Historic R-42 Subway Cars, of 'French Connection' Fame, Make Final Run Along the A Line (New York: taxes, to move)

[Aeran]

Good riddance? or no.
Didn't know it would be so nostalgic for some...

https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs...t-nEk4QuPJc958

After 50 years of service, the R-42 retired on Wednesday — and its boss got a bit of a retirement party, too.

"The final run of a 50-year-old relic — but enough about me," outgoing New York City Transit President Byford quipped on the train.

[Foamposite]

I will miss them! They have great aesthetic
All the new subway cars since 2000 look damn near the same, no nuances.

[Aeran]

Originally Posted by Foamposite

I will miss them! They have great aesthetic
All the new subway cars since 2000 look damn near the same, no nuances.

You're not the only one! It seems that you have plenty of company.

https://www.amny.com/transit/train-l...ooklyn-queens/

Train lovers reminisce as R42 subway trains take final ride through Brooklyn & Queens

[BlakeJones]

I miss the red birds

[under a mountain]

Something tells me the replacements won't last 50 years.

[BlakeJones]

Originally Posted by under a mountain

Something tells me the replacements won't last 50 years.

The structural stuff should be ok, the Chinese electronics will all fail and have to be replaced several times over those 50 years. In the past 20 years Japanese electronics like from Sony that over-engineered to last multiple decades were pummeled by cheaper Chinese devices that people became used to replacing after only a couple years

[SoullessOne]

Good Riddance!! Now when the hell are we going the get some modern trains on the B/D line?!

It sucks being trapped in a car and not being able to move freely when sht goes down as the train is going express between 59th to 125th

[Mr.Retired]

Opinion:

The R-42's were work horses in the truest sense.
They were made in America.
Manufactured in Missouri by Americans for Americans.
Hard seats.... rough and noisy ride....with the best danged A.C.
The crud they churn out today will last a decade if we are lucky.
Start Saving your money .... taxes will rise soon enough.....................

[Foamposite]

Originally Posted by SoullessOne

Good Riddance!! Now when the hell are we going the get some modern trains on the B/D line?!

It sucks being trapped in a car and not being able to move freely when sht goes down as the train is going express between 59th to 125th

The R68s are still going strong. I prefer them over the more modern ones, which are all cookie cutter.

[prospectheightsresident]

Good riddance. Largely based on aesthetics, I absolutely hate(d) some NYC subway cars, and the R-42 is one of them. Another was the R-33 Redbird. Hideous trains, IMO!

My favorite train car to date is the R-46, which I came to know and love riding the A.