R7/A (New York City Subway car)

The R7 was a New York City Subway car built in 1937 for the city-operated Independent Subway System by two manufacturers under separate orders, the American Car and Foundry Company and Pullman Standard. The 150 cars built under the R7 contract were a continuation of the R6 fleet. A continuation of the R7 order, the R7A built in 1938, consisted of 100 additional cars from American Car & Foundry and Pullman Standard.^[1]

These cars were ordered for expanded service in Queens and for the opening of the IND Crosstown Line.^[2]

The R7s and R7As were also used for service on the IND exclusively until 1968-69, when they were displaced by the new R40 and R42 cars, and were transferred to the East New York Yard of the Eastern Division, and were used on the former BMT J, KK, LL, M, and QJ routes until 1977, when the R7s and R7As were retired, and replaced by the R46s.

Preservation

R7A 1575 leading a holiday excursion train on the IND Sixth Avenue Line.

R7 car 1440 survives at the Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Maine, coupled to R4 800. It is used in various tourist rides around the museum.

R7A car 1575 has been preserved by the New York Transit Museum. It was restored to operating condition and has been used in excursions sponsored by the Transit Museum. During its service life, it was rebuilt from its original appearance by ACF in 1947 after an accident, and became the prototype for the R10. It was designed to test new interior and cosmetic features. While it cosmetically resembles an R10, mechanically and electrically it is still an R7A and can only operate with other prewar IND Arnines.

References

Further reading

• 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