The R46: NYC's Oldest Subway Cars 

When the R46s retire I won’t ever forget its distinct “humming” noise unique to the car type.

I remember when they started rolling out the R46s. It was like the MTA had finally arrived to the modern world. I personally never really liked the feel of them though I'll admit they were much more spacious. But just as with most trains, we'll look back at them in fondness 20 years from now. They're a part of our history.

Your right about the r46, it is comfortable and unlike r160s, 143s, and 179s, you don't have to turn you head around just to look at the window, it is very uncomfortable. The r46s have transverse seats, which makes it easier to look out the window without nobody blocking you, or turning your head around.

R44/46 were designed for the new routes programs new routes, mainly the Second Ave SUBWAY and the Queens Bypass route from 63rd st. They were built for higher speeds, to match the LIRR main line services, and the Southeast Queens extension to Springfield Gardens,Dyre Ave line. However, the B division had a substantial amount of older rolling stock that were aging out,and needed to be replaced. Starting in 1966,the TA began replacing the rolling stock of the IND predominantly. The first of these were the R38s, delivered directly to Jamaica for E,F services. The R40s followed soon after, with 400 car order ,followed by the R42s 400 car order.. In 1967 the MTA was in the middle of modernization program concerning the LIRR and its rolling stock. The M1s were a Commuter car with rapid transit,subway car features. 8 door panels to each car for quick entry and exit, unlike the previous cars in operation. These were fat and heavy cars. 10ft wide,85ft long, 100,000 pounds. New cars, New routes, high level platforms and a airport connection, the former MCTA mapped out a future that included the New York City Transit Authority system. While planning new routes for the subway system, the MTA decided to redesign the basic subway car to make it more comfortable and efficient. Also,the MTA was talked into exploring new space age technology that newer systems, being constructed, were adopting. The new design development was undertaken by the same design firm that produced the R40m,42 and M1 cars. The R44s,and the follow up R46s, were produced strictly for the new subway lines, and branches. However, since the MTA was moving pretty slowly replacing the pre and post war rolling stock built from 1932 to 1956,some cars would be placed on other lines. The program that would have renovated the Eastern Division routes to operate 75ft cars, was canceled due to financial woes. The first R44 cars arrived in 1970,but were quickly rejected because of shoddy welding and other issues. The cars returned in 1972,testing revealed problems with the Pwire system...something that plagued the fleet until the system was removed during the mid 1980s. The R44s were the fastest railcars in the system, able to operate over 80mph. They were able to utilize ATO,ATC and ATS on lines that were equipped They were place on the A D E and F lines,splitting 300 cars. By the time the R46s finally arrived, most of the pre war cars were retired out,with the R16 so hated by transit personnel, they were put into storage. The 46s were built for the Second Ave SUBWAY service, but after much work,the city canceled the entire new routes program, except for 2 routes. Cars were quickly placed in exclusive Queens Blvd line service, E F N and some GG runs. In the late 70s,a problem was discovered under the cars, were the trucks were fastened to the car body,began wearing out prematurely, parking brakes were defective and the Rockwell undercarriage the cars used were unable to support the weight of the cars. Cracks were discovered under 200 practically new cars. To make matters worse, the 44s were having issues that needed to be corrected immediately. So,out of service 44s undercarriage were removed from the cars,and placed under the 46s. Defects were repaired temporarily. New trucks were delivered, heavy-duty outboard bearing ,compared to the light weight inward bearing Rockwell trucks. The R46 operated in F service from day one to approximately last year..mixing with new NTT cars,and R32s based at Jamaica yard and Shops. The 44s became the face of the A line once the cars came back for repairs in the 80s. The A line kept them until 2010,meaning that they spent almost their entire history in A services. R46s removed from Queens service replace 44s along the A line from 2010 to this very day. The 46s also operated in R service since 1987, recently removed and replaced by NTT CBTC R160S. All cars removed from Queens were sent to the Southern division, and replaced the R32s on the C line. With the arrival of the R179s, some 46s were sent to the south,to shore up the N Q W lines. I happen to appreciate the R46s very much. The ONLY B division SUBWAY CARS that never operates in Eastern Division service..the cars are scheduled to be replaced by the upcoming R211 contract. The main contract will replace all R46s in A service,retire all in C service. The option order will finish outfitting the 8th Avenue subway lines,with other cars going to the Queens Blvd, and Grand Concourse routes operating along 6th Avenue. Time will tell where the last batch will go. The 46s were once the darling of the transit system. Now they are just people movers,finishing up their tours. These cars were finally able to fulfill their purpose, when they were assigned to the N Q lines..operating along the new Second Ave subway first phase to 96th st. In all honesty ,I didn't miss the 44 when they were retired, because of the shady way the TA removed them. No fanfare. No notice. Nothing. Hopefully, the 46 will have a different fate.

There's so many memories I've had ridin' the R46s especially the ones with the pre-GOH door chime

R46s are somewhat iconic of the Subway. I'll be really sad to see them go.

I still love the R46 cuz the armrests on the window seats and they are one of my favorite R46 shall remain until the R211 gets in

Interesting. I remember when I used to ride these on the (R) line in the early/mid 2010s. I'm really going to miss these cars.

As a train operator, the r46 is my favorite equipment to operate. When you have good brakes and great motors it’s like heaven

Another awesome video. I'm glad you realize that, unlike most railfans, that the R46s time is coming to an end. Keep the videos coming.

The PY braking system was not replaced by SMEE . Car equipment used the 1 controller handle for the combined braking/acceleration modes unlike SMEE with separate brake handle and control throttle. Until the NTT came into the inventory the R46 was my favorite to operate. Once the R160 were moved over to the Queens Corridor CBTC I was happy to get the 46 back to finish of my career at NYCT

The transverse seating provides more seats on the train than longitudinal seating. However the longitudinal seating setup does provide more standing room.

I grew up in Queens in the 1990's and remember the R46s on the F and R trains when I'd get on the train with my parents at 71st Avenue. Now, I try to sit on the window seat on my way to work because it makes me feel like a professional grown-up adult.

Had great memories riding these on the A to the Rockaways. They were so fast to me. And that little rocking motion it does when it's speeding down the express tracks is so relaxing

The R46s were the first subway cars I ever rode in NYC. I absolutely love them with a passion and never had an issue with them. Unfortunately their time is coming to an end 🥲

From a Chicagoan. Here's a comparison between the Train cars of the MTA and the CTA: MTA R40s = CTA 2000s series MTA R42s = CTA 2200s series MTA R44s = CTA 2400s series MTA R46s - R62s = CTA 2600s series MTA R68s - R143s = CTA 3200s series MTA R160s - R179s = CTA 5000s series MTA R211s = CTA 7000s series

I'm not from New York, but the Chicago area. I bet these are like the CTA's 2200 series cars that I miss. They were the last cars with folding doors, which I always thought were cool, but we're less handicap accessible. These cars also had the best mix of seating options. About half were parallel to the length of the train, and the other half were perpendicular. I prefer sitting facing to or away from the direction of travel, so I got that kind of seat more often on these cars.

The R44 and R46 had a very smooth ride mostly due to their 75 ft. length. They didn't rock back and forth, and went over the switches seamlessly. If you rode in the middle of the car you wouldn't feel even the biggest gap in the rails.

I rode an R46 Q on my way to the Parade of Trains last weekend, and I hadn't taken the subway in months. I think that specific trip over the Manhattan Bridge, despite being on the 75 footers on that bridge countless times, made me realize how much I'm going to miss this fleet, and, in extension, the 68/as when their time comes. Also I like how the chains on their fronts look like :3 or :> faces, I can never unsee it lol

Bogie is a perfectly valid word; I knew it for years. I drive a transport highway 'truck', not to be confused. Aarre Peltomaa

Fun Fact: Chicago's version of the R46, which is the 2600 series cars, is also going to be retired, and the 2600s are now the oldest in service EL cars on the CTA Rolling stock

I never knew the R44 cars had to be prematurely retired due to too many issues. I enjoyed riding on them during my college days! They were the sisters of the R46s subway cars.

t=329 The exact problem with the 44 cabs was the depth, not the width. They had an additional seat for the public outside, and so the cab was narrower depth wise, and the console was basically up in your chest. Not only that, but the console was of course designed for the electric P-wire system, but when this was replaced by a conventional control system using valves, they had to break through the console and have a controller valve shaft go down through the floor, and you basically had to straddle this in the already cramped seat! (and the reverser stuck right out between your legs!)

I LOVED these cars! Quiet, air-conditioned, fast...and those BELLS!

0:43 Damn my man started cursing…

The R46 has sentimental value for me because I lived in Queens up until 1989 and used the E train mainly and that was the car that was used and I liked the seating config. I visited NYC about a month ago and got on one and I just smiled. I'm not a fan of the longditudinal seating, reminds me of the 70s and the really old rolling stock but I get it gives pax more room.

I like riding them too, especially a window seat as you stated and the seating arrangements. The wood trim is nice too, a vintage feel. But on a recent ride on the D to Brooklyn I could both feel and see the neglect taking hold. The cars were not being cleaned or overhauled as often. And on certain portion of the ride I even felt them bottom out. Reminded me a lot of Boston's Orange Line's vintage rolling stock prior to replacement. Thanks for the video.

As a child I used to take the N and W when they had the r68, and I was like meh. I used to love the r46 and wish I could take the R train the wood trims in there looked so cool to me and I was jealous. Now that they’re on the N, I’m like eh, give me my 160s back

As a former Train Operator, you are correct. Those R44s were painful to operate. Glad they got rid of the extra seat behind the cab on the R46.

The R46 was later adapted for use by the video game cities skylines for the vehicles of the world expansion pack as the 6 car subway train model. The train could carry 400 passengers.

I’ve ridden these trains since I was a kid, and I truly think they’re pretty nice trains. I’ll really be sad to see them go, but of course, not everything lasts forever. I imagine these trains will be fully retired by around 2024-2025 as they will be replaced by the new R211, and when they are, they will have lived a good service life. Not as long as the R32’s, but they’ve truly been around for quite some time.

The 46s have nice roomy cabs. The 44s were just as tight as the 68s. I liked working the A with them, but they have more dead motors than anything nowadays. I'm just tired of these kids breaking in the cabs of the 46s.

I love the r46 because on those seats that face the same way as the train car, they have this small part on the wall that serves as an armrest and it makes me feel so comfortable. It is the only train I could fall asleep and rest on because of those seats and also the lightings.

You hit it right on the head about cab comfort between the R44 and R46. As a former Train Operator, I cringed when I was assigned to the A line. The Operating console was like a sardine can. Operating an R46 was like driving a Cadillac.

It'd be very saddening seeing them go, as I am one of many people who grew up riding those models. I actually visited NY again, with my last visit being in 2012. It was amazing seeing how much has changed since the last time I visited, with even more changes coming in the future. Heck, the next time I visit I probably won't even have to use a Metro Card anymore (which is also sad, but at least I kept one for souvenir, lol)

I’m gonna miss these guys. Such a MTA classic.

Have many memories of these when I was young and the many times my Grandma rode the A with me.

I love the R46. very comfortable. My favorite thing about them is the window seat. The new r160s and r179s have a rather boring seating plan.

I love the R46 and R68 Trains

I’m gonna be sad when these goats finally retire. They carried me through high school and I even got a chance to ride them through the queensboro line on the E or F. Definitely gonna be finding excuses just to ride these beasts a little bit longer.

i miss these these are always gonna be remeberd

I love watching your videos brother! God bless you 🙏🏾. My dream was to always be a motorman or a conductor. I love New York City subways, I can go anywhere without looking at a map. Once again god bless you brother

The R44 still runs and still part of NYCT technically 🤣

Yesterday I was on a R46 A train toward Manhattan and at Utica Avenue, the doors didn't open in the second to the fourth train car. Everyone was forced to leave the train car with the people in the second to fourth cars walking between the train cars to get to the first car to six. Just imagine a platform at Utica filled with the passengers in a train during rush hour.

R46 became the staple of MTA subway system. We used to ride them all the time on the F train and the A train back in the 1990’s.

My first time seeing the R46 cars was back in the fall of 1975 on the N line at the 59th st station of the 4th ave line in Brooklyn. I was a junior in high school on my way to Ft Hamilton high school.

i noticed this on all NYC subway trains that all the doors dont close at the same time. like on an R46 theres usually 8 cars. when it says, stand clear of closing doors. i see the first four carts doors close but then the last four carts doors close 5 seconds after. i see it on R160 and R179 too.

Originally used on E and F for Queens and Manhattan connection.

I loved them on the E. I think they appeared first on the F. During most of the 1980s, the E and F only ran them while other lines had older cars so they seemed like deluxe trains. The thing I like better about them vs. the newer trains is they have a soft whir propulsion sound while the R143 and newer have much louder propulsion sounds. Not sure why the older trains propulsion is quieter. And I think, when new, the R46 was just as quiet and smooth as the new R179s, if not smoother. It may have to do with the longer distance between the large 75 foot cars vs. the shorter 60 foot cars.

People riding N really hate R46 because high failure rate and it causes massive delay or missing headway. N used to be good with R160 and now it's dead bottom!

The R-46 Subway cars are the Cadillac of The Subway fleet they might be old but they can take you from point A to point B. Also if you are lucky enough to get a seat just relax and enjoy the ride. Did you know that MTA LIRR had tested them in the 1970's on one of their own tracks. The R46 look like the M-1s and M-3s LIRR cars sir. The M3 and R-46's are up in age but they are still rolling and that was a awesome video 📹 sir. Goodnight and Besafe.

I'll miss the R46 cars because of the seating configuration. I'm used to looking out the window in these cars. You can't really do that in the newer cars like the R211s, especially when it's crowded. I DESPISE the benchlike seating.

I have a weird love/hate relationship with the r46. I like the r46 for making my childhood on the r line. I hate it because I never get an r179 on the A and C, it probably is just bad luck.

Man, I wish the r44s were still in service. There was a funny trick that you would do on the doors. If you were to pull on them a little bit, it would activate the door chime.

you know what, ill be heading out to the Rockaways soon, before it gets cold, I will enjoy the last few times of this R46 before it winds up in a Museum !!!

I pretty much grew up with these trains. As much as I love the r46’s, you’re right- it’s time for them to go. They don’t perform the same way they used to.

The oldest subway car in the system is actually R44, which runs on the Staten Island Railway. Another thing about the design of the R46 trucks, they were built for rolling stock on other systems and there were no problems. I believe the trucks were built by Rockwell. Also, some of the 46's have been given modified interiors. It might be worth creating a video about the problems caused for the system by having to pull them from service.

Before you get flashbacks of the R179's, I want you to remember that it could've been worse... BTW keep up the good work MT!

I like the transverse seating, but the 46s really show their age. I'm on them a lot on the Q and I miss them running the R160s instead before they moved to QBL. When do you think we'll see R211s running?

Ima miss these.

MK was in Hornell in the 90s? I didn't know that. The MBTA sent their Kawasaki coaches out the Alstom there for rebuild, I wonder if they bought the plant from MK as MPI bought them out and consolidated to Boise.

I like the cars the D uses.

I'll miss all of the ridesi did on the R46's they are a good fleet and they mostly make your sleep like when its go on into the rockaway flats and CPW.

I used to dislike em cause I see them so much, now I love them for their window seating and warm colors.

Just curious I thought the R32s were the oldest in the system that were retired last year having spent 58 years with the NYC Subway and were in fact the last cars ever built before the merger with the MTA in 1968. Do note I did use Wikipedia and I know it may not always be a reliable source but there was a whole load of information about it.

The reason the trucks cracked was because they were not meant to ride on concrete ties . No other city that used the same Rockwell trucks had any problems

Great video btw 👍🏻👍🏻👌🏻👌🏻. Why are some people saying that the R46 is becoming uncomfortable and ofc it's very old

I been riding the R46s since the 70s I am glad they are being retired. I like the sitting arrangement when I was a kid looking out the windows but I never sit on the trains anymore and just stand so that if anything happens I am quick to be out of the car near the door when my stop hit. But today's subways I don't feel safe when it was prepandemic we always have to look 360 to make sure there is no crazies out there. There are still pan handers which I hate as they could be menancing when you don't give to them. I can't wait for the R46s to go. I am wondering how do they keep the sound efffect when the door closes working so long. Do they make parts to replace them? Also some of the floors are sagging. Those cars are getting old and slow. But I do see so many of them out there.

I Really Like The R68 on the (D) Line Bro

I noticed recently that the R46s only had 8-car trains... feels like something I should've known earlier

The lawsuit was only against Pullman who tried to absolve itself by saying it was the fault of the truck manufacturer Rockwell International. The judge rejected this defense and said Rockwell was contracted by Pullman therefore they were on the hook for the defective trucks and the cost of replacing them. It was rumored that one of the main reasons the trucks cracked was the pressure put on Pullman to create a very lite truck and as a result became a problem bcuz they couldn’t handle the NY system. If R-44 was retired just for being uncomfortable why did they continue t be used at Staten Island Railway ?

One thing for sure is the R46’s will be all gone by at the latest 2026.

The time has come for them to go, but they are nice, the window seat is okay but I am fine with sanding, I do prefer the newer trains like R160s and R179s, do you know if R160s run or will run on the A and C(Wikipedia says they don’t but I’m not so sure about that)point is I prefer NTTs rather than Smees

I along with the narrator of this video favor the r46s. They are spacious, roomy, and their seating is more accommodating and comfortable. Also, they have sideway seating so that you can get a good view and if you are in a party of three or four you can have an interaction and conversation with each other. Their best feature is the length and the spacious accommodations particularly when the trains are crowded and they offer more seating. As a narrator states, the armrests are indeed a comfortable option available for passengers. Some of them have armrest not just at the window seats but at the tail ends of the rail cars. As a young kid riding the New York City subway I remember those blue strips and I always wondered why the blue stripes had been taken away. While I agree that their time has come for retirement given their age, it would have been wonderful if the MTA had been able to put in an order for an updated design that replicated the r46 in terms of their seating features, armrests, dividers between the chairs and the doors, the chimes, and other features along with a modern spacious cab for the engineers and conductors. Chicago, CTA has what appears to be updated replicas of all the cars in terms of size and style but just containing the modern updated features. Hopefully the r46s will stay in the system and provide supplemental service for the years to come.

Where is the video about 80s and 90s state of subway?!

I liked operating the R44 but it was uncomfortable if you was a big guy, I wouldn't be able to fit in that chair now-big guys would have to operate standing up, the controller was kind of awkward if you was standing but big guys made it work .

such a historic car series, they really dont show their age in a certain sense. newer Bart or MBTA cars look older than the R46. Timeless look

The cabs on the R44s with tight for train operators there wasn’t enough room to sit

Oh wow, I forgot that they are the oldest now. These have cozy interiors with the beige floor, wood decals and soft white lighting.

Their was these trains that used to come for the A or C and it had like grey seats and it was the old old type train cart I don’t ever see it anymore

Gone are the classic Budd R32s, yet the R46s, built by Pullman (later rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen by the early 1990s), remain and consigned to the IND system as of today. Eventually, they are the next to be retired in the next few years from now, when the Kawasaki R211s take over.

I'm pretty sure the r46 is the first subway I've ever been on and we were actually on the wrong train lol. Google said we were supposed to only go through 5 stops but we ended up going a lot more stops and still not being at 42nd Street. Turns out we took a local instead of express

Dude yesterday my r46 N train had a malfunction with door

I have ridden these car my whole life and to be honest it going be hard if not impossible for me to look at the A train the same way again when they retire

The R44 still runs in Staten Island

I often see these trains on the (A) and (C) lines. I'm gonna miss them a lot once they retire.

Did I peep at diamond roll sign at 1:21 👀👀

The retirement of the r46 subway cars has officially began with 6244-46 going to be used for spare parts.

One last trip on the ‘F’. Full ride round trip out of Stillwell

When there's very few r46s left I think there's gonna be only 1 subway line and that line will be the only line using them because I think that's what usually happens when they start getting rid of old trains and there's very few of them left like the 7 line was the only line using the r33s when there was very few of the r33s left so is that what might happen with the r46s?

If the 46’s are in the parade of trains and/or the Holiday Nostalgia Train, will they receive their old roll signs or keep the LCD signs?

Can't wait for them to retire it's such a pain riding these trains

At 5:30..that's a 44/68

I will always have love for these cars especially having to go to Transit Tech but it’s time for them to GO

Hold on, R46 R train in the rockaways? (The image for the video)

love em they gonna go soon and im actually gonna cry

R46 is the beauties.

The R44 and R46 are definitely similar by default. To deny that would be foolish. It’s clear as day that they’re so alike yet people often mixed the two rail cars up all the time lol.

And still younger than the LU Bakerloo stock, that are now 51 years old~!

My favorite rolling stock in the whole system