Far Rock Depot

Can anyone list the differences between the R44 SIR and R44 NYCT besides the obvious?

Cab signaling pick-up bars on the lead trucks, no side destination signs and untill recently, grab irons on the exterior next to each door and under the cab windows. the bars under the cab windows remain but next to the doors have been removed.

its pretty cool. i was on it alot this past year. i would call it a mini-railroad. its like riding on a LIRR branch line with NYCT subway cars!

SIr is actually a "Class IA" Railroad. Since its not connected Physically to the rest of the National railroad network, its Cars are exempt from some of the features required for railcars on a railroad. Like ditch lights, extra headlights on the top front.

The 2 front plates in front of the lead trucks are "pick-up bars" like the ones used on Metro-North Railroad for cab signaling. SIR runs on a similar signal system along with wayside signals

Ive ridden SIR trains recently. There are no side signs. the front scroll signs on their R44's have the destination on them where NYCT's route signs are. N/B's have St. George, St. George Express or Ballpark and S/B's have Tottenville, Tottenville Express or Great Kills. At St. George, at each entrance to the platforms are signs that display the departing trains destination and operation(express or local). since the N/B end of the train will have St. George displayed. With its limited service patters the need for a side sign is not really nessesary.