Redbird trains
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Redbird is the name given to New York City Subway cars of the following types: R26, R28, R29, R33 and R36. These cars were painted a deep red to combat graffiti, which had become a major problem In the late 1970s and early 1980s. The deep red color was referred to as Gunn Red in honor of its originator David L. Gunn, who was the head of the New York City Transit Authority during this period. Initially entering service in various colors, these cars received the new paint scheme between 1985 and 1989. Some R17s were also given this paintscheme, but were retired well before the name "Redbird" caught on.
[edit] History
These cars were built by two different manufacturers: American Car and Foundry built the R26 cars in 1959–60 and the R28 cars in 1960–61]. St Louis Car Company built the R29 cars in 1962, the R33 Main Line in 1962–1963, R33 World's Fair (single cars) in late 1963, and the R36 (Main Line and World's Fair version for Flushing Line) in 1964.
The cars provided passenger service on IRT lines: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Most Redbirds were phased out from 2001–2003 and replaced by the new R142 and R142A cars. 1,208 Redbirds have been sunk at sea off the coast of Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and New Jersey as artificial reefs to promote marine life, to serve as a barrier and for recreational scuba diving. Delaware received 558 cars, South Carolina 200, Virginia 150, Georgia 50 and 250 for New Jersey.
[edit] Preservation
Some Redbirds are used in the Train of Many Colors excursions, which includes numerous historical subway cars in their original livery, showing contrasting colors. These cars are not in the museum fleet.
[edit] Other usage of Redbird name
- The R27/R30(A) BMT/IND cars were often referred as the BMT Redbirds after they were painted Gunn Red and given a similar interior makeover in the mid-1980s.
- Though primarily associated with the New York City Subway, the Redbird name did not originate in New York City. The MBTA Red Line in Boston used the Redbird name starting in the late-1970s when that line's rolling stock was repainted into a largely-red scheme. However, that usage of Redbird followed a tradition set with those fleet's prior paint schemes ("Bluebirds" for the 01400's, "Silverbirds" for the 01500/01600's).
