R160A (New York City Subway car)

The R160A's at Nostrand Avenue while testing on the A in the Fall of 2006.

The R160A is a class of New York City Subway cars being built by Alstom Transportation, comprising 400 cars of the total 660 car R160 primary contract. The R160A contract is separated into two parts, because different types of car sets are to be manufactured. Although not officially named as such on NYCT documents, the order is popularly referred to as R160A-1 for the 4-car set contract and the R160A-2 for the 5-car set contract. They are similar to their predecessor, the R143 car fleet. The first 10-car set (the first two 5-car sets) is currently running on the N. Delivery of these cars is in progress.

Latest Developments

• December 8, 2005: the first R160A Alstom cars, 8653-8657, arrives at Piktin Yard after a mechanical error delays arrival. These cars were prepared for a test run at the Rockaways speed test track.
• December 19, 2005: R160A Alstom cars 8653-8662 are assembled into a full 10-car set.
• June 2006: first trains begin testing on the BMT Sea Beach and Culver Line.
• October 16, 2006 R160A Alstom cars will begin the 30 in-service testing period on the A line (mostly to/from Far Rockaway). Hours of service will be in line of the R160B set, which recently completed it's 30 day testing on October 10, 2006, which will be approximately 6 AM to 7:30 PM, 7 days a week.
• November 15, 2006: R160A cars have passed the 30 day period and will be put into permanent revenue service, along with ongoing delivery of new cars. Line assignments of the R160A cars are pending, although it is currently seeing part time service on the N. [1]

R-160A Specifications

• Car Builder: Alstom Transport Inc., Hornell, NY and Lapa, Brazil
• Car Body: Pure Stainless Steel
• Car Numbers: 4 Car Set: 8313-8652 and 5 Car Set: 8653-8712 (Primary Order)
• Fleet of: 400 cars
• Car Length: 60 feet, 2-1/2 inches (18.3 m)
• Car Width: 10 feet (3.048 m)
• Car Height: 12 feet, 1-5/8 inches (3.7 m)
• Track Gauge: 4 feet, 8-1/2 inches (1.435 m)
• Maximum Operating Speed: ~65 MPH
• Propulsion System: Alstom Onix AC Traction
• Seating capacity: (Cab car) A car: 42 / (No Cab) B car: 44
• Total Seating and Standees: (Cab car) A car: 144 / (No Cab) B car: 132
• Built in 4-Car sets or 5-Car sets
• Price per car (new): USD$1,319,589

External links

• nycsubway.org: R160 cars