R38 (New York City Subway car)
| R38 (New York City Subway car) | |
|---|---|
 An R38 train at Kingston-Throop Avenues on the C. | |
| Constructed | 1966-1967 |
| Number built | 200 |
| Number in service | 194 |
| Number scrapped | 6 |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 60 ft (18.3 m) |
| Doors | 8 |
| Braking system(s) | WABCO "SMEE" Braking System |
The R38 is a New York City Subway car class (model). It was built in 1966–67 for the IND and BMT lines. There are 200 cars (100 pairs), numbered 3950-4149. Currently, they are found on the A and C services. R38's are now based at 207 Street Overhaul Shop Yard in the Manhattan neighborhood of Inwood.
This model was the first to have air conditioning. The last 10 cars (4140-4149) were delivered with original prototype Air Conditioning in July 1967. From this point, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) began adopting air conditioning as standard equipment on new cars.
The R38's were rebuilt by General Electric at its Buffalo, New York facility in 1987–88. During the rebuilding process, the R38s were fully equipped with air conditioning systems. Prior to rebuilding, these cars featured curtain route signs on their bulkheads displaying the line and destination. After rebuilding, they received Luminator flipdot signs that displayed the line only.
The R38 has started to retire with full retirement by the Summer-Fall of 2009. The scene on a subway train in Coming to America was shot on an R38 as it appeared before it was refurbished.
References
- 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 ISBN 978-0963749284