by Marc Glucksman/photos by the author
The days, weeks, and months prior to the Parade of Trains event involve the substantial logistics of dealing with vintage equipment, some pieces that are more than 100 years old, and moving them into place. On Friday, September 16, 2022, the final moves were made to ready for the weekend’s festivities. NYCT R-10 3189 has recently had a five-year restoration completed at the 207 Street Shops. Repainted in its 1964-65 World’s Fair turquoise and white livery, another generation will now have a chance to see and ride equipment from a bygone era. The Parade of Trains event is accessible to the general public, and is included for the cost of just a regular subway fare. New York City’s subways have been fortunate to have staunch supporters who have made such events possible, including the establishment of the Transit Museum in 1976.
On the weekend of September 17-18, 2022, the New York Transit Museum’s “Parade Of Trains” event returned to the rails of the New York City Subway. Passengers had the opportunity to ride vintage passenger equipment on the MTA NYCT Subway Brighton Line. A rotation of five different sets of equipment was operated for passengers to have the same experience as previous generation of subway commuters. The equipment ranged in age from 1907 “Brooklyn Union Elevated” equipment to 1963-64 stainless steel R-32s. While it is a two-day event, staff and volunteers work all year to provide guidance at the Brooklyn-based museum campus six days a week, restore cars, and offer enhanced programs for those who are members. More information about the New York Transit Museum, based at 99 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, New York City, can be found at nytransitmuseum.org.
ABOVE: Bright White: Recently restored R-10 3189 (ACF 1948) led a short three-car consist during its debut weekend at the New York Transit Museum Parade Of Trains on Sunday, September 18, 2022. This car had been in the 207 Street Shop for five years undergoing restoration and repainting. It wears the turquoise-and-white paint scheme of the 1964-65 New York Worlds Fair that was applied to some R-10s during that era. The train is seen passing through the Neck Road Station.