Platform gap filler

For Drop Stop gap fillers, see Drop Stop. For the Space Shuttle thermal protection system, see Gap fillers.

See also: Mind the gap

File:MTR Lo Wu Station Platform Gap Filler.jpg

Platform gap fillers in Hong Kong

Platform gap fillers on the metro systems like the New York City Subway or on train stations in Hong Kong are movable platform edge extensions at stations where the curvature of the platform creates a significant gap between the platform and subway car door.

In New York City

The Interborough Rapid Transit Company's first cars were built with only two doors on each side, at the extreme ends of the car, lining up with the curved platforms so as not to leave a wide gap between the train and the platform. When the IRT modified existing cars and ordered new cars with a middle door, gap fillers were needed because the middle door was not near the platform. After the City of New York bought the IRT in 1940, new car designs (starting with the R12) had the end doors away from the extreme ends of the carbody, which also required the use of gap fillers at certain stations.

Stations equipped

South Ferry station with gap fillers extended out to a 1 train, as reopened on April 4, 2013.

The downtown bound side of 14th Street – Union Square, 2 April 2010. A retracted gap filler can be seen at the bottom of the image along the platform edge, with additional gap fillers visible in the distance.

IRT stations with gap fillers are:

• South Ferry, outer loop. The station closed on 16 March 2009 and was replaced by a new station which does not require gap fillers. After the latter station was damaged in Hurricane Sandy, this station was reopened on April 4, 2013. The 2009-era station will reopen when repairs are completed in 2016.
• Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), uptown and downtown express platforms. These were deactivated when the station was extended northward. These gap fillers are still in place and can be seen just south of the current platforms.
• 14th Street – Union Square (IRT Lexington Avenue Line), downtown platform (local and express). There may have been gap fillers on the uptown express platform. A new design of gap filler was installed in 2004 to provide maintenance access from the platform rather than requiring crews to stand at track level.
• Times Square (IRT 42nd Street Shuttle), tracks 1 and 3.

Manufacturers

The 2004 replacement gap fillers were manufactured by Jaygo Incorporated and Manning & Lewis Engineering.

See also

• Platform gap
• Mind the gap