The iconic orange and yellow subway cars that have been a staple of New York City for half a century are set to be retired. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced plans to phase out the R46 trains, which have been in service since the 1970s, and replace them with newer, more reliable models.
According to MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber, the decision to replace the old train cars is not just about aesthetics. The older models break down six times as frequently as the newer cars, leading to a less reliable and less enjoyable passenger experience. The MTA has purchased 435 R211 trains, including 80 “open gangway” trains that allow passengers to move between cars, to replace the aging R46 models.
The first R46 trains were introduced in the summer of 1975 and were marketed as “the finest in the world.” These 75-foot-long subway cars featured rubber floors, fluorescent lights, plastic seating, and a conversational seating arrangement with both long rows and two-person benches. Over the years, many New Yorkers have grown attached to the familiar design of the R46 trains.
The new R211 trains feature longer benches, cooler colors, more standing room, and upgraded amenities such as brighter lights, security cameras, and better signage. Despite these improvements, some commuters are lamenting the retirement of the R46 trains, citing nostalgia for the cramped two-seater benches and the distinctive warm colors of the older models.
The warm tones of the R46 cars reflected the environmentalism and return to nature trends of the early 1970s, making them a unique and memorable part of the city’s transit system. While the R46 trains will not disappear immediately, most of them will be phased out by 2027 as the newer models are introduced.
Concetta Bencivenga, director of the New York Transit Museum, notes that the older trains have become icons of the city and hold a special place in the hearts of many New Yorkers. The retirement of the R46 trains marks the end of an era for the city’s subway system, but it also signals a new chapter with more reliable and modern trains to serve commuters for years to come.
