And It’s Off! MTA, The New York Racing Association Celebrate Aqueduct Racetrack with Ride on Final ‘Aqueduct Special’ Nostalgia Train

Final Aqueduct Special Nostalgia Train Rode Non-Stop from Hoyt-Schermerhorn to the Aqueduct Racetrack

See Photos & Video of MTA, NYRA Leaders Riding the Final Aqueduct Special, Celebrating the Aqueduct Racetrack

See Archival Images of Aqueduct Special Promotional Posters, Advertisements and Memorabilia

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and The New York Racing Association (NYRA) today celebrated the iconic Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park by running the last-ever "Aqueduct Special" nostalgia train non-stop from Hoyt-Schermerhorn in Brooklyn to the Aqueduct Racetrack. At today's event, NYRA President David O'Rourke officially declared that June 26, 2026 is "Aqueduct Special Day." This event highlighted the Aqueduct Racetrack's 132-year history in New York City, and the impact it had on the entire Southeast Queens community.

"NYC Transit has proudly served Aqueduct patrons over the year, helping connect generations of New Yorkers with the racetrack through one of the most unique and special subway services in transit history," said New York City Transit Executive Vice President of Subways Bill Amarosa Jr. "While we're celebrating the subways legacy today, the MTA is continuing to modernize how we deliver service for riders including running R211s on the very same line that has served the Aqueduct Racetrack for decades. Our connection to racing doesn't end with the closure of the Aqueduct Racetrack - in addition to the Long Island Rail Road to the Elmont-UBS Arena station, riders can take the subway to Jamaica and transfer to Queens local buses to complete the trip to Belmont Park."

"The MTA has played a vital role in the long and storied history of Aqueduct Racetrack, which makes today's event a fitting tribute to the Big A and its fans," said David O'Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. "While Aqueduct will certainly be missed, we look forward to an exciting new era at a re-imagined Belmont Park."

Aqueduct Racetrack, which opened its doors to the public on September 27, 1894, will close its doors forever at the conclusion of the June 28 card. The track's closure will consolidate NYRA's downstate racing operations to the new Belmont Park, which, following a multi-year redevelopment project to create a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island, will open for live racing on September 18 with the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets set to return to its Long Island home in 2027. In addition, Belmont Park has been selected to host the 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships. For additional information, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/

The Aqueduct Racetrack was completely rebuilt between 1955 and 1959. Aqueduct Racetrack station, on the IND Rockaway Line, opened in 1959 to coincide with the reopening of the racetrack. It remains the only New York City subway station that exclusively serves trains traveling in one direction, with only Manhattan-bound A trains stopping there.

The station was constructed after NYRA announced plans in 1955 to modernize Aqueduct Racetrack. As part of the 1955 modernization project, NYRA funded a subway station designed to accommodate large race-day crowds, with ramps providing direct access to the track. NYRA also agreed to pay for the station's maintenance, an arrangement that ended during the 1974-75 racing season.

When the station opened, the New York City Transit Authority operated three special express trains to Aqueduct Racetrack on race days. Two departed from the now-decommissioned lower level of 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal on the IND Eighth Avenue Line, while a third departed from Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts in Brooklyn.

The 42 St trains departed at 12:20 and 12:45pm and reached the racetrack in 28 minutes, compared with approximately 46 minutes for regular service. The Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts train departed at 12:35pm and completed the trip in 18 minutes, approximately 13 minutes less than the non-express service. On Saturdays, the trains departed 20 minutes earlier. Advertisements assured customers that every train would arrive in time for the Daily Double.

The original fare was 50ȼ. Station turnstiles were modified to accept 50ȼ pieces, and personnel were reportedly on hand with an ample supply of the coins when the service debuted.

The Aqueduct Special was not the only service adjustment made for race-day crowds. Trains on the A line also operated at eight-minute intervals on race days.

In late September 1959, the Transit Authority expanded the service to five express trains on weekdays and eight on Saturdays. The Aqueduct Special carried more than 340,000 passengers during its first year.

By 1978, one Aqueduct Special departed daily from 57 St. The final Aqueduct Special ran in October 1981, when the fare was $3.

The MTA's Aqueduct Special nostalgia train operated with historic R1/9 subway cars preserved by the New York Transit Museum. The R1 cars, which inspired Billy Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train," entered service on the Eighth Avenue Line, now served by the A, C and E trains, when the new city-owned Independent Subway System (IND) opened in 1932. More than 1,000 nearly identical cars were delivered between 1930 and 1940 under the R1, R4, R6, R7, and R9 contract designations.

Modern for their time, the cars complemented the IND's Depression-era Art Deco aesthetic and featured rattan seats, paddle ceiling fans, incandescent light bulbs, and passenger-information roll signs, all staples of pre-World War II subway travel. Although the R1/9 cars were retired from passenger service in 1977, they established a new standard for subway car design, with more doors, wider and faster door openings, and reduced seating capacity to better accommodate rush-hour crowds. Today, the Transit Museum's vintage fleet continues to carry passengers during its annual Holiday Nostalgia Rides and other special events.

About The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)

NYRA is a not-for-profit corporation franchised by New York State to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's horse racing economy, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual statewide economic impact.