R32 (New York City Subway car)
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The R32 is a New York City Subway car model built in 1963–65 by the Budd Company in Philadelphia for IND and BMT service. These cars were the first mass-produced stainless steel cars built for the New York City Subway. Their horizontally ribbed, stainless exteriors earned the cars the nickname "Brightliners."
The designation R32 is derived from the contract number under which the cars were purchased. They were originally assigned to BMT Southern Division service only, initially on the Brighton Line express service (Q train) and the Sea Beach Line (N) train, later seeing service as well on the West End Line (T and TT trains).
In 1963, the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) contracted with Budd for 600 IND/BMT cars (300 pairs), to replace older equipment, including the BMT D-type (Triplex) articulated cars. Budd had bid on previous contract with the NYCTA, but had never won a City contract for a production run of cars until the R32s, as Budd built only stainless-steel equipment, and the TA refused to allow a differential in competitive bids for this higher-quality construction.
Budd won the contract by coming in with the absolute low bid of $117,000 per car. Budd low-balled the price to win the contract and introduce stainless steel equipment to the modern New York City system, a plan that met with limited success. NYCTA allowed a premium for subsequent stainless steel contracts, and all subsequent subway equipment was at least partly stainless construction, including the upcoming R160B, intended to replace the R32. However, the Budd Company's never benefitted from the change, as Budd failed to win further contracts from the NYCTA and the company has since halted production of railroad cars.
In 1987–1990 the R32 cars were rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen at its shops in Hornell, New York. Ten R32 cars were rebuilt by General Electric in its Buffalo facility.
After their refurbishment, R32 and R32A cars were renamed R32 Phase I, R32 Phase II and R32 GE. The R32 Phase I cars (re-built by Morrison Knudsen) have WABCO Air Brake packages, GE Master Controllers (Throttle) and Thermo King HVAC units. The R32 Phase II cars (also re-built by Morrison Knudsen) have NY Air Brake equipment, Westinghouse Master Controllers and Stone Safety HVAC units. Since the cars were sent out to overhaul based on how poorly they were performing (bad cars first) there are regular R32s and R32As which are Phase I and Phase II. There are also about a dozen or more pairs which are comprised of R32 and R32A mixes.
In 2006, the R32 cars continue to provides service, more than 40 years after their introduction, despite a nominal design service life of 35 years. They run primarily on the A, C, E, F, N, and R services, with occasional runs on the W.
It is possible that the R32's will endure until the 2010s. Their durable stainless steel body panels will be a factor, demonstrating that a premium for such construction was warranted. In 2002, NYCTA announced that the upcoming R160B cars will replacing aging models including R40, R42, R38 and R32 car classes.
The R32s are numbered 3350-3949. One car is numbered 3348, it lost its even-numbered mate in an accident, so it was renumbered.
[edit] R-32 "Brightliners" Specifications
- Car Builder: Budd Company, USA
- Car Body: Stainless Steel
- Unit Numbers: 3348, 3350-3649
- Fleet of: about 295 cars
- Car Length: 60 feet, 21⁄2 inches (18.35 m)
- Car Width: 10 feet (3.05 m)
- Car Height: 12 feet, 15⁄8 inches (3.70 m)
- Track Gauge: 4 feet, 81⁄2 inches (1435 mm)
- Total Weight: 79,930 lb (36,256 kg)
- Propulsion System: General Electric SCM 17KG192E3, DC Motors
- Motors: Westinghouse 1447JR, GE 1257E1
- Power: 115 horsepower (86 kW) 4 per car
- Braking System: WABCO RT2
- Total Seating: 50
- Cab Arrangement: Half-width cunductor/operator cab at "A" end, half-width conductor control cab at "B" end
- Coupling/Numbering Arrangement: All married pairs.
- Air Conditioning System: Two Stone Safety or Thermo King HVAC units each car.
- Price per car (new, 1963): USD $114,951
- NOTE: During the rebuilding process of R32, roll-sign indicators located on the top of the lead cab have been replaced by a green, flip-dot route sign (like an LED in appearance sign).
