IND Division Map - vintage subway ride
The big red lines are the IND lines, which at the time were an entirely separate system of subways, independent of the other two. More on this at the bottom of this caption
For the past few Decembers the MTA has run a special "nostalgia train" 4 or 5 times each Sunday. The train consists of a variety of vintage cars built between the 1930's and 1970's- primarily R1 or R9 models built beginning in 1930. This year, it runs on the 6th Avenue line, between Queens Plaza and 2nd Avenue. www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/vintage.html
The ride is great fun. Lacking the insulated walls and suspension systems of the modern subway, these trains roar and teeter as they blast through the tunnels with their distinctive electric motor whirr. There is no climate control, and it must have been hell during the summer, with only open windows and ceiling fans to alleviate the notorious oven steambath of the subway in July or August.
I believe these trains are preserved by the New York Transit Museum, who have kept the original signage and advertising intact. Running them like this is one of the best ideas the Transit Authority has had in a long long long time.
With so much to look at, it was one of the quickest rides I can remember having. The train was full of transit nerds (like myself) and there was a bit of a party atmosphere. There were also a number of older people who rode these cars back when they were in full service. The best part, however, was to observe the shock of regular commuters who had no idea that this was going to be the train that was going to take them to work, or whereever. And, of course, it's also amazing how many were just completely indifferent to it all- having lunch, reading the paper, doing crosswords...
December 12, 2010
These trains ran on the IND lines, which were built in the 1930's as the city's third separate subway system. "IND" indicated its independence from the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit- the original 1904 system covering Manhattan and the Bronx) and the BMT (Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit, the second system built) In 1940, the City unified the three systems into one.
Today the IND portion of the subway includes, among others, the E and F lines through Queens, Manhattan, and into Brooklyn, the Crosstown G line, and the famous "A" train.
Since the IND, there has been little new construction on the subway. It's frustrating that nearly the entire system used today was built in less time (35 years or so, and through a World War and the Great Depression...) than it will take to finally finish one lousy line- the much-need 2nd Avenue line, which began in 1972 and whose first phase (only a few stations) is slated to be completed in 2016. All while fares rise and services are cut. Obviously, there's something very wrong with the MTA.
IND Division Map - vintage subway ride
The big red lines are the IND lines, which at the time were an entirely separate system of subways, independent of the other two. More on this at the bottom of this caption
For the past few Decembers the MTA has run a special "nostalgia train" 4 or 5 times each Sunday. The train consists of a variety of vintage cars built between the 1930's and 1970's- primarily R1 or R9 models built beginning in 1930. This year, it runs on the 6th Avenue line, between Queens Plaza and 2nd Avenue. www.mta.info/nyct/service/events/vintage.html
The ride is great fun. Lacking the insulated walls and suspension systems of the modern subway, these trains roar and teeter as they blast through the tunnels with their distinctive electric motor whirr. There is no climate control, and it must have been hell during the summer, with only open windows and ceiling fans to alleviate the notorious oven steambath of the subway in July or August.
I believe these trains are preserved by the New York Transit Museum, who have kept the original signage and advertising intact. Running them like this is one of the best ideas the Transit Authority has had in a long long long time.
With so much to look at, it was one of the quickest rides I can remember having. The train was full of transit nerds (like myself) and there was a bit of a party atmosphere. There were also a number of older people who rode these cars back when they were in full service. The best part, however, was to observe the shock of regular commuters who had no idea that this was going to be the train that was going to take them to work, or whereever. And, of course, it's also amazing how many were just completely indifferent to it all- having lunch, reading the paper, doing crosswords...
December 12, 2010
These trains ran on the IND lines, which were built in the 1930's as the city's third separate subway system. "IND" indicated its independence from the IRT (Interborough Rapid Transit- the original 1904 system covering Manhattan and the Bronx) and the BMT (Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit, the second system built) In 1940, the City unified the three systems into one.
Today the IND portion of the subway includes, among others, the E and F lines through Queens, Manhattan, and into Brooklyn, the Crosstown G line, and the famous "A" train.
Since the IND, there has been little new construction on the subway. It's frustrating that nearly the entire system used today was built in less time (35 years or so, and through a World War and the Great Depression...) than it will take to finally finish one lousy line- the much-need 2nd Avenue line, which began in 1972 and whose first phase (only a few stations) is slated to be completed in 2016. All while fares rise and services are cut. Obviously, there's something very wrong with the MTA.