I don't know why it took me so long to do this, but it probably had to do with a rekindled interest in these things in connection with the introduction of a train of R188 cars on the 7.
So what I've been doing is analyzing pictures of these strip maps found on R142 and R143 cars on other lines (they all use the same strip map model, so strip maps are interchangeable), and essentially virtually removed the strip map.
First, a few details about the strip map display unit. (Click to view on Flickr)
There is a row of 64 holes in the center of the display, which can be used to indicate stops. A light that's on indicates the train will stop at the associated station. A blinking light indicates the current station. A dark light indicates a bypassed station or a station already served. In the picture above, as well as in the rest of this post, they are numbered from 00 to 63.
Above this row of 64 holes, there are two arrows pointing towards either end of the unit. The arrow (and word "Direction") illuminated indicates the direction of the train relative to the map (not necessarily direction of the train's actual movement).
Below the row of 64, there's another hole, barely visible underneath the grab bar running in front of the display. That contains a row of red LEDs which illuminate an advisory: "Route Change: This map not in use." This is illuminated whenever a train with strip maps for a certain line is used on another line. This is most frequently seen on the 2 and 5 lines.
Here's what it looks like when it's illuminated:
Now, these strip maps appear on the 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and L lines, and yes, I've covered them all… and more! Click on the images below to view them on Flickr.
2 Line
While the 2 has the most stops on any IRT line with 61 in all, it only has a span ranging from 07 through 55. It's the omission of the 2's twelve local stops along the 7th Avenue line that cause it to be not as long as it should be. What happens when the 2 arrives at a local stop that's not on the map? The automated announcements play, but the map does nothing. There's nothing for it to do, really.
The 2 began making local stops along 7th Avenue in September 1999. The first R142s were delivered two months later. No excuse, really.
There's also a phenomenon occurring with the older cars' strip maps. The red coloring appears to be fading a bit, rendering the red color of the 2's line a grayish brown color.
4 Line
The 4 line's strip map has the widest span, from 05 through 58. A contributing factor to this is the inclusion of the 4 line's local stops, bringing the line's total to 54 stops in all. The A's 58 stops (Far Rockaway branch only) and the 2's 61 stops are the only ones which exceed the 4 when local stops are included.
5 Line
Span: 08 through 55, skipping 17, 23, and 44.
The 5 line is interesting. It shares numerous stops with the 2 in both The Bronx and Brooklyn. Its two Bronx branches are depicted on this strip map, and a break in the line shows that it sometimes terminates at Bowling Green. The remarkable thing, though, is that the LEDs used for stations Nereid Avenue through Bronx Park East, and Franklin Avenue through Flatbush Avenue, are the same for both the 2 and the 5. That means the strip maps could be turned on north of East 180th Street, or south of Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum, and the necessary upcoming stop information would be properly displayed. Increased hole spacing between East 180th and Morris Park, Dyre Avenue and Bronx Park East, and Bowling Green and Borough Hall allow this serendipitous alignment to occur.
6 Line
The 6 was the first line to operate the new tech trains, but their strip maps aren't as faded out as those on the 2 line. It helps that a portion of the 6's R142A fleet is being converted to R188's for use on the 7. This line uses LEDs 13 through 50.
7 Line
The 7 is the most interesting of the bunch. Not only does it have the newest cars, but it's strip maps are the most non-conformist. It has the fewest stops of any IRT line (excluding the 42nd Street shuttle), so there's room to breathe. Holes for the stops are placed at even-numbered LEDs, from 14 through 56. Also of note is that there was a black peel-off covering the hole for LED 14, and the space where a station name would be above it. This was for the now open 34th Street-Hudson Yards station. When this post was first published, it was scheduled to open in June 2014; it opened in September 2015. The LEDs at positions 05 and 10 are used as indicator lights to indicate whether the train is operating local or express. This purpose is unique to the 7 line.
L Line
The L has the distinction of being the only B-division route that has these strip maps. Despite this, the L is not 100% R143. There is a small fleet of CBTC-equipped R160s which also run on the L. Those are equipped with the much more versatile Flexible Information and Notice Displays. With the stops indicated using LEDs 20 through 43 in the Row of 64, it's the line with the narrowest span.
1 Line
The 1 doesn't run New Tech Trains, but that doesn't mean it's not programmed into the system!
Like the 6, this line uses LEDs 13 through 50.
2/5 Combo
In early 2016, a new strip map showing both the 2 and 5 lines started appearing on cars serving both lines. For years, it has been common to see a 2 train with strip maps for the 5, and vice versa. This appears to be a solution. It also shows the relationship between the two (sharing the same stops in The Bronx and Brooklyn, but running along different routes in Manhattan).
This is also the first known strip map to utilize all 64 available positions, though not all 64 lights will be lit when in use. The text arrangement for stations at the extreme ends (Dyre Av, Newkirk Av, and Flatbush Avenue) is intended to avoid collision with the "Direction" arrows which appear just above.
So there you go. If other lines pop up, I'll add them… eventually.
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