I remember riding the R32s on the C line back in 2018, a few years before their retirement and they ran fine, but the brakes, HVAC and propulsion systems were severely worn out since the brakes kept sticking and made a horrible screeching noise when the train was preparing to stop and when it was ready to leave. They were a real icon of the city and a big part of the NYC Subway’s history and they’ll be missed very much by all us rail fans. They also started and stopped a couple of times in between stations. They ran good, given their age of a whopping 54 years old. We got on at 81st Museum of Natural History and rode it down to canal street/chinatown to walk around and get something to eat. It was me, my dad and my uncle that went. I loved their shiny silver reflective stainless steel appearance on the exterior which earned them the nickname “Brightliners” and the fact that they were the first mass-produced stainless steel cars built for the NYC Subway is a real historic gem and another reason to love them as being one of the most iconic rapid transit heavy rail cars built for a subway system around the world. I also love the design that Budd came up for them since they were the manufacturer of the R32s, but sadly Budd no longer exists, it’s extinct. Always love the old, vintage equipment from the 60s and 70s. The HVAC systems didn’t blow out enough cool air and it didn’t have good air flow or circulation and I still felt hot even though the ac was on and running and it would also malfunction a couple of times. Doors would get stuck and not close properly, with one staying wide open while the train was in motion, they weren’t the best performing subway cars in their final years of passenger service, I can tell you that right now. They’ve seen better days, heavy passenger use, wear, corrosion and tear have certainly all taken their toll big time on the cars and they’ve been around since the early 1960s, which is a heck of a long time for a subway car to remain in service even doing heavy passenger use for nearly six decades and counting moving New Years around a big, crowded and highly populated city. The newest subway cars, the R179s, even failed (broke down) and experienced mechanical issues/failures at numbers below the R32s at one point, failing at numbers which is Mean Distance Before Failure (MDBF) of every 400,000 miles compared to the R32s’ 600,000 miles. In August 2011, according to a New York Times article, due to the R32s’ lack of reliability and passenger comfort, they were called “a reminder of the past”. The R179s still are far more reliable than them and have a MDBF of every 400,000 miles before a breakdown occurring. The R179s were called “Lemons” by MTA officials due to their reliability issues and the manufacturing problems at Bombardier’s Plattsburgh, NY facility when they were in production. The R32s used to also have door problems from time to time.
Excellent video. This was very interesting to see these retired subway cars being pulled by a couple of old switchers including the Alco unit. Nice Industrial setting too.👍🏻
Thank you so much😃🙏 This area was known a Bush Terminal back in the day. It was a manufacturing complex and my grandfather once worked there. It has been known as Industry City since around the Eighties. Thanks for watching!
These were the best looking cars of the fleet. In 1964 they had dark blue storm and side doors, a large red and blue TA emblem, route letter and destination signs and routing lights. The best thing about these stainless steel beauties was that they had a rail fan window. They will be sorely missed.
The 32s also were the last subway cars in service on New York City Transit to have a front window with a little box-shaped drivers console on the left where passengers could look out the front of the train from the inside passenger area instead of having to go into the cab which takes up the whole width of the train at front on newer cars as it made all the stops (front view) on the line, a feature not present on newer modern NTTs. Their January 2022 retirement crushed every rail fan in the city I’m sure. Everybody loved these cars to death and will miss them dearly.
I rode these when they were new back in 1964. I wish they would have preserved some cars in their original condition with their blue and white interiors and swinging grabhandles. Sad to see these trains being scrapped.
Do the New York subway cars run on standard track gauge, like the freight trains that are pulling them? Or have the trucks been modified to run on standard gauge?
I remember the R32s. The last time I rode them was in 2014 when I took the C train from 59th Street-Columbus Circle to 81st Street-Museum of Natural History and back from 81st to 59th.
Similar experience for me. It was a weekend when I was taking my friends out of the States from 59/Columbus to 81/Museum of Natural History, and I did not realize R32 trains run on A during weekends, and I saw an R32 coming at 59st/Columbus Circle. I thought it was a C train (the train has a broken emblem displayer at the moment, so I cannot read if it is an A or a C). I took the train, thought it would run thru the local tracks, but the train ran super fast, and that’s when I realize I took the wrong train… We ended up at 125th St and took a C train back.
Thanks! 😃 You'll probably be able to catch the newest cars being delivered on the adjacent railroad if you're here at least a week. I don't think that there are many of these older cars left to be removed from the property, though
Question, since subway cars and standard gauge when they are delivered are they hauled in or are they carried by flatcars and put on their bogeys when they arrive? Also what speed are they actually rated for?
A number of these R32 models have been preserved. Unfortunately, most of them will not be saved. I guess if one had the means, one could purchase a car. Getting a subway car to where you want it could be pricey, though. The Transit Museum once auctioned off an R30 car: It sold for around $5K. That was nearly 30 years ago(Ellen of Ellen's Stardust Diner bought it).
@@markhellman-pn3hn I think spending money to upgrade the system to 100% CBTC singling and the new cause that we needed to work is much more important than restoring old relics. The system is using a signaling system that was developed during the first world war.
@@ONEFATE9 I know it’s not fast enough, but they still have to iron out the kinks in that one. Once the R211S cars are accepted, the R44 retirement than then commence (2 R211S consists to retire 1 R44 consist).
So what’s with all the spray paint on the subway cars? I don’t know why people think that’s OK because in all actuality it looks extremely tacky not to mention ridiculous not to mention if we’re saying goodbye to Subway cars that we’ve grown up with then there’s no way in hell they should be looking like that like really.
Someone must've broken into the yard where they were being stored. There was other vandalism as well; some windows were smashed and parts were stolen. Previously, the trains were guarded before being shipped-out but I guess not this time.
Goodbye old friends. It was a pleasure working with you. 2001-2021
I remember riding the R32s on the C line back in 2018, a few years before their retirement and they ran fine, but the brakes, HVAC and propulsion systems were severely worn out since the brakes kept sticking and made a horrible screeching noise when the train was preparing to stop and when it was ready to leave. They were a real icon of the city and a big part of the NYC Subway’s history and they’ll be missed very much by all us rail fans. They also started and stopped a couple of times in between stations. They ran good, given their age of a whopping 54 years old. We got on at 81st Museum of Natural History and rode it down to canal street/chinatown to walk around and get something to eat. It was me, my dad and my uncle that went. I loved their shiny silver reflective stainless steel appearance on the exterior which earned them the nickname “Brightliners” and the fact that they were the first mass-produced stainless steel cars built for the NYC Subway is a real historic gem and another reason to love them as being one of the most iconic rapid transit heavy rail cars built for a subway system around the world. I also love the design that Budd came up for them since they were the manufacturer of the R32s, but sadly Budd no longer exists, it’s extinct. Always love the old, vintage equipment from the 60s and 70s. The HVAC systems didn’t blow out enough cool air and it didn’t have good air flow or circulation and I still felt hot even though the ac was on and running and it would also malfunction a couple of times. Doors would get stuck and not close properly, with one staying wide open while the train was in motion, they weren’t the best performing subway cars in their final years of passenger service, I can tell you that right now. They’ve seen better days, heavy passenger use, wear, corrosion and tear have certainly all taken their toll big time on the cars and they’ve been around since the early 1960s, which is a heck of a long time for a subway car to remain in service even doing heavy passenger use for nearly six decades and counting moving New Years around a big, crowded and highly populated city. The newest subway cars, the R179s, even failed (broke down) and experienced mechanical issues/failures at numbers below the R32s at one point, failing at numbers which is Mean Distance Before Failure (MDBF) of every 400,000 miles compared to the R32s’ 600,000 miles. In August 2011, according to a New York Times article, due to the R32s’ lack of reliability and passenger comfort, they were called “a reminder of the past”. The R179s still are far more reliable than them and have a MDBF of every 400,000 miles before a breakdown occurring. The R179s were called “Lemons” by MTA officials due to their reliability issues and the manufacturing problems at Bombardier’s Plattsburgh, NY facility when they were in production. The R32s used to also have door problems from time to time.
"Clean Emissions Locomotive." Number 253 next to it, not so much.
Excellent video. This was very interesting to see these retired subway cars being pulled by a couple of old switchers including the Alco unit. Nice Industrial setting too.👍🏻
Thank you so much😃🙏 This area was known a Bush Terminal back in the day. It was a manufacturing complex and my grandfather once worked there. It has been known as Industry City since around the Eighties.
Thanks for watching!
Extraordinary everywhere else, but just another day in NYC😊
You're lucky to live there
Always some kinda cool shit going on
HMMM idk about that @jimoconnor6382
These were the best looking cars of the fleet. In 1964 they had dark blue storm and side doors, a large red and blue TA emblem, route letter and destination signs and routing lights. The best thing about these stainless steel beauties was that they had a rail fan window. They will be sorely missed.
What is with the smoke coming out of the KLW unit, I thought KLW was all clean exhaust units
The 32s also were the last subway cars in service on New York City Transit to have a front window with a little box-shaped drivers console on the left where passengers could look out the front of the train from the inside passenger area instead of having to go into the cab which takes up the whole width of the train at front on newer cars as it made all the stops (front view) on the line, a feature not present on newer modern NTTs. Their January 2022 retirement crushed every rail fan in the city I’m sure. Everybody loved these cars to death and will miss them dearly.
I rode these when they were new back in 1964. I wish they would have preserved some cars in their original condition with their blue and white interiors and swinging grabhandles. Sad to see these trains being scrapped.
there ARE a few thats been restored !! ... they use them for "special fan fare trips"
Spray painted subway cars! An NYC tradition!😊
True, that!
@@BryanMWade Looks like a circus train coming to town.
I hate grafitti
I love street @@raylrodr ART!!
Rolling down the avenue
Very cool.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks! 😃
AWESOME video!
Thank you so much!
Do the New York subway cars run on standard track gauge, like the freight trains that are pulling them? Or have the trucks been modified to run on standard gauge?
Yes, New York City Subway cars use standard gauge track👍
the rails & tracks are a standard size
@@BryanMWade Thanks for your reply!
@@markhellman-pn3hn Thank you for the information.
Yw👍
I remember the R32s. The last time I rode them was in 2014 when I took the C train from 59th Street-Columbus Circle to 81st Street-Museum of Natural History and back from 81st to 59th.
Similar experience for me. It was a weekend when I was taking my friends out of the States from 59/Columbus to 81/Museum of Natural History, and I did not realize R32 trains run on A during weekends, and I saw an R32 coming at 59st/Columbus Circle. I thought it was a C train (the train has a broken emblem displayer at the moment, so I cannot read if it is an A or a C). I took the train, thought it would run thru the local tracks, but the train ran super fast, and that’s when I realize I took the wrong train… We ended up at 125th St and took a C train back.
253 looks like a modified GP unit with Alco trucks.
Great video. I am coming to NYC in April and hoping that a move like this happens while I am there. Thanks for posting
Thanks! 😃 You'll probably be able to catch the newest cars being delivered on the adjacent railroad if you're here at least a week. I don't think that there are many of these older cars left to be removed from the property, though
@BryanMWade thanks for the advice
Question, since subway cars and standard gauge when they are delivered are they hauled in or are they carried by flatcars and put on their bogeys when they arrive? Also what speed are they actually rated for?
Someone please save those Brightliners for nostalgia rides. Can it be saved?
A number of these R32 models have been preserved. Unfortunately, most of them will not be saved. I guess if one had the means, one could purchase a car. Getting a subway car to where you want it could be pricey, though.
The Transit Museum once auctioned off an R30 car: It sold for around $5K. That was nearly 30 years ago(Ellen of Ellen's Stardust Diner bought it).
@@BryanMWadeAlso, these cars contain asbestos, so the MTA selling one of these cars could be a liability issue.
YES, a few has been restored .... but its IMPOSSIBLE to have them all restored
@@markhellman-pn3hn I think spending money to upgrade the system to 100% CBTC singling and the new cause that we needed to work is much more important than restoring old relics. The system is using a signaling system that was developed during the first world war.
The ability to run trains on the dilapidated tracks is the real wonder! 😂
I wonder how often they use the railroad tracks.
3716 will have square wheels at its final destination
I didnt know they still used the tracks down there
are these subway cars not in service no more?????🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
What is the second unit?
I'm not an expert, but research shows it's an Alco S2
@@BryanMWade That would explain the smoke.
1970s all over again!!!
Should’ve been turned into 8-“tiny homes” for the homeless, instead of being reused for scrap metal
Who knew they have street running trains in NYC. ?????
Yup 👍 I love street runners😃
The final march of the R32's. Meanwhile, the R44's are still around in Staten Island! Where's the justice in that?
Those guys will be replaced by the R211S, but nothing has been pulled from service yet.
@TheRailLeaguer Not fast enough!
@@ONEFATE9 I know it’s not fast enough, but they still have to iron out the kinks in that one. Once the R211S cars are accepted, the R44 retirement than then commence (2 R211S consists to retire 1 R44 consist).
These 44's were junk when they were brand new! Even after the GOH they were still junk!
Of all the subway cars I've ridden, this was the worst!
@@ONEFATE9 So you’re suggesting getting rid of them now before new cars are sufficient enough to provide service?
That's some neat street running. People that paint graffiti on rail cars should be arrested.
I bet they stink
So what’s with all the spray paint on the subway cars? I don’t know why people think that’s OK because in all actuality it looks extremely tacky not to mention ridiculous not to mention if we’re saying goodbye to Subway cars that we’ve grown up with then there’s no way in hell they should be looking like that like really.
🤫 no one asked
It's because dems re created the crime and filth of 70 s
Someone must've broken into the yard where they were being stored. There was other vandalism as well; some windows were smashed and parts were stolen. Previously, the trains were guarded before being shipped-out but I guess not this time.
spray painting subway cars goes all the way back to the 70s !! ..... UA-cam has plenty of original home movie clips & THOUSANDS of pictures
@@markhellman-pn3hn so you mean shitheads weren't born til the '60s , I digress
There were a few cars without douche marks on them.