The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) R-32 subway cars retired from service Jan. 9, 2022, after 58 years of service.
The R-32s were nicknamed the Brightliners and were among the oldest subway cars currently operational in the world.
To commemorate the historic occasion, New York City Transit (NYCT) ran one R-32 train for a ceremonial last ride on Jan. 9.
“As we continue the work to modernize the transit system and improve the customer experience, it is truly bittersweet to say farewell to a fleet of historic R-32 trains that have served New Yorkers for nearly six decades," said NYCT Interim President Craig Cipriano. “A significant amount of history goes along with these trains, and we’re delighted that we are able to offer the opportunity to ride them one last time.”
NYCT Senior Vice President for Subways Demetrius Crichlow added, “These historic trains have witnessed decades of change in this city getting riders to where they need to go to all corners of the city. We are committed to improving the subway system by replacing aging infrastructure with a modern fleet of trains that fit the ever-changing needs of a bustling New York City. The retirement of these trains is just one part of that journey, and we hope that New Yorkers take advantage of this final run of the R-32 before we say goodbye to them this weekend.”
About the R-32s
The R-32s were the first large fleet of mass-produced stainless-steel cars purchased by NYCT, comprising a total of 600 cars. Built in Philadelphia by the Budd Company, they were nicknamed the Brightliners because of their washboard-like stainless steel exteriors. The first revenue train ran on Sep. 14, 1964, on what is today‘s Q line, and in recent years, they were mainly found on the A, C, J and Z lines.
With a state-of-the-art design for its time, the Brightliners quickly became a crowd favorite and continues to be a nostalgic favorite to many. The cars introduced design elements unlike any of its predecessors, but one that the MTA has received inspiration from for its newest train cars. Notably, the R-32 cars are the last subway car class in service to have a front window that passengers can look out of.
The cars were featured in multiple blockbuster films including Bridge of Spies (2015), Spiderman: Homecoming (2017) and Joker (2019). Many R-32s were retired in the late 2000s, when the R-160 cars began filtering into the subway system. Many these cars were sunk in the Atlantic Ocean as part of an artificial reef program.
