View source for 7 (New York City Subway service)

{{Short description|Rapid transit service}}
{{For|the former Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation 7 service|Franklin Avenue Shuttle}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NYCS service
| service = 7
| diamond = yes
| name = Flushing Local<br />Flushing Express
| image1 = R188 7 train.jpg
| caption1 = [[Manhattan]]-bound 7 {{em|local}} train of [[R188 (New York City Subway car)|R188s]] leaving [[52nd Street station (IRT Flushing Line)|52nd Street]]
| image2 = R188 Subway Car, 7888, 7, September 5th, 2014.jpg
| caption2 = [[Queens]]-bound 7 {{em|express}} train of [[R188 (New York City Subway car)|R188s]] leaving [[42nd Street–Bryant Park/Fifth Avenue station#IRT Flushing Line platform|Fifth Avenue]]
| east term = [[Flushing–Main Street station (IRT Flushing Line)|Flushing–Main Street]]
| west term = [[34th Street–Hudson Yards station|34th Street–Hudson Yards]]
| stations = 22 (local service)<br />15 (southbound express service)<br />18 (northbound express service)<br />8 (super express service){{Efn|These figures include stations that are closed in one direction.}}
| depot = [[Corona Yard]]
| started = {{start date and age|1915}}
| map = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|from=IRT Flushing Line.map}}
|Show interactive map
|{{7 (New York City Subway service)}}
|Show route diagram
}}
| map_state = collapsed
}}

The '''7 Flushing Local''' and '''&lt;7&gt; Flushing Express'''<ref name="timetable">{{NYCS const|timetable|7}}</ref> are two [[rapid transit]] services in the [[A Division (New York City Subway)|A Division]] of the [[New York City Subway]], providing [[Local train|local]] and [[express service]]s along the full length of the [[IRT Flushing Line]]. Their route emblems, or "bullets", are colored {{NYCS const|color|purple}}, since they serve the Flushing Line.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/developers/resources/line_colors.htm |title=Mta.info – Line Colors |work=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=March 11, 2015 |archive-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016104324/http://web.mta.info/developers/resources/line_colors.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

The 7 operates 24 hours daily between [[Flushing–Main Street (IRT Flushing Line)|Main Street]] in [[Flushing, Queens]] and [[34th Street–Hudson Yards (IRT Flushing Line)|34th Street–Hudson Yards]] in [[Chelsea, Manhattan]], making all stops along the full route. Additional service operates along the full route and makes express stops in Queens between [[Mets–Willets Point (IRT Flushing Line)|Mets–Willets Point]] and [[74th Street–Broadway (IRT Flushing Line)|74th Street–Broadway]] during rush hours in the peak direction instead of making all stops; these trains labeled as '''&lt;7&gt;''' Express trains. Super express service operates after special events at [[Citi Field]] or the [[USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center]] in the southbound direction only.

In normal service, &lt;7&gt; trains make express stops between Mets–Willets Point and [[Queensboro Plaza (New York City Subway)|Queensboro Plaza]]. The route started operations in 1915 when the Flushing Line opened. Since 1927, the 7 has held largely the same route, except for a one-stop western extension from [[Times Square (IRT Flushing Line)|Times Square]] to [[Hudson Yards (development)|Hudson Yards]] on September 13, 2015.

==Service history==
{{For|the history of the trackage|IRT Flushing Line#History}}

=== Early history ===
On June 13, 1915, the first test train on the [[IRT Flushing Line]] ran between [[Grand Central (IRT Flushing Line)|Grand Central]] and [[Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue (IRT Flushing Line)|Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue]], followed by the start of revenue service on June 22.<ref name="nyt-1915-06-23">{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1915/06/23/100163384.pdf |title=Queensboro Tunnel Officially Opened — Subway, Started Twenty-Three Years Ago, Links Grand Central and Long Island City — Speeches Made in Station — Belmont, Shonts, And Connolly Among Those Making Addresses — $10,000,000 Outlay |date=June 23, 1915 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 2, 2011 |page=22 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719094623/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1915/06/23/100163384.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The Flushing Line was extended one stop from Vernon–Jackson Avenue to [[Hunters Point Avenue station|Hunters Point Avenue]] on February 15, 1916.<ref name="NYTextensionopen">{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/02/16/100192409.pdf |title=Subway Extension Open – Many Use New Hunters Point Avenue Station |date=February 16, 1916 |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 31, 2016 |page=22 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706053427/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/02/16/100192409.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=05clAQAAIAAJ |title=Report of the Public Service Commission For The First District Of The State of New York For The Year Ending December 31, 1916 Vol. 1 |date=January 10, 1917 |language=en}}</ref> On November 5, 1916, the Flushing Line was extended two more stops east to the [[Queensboro Plaza station]].<ref name="HathiTrust 2013">{{cite report |title=Annual Report — 1916-1917 |date=December 12, 2013 |publisher=Interborough Rapid Transit Company |hdl=2027/mdp.39015016416920}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1916-11-05">{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/11/05/104027201.pdf |title=New Subway Link |date=November 5, 1916 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=October 2, 2011 |page=XX4 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318032010/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1916/11/05/104027201.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":02" /> The line was opened from Queensboro Plaza to Alburtis Avenue (now [[103rd Street–Corona Plaza station|103rd Street–Corona Plaza]]) on April 21, 1917.<ref name="HathiTrust 2013"/><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fg4KAQAAMAAJ |title=A History of the New York City Subway System |last1=Cunningham |first1=Joseph |last2=DeHart |first2=Leonard O. |date=1993 |publisher=J. Schmidt, R. Giglio, and K. Lang |pages=48 |language=en |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231223039/https://books.google.com/books?id=Fg4KAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1917-04-22">{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/04/22/102336714.pdf |title=Transit Service on Corona Extension of Dual Subway System Opened to the Public |date=April 22, 1917 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 2, 2011 |page=RE1 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706053417/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/04/22/102336714.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/04/20/102335849.pdf |title=To Celebrate Corona Line Opening. |date=April 20, 1917 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 1, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624031916/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1917/04/20/102335849.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> Service to [[111th Street station (IRT Flushing Line)|111th Street]] was inaugurated on October 13, 1925, with [[Shuttle train|shuttle service]] running between 111th Street, and the previous terminal at Alburtis Avenue on the Manhattan-bound track.<ref name="BklynEagle-IRTFlush111thOpen-1925">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/59882105/?terms=%22111th%2BStreet%22%2Bsubway%2Bqueens%2Bcorona |title=First Trains to Be Run on Flushing Tube Line Oct. 13: Shuttle Operation Ordered to 111th Street Station on New Extension |date=October 5, 1925 |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=8 |access-date=September 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026233128/https://www.newspapers.com/image/59882105/?terms=%22111th%2BStreet%22%2Bsubway%2Bqueens%2Bcorona |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":32">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jw8kAQAAMAAJ |title=Poor's Public Utility Section 1925 |date=1925 |pages=523 |language=en |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215172236/https://books.google.com/books?id=jw8kAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 22, 1926, Flushing Line service was extended one stop westward from Grand Central to [[Fifth Avenue (IRT Flushing Line)|Fifth Avenue]], when that portion of the Flushing Line was opened.<ref name="nyt-1926-03-23">{{cite news |date=March 23, 1926 |title=Fifth Av. Station of Subway Opened |page=29 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1926/03/23/98467359.pdf |access-date=October 2, 2011 |archive-date=December 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216192201/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1926/03/23/98467359.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hhvVAAAAMAAJ |title=Annual Report of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company For The Year Ended June 30, 1925 |date=1925 |publisher=Interborough Rapid Transit Company |language=en |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231223003/https://books.google.com/books?id=hhvVAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Rp|4}} The line was extended to [[Times Square (IRT Flushing Line)|Times Square]] almost exactly a year later, on March 14, 1927.<ref name=":5" />{{Rp|13}}<ref name="nyt-1927-03-15">{{cite news |date=March 15, 1927 |title=New Queens Subway Opened to Times Sq. |page=1 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1927/03/15/96639259.pdf |access-date=October 2, 2011}}</ref> Though an eastward extension to [[Willets Point Boulevard (IRT Flushing Line)|Willets Point Boulevard]] opened on May 7 of the same year,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1927/05/08/96646501.pdf |title=Corona Subway Extended |date=May 8, 1927 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 2, 2011 |page=26}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/annualreport7192newy#page/12/mode/2up/search/pelham |title=State of New York Department of Public Service Metropolitan Division Transit Commission Seventh Annual Report For The Calendar Year 1927 |date=1928 |publisher=New York State Transit Commission |language=en}}</ref>{{Rp|13}} service was provided by shuttle trains for the first week, until [[Through train|through service]] was inaugurated.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1927/05/13/117990767.pdf |title=Flushing to Celebrate |date=May 13, 1927 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 2, 2011 |page=8 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215171725/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1927/05/13/117990767.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1927/05/15/96648620.pdf |title=Dual Queens Celebration |date=May 15, 1927 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 2, 2011 |page=3 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215171723/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1927/05/15/96648620.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live}}</ref> The eastern extension to [[Flushing–Main Street station (IRT Flushing Line)|Flushing–Main Street]] opened on January 21, 1928.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/01/22/94122788.pdf |title=Flushing Rejoices as Subway Opens – Service by B.M.T. And I.R.T. Begins as Soon as Official Train Makes First Run – Hope of 25 Years Realized – Pageant of Transportation Led by Indian and His Pony Marks the Celebration – Hedley Talks of Fare Rise – Transit Modes Depicted |date=January 22, 1928 |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 18, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518040930/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/01/22/94122788.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live}}</ref>

The service on the Flushing Line east of Queensboro Plaza was shared by the [[Interborough Rapid Transit Company]] (IRT) and the [[Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation]] (BMT) from 1912 to 1949; BMT trains were designated 9, while IRT services were designated 7 on maps only.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thejoekorner.com/lines/suball-frame.htm |title=Line Names |last=Korman |first=Joseph |date=December 29, 2016 |website=thejoekorner.com |access-date=April 29, 2018 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410202206/http://www.thejoekorner.com/lines/suball-frame.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> The IRT routes were given numbered designations in 1948 with the introduction of [[List of New York City Subway R-type contracts|"R-type" rolling stock]], which contained [[rollsign]]s with numbered designations for each service.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Nicole |date=May 17, 2019 |title=How Did the MTA Subway Lines Get Their Letter or Number? NYCurious |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302020704/https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=January 27, 2021 |website=amNewYork}}</ref> The  Flushing route became known as the 7.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Friedlander |first1=Alex |last2=Lonto |first2=Arthur |last3=Raudenbush |first3=Henry |date=April 1960 |title=A Summary of Services on the IRT Division, NYCTA |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |url-status=live |journal=New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914232631/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>

=== Introduction of express service ===
[[Express train]]s began running on April 24, 1939, to serve the [[1939 New York World's Fair]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1939/04/25/91572482.pdf |title=Fast Subway Service to Fair Is Opened |date=April 25, 1939 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 2, 2011 |page=1}}</ref> The first train left [[Flushing–Main Street station (IRT Flushing Line)|Main Street]] at 6:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|local time]]. IRT expresses ran every nine minutes between Main Street and Times Square, with BMT expresses having a similar frequency, running just between Main Street and Queensboro Plaza. The running time between Main Street and Queensboro Plaza was 15 minutes and the running time between Main Street and Times Square was 27 minutes. Express service to Manhattan operated in the morning rush between 6:30 and 10:43&nbsp;a.m. Express service to Main Street began from Times Square for the IRT at 10:50&nbsp;a.m. and the BMT from Queensboro Plaza at 11:09&nbsp;a.m., continuing until 8&nbsp;p.m.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29751923/daily_news/ |title=First Flushing Express Train Runs Monday |date=April 20, 1939 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324175754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29751923/daily_news/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 17, 1949, the joint BMT/IRT operation of the Flushing Line ended, and the Flushing Line became the responsibility of the IRT.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1949/10/15/96475230.pdf |title=Direct Subway Runs To Flushing, Astoria |date=October 15, 1949 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 7, 2017 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215171725/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1949/10/15/96475230.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live}}</ref> After the end of BMT/IRT dual service, the [[New York City Board of Transportation]] announced that the Flushing Line platforms would be lengthened to 11 IRT car lengths, and the [[BMT Astoria Line]] platforms extended to 10 BMT car lengths. The project, to start in 1950, would cost {{US$|3850000|1950|round=-5}}. The platforms were only able to fit nine 51-foot-long IRT cars, or seven 60-foot-long BMT cars beforehand.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/11/20/archives/transit-platforms-on-lines-in-queens-to-be-lengthened-3850000.html |title=Transit Platforms On Lines In Queens To Be Lengthened; $3,850,000 Program Outlined for Next Year to Care for Borough's Rapid Growth New Links Are To Be Built 400 More Buses to Roll Also — Bulk of Work to Be on Corona-Flushing Route Transit Program In Queens Outlined |last=Bennett |first=Charles G. |date=November 20, 1949 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 29, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429223307/https://www.nytimes.com/1949/11/20/archives/transit-platforms-on-lines-in-queens-to-be-lengthened-3850000.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="p1325174459">{{cite news |date=November 20, 1949 |title=37 Platforms On Subways To Be Lengthened: All Stations of B. M. T. And I.R.T.in Queens Included in $5,000,000 Program |page=32 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1325174459}}}}</ref>

On March 12, 1953, two 9-car super express trains began operating from Flushing–Main Street to Times Square in the morning rush hour.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 10, 1953 |title=2 I.R.T. Expresses to Cut Flushing-Times Sq. Run |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/03/10/archives/2-irt-expresses-to-cut-flushingtimes-sq-run.html |access-date=October 20, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020000657/https://www.nytimes.com/1953/03/10/archives/2-irt-expresses-to-cut-flushingtimes-sq-run.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=p1322299710>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1322299710}} |title=Super Express In Its First Run From Flushing: Journey to Times Square Is So Swift That It Even Leaves Bingham Behind |date=March 13, 1953 |page=19 |issn=1941-0646 |work=New York Herald Tribune}}</ref> The super expresses stopped at [[Mets–Willets Point station (IRT Flushing Line)|Willets Point]] before skipping all stops to Queensboro Plaza, bypassing the [[61st Street–Woodside station|Woodside]] and [[Junction Boulevard station|Junction Boulevard]] express stops. The running time was cut down to 23 minutes from 25 minutes.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1953/08/28/archives/2-subway-lines-to-add-cars-another-to-speed-up-service-3-subways-to.html |title=2 Subway Lines to Add Cars, Another to Speed Up Service; 3 Subways To Get Improved Service |last=Ingalls |first=Leonard |date=August 28, 1953 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 29, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812215150/http://www.nytimes.com/1953/08/28/archives/2-subway-lines-to-add-cars-another-to-speed-up-service-3-subways-to.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Beginning August 12, 1955, four super expresses operated during the morning rush hour.<ref>{{cite news |title=IRT-Flushing Will Add Fourth Super-Express |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2520c%2520-%25201100.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D74116ad%26DocId%3D4453624%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D7%2B9%2B1029%2B102a%2B10e3%2B1304%2B130b%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fNew%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2520c%2520-%25201100.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D74116ad%26DocId%3D4453624%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D7%2B9%2B1029%2B102a%2B10e3%2B1304%2B130b%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fNew%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |access-date=September 2, 2017 |work=Long Island Star-Journal |agency=[[Fultonhistory.com]] |date=August 6, 1955 |page=13 |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324082837/https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2520c%2520-%25201100.pdf%23xml%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D74116ad%26DocId%3D4453624%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D7%2B9%2B1029%2B102a%2B10e3%2B1304%2B130b%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fNew%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201955%2520c%2520-%25201100.pdf&xml=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D74116ad%26DocId%3D4453624%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cIndex%2520U%252dF%252dP%26HitCount%3D7%26hits%3D7%2B9%2B1029%2B102a%2B10e3%2B1304%2B130b%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fNew%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false |url-status=live}}</ref> On September 10, 1953, two express trains from Times Square were converted to super express trains in the evening rush hour.<ref name=":6" /> Super express service was discontinued in the morning rush and evening rush, on January 13, 1956,<ref name=Linder1964/><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 10, 1956 |title=Queens I.R.T. Trains Cut; Evening Super Expresses Will Be Dropped on Monday |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/01/10/archives/queens-irt-trains-cut-evening-super-expresses-will-be-dropped-on.html |access-date=October 20, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020000451/https://www.nytimes.com/1956/01/10/archives/queens-irt-trains-cut-evening-super-expresses-will-be-dropped-on.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and December 14, 1956, respectively.<ref name=Linder1964>{{Cite journal |last=Linder |first=Bernard |date=December 1964 |title=Service Change |journal=New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association}}</ref> Holiday and Saturday express service was discontinued on March 20, 1954.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1954/04/03/84612125.pdf |title=I.R.T. Service Reduced; Week-End Changes Made on West Side Local, Flushing Lines |date=April 3, 1954 |access-date=February 20, 2016 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231222308/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1954/04/03/84612125.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false |url-status=live}}</ref><!-- At some point afterwards, weekday midday express service was discontinued, but was restored on November 29, 1971, before being discontinued again by August 29, 1975.-->

On November 1, 1962, fifty [[R17 (New York City Subway car)|R17s]] (numbers 6500–6549) were transferred from the Mainline IRT to the 7, allowing for ten-car operation. This was the first time that the IRT ran ten-car trains without a second conductor.<ref name="R17s to the Flushing Line">{{Cite magazine |date=December 1962 |title=R17s to the Flushing Line |url=https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/1962-06-dec-bulletin |journal=New York Division Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |volume=5 |issue=6 |pages=M-8 |via=Issuu |access-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020162813/https://issuu.com/erausa/docs/1962-06-dec-bulletin |url-status=live}}</ref> With the [[1964 New York World's Fair|1964–1965 World's Fair]] in [[Flushing Meadows–Corona Park]] in April 1964, trains were lengthened to eleven cars.<ref name="AnnualReport1963">{{Cite book |title=Annual Report — 1962–1963 |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |year=1963}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201963%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201963%2520-%25205257.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F1988d896b7a6d005cf0318462615258c#page=1 |title=TA to Show Fair Train |date=August 31, 1963 |work=Long Island Star – Journal |access-date=August 30, 2016 |via=Fulton History}}</ref> The Flushing Line received 430 new [[R33 World's Fair (New York City Subway car)|R33]] and [[R36 World's Fair (New York City Subway car)|R36 "World's Fair"]] cars for this enhanced service.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J2d5rgEACAAJ |title=From a Nickel to a Token: The Journey from Board of Transportation to MTA |last=Sparberg |first=Andrew J. |date=2014 |publisher=Empire State Editions |isbn=9780823261932 |language=en |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=February 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230215172253/https://books.google.com/books?id=J2d5rgEACAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Rp|137}}

=== Rehabilitation service patterns ===

==== First renovation ====
[[File:7 to Shea Stadium World Series Games 1986.jpg|thumb|A poster used on 7 trains heading to Shea Stadium for the [[1986 World Series]], which the [[New York Mets]] won]]
From May 13, 1985, to August 21, 1989, the IRT Flushing Line was overhauled for improvements, including the installation of new track, repair of station structures and to improve line infrastructure. The project cost $70&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24553366/more_delays_ahead_for_no_7_line/ |title=More Delays Ahead for No. 7 Line |last=Slagle |first=Alton |date=December 2, 1990 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610091138/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24553366/more_delays_ahead_for_no_7_line/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Temporary platforms were built at local stations along the line when track work was being performed on local track in station areas to provide access to trains.<ref>{{Citation |title=On May 13, Residents of Queens Are Going To Be Mad As Hell. |date=May 1985 |publisher=New York City Transit Authority}}</ref>

The major element was the replacement of rails on the Queens Boulevard viaduct. This was necessitated because the subway was allowed to deteriorate during the 1970s and 1980s to the point that there were widespread "Code Red" defects on the Flushing Line, and there were some pillars holding elevated structures that were so shaky that trains would not run if the wind exceeded {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. <7> express service was suspended for the duration of the project; however, extra 7 service was provided for [[Mets]] games and Flushing Meadows Park events. During the project, delays of up to 10 minutes on weekdays, and 20 minutes on weekends were expected. The [[New York City Transit Authority]] (NYCTA) had considered running express bus service to replace <7> express service, but decided against it as it would require hundreds of buses, which the NYCTA did not have. During the construction project, the NYCTA operated 25 trains per hour on the local track, three fewer than the 28 trains per hour split between the local and express beforehand. Running times on the 7 were lengthened by ten minutes during the project.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/pages/FileBrowser.aspx?LinkToFile=FILES_DOC/Koch_FILES/08.005.0000.0000264.06.PDF#undefined |title=Memorandum: Flushing Line Project |date=May 28, 1985 |website=laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu |publisher=New York City Office of the Mayor |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317202216/http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/pages/FileBrowser.aspx?LinkToFile=FILES_DOC/Koch_FILES/08.005.0000.0000264.06.PDF#undefined |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Resumption of express service ====
The project was completed in June 1989, six months ahead of its scheduled completion of December 1989.<ref name=":9">{{Citation |title=Announcing <7> Flushing Line Express Service Starting Monday, August 21, 1989 |date=1989 |publisher=New York City Transit Authority}}</ref> The NYCTA held a public hearing on June 29, 1989, concerning its proposed reinstatement of express service. The NYCTA proposed implementing express service in July 1989 to coincide with changes in regular [[A Division (New York City Subway)|A Division]] schedules. It began to plan options to reinstate express service in 1988. Options were presented to local community boards, including the service pattern in place before May 1985, the continuation of all-local service, Super Express service running nonstop between Willets Point and Queensboro Plaza and [[Skip-stop|Skip-Stop]] Express service.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/pages/FileBrowser.aspx?LinkToFile=FILES_DOC/Koch_FILES/08.005.0000.0000268.05.PDF#undefined |title=#7 Flushing Line Express Service |date=May 4, 1989 |website=laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408133052/http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/pages/FileBrowser.aspx?LinkToFile=FILES_DOC/Koch_FILES/08.005.0000.0000268.05.PDF#undefined |url-status=live}}</ref>

Before May 1985, express service operated to Manhattan from 6:30 to 9:45&nbsp;a.m. and to Main Street from 3:15 to 7:30&nbsp;p.m. Expresses ran every three minutes on average and locals ran every six minutes; due to the uneven split in service, in practice one express train would be followed two minutes later by another express train, and then an additional four minutes would elapse until the next express train arrived. This split between expresses and locals was in place due to high demand for express trains. Express trains that arrived four minutes after the previous trip had carried twice as many passengers than the expresses that arrived two minutes afterward. With the elimination of express service and the unreliable merge at [[33rd Street–Rawson Street (IRT Flushing Line)|33rd Street]], service reliability had increased, with on-time performance often exceeding 95%.<ref name=":1" /> Keeping local-only service was dismissed as it would not have saved times for the large number of riders boarding east of Junction Boulevard heading to Manhattan, because it did not provide for the most efficient use of subway cars, and because it did not provide an attractive alternative to the overcrowded [[Queens Boulevard Line]]. Super express service was dismissed as the demand for local service would require two or three locals for every express, replicating the problem of the pre-1985 service pattern. Skip-stop service was dismissed for limiting the capacity of the line to 24 trains per hour, from the line's capacity of 30 trains per hour under other service patterns for express service.<ref name=":1" />

The NYCTA created a service plan with the goals of maintaining existing levels of reliability, having local service run at existing levels or higher than the pre-1985 level, and providing faster running times. The NYCTA proposed the reintroduction of express service, running to Manhattan between 6:30 and 10&nbsp;a.m. (changed to 6:30 to 9:45&nbsp;a.m. at the time of implementation)<ref name=":9" /> and to Flushing between 3:15 and 8:15&nbsp;p.m.. Express service would bypass [[61st Street–Woodside (IRT Flushing Line)|61st Street–Woodside]], allowing one express train to run for every local, with expresses and locals both running every four minutes. The operation of expresses and locals at even frequencies was expected to aid in the even spacing of trains arriving at 33rd Street. The fast express service was expected to discourage riders boarding north of Junction Boulevard to transfer to the crowded Queens Boulevard Line.<ref name=":1" /> The elimination of Woodside as an express stop was done in part because trains at the station would be held up by passengers transferring between the local and the express, which led to delays at the 33rd Street merge, negating the time savings.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24164373/daily_news/ |title=Riders Are Expressive About No. 7: Elimination of 61st St. Stop Blasted for Creating Havoc |last=Chittum |first=Samme |date=September 25, 1989 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610231608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24164373/daily_news/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24164392/daily_news/ |title=Take No. 7 Train, If You Can |last=Lubrano |first=Alfred |date=August 23, 1989 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615011619/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24164392/daily_news/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On July 28, 1989, the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) Board approved the change by a vote of 5–3.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24164180/daily_news/ |title=2 Train Changes Get OK |last=Siegel |first=Joel |date=July 29, 1989 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108231820/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24164180/daily_news/ |url-status=live}}</ref> <7> express service was restored on August 21, 1989, pushed back from July.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29285464/daily_news/ |title=Announcing #7 Express Service. Starting Monday, August 21. |date=August 20, 1989 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611235527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29285464/daily_news/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5hq0ippLSwC&q=Manhattan+Bridge |title=Annual Report on 1989 Rapid Routes Schedules and Service Planning |date=June 1, 1990 |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |language=en |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-date=December 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231223003/https://books.google.com/books?id=_5hq0ippLSwC&q=Manhattan+Bridge |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Rp|17}} Express service saved six minutes from Main Street to Manhattan and four minutes from Junction Boulevard.<ref name=":9" /> In September 1989, 200 riders and Republican Mayoral candidate [[Rudy Giuliani|Rudolph Giuliani]] rallied at the 61st Street station to protest the elimination of express service.<ref name=":4" /> Express service resumed stopping at Woodside on a six-week test basis on February 10, 1992, after pressure from community opposition.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29285418/daily_news/ |title=Attention 7 Customers |date=February 7, 1992 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=March 21, 2019 |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611222148/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29285418/daily_news/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Second renovation ====
In the mid-1990s, the MTA discovered that the Queens Boulevard viaduct structure was unstable, as rocks that were used to support the tracks as [[track ballast|ballast]] became loose due to poor drainage, which, in turn, affected the integrity of the concrete structure overall. <7> express service was suspended again between 61st Street–Woodside and Queensboro Plaza; temporary platforms were installed to access the express track in the four intermediate stations.<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Pérez-Peña |title=Along the Subway, A Feat in Concrete |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/09/nyregion/along-the-subway-a-feat-in-concrete.html |date=October 9, 1995 |access-date=May 15, 2009 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706072626/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/09/nyregion/along-the-subway-a-feat-in-concrete.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The work began on April 5, 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/35119874302/in/album-72157652636594213/ |title=April 1993 Map Information |date=April 1993 |access-date=October 7, 2018 |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |language=en-us |website=Flickr |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706064510/https://www.flickr.com/photos/127872292@N06/35119874302/in/album-72157652636594213/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24541574/daily_news/ |title=The Repairs We're Making on the 7 Line Will Take Some Time. Like 3–4 Minutes per Trip If You Ride the Express. |date=April 2, 1993 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-date=June 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606120714/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24541574/daily_news/ |url-status=live}}</ref> When the viaduct reconstruction finished on March 31, 1997, ahead of schedule, full <7> express service was reinstated.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22799873/restoration_of_7_express_between/ |title=7 Express Service Is Being Restored Between 61 Street/Woodside And Queensboro Plaza |date=March 28, 1997 |work=New York Daily News |access-date=November 5, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612071300/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22799873/restoration_of_7_express_between/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout this entire period, ridership grew steadily.<ref>{{cite news |first=Norimitsu |last=Onishi |title=On the No. 7 Subway Line in Queens, It's an Underground United Nations |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/16/nyregion/on-the-no-7-subway-line-in-queens-it-s-an-underground-united-nations.html |date=February 16, 1997 |access-date=May 15, 2009 |archive-date=October 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011071816/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/16/nyregion/on-the-no-7-subway-line-in-queens-it-s-an-underground-united-nations.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 6, 2000, express service was extended from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m..<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2000 |title=Weekly Subway Service Advisories |url=http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/service/subsrvno.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001109144600/http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/service/subsrvno.htm |archive-date=November 9, 2000 |access-date=September 7, 2025 |website=mta.nyc.ny.us |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}</ref><!-- In 1999, <7> express service was expanded from rush hours only to weekdays from 6:30&nbsp;a.m. to 10:00&nbsp;p.m. However, this expansion was cut back in 2009 due to frequent midday construction.-->

=== Extension and CBTC ===
{{Main|7 Subway Extension|Signaling of the New York City Subway#Flushing Line CBTC}}
[[File:7 Subway Extension tunnel construction.jpg|thumb|250px|A tunnel segment of the [[7 Subway Extension]] during construction; it opened for service on September 13, 2015.]]

The 7 Subway Extension, which travels west and south to 34th Street and 11th Avenue, near the [[Jacob K. Javits Convention Center]] in [[Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project|Hudson Yards]], was delayed five times.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/nyregion/more-delays-for-no-7-subway-line-extension.html |title=More Delays for No. 7 Subway Line Extension |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 24, 2015 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |first=Emma G. |last=Fitzsimmons |archive-date=March 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328041145/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/nyregion/more-delays-for-no-7-subway-line-extension.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[34th Street–Hudson Yards station]], originally scheduled to open in December 2013, then pushed to May 2014. And then pushed again to September 13, 2015, and has been serving passengers ever since.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003930/http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url=http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html |access-date=March 10, 2016 |title=New 34 St-Hudson Yards 7 Station Opens |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |website=mta.info}}</ref> However, the overall station construction project was not completed until early September 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/162481/mta-s-7-line-extension-project-pushed-back-six-months |title=MTA's 7 Line Extension Project Pushed Back Six Months |work=NY1 |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=June 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711160459/http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/162481/mta-s-7-line-extension-project-pushed-back-six-months |archive-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-opens-second-entrance-34-st-hudson-yards-7-station |title=MTA Opens Second Entrance at 34 St-Hudson Yards 7 Station |date=September 1, 2018 |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902220648/http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-opens-second-entrance-34-st-hudson-yards-7-station |archive-date=September 2, 2018 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 2, 2018}}</ref>

In 2010, New York City officials announced they were considering a further extension of the service across the [[Hudson River]] to the [[Secaucus Junction]] train station in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/17/nyc-subway-line-may-continue-into-n-j/ |title=NYC Subway Line May Continue Into N.J. |date=November 17, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2020 |work=CBS 2 New York |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407084337/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/17/nyc-subway-line-may-continue-into-n-j/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Though the project was supported by New York City mayor [[Michael Bloomberg]] and New Jersey governor [[Chris Christie]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Lipof |first=Phil |date=October 26, 2011 |url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/8406903/ |title=Mayor Bloomberg Wants to Extend 7 Line to New Jersey |work=ABC7 New York |access-date=October 27, 2011 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707142918/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_jersey&id=8406903 |url-status=live}}</ref> MTA chairman [[Joseph J. Lhota|Joseph Lhota]] announced in 2013 that the New Jersey extension would not be pursued, in favor of the [[Gateway Project|Gateway Tunnel project]], which entails a new tunnel to Manhattan for Amtrak and NJ Transit trains.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/mta-chairman-joseph-lhota-chance-7-train-extending-new-jersey-article-1.1055158 |title=MTA Chief: No. 7 Line Won't Be Extended to NJ |work=New York Daily News |last=Donohue |first=Pete |date=April 3, 2012 |access-date=May 15, 2013 |archive-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429225500/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/mta-chairman-joseph-lhota-chance-7-train-extending-new-jersey-article-1.1055158 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As part of a joint effort between the [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey]], the MTA, and [[NJ Transit]], this extension was considered again in February 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barone |first=Vincent |date=February 27, 2018 |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/7-train-nj-1.16981061 |title=Cross-Hudson Study Options Include 7 Line Extension into NJ |work=am New York |access-date=April 16, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706064712/https://www.amny.com/transit/7-train-nj-1.16981061/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/secaucus/7-train-secaucus-idea-resurrected |title=7 Train To Secaucus Idea Resurrected |last=Baldwin |first=Carly |date=March 1, 2018 |work=Secaucus, NJ Patch |access-date=April 16, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706064715/https://patch.com/new-jersey/secaucus/7-train-secaucus-idea-resurrected |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/02/28/7-train-hudson-river-extension |work=NY1 |first=Jose |last=Martinez |date=February 28, 2018 |title=Proposal to Extend 7 Train into New Jersey Revived |access-date=April 16, 2018 |language=en |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706071026/https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/02/28/7-train-hudson-river-extension |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, the MTA started converting the 7 service to accommodate [[communications-based train control]] (CBTC). Originally expected to cost $585.9&nbsp;million, the installation of CBTC was intended to allow two additional trains per hour as well as two additional trains for the [[7 Subway Extension]], providing a 7% increase in capacity.<ref name="qanda"/> At the former southern terminal, Times Square, service on the 7 was limited to 27 trains per hour as a result of the [[bumper block]]s there. The new southern terminal at 34th Street–Hudson Yards has [[tail track]]s to store rush-hour trains and can increase the service frequency to 29 trains per hour.<ref name="qanda"/> New CBTC-compatible cars for the A Division (the R188 contract) were delivered from 2013 to 2016.<ref name="qanda">{{Cite web |url=http://mta.info/mta/pdf/2010-14questions_and_answers_v2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302010603/http://mta.info/mta/pdf/2010-14questions_and_answers_v2.pdf |title=MTA 2010–2014 Capital Program Questions and Answers |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |website=mta.info}}</ref> In October 2017, the CBTC system was activated from Main Street to [[74th Street–Broadway (IRT Flushing Line)|74th Street]].<ref name="MTA-CPOC-Apr2018">{{Cite book |url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180423_1330_CPOC.pdf |title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting April 2018 |date=April 23, 2018 |access-date=April 20, 2018 |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |archive-date=April 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421094508/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180423_1330_CPOC.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|59–65}} On November 26, 2018, following numerous delays, CBTC was activated on the remainder of the 7 route.<ref name="nessen">{{cite news |date=November 27, 2018 |last=Nessen |first=S. |title=New Signals Fully Installed on 7 Line, But When Will Riders See Improvements? |url=http://gothamist.com/2018/11/27/7_line_signal_changes_delays.php |work=Gothamist |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411161709/http://gothamist.com/2018/11/27/7_line_signal_changes_delays.php |archive-date=April 11, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

From June 26, 2023, until 2026, &lt;7&gt; express trains are making all stops between Queensboro Plaza and 74th Street–Broadway due to renovations along the Flushing Line.<ref name="DirectFixation">{{cite web |url=https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-announces-service-changes-7-line-accommodate-station-enhancements-61-st-woodside |title=MTA Announces Service Changes on 7 Line to Accommodate Station Enhancements at 61 St-Woodside And 74 St-Broadway |date=May 25, 2023 |publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] |access-date=August 10, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731185606/https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-announces-service-changes-7-line-accommodate-station-enhancements-61-st-woodside |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=June25Newsletter>{{cite report |url=https://www.mta.info/document/177136 |title=Flushing Line Newsletter |date=June 2025 |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=July 14, 2025}}</ref>

== Fleet ==
The 7 operates with 11-car sets; the number of cars in a single 7 train set is more than in any other New York City Subway service. These trains, however, [[New York City Subway rolling stock|are not the longest in the system]], since a train of 11 "A" Division cars is only {{convert|565|ft|m}} long, while a standard [[B Division (New York City Subway)|B Division]] train, which consists of ten {{convert|60|foot|m}} cars or eight {{convert|75|foot|m}} cars, is {{convert|600|ft|m}} long.<ref name="tracks">{{NYCS const|trackref|trackbook3}}</ref>

===Fleet history===
{{Multiple image
| align             = left
| direction         = vertical
| image1            = 7Train-33Rawson.png
| caption1          = An [[R33S (New York City Subway car)|R33S]]/[[R36 (New York City Subway car)|R36]] 7 train at [[33rd Street–Rawson Street]]
| image2            = Boarding_the_New_York_City_MTA_7_subway.png
| caption2          = An [[R62A (New York City Subway car)|R62A]] 7 train at 61st Street-Woodside
| image3            = 7 train, New York (49573399946).jpg
| caption3          = An [[R188 (New York City Subway car)|R188]] 7 train entering [[Court Square–23rd Street station#IRT Flushing Line platforms|Court Square]]
}}
The 7, throughout almost all its history, has maintained a separate fleet from the rest of the IRT, starting with the [[Steinway (New York City Subway car)|Steinway Low-Vs]]. The Steinways were built between 1915 and 1925 specifically for use in the [[Steinway Tunnel]]. They had special gear ratios to climb the steep grades (4.5%) in the Steinway Tunnel, something standard Interborough equipment could not do.<ref>{{cite book |title=New York Subways |first=Gene |last=Sansone |publisher=JHU Press |year=2004 |isbn=0-8018-7922-1 |page=84}}</ref>

In 1938, an order of [[World's Fair Lo-V (New York City Subway car)|World's Fair Lo-V]] cars was placed with the [[St. Louis Car Company]]. These cars broke from IRT "tradition" in that they did not have vestibules at each car end. In addition, because the IRT was [[bankrupt]] at the time, the cars were built as single ended cars, with train controls for the motorman on one side and door controls for the conductor on the other.<ref>{{cite book |last=Cudahy |first=B.J. |title=Under the Sidewalks of New York: The Story of the Greatest Subway System in the World |publisher=Fordham University Press |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-8232-1618-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LYSVd43vZwQC&pg=PA173 |access-date=May 11, 2020 |page=173 |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518182551/https://books.google.com/books?id=LYSVd43vZwQC&pg=PA173 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Interborough Fleet, 1900–1939 (Composites, Hi-V, Low-V) |website=www.nycsubway.org |date=January 17, 1916 |url=https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_Interborough_Fleet,_1900-1939_(Composites,_Hi-V,_Low-V) |access-date=May 11, 2020 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706215112/https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_Interborough_Fleet,_1900-1939_(Composites,_Hi-V,_Low-V) |url-status=live}}</ref>

Starting in 1948, [[R12 (New York City Subway car)|R12s]], [[R14 (New York City Subway car)|R14s]], and [[R15 (New York City Subway car)|R15s]] were delivered to the 7. On November 1, 1962, fifty [[R17 (New York City Subway car)|R17]]s (6500–6549) were transferred from the Mainline IRT to the 7, allowing for ten-car operation. This was the first time that the IRT ran ten-car trains without a second conductor.<ref name="R17s to the Flushing Line"/>

In 1964, picture window [[R33S (New York City Subway car)|R33S]] and [[R36 (New York City Subway car)|R36]] cars replaced the older R12s, R14s, R15s, and R17s in time for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Early in 1965, the NYCTA placed a strip map indicating all the stations and transfer points for the 7 in each of its 430 cars, helping World's Fair visitors. This innovation was not used for other services and as they shared rolling stock with each other; it was possible for cars to have the wrong strip maps.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Annual Report 1964–1965 |publisher=New York City Transit Authority |year=1965}}</ref>

The 7 was the last route to run using "[[Redbird trains|Redbird]]" cars, and the 7{{'}}s fleet consisted entirely of R33S/R36 [[Redbird trains|Redbird]] trains until February 2002. In 2001, with the arrival of the [[R142 (New York City Subway car)|R142]]/[[R142A (New York City Subway car)|R142A]] cars, the Transit Authority announced the retirement of all Redbird cars. From January 2002 to November 2003, [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]]-built [[R62A (New York City Subway car)|R62A]] cars from other routes gradually replaced all of the [[Redbird trains|Redbird]] cars on the 7. The first R62As entered service on the 7 route on February 19, 2002.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2010s/2018/2018-08-bulletin.pdf |date=August 2018 |page=4 |volume=61 |issue=8 |magazine=The Bulletin |title=New York City Subway Car Update |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association |access-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227011849/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2010s/2018/2018-08-bulletin.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>  On November 3, 2003, the last Redbird train made its final trip on this route, making all stops between Times Square and the then-named Willets Point–Shea Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |title=Let Go, Straphangers. The Ride Is Over. |first=Michael |last=Luo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/04/nyregion/let-go-straphangers-the-ride-is-over.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 4, 2003 |access-date=October 2, 2011 |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601183946/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/04/nyregion/let-go-straphangers-the-ride-is-over.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Several Redbird cars running on this service were decorated with Mets logos and colors during the [[2000 World Series]] against the [[New York Yankees]], as the Flushing Line runs adjacent to [[Citi Field]] and the former location of [[Shea Stadium]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Subway Series: The Yankees, The Mets and a Season to Remember |year=2000 |publisher=The Sporting News |location=St. Louis, Mo. |isbn=0-89204-659-7}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| width             = 150
| image1            = Electronic LCD Display Upgrade on the R62A 7 Train.JPG
| caption1          = Green circle denotes a {{rint|newyork|7}} local train
| image2            = 7 train red diamond express lcd.JPG
| caption2          = Red diamond denotes a {{rint|newyork|7d}} express train
| total_width       =
| alt1              =
}}

By 2008, all R62As on the 7 were upgraded with [[LED]] lighted signs to distinguish between express and local trains. These signs are located on the [[rollsign]]s that are found on the side of each car. The local is a green circle around the 7 bullet while the express is a red diamond. Previously, the rollsigns showed either a (7) (within a circle) or a <7> (within a diamond) with the word "Express" underneath it.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/no-7-trains-red-diamond-means-express-green-circle-local-article-1.282556 |title=On No. 7 trains, red diamond means express, a green circle for local |work=New York Daily News |date=April 1, 2008 |access-date=May 5, 2015 |first=Pete |last=Donohue |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322055350/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/no-7-trains-red-diamond-means-express-green-circle-local-article-1.282556 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The R62As were displaced by the [[R188 (New York City Subway car)|R188s]] from January 2014 to March 30, 2018, in preparation for the [[Signaling of the New York City Subway#Automation|automation equipment for the Flushing Line]]. The displaced R62As were returned to the {{NYCS|6}} train, from which many [[R142A (New York City Subway car)|R142A]]s were taken and converted to R188s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |url=http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/09/6536240/mta-upgrade-7-line-trading-old-cars-lexington-avenue |title=M.T.A. To Upgrade 7 Line by Trading Old Cars to Lexington Avenue |publisher=Capital New York |date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=May 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513120614/http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/09/6536240/mta-upgrade-7-line-trading-old-cars-lexington-avenue |archive-date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Moving Forward Accelerating the Transition to Communications-Based Train Control for New York City's Subways |access-date=May 8, 2020 |date=May 2014 |url=http://library.rpa.org/pdf/RPA-Moving-Forward.pdf |page=47 |publisher=Regional Plan Association |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091527/http://library.rpa.org/pdf/RPA-Moving-Forward.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first train of R188 cars began operating in passenger service on November 9, 2013. By 2016, most of the CBTC-equipped R188 train sets were on the 7, and by March 30, 2018, the last R62A trains were displaced by the R188 cars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mann |first=Ted |title=MTA Tests New Subway Trains on Flushing Line |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/11/18/mta-tests-new-subway-trains-on-flushing-line/ |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 19, 2013 |date=November 18, 2013 |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207194534/http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/11/18/mta-tests-new-subway-trains-on-flushing-line/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mta.info/news/2013/11/18/new-subway-cars-being-put-test |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |title=New Subway Cars Being Put to the Test |work=mta.info |date=November 18, 2013 |access-date=May 11, 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515152907/http://www.mta.info/news/2013/11/18/new-subway-cars-being-put-test |url-status=dead}}</ref> Eleven of the R188 cars have green circle/red diamond LED signs and a LED numbered-route display, similar to those on the R62As that formerly operated on the 7 route.<ref>{{cite journal |title=New York City Subway Car Update |journal=The Bulletin |publisher=Electric Railroaders' Association, Incorporated |volume=59 |issue=10 |pages=8 |date=Oct 2016 |url=https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2010s/2016/2016-10-bulletin.pdf |access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614211845/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2010s/2016/2016-10-bulletin.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Nickname==
The 7 is unofficially nicknamed the "International Express"<ref name="Columbia University Press 2017">{{cite book |title=International Express |date=February 22, 2017 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-54361-3 |url=https://cup.columbia.edu/book/international-express/9780231181488 |access-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227220221/https://cup.columbia.edu/book/international-express/9780231181488 |url-status=live}}</ref> and the "[[Orient Express]]",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewin |first=Tamar |date=November 20, 1988 |title=Long Island City, Woodside, Flushing: Stops Along the Way; No. 7 Line – The Orient Express |language=en-US |work=The New York Times Magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/20/magazine/long-island-city-woodside-flushing-stops-along-way-no-7-line-orient-express.html |access-date=February 27, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227215401/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/20/magazine/long-island-city-woodside-flushing-stops-along-way-no-7-line-orient-express.html |url-status=live}}</ref> in part because it travels through several different [[ethnic neighborhood]]s populated by [[Immigration to the United States|immigrants]], especially along [[Roosevelt Avenue]], and also because it was the principal subway route to the 1964–65 New York World's Fair.<ref>{{cite news |title=The International Express: Around the World on the 7 Train |url=http://www.queenstribune.com/anniversary2002/internationalexpress.htm |work=Queens Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030122135228/http://www.queenstribune.com/anniversary2002/internationalexpress.htm |archive-date=January 22, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Billie |last=Cohen |title=No. 7 Train From Flushing-Main Street to Times Square |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/realestate/14comm.html |date=January 14, 2008 |access-date=May 15, 2009 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=December 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209213401/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/realestate/14comm.html? |url-status=live}}</ref> On June 26, 1999, First Lady [[Hillary Clinton]] and U.S. Transportation Secretary [[Rodney E. Slater]] designated the 7 route as a [[National Millennium Trail]] (under the name "International Express"), along with 15 other routes including the [[Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail]] and the [[Underground Railroad]].<ref>{{cite news |title=First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announce 16 National Millennium Trails |url=https://clintonwhitehouse2.archives.gov/Initiatives/Millennium/trails_doc.html |access-date=January 17, 2018 |work=[[Presidency of Bill Clinton|White House Millennium Council]] |date=June 26, 1999 |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118064736/https://clintonwhitehouse2.archives.gov/Initiatives/Millennium/trails_doc.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Qns-IntlExpress-Jul1999">{{cite news |title=The No. 7 'International Express' Rolls Into History |url=http://qns.com/story/1999/07/08/the-no-7-international-express-rolls-into-history/ |access-date=January 17, 2018 |work=Queens Courier |date=July 8, 1999 |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118181042/http://qns.com/story/1999/07/08/the-no-7-international-express-rolls-into-history/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Route==

===Service pattern===
The following table shows the line used by the 7 and <7>, with shaded boxes indicating the route at the specified times:<ref>{{NYCS const|serviceguide}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:95%"
|-
! rowspan=3 | Line
! rowspan=3 | From
! rowspan=3 | To
! rowspan=3 | Tracks
! colspan=2 | Times
|-
! align=center | [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-7-Std.svg|20px|7 service]]
! align=center | [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-7d-Std.svg|20px|7 diamond service]]
|-
! width=70 | all times
! width=70 | rush hours, peak direction
|-
| rowspan=4 | [[IRT Flushing Line]] (full line)
| rowspan=2 | [[Flushing–Main Street station (IRT Flushing Line)|Flushing–Main Street]]
| rowspan=2 | [[74th Street–Broadway station|74th Street–Broadway]]
| express
|
| style="background:gray" |
|-
| local
| rowspan=3 style="background:gray" |
|
|-
| [[74th Street–Broadway station|74th Street–Broadway]]
| [[33rd Street–Rawson Street station|33rd Street–Rawson Street]]
| local
| style="background:gray" rowspan=2 |
|-
| [[Queensboro Plaza station|Queensboro Plaza]]
| [[34th Street–Hudson Yards station|34th Street–Hudson Yards]]
| all
|}

&lt;7&gt; trains typically run express east of Queensboro Plaza. {{As of|2023|06}}, due to structural renovations on the IRT Flushing Line, &lt;7&gt; trains only run express east of 74th Street–Broadway.<ref>{{cite web |title=MTA Announces Service Changes on 7 Line to Accommodate Station Enhancements at 61 St-Woodside and 74 St-Broadway |website=MTA |date=May 25, 2023 |url=https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-announces-service-changes-7-line-accommodate-station-enhancements-61-st-woodside |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731005845/https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-announces-service-changes-7-line-accommodate-station-enhancements-61-st-woodside |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{anchor|Super Express}}In addition to regular local and rush-hour express services, "Super Express" service to Manhattan is also provided after [[New York Mets]] games weeknights and weekends at [[Citi Field]], as well as after [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] tennis matches. The Super Express trains start at [[Mets–Willets Point (IRT Flushing Line)|Mets–Willets Point]] and operating express to Manhattan, also bypassing [[Junction Boulevard (IRT Flushing Line)|Junction Boulevard]], [[Hunters Point Avenue (IRT Flushing Line)|Hunters Point Avenue]] and [[Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue (IRT Flushing Line)|Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-your-ride-all-yankees-and-mets-home-games |title=The MTA Is Your Ride to All Yankees and Mets Home Games |website=mta.info |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=April 2, 2017 |archive-date=April 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402223318/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-your-ride-all-yankees-and-mets-home-games |url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2023, Super Express trains only bypass Hunters Point Avenue and Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue due to work on the IRT Flushing Line.<ref name="timetable"/>

===Stations===
The 7 and &lt;7&gt; run on the IRT Flushing Line in their entirety.<ref name="timetable"/> Stations in blue denote stops served by Super Express game specials.

{{NYCS service legend
| alltimes = show
| allexceptnights = show
| nightsonly =
| nightsweekends =
| weekdaysonly = show
| allexceptrush =
| allexceptweekdays =
| dailyexceptrush =
| rushonly =
| rushpeak = show
| closed = show
| custom_icon_1 =
| custom_text_1 =
| custom_icon_2 =
| custom_text_2 =
| custom_icon_3 =
| custom_text_3 =
}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="font-size:90%" summary="Service information for the 7 train and its stations, including service times, ADA-accessibility, subway transfers, and non-subway connections."
! style="width:3%;"| [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-7-Std.svg|20px|7 service]]<br />{{abbr|Lcl|Local service}}
! style="width:3%;"| [[File:NYCS-bull-trans-7d-Std.svg|20px|7 diamond service]]<br />{{abbr|Exp|Express service}}
! style="width:24%;"| Stations
! style="width:3%;"| {{Access icon}}
! style="width:38%;"| Subway transfers
! style="width:29%;"| Connections/Notes
|-
| style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center" colspan=7 | [[Queens]]
|-
| style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center" colspan=7 | [[IRT Flushing Line|Flushing Line]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Flushing–Main Street}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
|
| [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] [[Port Washington Branch]] at {{stl|LIRR|Flushing–Main Street}}<br />[[Q44 SBS (New York City bus)|Q44 Select Bus Service]]<br />[[Q90 (New York City bus)|Q90]] bus to [[LaGuardia Airport]] (Terminals C and B only).
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Mets–Willets Point}}
| align=center | ↑{{efn|Only the Flushing-bound local side platform is wheelchair-accessible. Trains open on this platform only during New York Mets games, the US Open, and other special events.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Mets-Willets Point Station: Accessibility on Game Days and Special Events Only |url=http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/mets_willets.htm |work=New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=May 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422043043/http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/mets_willets.htm |archive-date=April 22, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|
| [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] [[Port Washington Branch]] at {{stl|LIRR|Mets–Willets Point}}<br />Some rush hour trips originate or terminate at this station{{efn|During the morning, trips may both begin and end at Mets–Willets Point, but during the evening, trips may only end at this station.}}<br />Super Express trips to 34th Street–Hudson Yards originate at this station.
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center |  <nowiki>|</nowiki>
| {{stl|NYCS|111th Street|Flushing}}
|
|
| Some southbound rush hour trips originate at this station.
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} ↓
| align=center |  <nowiki>|</nowiki>
| {{stl|NYCS|103rd Street–Corona Plaza}}
|
|
| Flushing-bound trains do not stop here because of renovations until early 2026.
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Junction Boulevard}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
|
| [[Q72 (New York City bus)|Q72]] bus to [[LaGuardia Airport]] (Terminals C and B only).
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center |  <nowiki>|</nowiki>
| {{stl|NYCS|90th Street–Elmhurst Avenue}}
|
|
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center |  <nowiki>|</nowiki>
| {{stl|NYCS|82nd Street–Jackson Heights}}
|
|
| [[Q33 (New York City bus)|Q33]] bus to LaGuardia Airport ([[Marine Air Terminal]] only).
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}} ↑
| {{stl|NYCS|74th Street–Broadway}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Queens|time=show}} ([[IND Queens Boulevard Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue}})
| [[Q33 (New York City bus)|Q33]] bus to LaGuardia Airport ([[Marine Air Terminal]] only)<br />[[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q53 Select Bus Service]]<br />[[Q70 SBS (New York City bus)|Q70 Select Bus Service]] to [[LaGuardia Airport]] (Terminals C and B only).
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} ↑
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}} ↑
| {{stl|NYCS|69th Street}}
|
|
| Manhattan-bound trains do not stop here because of renovations until early 2026.<ref name="The City y784">{{cite web |date=June 23, 2025 |title=Come rain or come heat, New Yorkers come out to the polls |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/newsletter/come-rain-or-come-heat-new-yorkers-come-out-to-the-polls/ |access-date=June 23, 2025 |website=THE CITY – NYC News}}</ref>
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|61st Street–Woodside}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
|
| [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] [[City Terminal Zone]] at {{stl|LIRR|Woodside}}<br />[[Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards buses|Q53 Select Bus Service]]<br />[[Q70 SBS (New York City bus)|Q70 Select Bus Service]] to [[LaGuardia Airport]] (Terminals C and B only).<br />All trains stop at this station by opening their doors on the Main Street-bound platform.
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}} ↑
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}} ↑
| {{stl|NYCS|52nd Street}}
|
|
| Manhattan-bound trains do not stop here because of renovations until early 2026.<ref name="The City y784" />
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}
| {{stl|NYCS|46th Street–Bliss Street}}
|
|
| All Manhattan-bound trains stop at this station on the express track by opening their doors on the extended southbound platform.
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}
| {{stl|NYCS|40th Street–Lowery Street}}
|
|
| All Manhattan-bound trains stop at this station on the express track by opening their doors on the extended southbound platform.
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}
| {{stl|NYCS|33rd Street–Rawson Street}}
|
|
| All Manhattan-bound trains stop at this station on the express track by opening their doors on the extended southbound platform.
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Queensboro Plaza}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Astoria|time=show}} ([[BMT Astoria Line]])
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Court Square|Flushing}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Crosstown|time=show}} ([[IND Crosstown Line]]) <br /> {{NYCS Queens 53rd|time=show}} ([[IND Queens Boulevard Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|Court Square–23rd Street}})
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Hunters Point Avenue}}
|
|
| [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] [[City Terminal Zone]] at {{stl|LIRR|Hunterspoint Avenue}} (peak hours only)
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue}}
|
|
| [[Long Island Rail Road|LIRR]] [[City Terminal Zone]] at {{stl|LIRR|Long Island City}} (peak hours only)
|-
| style="font-weight:bold; text-align:center;" colspan="6"| [[Manhattan]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Grand Central–42nd Street|Flushing}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Lexington|time=show}} ([[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]])<br />{{NYCS 42nd|time=show}} ([[42nd Street Shuttle]])
| [[Metro-North Railroad]] at [[Grand Central Terminal]]<br />[[Long Island Rail Road]] at [[Grand Central Madison]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Fifth Avenue}}
| align=center | [[File:Aiga elevator.svg|20px|alt=Elevator access to mezzanine only]]
| {{NYCS Sixth|time=show}} ([[IND Sixth Avenue Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|42nd Street–Bryant Park}})
|
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|Times Square–42nd Street|Flushing}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
| {{NYCS Broadway-Seventh|time=show}} ([[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line]])<br />{{NYCS Eighth south|time=show}} ([[IND Eighth Avenue Line]] at {{stl|NYCS|42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal}})<br />{{NYCS Broadway|time=show}} ([[BMT Broadway Line]])<br />{{NYCS 42nd|time=show}} ([[42nd Street Shuttle]])
| [[Port Authority Bus Terminal]]<br />[[M34 and M34A buses|M34A Select Bus Service]]
|-
| align=center | {{NYCS SSI|alltimes}}
| align=center {{CGuest|{{NYCS SSI|rushpeak}}}}
| {{stl|NYCS|34th Street–Hudson Yards}}
| align=center | {{Access icon}}
|
| [[M34 and M34A buses|M34 Select Bus Service]]
|}

==In popular culture==
* The 2000 [[documentary film]] ''The #7 Train: An Immigrant Journey'' is based on the ethnic diversity of the people that ride the 7 train every day.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Newsletter of the International Documentary Association |date=2001 |publisher=International Documentary Association |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8P8HAQAAMAAJ&q=7%20Train |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123000813/https://books.google.com/books?id=8P8HAQAAMAAJ&q=7%20Train |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[The 7 Line Army]] is a group of [[New York Mets]] fans whose name is derived from the 7 route.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/03/26/860-mets-fans-strong-opening-day-just-the-start-for-the-7-line-army/ |title=860 Mets Fans Strong, Opening Day Just The Start For 'The 7 Line Army' |date=March 26, 2013 |first=Chris |last=Colton |publisher=[[WCBS-TV]] |access-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328224222/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/03/26/860-mets-fans-strong-opening-day-just-the-start-for-the-7-line-army/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* In a 1999 ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' interview, then-[[Atlanta Braves]] pitcher [[John Rocker]] controversially stated that riding  the 7 train is "like you're [riding through] [[Beirut]] next to some kid with purple hair next to some [[queer]] with [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]] right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing. The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country?"<ref>{{cite news |title=At Full Blast Shooting outrageously from the lip, Braves closer John Rocker bangs away at his favorite targets: the Mets, their fans, their city and just about everyone in it |newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault {{pipe}} Si.com |last=Pearlman |first=Jeff |date=December 27, 1999 |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1999/12/27/271860/at-full-blast-shooting-outrageously-from-the-lip-braves-closer-john-rocker-bangs-away-at-his-favorite-targets-the-mets-their-fans-their-city-and-just-about-everyone-in-it |access-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129225207/https://www.si.com/vault/1999/12/27/271860/at-full-blast-shooting-outrageously-from-the-lip-braves-closer-john-rocker-bangs-away-at-his-favorite-targets-the-mets-their-fans-their-city-and-just-about-everyone-in-it |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The [[Simulation video game|PC simulator game]] ''[[World of Subways|World of Subways 4]]'', released in March 2015 by Aerosoft, is a recreation of the 7 during the time the redbirds operated the service. It features a driving simulation in various conditions, as well as missions with storylines loosely related to the 7's operation.
* In January 2020, as part of an agreement between the MTA and [[Comedy Central]] to promote actor [[Awkwafina]]'s TV show ''[[Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens|Nora From Queens]]'', the default pre-recorded announcements for the 7 train on the R188s were replaced with those from Awkwafina for one week. The announcements from Awkwafina featured jokes in addition to the standard station announcements.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/nyregion/awkafina-subway-mta.html |title=Awkwafina's Latest Role: Subway Announcer. New Yorkers Have Thoughts. |last=Goldbaum |first=Christina |date=January 16, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 17, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117015632/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/nyregion/awkafina-subway-mta.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/7-train-gets-guest-subway-announcer-in-queens-native-awkwafina/2261136/ |title='Stop Manspreading!': Queens Native Awkwafina Takes Over 7 Train Subway Announcement |date=January 16, 2020 |website=NBC New York |access-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117035123/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/7-train-gets-guest-subway-announcer-in-queens-native-awkwafina/2261136/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amny.com/transportation/queens-born-actress-awkwafina-will-voice-7-train-announcements-for-a-week-before-her-new-show-premieres/ |title=Queens-Born Actress Awkwafina Will Voice 7 Train Announcements for a Week Before Her New Show Premieres |last=Davenport |first=Emily |date=January 16, 2020 |website=amNewYork |access-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518201424/https://www.amny.com/transportation/queens-born-actress-awkwafina-will-voice-7-train-announcements-for-a-week-before-her-new-show-premieres/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The agreement was the first time that the MTA had replaced train announcements as a form of advertising.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/mta-now-turning-subway-announcements-ads-starting-awkwafina |title=The MTA Is Now Turning Subway Announcements Into Ads, Starting With Awkwafina |last=Carlson |first=Jen |date=January 16, 2020 |website=Gothamist |access-date=January 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200117004651/https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/mta-now-turning-subway-announcements-ads-starting-awkwafina |archive-date=January 17, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In September 2022, New York Mets television broadcast announcers [[Ron Darling]], [[Keith Hernandez]], and [[Gary Cohen]] pre-recorded announcements along the 7 service.
* In April 2024, the Mets unveiled their [[City Connect]] uniforms, which allude to the 7 service through their use of the color purple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martino |first=Andy |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Exclusive: Unveiling the Mets' Full City Connect Uniforms, And Telling the Story Behind the Designs |url=https://sny.tv/articles/unveiling-mets-city-connect-uniforms-story-behind-designs |access-date=April 19, 2024 |website=sny.tv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gharib |first=Anthony |date=April 19, 2024 |title='A City like No Other': New York Mets Unveil City Connect Uniforms |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39971178/new-york-mets-mlb-city-connect-uniforms |access-date=April 19, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
* On October 8, 2024, the [[McDonald's]] mascot [[Grimace (character)|Grimace]] rode a 7 train branded with imagery featuring the character before Game 3 of the [[2024 National League Division Series]] between the Mets and the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahmanan |first=Anna |date=October 8, 2024 |title=See Grimace ride the 7 train to the Mets game in Citi Field |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/see-grimace-ride-the-7-train-to-the-mets-game-in-citi-field-right-now-100824 |access-date=October 9, 2024 |website=Time Out |language=en}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{external media
| width  = 220px
| float  = right
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qAksyOYymo A Weekend at Work: Flushing Line May 2011], Metropolitan Transportation Authority; July 21, 2011; 3:42 YouTube video clip
}}
* [http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/sevenlin.htm MTA New York City Transit – 7 Flushing Local]
* [http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/7d.htm MTA New York City Transit – 7 Flushing Express]
* {{NYCS const|traintime|7}}
* {{NYCS const|timetable|7}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.ibo.nyc.ny.us/iboreports/TIF-Sept2002.pdf |title=Fiscal Brief September 2002}}&nbsp;{{small|(144&nbsp;KB)}}

{{New York City Subway}}

[[Category:Interborough Rapid Transit Company|#]]
[[Category:New York City Subway services]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1915]]
[[Category:1915 establishments in New York City]]