As part of a demonstration for automation, the New York City Subway’s 42nd Street Shuttle Track 4 was briefly automated between 1962 and 1964. The test became the first unnamed train service to run in the New York City subway system and the first anywhere in America. The short route was chosen because it would least impact the other train services.

Three years prior to the experiment, in January of 1959, New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) Chairman Charles Patterson announced that the NYCTA was exploring converting the 42nd Street Shuttle to pilot automatic operation. If the pilot were successful, the rest of the system could be converted to automatic operation in phases. If the entire system were automated, 90% of the 3,100 train operators and 75% of the conductors would have possibly been eliminated.

On the afternoon of January 4, 1962, the 3-car automated train began service. In deference to the Train Workers’ Union, and in case anything went wrong, the trains carried a stand-by motorman during a six-month trial period. While in its experimental period, the automated train was only operating during rush hours. In July of that year, the test was extended for three additional months and in October the test was extended again. The automated lines quickly gained popularity, with some riders deliberately skipping manned trains to board them. Many others lined up at the stations to watch the unnamed trains pass by.

On April 16, 1964, an automated train derailed on the northernmost track east of Times Square during the morning rush hour, causing a short circuit and suspending service on all three tracks. Then, on April 21st of that same year, a severe fire at Grand Central station destroyed the demonstration train, resulting in the subsequent restoration of manual operations.

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