The New York subway used the oldest carriages in the world: now they are finally being retired

You know them well - they resemble a washboard and usually have blue seats. They make a squeaky sound and look like they've seen a lot. These are R-32 subway cars and have been part of our transportation system since the 1960s. Gothamist.

In the 1960s, R-32s arrived in the form modern wagons... They weighed 1800 kg less than the old wagons of the time. However, in January 2022, they will make their last trip on the city's rails - it has been long planned - the initial announcement of their retirement was made ten years ago.

Historical event

This time everything is for real! MTA announced that after 58 years of service, the last of the R-32s (nicknamed Brightliners) will be retired. They note that these are "some of the oldest subway cars in the world." In particular, "the last class of metro cars in service, which has a front window from which passengers can watch."

While New Yorkers love to complain about these clunkers, they deserve a final hurray - starting December 26, we all have a holiday final ride for all of us transit nerds.

“To commemorate the historic carriage decommissioning event, the New York City Transit (NYCT) will commission one train of R-32s. It will run four Sundays in a row in December and early January, ”the agency said. Trips will take place on 19, 26 December, 2 and 9 January on lines D, F and Q.

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The first trip of this car took place in 1964

According to Museum public transportation in New York City, the railcars have "the second longest lifespan in New York City subway history." There are two R-32s, # 3352 and # 3353, that are preserved in the museum (although they are not currently on display). They "led the first R-32 train on the inaugural trip in 1964."