R33 (New York City Subway car)

R33 Main Line (New York City Subway car) R33 #9010 on the 7 train, in the 1970s two-tone livery, operating for the final game at Shea Stadium. Interior of an R33 Main Line car post-GOH. R26 to R36 interiors are similar to the R33. In service 1962–2003 Manufacturer St. Louis Car Company Built at St. Louis, Missouri Replaced 2001–2003 Constructed 1962–1963 Scrapped 2001-2004 Number built 500 cars (250 pairs) Number in service None in regular passenger service Number preserved 11(54 cars are work cars) Number scrapped 435 Formation Pairs Fleet numbers 8806–9305 Operator New York City Subway Specifications Car body construction LAHT carbon steel Car length 51.04 feet (15.56 m) Width 8.75 feet (2.67 m) Height 11.86 feet (3.61 m) Doors 6 per car Maximum speed 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) Weight 72,900 pounds (33,100 kg) (post-rebuild) Traction system GE 17KG192AE2/3 (9076-9305 formerly Westinghouse) Power output Westinghouse 1447JR/GE 1257E1, 100 hp (75 kW) per axle Electric system(s) 600 V DC Current collection method Third rail Braking system(s) WABCO, "SMEE" (electrodynamic) Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The R33 ML (Mainline) was a New York City Subway car built by St. Louis Car Company in 1962–63. They were a "follow-up" or supplemental stock for the "A" Division's R29s and closely resemble them. Five hundred cars were built, serving on all IRT subway lines. They were rebuilt between 1986–1991. After rebuilding, they served on the 2, 4, and 5 routes and occasionally on the 7 before making their last trip on the 4 on April 14, 2003.

In 1996, New York City Transit announced that it would begin phasing out the Redbird cars, the R26 / 28 / 29 / 33 and 36. With the arrival of the R142 and R142A cars from 2001 to 2003, Redbird cars were scrapped, sold, put into work service, or stored out of service.

Eight cars (9010-9011, 9016-9017, 9068-9069 and 9206-9207) have been repainted into various vintage paint schemes, and have seen various uses since retirement. Car #9075 is on display at Queens Borough Hall and is retrofitted with swinging doors.

Most of these cars were retired by the NYCTA between 2001 and 2003. Some cars converted to work service from 1999-2004.

Route assignment history

• 1/2/3/4/5/6 (1963-65)
• 2/4/5/6 (1965-66)
• 2/4/5 (1966-85)-GE cars
• 6 (1966-88)-WH cars
• 3 (1984-87)-WH cars
• 2/5 (1985-2002)-GE cars
• 4 (1988-2003)-rebuilt GE cars

Gallery

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  R33 roll sign. Shows Bronx Express.

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  R33 was painted in various colors for the Train of Many Colors. Example colors of the R33 shown in the image is Bluebird and Redbird.

References

• Media related to R33 (New York City Subway car) at Wikimedia Commons
• Media related to Redbirds at Wikimedia Commons