R62A (New York City Subway car)
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | La Pocatière , Canada |
| Products | Subway cars, including the R62A series for New York City Subway |
R62A
The R62A represents a series of subway cars for the New York City Subway, constructed between 1984 and 1987 by Bombardier Transportation specifically for the A Division. Production took place in La Pocatière, Quebec, with final assembly stages completed in Auburn, New York and Barre, Vermont. This contract was based on a licensing agreement with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the manufacturer of the preceding R62 fleet. In total, 825 units were produced, arranged in configurations ranging from three to five cars per set.
The R62A fleet replaced the remaining R17, R21, and R22 models, all phased out by early 1988. This procurement followed the earlier 1981 R62 order and constituted the second stainless steel fleet introduced to the "A" Division. Bombardier won this contract after Kawasaki chose not to manufacture additional cars under a separate agreement. The initial R62A units began operation on May 29, 1985, with complete delivery finalized by 1988. These cars are projected to remain in service until approximately 2026–2028, at which point they will be succeeded by the R262 series.
Description
Numbered from 1651 to 2475, the R62As feature stainless steel construction and include air conditioning systems, paralleling the Kawasaki-built R62 design. Due to widespread graffiti issues dating back to 1969, these cars were treated with a graffiti-resistant coating. Their interiors are equipped with narrow bucket seats measuring about 17 inches in width, a design choice that sparked debate as it reduced seating capacity but allowed for increased standing room.
Initially delivered as single units with half-width operator cabs at each end, these cars were subsequently assembled into linked sets featuring full-width cabs. On the , operating out of the 240th Street Yard, Bronx, and most cars on the , based at Westchester Yard, Bronx, trains run in five-car sets. Meanwhile, those assigned to the 42nd Street Shuttle, housed at Livonia Yard, Brooklyn, operate as six-car sets. Some intermediate cars retain half-width cabs in certain positions.
Several cars on the 6 route are equipped with LED lighting surrounding their rollsigns to distinguish express service (marked by a red diamond) from local service (indicated by a green circle), enhancing passenger understanding. This feature was first introduced on the line following passenger feedback regarding unclear announcements. Between 2007 and later years, test units numbered 1736–1740 and 2151 displayed red LED indicators reading "LCL" and "EXP," reminiscent of markings used on earlier Redbird trains. After the arrival of R188 models replaced R62As on the 7 line during the 2010s, these LED indicators remained in use on both the 6 and 7 lines, which feature express services during peak hours.
History
Following completion of the initial 325-car order for the R62, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) issued a request for proposals for an additional 825 subway cars. Kawasaki declined to participate in this subsequent contract, resulting in Bombardier Transportation of Quebec securing the order over competitors such as Pennsylvania-based Budd Company. Although Bombardier’s per-unit cost was higher, their bid was preferred due to favorable financing arrangements provided by the Canadian government. In contrast, Budd’s submission involved motors that had not received approval and incorporated unproven technology that had demonstrated reliability problems on fleets such as the R44 and R46.
Produced between 1984 and 1987, all 825 R62A vehicles entered revenue service from 1985 through 1988. Early deployment encountered challenges including coupler malfunctions and electrical faults that nearly jeopardized continuation of the contract. The first ten cars (numbers 1651–1660) featured body shells manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan; these units were sent to Bombardier as prototype samples. These initial cars began operating on the route starting May 29, 1985, coinciding with an expansion of the Car Appearance Program following its positive results with R62 trains on the 4 line.
Post-delivery
Car number 1687 sustained significant damage at the Bombardier facility during the summer of 1985 prior to its delivery. After undergoing repairs, it was placed into operation on December 1, 1987, serving the 6 line.
On November 24, 1996, a derailment involving a ten-car R62A train occurred south of Hunts Point Avenue on the 6 line. This incident caused extensive damage to cars 1716 and 1909. While car 1716 was reconstructed and reinstated into service, car 1909 suffered frame damage severe enough to warrant its retirement and eventual scrapping in 2001.
Starting in November 2017, as part of initiatives to alleviate the subway’s state of emergency, select cars operating on the 42nd Street Shuttle underwent seat removal to boost passenger capacity. Following these alterations, all cars on this route were coupled into six-car formations.
On January 4, 2024, two trains equipped with R62A cars on the 1 line experienced a partial derailment and collision near the 96th Street station. One train was active in revenue service, while the other was not. The incident resulted in twenty-four reported minor injuries. Damage was sustained by car 2176 and the consist comprising cars 2411 through 2415. Cars numbered 2177 to 2180 were joined with car 1934 and returned to service by March 2024. The set including cars 2411–2415 underwent separate repairs before reentering operation. Car 2176 was withdrawn from service and is currently being dismantled for spare parts to support maintenance of the remaining R62A fleet.
Replacement
Initially, plans called for replacing the R62A fleet between 2026 and 2028. However, the MTA has prolonged their operational lifespan through its Scheduled Maintenance System (SMS), which encompasses repainting bulkheads, truck overhauls, floor replacements, seat refurbishments, and other interior maintenance tasks. In 2010, the MTA proposed mid-life upgrades aimed at technological enhancements such as installing LED destination signs and automated announcement systems to improve fleet modernization.
In January 2019, the MTA revealed intentions to phase out both R62 and R62A cars in favor of new R262 models, which are planned for procurement under an upcoming capital initiative.
A group of R62A cars is visible at Grand Central-42nd Street station on the train featured in the movie Madagascar (2005 film).
Another set appears at 14th Street–Union Square station on the train depicted in Subway Stories.
An R62A also makes an appearance in Inside Llewyn Davis, although its presence does not align with the period portrayed.
Further reading
- Sansone, Gene. Evolution of New York City subways: An illustrated history of New York City's transit cars, 1867-1997. New York Transit Museum Press, New York, 1997