R62A (New York City Subway car)

File:Bombardier R62A 1 Train Side Rollsigns.jpg

The R62As are numbered 1651–2475. Like the R62 order from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the R62A was made of stainless steel and had air conditioning. A graffiti-resistant glaze was applied to all of the cars because of the extensive graffiti tagging of nearly all of the subway cars in the system since 1969.{{cite web |last1=Banks |first1=Alec |title=The History of Subway Graffiti in New York City |date=February 9, 2021 |url=https://shop.rockthebells.com/blogs/articles/train-graffiti-history |publisher=Rock The Bells |access-date=15 May 2022}} They continued a controversial interior design by employing bucket seating, which was very narrow, with each seat being about {{convert|17|in}} wide. This reduced the number of seats per car when compared to standard bench seating, but allowed for higher standing capacity.

The cars were originally single cars with functioning half-width cabs at both ends, but were eventually linked into sets with full-width cabs at each end. All cars running on the {{NYCS|1}} (based at 240th Street Yard in the Bronx) and almost all cars on the {{NYCS|6}} (based at the Westchester Yard in the Bronx) are linked as five-car sets, while all cars running on the 42nd Street Shuttle (based at Livonia Yard in Brooklyn) are linked as six-car sets.{{Cite web|date=September 30, 2020|title=What's Old is New Again|url=https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=80933c2dc37752eeb9470b75f&id=d217ad395a|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110125902/https://mailchi.mp/mtahq/old-and-new-10838296|archive-date=November 10, 2020|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=us18.campaign-archive.com|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/hearings/160823/Description-of-Projects-Booklet.pdf|title=Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Notice of Public Hearing and Description of Projects – Tuesday, August 23, 2016 4:30 P.M. – Request for Federal Financial Assistance Under the Federal Transportation Authorization For Federal Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Improvement Projects|date=July 28, 2016|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817204721/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/hearings/160823/Description-of-Projects-Booklet.pdf|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=August 7, 2016}} All cars still have their intermediate half-width cabs in the remaining cab positions.

Many cars used on the 6 line feature LED lights on the sides of the cars around the rollsign where the service logo is indicated to help riders distinguish between an express train (red diamond) and a local train (green circle). These indicators were first introduced on the {{NYCS|7}} when passengers claimed they could not clearly hear the announcements regarding whether the 7 was express or local, even though the "7 Express" sign was used on the front and sides prior to its implementation in 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?62174|title=Showing Image 62174|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513103411/http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?62174|url-status=live}} Cars 1736–1740 and 2151 were used as test cars as early as April 12, 2007, and had red LED lettering displaying "LCL" and "EXP" on the front and the side; similar labeling was last seen on the Redbird fleet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?76703|title=Showing Image 76703|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513101522/http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?76703|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?74975|title=Showing Image 74975|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513110551/http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?74975|url-status=live}} When the R188s displaced the R62As from the 7 during the 2010s, the LED lights remained in use since both the 6 and the 7 local services have express variants that run in the peak direction during rush hours.

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| alt1 = R62A LED destination sign set to a green circle (for local trains)

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| footer = R62A LED destination sign set to a green circle (above, for local trains) and a red diamond (below, for express trains)

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Following the successful delivery of the 325-car R62 order, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) put out a bid for an additional 825 cars. Kawasaki did not want to build the additional cars under a separate contract, so the R62A contract was awarded to Bombardier Transportation of Quebec, who won the bid over Budd Company of Pennsylvania.{{cite web | title=www.nycsubway.org: R-62 (Kawasaki) -- R-62A (Bombardier) | website=www.nycsubway.org | date=1988 | url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/R-62_(Kawasaki)_--_R-62A_(Bombardier) | access-date=November 14, 2015 | archive-date=November 1, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101033933/http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/R-62_(Kawasaki)_--_R-62A_(Bombardier) | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=www.nycsubway.org: Chapter 11, Another Renewal for the IRT | website=www.nycsubway.org | date=April 10, 1998 | url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Chapter_11,_Another_Renewal_for_the_IRT | access-date=November 14, 2015 | archive-date=November 17, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117081620/http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Chapter_11,_Another_Renewal_for_the_IRT | url-status=live }}{{cite web | last=Feinman | first=Mark S. | title=www.nycsubway.org: The New York Transit Authority in the 1980s | website=www.nycsubway.org | date=December 8, 2004 | url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_New_York_Transit_Authority_in_the_1980s#New_Subway_Cars_for_New_York | access-date=November 14, 2015 | archive-date=September 6, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906031353/http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_New_York_Transit_Authority_in_the_1980s#New_Subway_Cars_for_New_York | url-status=live }} While Bombardier offered a higher price per car than Budd had, the NYCTA awarded the contract to Bombardier because the Canadian government offered a more favorable financing plan for the cars. In addition, Budd proposed using unapproved and untested motors, as well as similarly untested technology that frequently broke down on the R44 and R46 fleets.

The 825 cars were built between 1984 and 1987 and entered service between 1985 and 1988, though in August 1985, several cars were frequently taken out of service due to coupler and electrical problems, which almost forced the cancellation of the entire order itself. The first ten R62As, numbered 1651–1660, had their body shells built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan and were shipped to Bombardier for their use as samples during their production. They were placed in service on the {{NYCS|1}} train on May 29, 1985, after arrangements were made to expand the Car Appearance Program to the route (following a successful implementation of the same on the 4 train with the R62s).

File:MTA NYC Subway Bombardier Transportation R62A 1922 interior.jpg

Car 1687 was badly damaged at the Bombardier plant in the summer of 1985, prior to its delivery. However, it was repaired at the end of the order and entered service on December 1, 1987, on the 6.

On November 24, 1996, a ten-car train of R62As on the 6 train derailed south of Hunts Point Avenue. Cars 1716 and 1909 were significantly damaged.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Subway_FAQ:_Accidents|title=www.nycsubway.org: Subway FAQ: Accidents|website=www.nycsubway.org|language=en|access-date=July 26, 2017|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109085700/http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Subway_FAQ:_Accidents|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/21/nyregion/87-are-hurt-as-subway-train-runs-into-another-in-queens.html|title=87 Are Hurt as Subway Train Runs Into Another in Queens|last=Barron|first=James|date=November 21, 1997|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 26, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829204741/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/21/nyregion/87-are-hurt-as-subway-train-runs-into-another-in-queens.html|url-status=live}} Car 1716 was rebuilt and returned to service, but 1909 was retired due to mid-body and frame damage and scrapped in 2001.[http://www.thejoekorner.com/carassignments/New%20York%20Subway%20Barn%20Assignments-June%202015.htm New York Subway Barn Assignments. December 2014] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307073400/http://www.thejoekorner.com/carassignments/New%20York%20Subway%20Barn%20Assignments-June%202015.htm |date=March 7, 2016 }}

Starting in November 2017, as part of an action plan to fix the subway's state of emergency, several cars assigned to the 42nd Street Shuttle had most of their seats removed in order to increase capacity on that service.{{Cite news|url=http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2017/10/03/to-ease-subway-overcrowding--mta-removes-seats-from-e-trains|title=Hoping to reduce overcrowding, MTA tries removing seats from trains|last=Martinez|first=Jose|date=2017-10-03|work=NY1|access-date=2017-12-02|archive-date=December 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208025212/http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2017/10/03/to-ease-subway-overcrowding--mta-removes-seats-from-e-trains|url-status=live}} The other cars assigned to the shuttle also had most of their seats removed as all cars running on said line were linked into six-car sets.

On January 4, 2024, two 1 trains made up of R62A cars partially derailed and collided just north of the 96th Street station. One train was in service, while the other was out of service being moved. 24 minor injuries were reported. Car 2176 and various cars in consist 2411–2415 suffered damage as a result.{{Cite news |last1=Marcius |first1=Chelsia Rose |last2=Agüeros |first2=Robin Shulman |last3=Ley |first3=Ana |date=2024-01-04 |title=Subway Trains Collide in Manhattan, Causing Derailment, M.T.A. Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/04/nyregion/nyc-subway-train-derailment.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Cars 2177–2180 were ultimately linked with car 1934 and returned to service in March 2024.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1LiDHWP1Qo |title=R62A Cars 2177-2180 Back in Service on the 1 with Former Single Car 1934 |language=en |access-date=2024-03-30 |via=www.youtube.com}} Cars 2411–2415 were repaired separately and returned to service as well. Car 2176 was retired and is currently being cannibalized for its spare usable parts to keep the rest of the R62A cars running.

File:R62A interior.jpg

The cars were initially expected to be replaced starting in 2026 and lasting into 2028.[http://mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/100621_1330_CPOC.pdf MTA Capital Program Oversight Committee Hearing, June 2010 (page 20)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125215251/http://mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/100621_1330_CPOC.pdf |date=November 25, 2010 }} The MTA has been maintaining the R62As through the SMS program, which consists of repainting bulkheads, rebuilding trucks, changing out floors, repainting damaged seats, and other minor interior work on a set schedule in order to extend useful service life.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?111514|title=Showing Image 111514|access-date=May 13, 2010|archive-date=May 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530080929/http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?111514|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?110375|title=Showing Image 110375|access-date=May 13, 2010|archive-date=May 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530074504/http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?110375|url-status=live}} In 2010, the MTA proposed mid-life technological upgrades for the R62As, including LED destination signs and automated announcements.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mta.info/nyct/procure/rfi/9003sol.pdf |title=Request For Information No. 9003 {{pipe}} Integrated Communications System on NYCT R62/R62A and R68/R68A Class Rail Cars |access-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-date=June 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627153047/http://www.mta.info/nyct/procure/rfi/9003sol.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/nyregion/transit-agency-weighs-digital-upgrade-for-subway-cars.html|title=Transit Agency Weighs Digital Upgrade for Subway Cars|last=Grynbaum|first=Michael M.|date=June 16, 2011|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 26, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809132328/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/17/nyregion/transit-agency-weighs-digital-upgrade-for-subway-cars.html|url-status=live}}

In January 2019, the MTA announced that it would be replacing the R62/A fleets with the R262s, a new fleet that would be ordered as part of a future capital program.{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190122_1400_CPOC.pdf|title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting|date=January 2019|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=January 18, 2019|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120111307/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190122_1400_CPOC.pdf|url-status=live}}{{rp|25}}

A set of R62As is featured at Grand Central-42nd Street station, on the {{NYCS|6}} train for the movie Madagascar (2005 film).{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zubwhbiUS9o|title=DreamWorks Madagascar Escape From New York Madagascar Movie Clip|website=YouTube|date=September 10, 2020 |access-date=September 10, 2020}}

A group of R62As is featured at 14th Street–Union Square station, on the {{NYCS|4}} train, for the movie Subway Stories.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WCadsKUmd0|title=Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground (1997)|website=YouTube|date=June 23, 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2023|archive-date=January 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108105756/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WCadsKUmd0|url-status=live}}

An R62A is featured in Inside Llewyn Davis. However, the train is historically inaccurate.{{cite web|url=https://untappedcities.com/2014/01/22/film-locations-inside-llewyn-davis-1960s-nyc/|title=Film Locations: Inside Llewyn Davis in 1960s NYC|date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=January 31, 2023|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131033715/https://untappedcities.com/2014/01/22/film-locations-inside-llewyn-davis-1960s-nyc/|url-status=live}}

{{reflist}}

• 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|978-0-9637492-8-4}}

{{Commons category|R62A (New York City Subway car)}}

• [http://www.nycsubway.org/cars/r62.html nycsubway.org - NYC Subway Cars: R62/R62A]

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