Vintage BMT Subway Cars Roll Again

No pictures?? I grew up on Graham Avenue in the 50's, walking distance from the Carnarsie Line. I remember the BMT Standards and the Blue Birds.

The Triplexes are sitting on a siding at 207 st yard

Here are some pics from last week

Thanks for the pictures and the memories Bluelinec4. Great shots. I loved the interior of the Standard.

Did they ever use the fold down seats on the Standards?

Thanks. Your wonderful pictures brought back wonderful memories.

I received a email from the NY Transit Museum that in addition to the R1-9 Cars operating to Coney Island they are adding a second train of the 6 BMT D Type Tri-Plex cars to this trip on Saturday, July 18th. Go to the museum website or phone the museum at 1718-694-1600. These trips usually leave from the transit museum in Brooklyn but not all the time.

Ben:

Your photos posted above are great. My favorites are the Tri-plex cars. I rode them lots of times until the last ones were retired in 1965. Even got to operate them once in 1954 from Church Av. to Kings Highway stations. The boys really did a great job in restoring them. The standards are also looking great having not operated in 38 years.

See all of you this Saturday on the trip to Coney Island and points in between. I plan to sit in the second car between the two sets of power trucks just to hear the beautiful sound of these traction motors.

Ed, I'm going on the triplex run too, how would I recognize you? I'll wear a #7 mta tee shirt, Vic

I spent part of my childhood in Queens, NY. Had to take a bus to get to the terminal stop for the "F" train (179th St). I remember riding cars with straw seats and ceiling fans. Lots of rivets on the outside. But I have never been certain which cars they were.

Subway Vic:

I plan to wear my Tom's Trains hat and carrying a Metro-North blue shoulder bag. I will be coming by myself as my friends all of other commitments tomorrow. To bad for them.

Sorry I meant to type "all of my friends have other commitments tomorrow".

Yesterday was a day to remember. About 400 transit fans rode a 10 car train made up of 2 sets (6 cars) of former BMT Tri-plex D type cars built in the 1920s and 4 former IND cars built in the 1930s. Starting our journey at 11am from the NY Transit Museum, riding for 2 hours along several routes to Stillwell Av., Coney Island. Then a 1 hour ride out and return to Stillwell Av. After lunch returning to ride from Stillwell Av. though Brooklyn and into Manhattan ending at 145th St on the IND 8th Av. Line at 5pm. On several occasions our train was operating as fast as these cars have ever run.

I am so appreciative to Bill Wall and his crew of transit employees and volunteers who made this all possible. Seeing the Tri-plex D type cars looking and operating so well like almost brand new really made my day and the many others of us on this memorable day. I made some new friends both male and female. Next month I am planning to be on the ride from the shuttle platform at Grand Central to the Pelham Bay Station on the #6 line riding 4 or 5 former IRT Lo-V cars built between 1917 & 1924. One of these cars might even be a 1939 former Flushing Line worlds fair car.

Hope to see some of you on this trip. Contact the NY Transit Museum for ride information if interested.

Ben

Have driven one of the vintage cars yet??? Great photo's thx for sharing

Steve