Queens Plaza (E,M,R) - The SubwayNut

Queens Plaza is the first station on the Queens Blvd line. The lines of the E/V, G (no longer in use for regular passenger service since 2010) and R all come together before the station. Both the G and R join up to form the local tracks, the E/V's line become the Express track. Forest Hills-bound V trains stop on the express track because the regular crossover switch is beyond the platform. Manhattan-bound V trains stop on the local track and then switch over to the E's Express track just after the station to reach Manhattan. The F and the 63 Street connector use a flying junction (so it can reach either the express or local tracks) beyond the station and before 36th St.

The station was renovated in the 2004 timeframe; and has a full length mezzanine that provides continuous passage but in a number of areas only a much narrower passageway compared to the full width of the mezzanine is open to the public. Our tour begins at the eastern end of the platforms, here streetstairs lead down from each side of Jackson Avenue between the dead-end Orchard Street and Queens Blvd. These streetstairs arrive at short passageways before reaching two different sets of single High Exit turnstiles that lead directly to the upper landing of two staircases down to each platform, these passageways continue another 100 feet, before arriving at the main fare control area.

This main fare control area contains a streetstair and elevator to the Northeast Corner of Bridge Plaza South and Jackson Avenue. The street elevator arrives on the mezzanine directly above the Southbound platform (with an elevator machine room taking up some space on the platform). This main fare control area contains two separate sets of turnstiles. The eastern set of turnstiles (right next to the street elevator) leads a short way (passing over a fenced in open area with fenced in views down to each platform), to the same set of staircases that are closest to the High Exit turnstiles that provide the only access to each platform. The western set of turnstiles leads immediately to an elevator down to each platform followed by a staircase. Next there is a wide area with additional fenced off openings from the mezzanine down to each platform before these pass 3 high exit turnstiles and meet up with the outside of fare control passageway and ends at another set of staircases, one down to each platform. The outside fare control passageway continues along the southeastern side of the mezzanine only. These 3 High Entrance/Exit Turnstiles are designed to serve streetstairs that lead across from them (through short passageways) out the SW and SE corners of Queens Blvd (nestled under the 7 trains elevated structure) and Northern Blvd/Jackson Avenue (the street changes names at this intersection).

There is one final exit and the eastern end of the station; here two streetstairs lead (nestled on each side of the N,W train's Astoria Elevated) from the NW corner of Northern Blvd and Queens Plaza North, and the SE corner of 41 Avenue and Northern Blvd. These exits arrive onto the mezzanine at a small fare control area with both High Entrance/Exit Turnstiles and Regular Turnstiles (that are now unstaffed, there used to be a part time token booth). This fare control area leads immediately to a single staircase down to each platform. Passengers wanting to get to the token booth can use the outside of fare control passageway along the south side end of the mezzanine, this passageway is narrow and over the Forest Hills-bound local track, with a gap leading over the Forest Hills-bound platform, with a fence running along it. Across this fence is a view of a wall and an employee maintenance of way facilities including places for crews to report to work.
Photos 1 & 2: October 5, 2003; 3-25: July 24, 2008; 26-31: December 28, 2010; 32: July 28, 2009; 33-45: December 9, 2012; 46-60: September 3, 2023

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A view down the mezzanine at Queens Plaza as the station is undergoing renovations, it has absolutely no character like it does today.

A view of the station at Queens Plaza as renovations are beginning, the tiling along the station walls has yet to be replaced and is still in the original 1930s IND style, not a slight modification of it.

A G train bound for Forest Hills on an evening run leaves Queens Plaza.

A column sign at Queens Plaza.

Looking down the Queens-bound platform at Queens Plaza in the renovated station.

The name sign for the R and G to Forest Hills, with a note saying late nights to take the E local on the opposite track, the V stops there as well.

The destination sign on the Express Track for both the E and V.

Looking down a portion of the mezzanine that is exposed to the Queens-bound platform .

Looking down a portion of the mezzanine that has been left exposed over the Manhattan-bound platform. There is a very good view of the skyline along the bottom of it that's part of the Art's For Transit Installation

A wall of the mezzanine at Queens Plaza, most of them have mosaics that are part of a very interesting art instillation that is trying to show the skyline above underground.

A trying to look retro but in fact a very new exit mosaic for Queens Blvd.

Looking down another portion of the mezzanine at Queens Plaza, here half of it has been left exposed over one of the platforms and the other half just has ads on it and no art.

A mosaic for the exit to Northern Blvd with a gate that can close off the exit covering part of the sign.

A view of the part time staffed exit to Northern Blvd from outside of fare control.

The little red painted token booth, that is now only staffed by a customer service agent who roams the station and can't sell MetroCards.

Another retro looking mosaic sign for the exit to Northern Blvd at Queens Plaza

A station entrance to Queens Plaza at night with the elevated structure of the 7 line directly above.

The full time entrance at Queens Plaza to Queens Plaza and Jackson Ave.

A HEET provides a shortcut to the entrance on the East Side of Jackson Avenue, passengers can also walk down this corridor and use the full time entrance.

Looking down a portion of the mezzanine at Queens Plaza with the skyline arts for transit mosaic visible.

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