The older R-series were introduced in the late 1950s-early 60s and racked up millions of miles on them. They were tough and durable. Even during the 70s the breakdowns riders complained about were primarily due to deferred maintenance. The newer cars are lighter, use less energy, and use technology for automated announcements and warnings. Still, I miss the classic IRT Redbirds.
Those were car models R-1 through R-9. They were purchased and went into service from 1930s-1940s and were still running into the 1970s. They were originally in service on the IND lines (A, C, E, F, G, H) but were used on the BMT (J, K, M, QJ) as well in the later years. Note that most of the IND lines used double letters to signify local trains, which is what you may remember (AA, CC, EE, GG, HH). I grew up in NYC and was always a nut (still am) about subways.
This is the New York subway of my childhood in the 60-80's. We had alot of grime. But it was hell of a lot better than the Toy train computerized Sterilized NYCTA of the 21st century. New for me was R32-R46 in my childhood. R68's and R62's were my late 80's young adult trains.
There were cars that were operated this way. Presumably for safety reasons, the Transit Authority eventually made a rule that these older cars could not be placed in the conductor positions. They could be in other parts of the train, but not the car used by the conductor.
God!! @0.50-0.59, we used to ride trains that looked like this!!! They look abandoned and broke. The "SS" and the "L" were two of the lines which got the oldest cars on their last wheels.
I remember some of these lines like the RR (also remamber AA and GG) I heard there at one time there was an HH train.. It ran along part of the J line.. But What the heck is a T train and a QJ train?? Where did they go? I mean what was their route??
i cant understand that you guis could live withe such a dirty and undermaintained systhem.... and i thought our subways where dirty bad over here in holland.... dam doesnt anybody care over there ??
