Today we took a D from Stillwell to the Concourse yard lead and back, and we had to change the end signs. (Uses hex crank just like side signs. R40-46 end signs are motorized). So I scroll the long alphabetical sequence from "D" to "Not in Service" at the end. I pass "V", and lo and behold, the 
is there! All this time I had been telling people that the W was a replacement for the 
, but both are on there. I even tried a side sign, and found the same thing, plus "Special" and "Not In Service". I had seen this on a side sign a ffew years ago, and assumed it was one of the newer replacement signs (with both the yellow and orange "Q", etc.), but the newer sign I checked a couple of weeks ago didn't have it.
Years ago, I had snuck and scrolled through one of the original signs, and I remember coming up to "V", and I stopped. I probably assumed nothing was after it, or I figured I better change the sign back soon.
So this means that all equipment could have displayed "W" for the past 14 years! And This explains why they chose "W" instead of "T", and the dual Q arrangement: because even if no new signs are purchased, the rote designations are supported (except the Brighton express could use only 68's and the local would anything other than 68's).
So for a rundown of the original R-68 readings (which may disappear soon), it's all the existing and 1986 era routes, plus the V, W, and eastrtn div J, L, M (no "Z" yet). The JFK logo is where "I" would have been (something else I never knew).
C and Q are diamonds only
B, N & R have both circle and diamond (diamond "R"--Nassau special is still yellow as it was on maps)
In other news, I got to operate through the "dash" (w4-34th) on the way up, and my old territory from Beverly-Kings Hwy on the way back.
I guess the 68's do take off a bit slower in some places, but hey, I don't need a rocket ship.
