In the good 'ol days pre 2009 as far as I remember from '97 or '98 to 2009 the trains to ride were the R-32,38,40S/M for the B division IMO they could all hit mid to upper 50's even 60+ in those hot spots along the as far as I remember.Loved the Mods on the the operators ran them good. For the A-Division hands down to those cats on the formerly on the they hauled 10-15 yr old R-62's on the was the spotlight for me growing up in the 90's I'm unsure about speeds but they kicked ass up and down Lex as the R-142 and Kawa 142A's are doing todau but those 62's lightweight they didn't sway like the 46's in the B division but if felt they like were jolting or jumping from side to side when they were flying.I don't remember the Redbirds much because I didn't like them but I heard those were rockets.
Now in days things are a bit slower because of more timers but the spotlight to enjoy are the 32's and 46's flying in 42nd S/B,Nostrand S/B,14th S/B easily all the time at least 42mph at most possibly 48 although I remember a operator came in 42nd flying at 47.
The Brighton is still decent with the 68/A's also 34th to W4 trains just come in at least 45.The A-division the 62's on the are kicking ass up and down 7th Av/Broadway also the 142 and 142A's are getting things done but too me the R-62A's are sluggish although the brakes are very good.