In Moscow, for example, the last trains from the end stations depart at 0100 and arrive at 0200-0230 or so at the other end, and the first ones depart at 0500 o

In Moscow, for example, the last trains from the end stations depart at 0100 and arrive at 0200-0230 or so at the other end, and the first ones depart at 0500 or so depending on the line. I wouldn't call those 3-4 hours closing down for the night. Even so, this break is used mostly for track maintenance where one can't have trains rolling. Station cleaning and rolling stock maintenance is ongoing, construction/repairs that do not require cutting electric power to the trains are being done 24/7. So, no excuse for NY.