR ANSWERS TO FIND THE COORDINATES

LISTED COORDINATES -

If you got 8, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.8857615, -73.8787963

If you got 9, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.8873789, -73.8788476

If you got 10, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.8864078, -73.8777271

If you got 11, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.8853300, -73.8794581

If you got 12, proceed to the following coordinates: 40.8877061, -73.8782106

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Please message me if you believe the cache is missing.

Happy caching, and good luck!