LIRRHicksville

Almost 2 years old and just entering service in the last 2-3 months. Only 2 trains were running today. 7811-7821 which I passed twice and 7833-7843 which I was on. Saw 7822-7832 in the Corona Yard. Another R188 train was there and with no lit "7". Probably was 7844-7854, which someone posted is still in burn testing. I wasn't able to see any numbers.

There are about 5 posts already pertaining to this. What does this have to do with the R188's? We have plenty of discussion about R62A's being transferred also, but it atleast is somewhat on the topic concerning the swapping of ex-R142A's. Don't get mad, but could we please stay on topic? Thanks

It will be all R188's, but some will be converted R142A's (the oldest ones already existing for 12 years) modified as R188's. I think the reason everyone wants to ride them now is while they are still new. I will say one thing, R188's or R142A's, they are roomier than the R62A's and without the dipped seating. The is a heavy traffic line and needs these. While the Lexington Ave. line is probably heavier, but remember it's a trunk line (3 routes).

Do you think the average subway rider (a.k.a. commuter), really cares? Most don't look at what the train is, they are so involved in their phones (calling, texting), reading and don't pay any attention to even what other passengers are doing unless someone creates a scene. Their only concern is that they get on the correct train and get to where they want to go and hopefully with no delay. The R142's are so dirty now, so I doubt most are complaining unless they have to maybe stand. Also, who are they going to complain to? Most don't want to be on the subway, and they're happy when they are finally off and out of the subway.

OK, that makes sense. I recall reading earlier posts here that additional parts are added in Brooklyn. From Pitkin, the cars are then tested in the Rockaways?? then to the for burn testing, before being put into service.

Just curious to why 7855-7859 had to be towed by locomotives? A 5-car set can't operate on it's own power or must it have the other 6 cars? Note the old "M Transit" emblem on the rear yellow locomotive.

Speaking of the R142A conversion set (7211-7220), that supposedly is out of service... according to NYCSubway.org, that was the first train on the to be tested in July 2000. No wonder the photos taken, show a dirty train as it is hard to believe it's 13 years old. The one "C" car makes the rest of the train an eyesore. Also, everyone speaks of the braking noise. Obviously, the yard (is that Parkchester?) doesn't treat it's equipment too kindly. Let's see how many of the circle/diamond roll sign lights still work on the R62A's, in a couple of years.

atleast 3 sets were running this afternoon. 7811-7821 (rode), 7822-7832 and 7833-7843 (rode). The 2 trains I rode were only separated by 1 R-62A train. 7822-7832 was going the other way and passed both of the others.

You would've thought that employees/crew that work on the , would have been trained on the new equipment. Maybe only the motormen get training, but the conductors don't.

Have you noticed how dirty 7811-7821 now have become? The weather (snow) has partly to do with it, but the cars definitely look used. I haven't noticed the shoe marks under the windows on the doors yet and it will come in time, once the cars are in service for a while. Passengers who usually stand for the duration of their trip, very often lean against the closed doors and place there shoe sole on one door. Very noticable on the R142/143/160's. It's ashame that many people can't respect property or space that isn't their own. They simply don't care... most don't want to really be on the subway.

Referring to the R62A singles, which currently make up the 11-car trains on the . Where were the singles used before the the Redbird R36's/R-33S's were retired from service? If all mainline IRT lines only run 10-car trains, were the singles coupled together as a trains? It seems quite unusual that singles were ordered at a time back in the early 80's, when the wasn't even a consideration and I know atleast one train was tested back then on the , but returned back to the mainline IRT. It probably wasn't an 11-car train anyway.

I took the 7 back to 33rd Street (R62A) from Times Square and the following (next) train in Times Square was an R62A. When I got off at 33rd Street, as I was on the street and practically back to my car (5:15PM). There was an R188 in the station (Flushing-bound) doors closed and I was wondering which set. As it started to pull out, saw 7844, also saw 7850. This was that set probably burn testing. Where it actually came from, I don't know, because the next train out of TS was an R62A and I noticed on my trip more R62A's heading towards TS. In other words, where did the R188 come from unless it switched over from the BMT at Queensborough Plaza.

Honestly, there are R188's everywhere. Aren't there some @ Coney Island yard? The first set was @ East 180 St. yard because of the testing on the Dyre Ave. line. I'm curious how much mileage these cars already have by the time they finally reach the tracks for passengers use? Are all the sets going through this vigorous testing? Wouldn't it make sense to have everything done at one facility? Parts get installed in Brooklyn. I'm surprised the Corona yard couldn't have been set up to do this. The last new cars ordered for the Flushing Line were the R-33WF (singles) and R-36WF (married pairs). Anyone know if back in 1963-4 when these cars were delivered from St. Louis Car, if they went through all these tests? They had to quickly be placed in service for the opening of the New York World's Fair, in April 1964.

Too bad there isn't something more automated/computerized. As a train enters the last stop, all displays reset. Probably, way too technical and expensive, but hey in a year or two it will be CBTC. I'll say this... the system is getting more and more technical and maybe it's not a bad thing, but when something malfuctions it will be a big mess. For instance, Metrocard Vending Machines... they sometimes don't take change or don't take cash period, and there is no clerk around.

7811-7821 were running together today. There obviously is a problem (bug) as the R188s leave Times Sq., no announcements/unlit strip map except for Times Sq. blinking and "Last Stop" blinking on side window and overhead LED interior displays. As the train enters Grand Central, strip map resets with announcement Next Stop, 5th Avenue. Everything synchronizes by the time the train gets to Hunters Point. the conductor in the middle of the train, announced the stops until everything was normal.