New York’s NEW Subway Cars

[@nixmixes770]

I'm glad they kept the same jolly 'stand clear...' fellow's voice.

[@Thom-TRA]

That voice is probably my favorite part of the whole subway

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

04:00 I love that guy’s reaction to yours … his face clearly reads: “WTF, what is that guy so excited about. Back away now.” 😝😂 But seriously, nice capture.👍

[@s.j.5850]

Your videos allow me to see trains in a different perspective. As an employee working for the NYC Transit subway system the people in charge oftentimes made the workplace difficult. At times they were too focused on cleaning the parts of the train instead of ensuring that they were functioning properly. When you repair machinery your main priority is making sure the parts/system is in good working order. They were also resistant to ideas that would make the transit system better. They found practical solutions that they did not think of a threat to their authority. Watching this video let's me see that the NYC Transit system is immense, complicated, & necessary, & I played a vital part in keeping it running. Now that I'm retired I can honestly say I luv trains & I am thankful for the 25 years of service I gave to the riding public to get them where they had to go.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for all you’ve done!

[@HesJustSteven]

34th Street-Penn Station has that layout because of the railroads and the anticipation of the extra passengers. It’s for extra passenger capacity.

[@hobog]

Three platforms instead of two islands, yeee

[@HesJustSteven]

@@Pandemicjoe because there’s no subsequent express station to do cross platform changes but also remember GC has more lines interchanging versus than the two 34th Streets. More options, more spread of passengers, less chance of dangerously overcrowded platforms, so the Lex platforms really didn’t need the mixed platform set up.

[@TheLewistownTrainspotter8102]

This is also the case for 34th Street-Penn Station on the IRT Broadway-Seventh Avenue Line, and Atlantic Avenue-Barclay's Center on the IRT Eastern Parkway Line.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

You know the MTA has done something right when it makes Thom want to cry! The subway is the backbone of the city and thus, it must keep moving forward, with these new cars as a step! Even if not all of them will have open gangways (which open gangways will help big time for crowd control), it's very much still a step in the right direction! I too appreciate the LED displays, the LCD screens, and the cool headlights. Two touches I especially enjoy are the flashing red lights when the doors close as well as the flip seats that allow space for wheelchairs! The seats are colored deep blue and yellow after the New York state flag. The current NY state flag was first adopted in 1901 (it wasn't always a deep blue; it was originally yellow like New Jersey's and was originally adopted in 1778) but was modified in 2020 to include "E Pluribus Unum" below Excelsior on the bottom of the coat of arms. The coat of arm's shield displays a smiling sun and maritime activity on the Hudson River, representing the historic commerce on the river. The figure on the left side of the coat of arms is Liberty, with a crown by her left foot to symbolize New York abandoning the British monarchy. The figure on the right is Justice, holding scales and the sword of justice. Excelsior is the state motto and represents the zeal of New York's citizens to strive or reach for higher goals.

[@Thom-TRA]

I hadn’t seen the wheelchair seats yet. And thanks for sharing the history about the flag!

[@MrCubsfan3]

The R211s look and sound amazing, but I'll also never get tired of the R160 traction motors accelerating like at 3:35

[@Thom-TRA]

Glad we’ll have both for a good long while

[@LR2894h]

Lol, he's so happy he could cry! 💙

[@omarmontes90]

I haven't been to NYC in years. So glad to see they are modernizing their trains. It's one of the oldest systems in USA. They look sleek and the colors add a nice touch. I really like what MTA is doing and we are taking a lesson in the West Coast. NYC is one of the only places I see metro run 24/7 and I wish we had that here.

[@Thom-TRA]

I think they did a good job too

[@paulmessina9252]

I grew up riding the subways since 1959. Love the system and wound up working for the New York City Transit Authority. I’m in the industry for 44 years. MNew cars in my day were the R26, 28, 29, 33, 36, 40, 42, 44, 46. When I worked for the system for Car Equipment, the 62A, R142, 142A, 143, and R 160 came into service. Now, my friend, the IRT R262 class cars are on the engineering horizon. Paul Messina, New York City

[@SerbFromTheLeft]

Much has changed since I first rode the NYC subways during college 1983-1985. Back then it was not uncommon to board C trains that had rotary fans inside, the F trains were the newest and cleanest in the entire system and I had a treat when I fianlly caught a new R62 on the No 4 line to got to Yankee Stadium.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

34th-Penn Station is designed that way because it's one of the busier stations so there's more capacity. It opened in 1932 and copied the style of the 1/2/3 station that opened in 1917. It encourages riders to switch at the next stop northbound, which is of course Times Square-42nd Street, as it is set up in the usual island platform manner for cross-platform interchanges. Most of the Eighth Avenue Line was dug using a cheap cut-and-cover method, including 34th Street-Penn Station. When the line that has the 1/2/3 was constructed, it, in conjunction with the construction of the Lexington Avenue Line, would change the operations of the IRT system. Instead of having trains go via Broadway, turning onto 42nd Street, before finally turning onto Park Avenue, there would be two trunk lines connected by the 42nd Street Shuttle. The system would be changed from looking like a "Z" system on a map to an "H" system. The Farley Building that the Moynihan Trail Hall behind you is in was designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White, the same firm behind the original Penn Station. So it made perfect sense for the modern Penn Station to be expanded there. The main facade of the Farley Building features a Corinthian colonnade, the largest of its style in the world, finishing at a pavilion on each end. The imposing design was meant to match that of the original Penn Station. The James A. Farley Building was formerly the city's main post office! The USPS vacated much of it in 2002 when the building was sold to the NY state government.

[@blainecountysherrif4542]

Kim Jong-un what is your opinion on people who say your Pyongyang subway system looks dated and needs a major refresh?

[@rainerrain9689]

Thanks for this chock full of info reply, THANKS !

[@BDavinci06]

I'm glad you got to ride the R211s Thom. They are pretty exciting and a radical departure from your typical New York City Subway train. To let you know, Yours truly has operated the R211s. And they're very good while operating them. I'll give you a bit of inside knowledge on the R211Ts There's only about 20 cars (split into 4,5 car sets) When I was training to be qualified to operate on these the supervisors at told me that the are 2 of them that are mostly gonna be on the Rockaway Park shuttle and possibly rush hour what we call "showcase" trains. This is where the A goes to Rockaway Park on rush hours. The reason for that is that it is a train operator if anything happens on the Subway, that Train operator has to go down to the roadbed and investigate. Sometimes, you have to climb in between trains. To see what tripped the train, having the gang way makes it difficult. Trying to fit between a very tight tunnel. So my supervisors say that they wanna put the R211Ts on the Rockaway Park shuttle because it's mostly outdoors. They now operate with 4 cars of the R46 type and eventually with these 5 cars from the R211T. It's a great video. Hope you have a good time here in New York.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for the info! I didn’t know you had a chance to operate them!

[@KevinArchitect]

When the rats are a runnin, the train’s a comin

[@scrappytracy5557]

Ohhhhhh, this makes me really miss NYC. Love the combo of trains and NYC.

[@ck4426]

So awesome that you were able to ride two in one “sitting”!!! Awesome!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

I couldn’t believe it

[@stonebear]

SOME things never change... "Stand clear of the closin' doors!"

[@Thom-TRA]

It better never go away!

[@davidpinckney8868]

Right place at the right time

[@Thom-TRA]

Absolutely

[@bfall09bfall83]

Awesome ... NYC my hood 🙌

[@Saa42808]

Enjoying NYCT. 🤣🤣

[@davidburrow5895]

These do look cool. I was in New York a week ago and took the A-train several times. Sadly I didn't get a new train, though. It's good to see what they're like.

[@Thom-TRA]

We were probably in New York at the same time!

[@nikolaitolmachev7418]

Check out Moscow subway trains. Way more advanced…

[@AbleMable]

So cool!

[@ozgirl45]

It’s great that you caught both trains! They look amazing with the new screens and door lights yet still have the regular NYC subway vibe. I don’t live in New York and I haven’t been on the subway since late 2019 and then I was excited to get on a R179 with the cute light blue seats.

[@Thom-TRA]

I love the NYC subway vibe and glad they maintained it

[@Kitsune9063]

There are actually *3* R211s in service but because the train operators are worried to drive them only 2 are usually in service and one set ends up sitting in a yard or layup, there's also going to be another entering service later this month too.

[@michaelformaini7053]

You were blessed indeed to get both of the new sets within the hour. My experience with New York Subway back in 1995 was limited to rides on the 1,9 corridor from Times Square to 125th Street and return to Cortlandt Street. I also rode PATH to/from Hoboken Terminal as I was staying out in New Jersey at the time. Now I must look at your coverage of Acela from two weeks ago. Keep up the good work.🙂🙂🙂

[@deltazoth3987]

9:32 that sound is amazing

[@de-fault_de-fault]

Adding to another comment on this: 34th and 8th copied this layout from 34th and 7th, which had previously been Penn Station’s only subway link, making the overcrowding concern that much worse if people were also trying to transfer here. Conversely, the platforms at 42nd and 8th are extra wide to encourage transfers there instead. In fact that’s why the two island platforms there are staggered (all trains completely pass the opposing platform before reaching their own) to allow the tracks plus these extra large platforms to fit in the right-of-way of 8th Avenue.

[@JorgeSoto-iv2hn]

Thank you for coming to New York and hope you enjoy your ride on the R211 A train. Be safe out there.

[@matthewconstantine5015]

The R211s remind me a bit of the 7000 series on DC's Metro, as far as some of the design choices. They look really nice. I'll be in NYC for a few days in December. Maybe I'll get a chance to ride one. (edit: Oh, I took a moment to look and turns out the 7000 series were also built by Kawasaki)

[@SebPartof2]

These trains are amazing. Wish I could ride them.

[@Thom-TRA]

They are awesome

[@leecornwell5632]

You are definitely gonna get a chance to ride them I tell you that now.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

admire your and Thea's patience to wait extra in an **underground** station for 1 of these. Elevated, in some place like the Rockaways, the breeze can blow any stench away, plus I don't usually need to mask!

[@Thom-TRA]

Who is Thea? haha

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

@@Thom-TRA the lady who runs @Urban Caffeine

[@Thom-TRA]

@@CaradhrasAiguo49 ah, didn’t know that’s her name!

[@mossbrg5]

The linear motor door operators are very precise and a big improvement over the older screw jack doors.

[@Chronograph71]

I liked the info screens, but lcd screens for ads I am not excited about. Those screens make ads more intrusive, more menacing... Otherwise, a nice train...

[@Thom-TRA]

Honestly, the lcd ads have been used in Japanese trains for 2 decades and they don’t bother me that much. These days everyone is basically buried in their phones anyways, and I’m sure the MTA can make more money off of digital ads, so I don’t blame them.

[@qwertyTRiG]

​@@Thom-TRAIt's the constant moving that would bother me. Much more intrusive.

[@christopherbuckley94]

I like the guy wearing the shorts drinking a soda as the train arrives. LMAO! As for the train itself, I agree with you. It is a big improvement!

[@joshuaburke631]

This day was just when i moved back to New York😮

[@Thom-TRA]

Nice! I hope it’s going well!

[@CameronLandels]

Hi Thom! Thanks for the video! I loved your enthusiasm when the new train came in! They look impressive in my opinion, designed really well. Last time I was in NYC was 12 years ago 🙂

[@Theunknown13432]

The second r221 you rode just entered service the same day you recorded it!

[@thyagarajannatarajan6234]

Your videos are amazing. Always love watching the channel! Keep up the good content!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you so much!

[@matthewcarter3197]

I'm so glad you got a chance to ride the new train

[@Thom-TRA]

Me too

[@Trainfan1055Janathan]

I like the way it sounds when it accelerates, but it'll never replace the R46 or the R32. Those trains make the best sounds. Also, good to know that NYCTA is keeping the tradition of having intercoms that make it impossible to understand what the driver is saying alive and well.😂

[@paulcastillo1310]

Los Angeles is now getting new subway cars too😮

[@deshawndavid]

Can't believe you rode it before me and I live here because I'm working most of the time

[@Thom-TRA]

Well good for you for working! Don’t worry, your chance will come :)

[@topliner9534]

I'll be revisiting New York in October and the first train I will be taking is the A from Lefferts Blvd, so I hope I get an R211A. Trivia: The guy that says "Stand Clear of the Closing Doors" is the same guy that said ""You've Got Mail"" on America OnLine internet service back in the day.

[@Thom-TRA]

I hope you catch one! And that might be the best piece of trivia anyone has ever commented under one of my videos.

[@MiaCollinsNeighborhood]

Whoa! It's good to see New York getting some awesome new equipment, and I hope BART (my local subway) follows suit. BART's vehicles are pretty old so I hope they can get a huge upgrade

[@Thom-TRA]

When I rode BART in May I thought the newer trains were decent. I liked the old ones too, but mostly because they reminded me of DC’s trains.

[@chromebomb]

bart has been getting new trains for like the last 3 years now

[@limegpt]

In 2 weeks all BART trains will be the new trains, retiring the old trains

[@jasminehyman2671]

Lol I was driving the train in the thumbnail

[@jbs256]

Congratulations! What unbelievable luck. So happy for you to get the R211A in BOTH directions in short order. I’m nerdy like that to appreciate it. The A was “my” train when I grew up in NYC. Euclid Avenue was “my” home station even though I lived in Queens this is the one mom took us to to catch the train. I think it was because of convenient parking. As a kid I loved standing at the front looking out the RFW. Memories. I’m new to your channel but have been watching, keep up the good work. I live in L.A. now and our trains are improving, as you’ve reported.

[@Thom-TRA]

I was very lucky indeed! Next week’s video will be from LA

[@javierbarrucz7755]

LUCKY YOU

[@Thom-TRA]

Very lucky

[@jstephens2758]

I admire your dedication. I do not have that much patience. But I did ride the NYC subways years ago to my job after school across 34th street from Penn Station.

[@JohnSmith-se9yl]

I remember when I was a kid the seats were covered in WICKER! The fair I believe was 10 cents... Times sure have changed, lmao

[@mikedrown2721]

I enjoyed the ride 👍👏😊❤️🇺🇸 Thanks for posting

[@Thom-TRA]

You’re welcome!

[@theizruby3974]

4:01 this dude was shocked by his happines

[@MrJamieBattle]

I almost had one of those during NYC Pride weekend.

[@strafrag1]

Hello and thank you for a terrific video! I'm a native NYer but don't live in the city anymore. I didn't know about these new cars. It's refreshing to see young people interested in trains and mass transit systems. Great job and I have subscribed to your channel. Cheers, Peter.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@bobsykes]

This is the first HDR 4K video I've watched, and it looks fantastic! That is definitely worth doing if it works for your channel. Love NYC train videos, too!

[@Thom-TRA]

Glad the quality is good!

[@jonathantransitauthority]

The way the motor sounded on the new train, it reminds me of a Hitchi GTO of the trains from Japan. I really love the LCDs on te new trains. I Hope more newer Metro or Subway trains in America use LCD screens for the upcoming stops and advertising. And I am also looking forward to see the R262 sometime in the future

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m excited for the R262 too! I couldn’t agree more

[@leecornwell5632]

The R262As close ways and the old 8 Third Ave Elevated line.

[@mtr801]

The windows are really small. I guess they're like that because of the wider doors, but that could've been solved by sliding plug doors, which most newer subway trains in Europe use (for example the entirety of U-Bahn rolling stock in Vienna, Munich and Nuremberg). But otherwise, the R211s seem to be a great addition to the fleet.

[@Thom-TRA]

Or there are always door pocket windows

[@mtr801]

@@Thom-TRA Yeah, that's right.

[@Zosu22]

Aren’t these sliding doors usually more durable? That seems to be pretty important for these busy systems.

[@peterelvery]

Plug doors are great but they are slower, less reliable and require more maintenance. Those could be the reasons they were not used.

[@mtr801]

@@peterelvery Fair enough

[@antianime-pfp3291]

As someone who has visited both NYC and Tokyo, this is so cool. This train is if MTA and Tokyo Metro had a child. I noticed on 9:28 this sounded exactly like trains in Tokyo and reminded me of there.

[@Thom-TRA]

I think it sounds the same because they’re both built by Kawasaki! I live in DC and we have Kawasaki trains and they remind me of Tokyo too.

[@stevenroshni1228]

Looks beautiful in the tunnels

[@officialmcdeath]

My first sight of these magnificent trains told me it'd be a cost-effective makeover to retrofit the previous generations of New Technology Train with full colour/full size bullets at each end, they make such a difference with wayfinding - thanks for sharing your excitement \m/

[@briansivley2001]

While I'm not too crazy about the asile facing seats I actually prefer the front facing seats so I can look out the window and watch the scenery go by (obviously not in the subway unless I want to see the stations) I think the new train cars over there look really modern. While I haven't been to NYC I know that I would take the public transit system there because it would be dumb to use the taxi or Uber/Lyft to get to places in The Big Apple lol. And while I haven't been on The CTA's new cars too I am watching videos on them as well and I can already see similarities between ours and the MTA's new cars. While I didn't like it when The CTA copied NYC MTA car interior setup for the 5000 Series especially since we have so many historical buildings that The L go by I did like the improvements that The 5000 Series had and I think other systems should copy us like MTA. Like when the train reaches a station that the platform isn't at the same level as the train the train either raises or lowers depending on the platform. In my opinion that's a excellent improvements especially for the people who use wheelchairs or uses crutches or other things who might fall on the older sets that the CTA have. I think all transit systems should use the same systems that The 5000 Series uses especially for the accessibility part of it.

[@elysiumcore]

Watching from Tokyo....not bad Nyc...hope they keep it cleam 😂

[@Thom-TRA]

The inside of this train reminds me of the E235 series while the outside reminds me of the Seibu 40000 series. Both Kawasaki built…

[@jedendwatrzy4189]

I love the “stand clear of the closing doors please” announcement guy’s voice! The New York subway system is a blast to navigate and ride! I’m so happy you got to ride the new train cars!

[@MarkBustos2]

I love the R211. I heard the R211T should be ready by the fall according to the transit forums. The successor of the R62 & R62A & R68 & R68A the R262 & R268 will use the same the R211.

[@leecornwell5632]

Don't forget about the R262As end ways just like the R211As R211S.

[@leecornwell5632]

The Ninth Ave and Thrid Avenue Elevated line will definitely come back I tell you that right now because they have the R,262/As open and close ways .I'm telling you

[@mood4eva98]

You actually caught the 1st and 3rd sets! Also wait until they finally fix those door indicator bugs

[@ganadu]

That's a good looking train!

[@Thom-TRA]

It sure is!

[@chromebomb]

R211's are really nice by far the best rolling stock in the US no doubt

[@Thom-TRA]

I agree

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

That's almost as lucky as the time I went to Boston and rode all 3 of the newest trains in one day (Green line type 9s, Orange line 1400s, and Red line 1900s)

[@Thom-TRA]

That is lucky!

[@michaelb9629]

It’s been a really long time since I’ve been to New York. I might’ve been on that subway system once, but I definitely want to ride the new train cars whenever I can get there. I was in Atlanta earlier today and I rode the Marta since it’s been like 6 months ago since I’ve last rode it. They’re supposed to be getting new rail cars delivered this year if they haven’t already and begin its revenue service in two years from now.

[@teecefamilykent]

Brilliant video, love the new trains!

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you!

[@sebastianjoseph2828]

Nice video. I know you mentioned not going into the pros and cons of open gangways, but one consideration I'd add is that as someone that often bikes to the metro (in DC) it's nice to have a corner of the car that doesn't get foot traffic so I can stand my bike out of the way. I feel like on a car with open gangways you'd need a lot of bike hooks (which I wouldn't endorse since they take away from seating space) or bike commuters would have to go to the far end or front of the whole train. Not a condemnation, just a consideration on top of the other arguments for/against open gangways.

[@daveinthewildOG]

Damn dude! You got lucky. Nice equipment and you were able to capture so much in that brief ride. You make me want to vacation in New York just to check out these new cars. They did them right.

[@Thom-TRA]

I will never not recommend New York haha

[@Backpackfiles]

Was there the day before. Saw a set from the outside from a distance.

[@londonwhaley8690]

I enjoyed that video👍👍

[@soundshaper]

There was no better moment in the NYC subway than after years of older trains to finally see R-46s show up more and more, quiet with great AC on a hot summer day. AC was on the B division before it was common on the A division. When the 1 train Redbirds got AC, that was another great moment somewhere around 1978 I think. The new R-211s were supposed to be articulated with open gangways, wasn't it?

[@Thom-TRA]

The R211Ts, which I explain in the video

[@tim1724]

Those are very nice! I agree that open gangways will be an improvement on the R211T. It's nice to see American metro operators start to adopt that feature. (From what I understand NYC used to have subway cars with open gangways fitty years ago but got rid of them in an extremely misguided attempt to deal with crime. The Los Angeles Metro recently (finally, several years late!) took delivery of its first CRRC HR4000 rolling stock for the Metro B & D lines and from what I understand these new cars have open gangways between pairs of cars (unfortunately not along the whole train) and full-color LEDs for destination signs. They also use NYC-style side-facing benches for the most part, which should improve capacity for standing riders during peak travel times.

[@Thom-TRA]

I am looking forward to trying out the new LA trains!

[@Thom-TRA]

@avkay12 as someone who has ridden trains all over the world, this is completely false. They actually make the train safer, since there’s more social control. But Americans think they’re special and things will be different here.

[@simoncolenutt5228]

@@Thom-TRA Totally agree; open gangways are a real game changer

[@theconceptualist8626]

I’m supposed to be visiting New York sometime soon, I’ll keep my eye out for these

[@Thom-TRA]

They’re worth waiting a little bit

[@AndreiTupolev]

The telescreens and the lights around the doors are cool touches, they do update the traditional style of subway train, but I wonder if it does look so traditional that most people wouldn't recognise that it is the shape of things to come

[@Thom-TRA]

Traditional designs are the result of infrastructure limitations (tunnels, platforms, curves), public feedback, and budget constraints.

[@jameskerner7782]

FYI: The car #'s were last used on the cars used on the R-40's. They were designed by Raymond Lowey. The TA didn't like the cars because they had to close the end of the cars didn't have protection for walking between the cars. Also, the plastic seats were hard and didn't have back support. The TA later had the cars modified and labeled R-40M. The M stood for Modified.

[@mrvwbug4423]

Until you mentioned meeting up with friends I was surprised that you didn't take the southbound A train all the way to Far Rockaway, that is actually one of the most interesting subway routes. The north terminus is in Inwood at the very northern tip of Manhattan (the terminus is literally a rock wall where they stopped digging 100+ years ago). it stays underground through Manhattan and through Brooklyn and part of Queens before emerging onto elevated track for awhile, then it actually runs at grade through southern Queens and across a bridge and a long causeway on the way out to Far Rockaway then hops back onto elevated track at the barrier island that Far Rockaway is on, probably one of the most interesting subway lines.

[@Thom-TRA]

I had a whole day of showing my friends around New York ahead of me

[@OtterMan310]

When’s the next time you will visit Portland? Next time you do you should visit the Oregon Rail Heritage Museum and make sure it’s on a Saturday so you can ride the excursion train

[@Thom-TRA]

No plans so far

[@zachydrogeo]

Not to be pessimistic but I really didn’t like the LCD screens on the walls playing ads. It’s very annoying. Aside from that I really like the use of LCD screens for system information.

[@pjinnj35]

The reason why 34 street Penn station built like that is to have crowd control for entrancing and exiting from Penn station itself. There a cross platform at 42 st that can do that.

[@WebSoak]

1:56 lmao

[@Thom-TRA]

I don’t get it

[@amfm889]

The MBTA in Boston could learn a thing or two about the way the NYCTA accepts new trains, as described by metropod (pinned comment). One train, tested, and if anything crops up, the "clock" is reset to zero.

[@deepwoodguy2]

Are these trains that are built in Japan the same ones.... Japan (train stuffing Tokyo). where people are squeezed into all parts of the train?....like sardines ....good tour 👍👍

[@pi-sx3mb]

Wow, crazy good luck hardly waiting at all for both rides. The signs showing the current station stop are huge - no more scanning the pillars or wall tiles trying to glimpse what station you're pulling into. The doors seem a little wider and the PAs were actually decipherable. Strange that less than 5% of the cars on order for the four-borough system have open gangways. At that point, why even bother having just a few? It does seem like a much better design to allow people to change cars if they're uncomfortable with the vibe of a car they're in and could be huge in an evacuation scenario. The noise level still seems loud - an unfortunate missed opportunity. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@Thom-TRA]

The 20 open gangways cars are still a test to see what kind of open gangways technology works best. MTA is selecting a manufacturer for their R268: these will all be open gangways, and will run on the A division (numbered lines).

[@JBS319]

There are even more features on the R211 trains, however, they aren't all operational at this time. Specifically, platform maps will be displayed on the LCD displays as the train is arriving at a station, with a marker indicating where your car will platform. Arrows on the full color LED displays will point to which side the doors will open, and the the green lights will light up on the doors as the train is arriving. However, there have been some difficulties implementing these features on the classic signaling system where the train doesn't know where it is or what track it's on. This has led to the arrows pointing to the wrong doors during diversions and arrows pointing to BOTH doors at terminals. With CBTC the train knows where it is at all times, so that should help with some of the problems implementing those features.

[@Thom-TRA]

The platform maps is a great idea, Japanese trains do this too!

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

Great content again; I like your channel a lot!

[@Thom-TRA]

I appreciate it!

[@mikewolf5367]

I can’t wait for them to do the 7 line and hopefully get rid of that stupid green circle and red diamond symbol they added to the R62A roll signs.

[@superiorjr154]

CTA take notes!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

I have high hopes for the 9000s

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

9000 series on the blue and red lines can have open gangways

[@maas1208]

​@@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2 I think CTA wants Married Pairs so they can be used on all lines universally.

[@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2]

@@maas1208 Can trains with open gangways be in married pairs?

[@maas1208]

@@alexthemtaandr211weatherfa2 Well I guess an Open Gangway per married pair.

[@Bassotronics]

My only complaint is that the side windows are now too small, harder to enjoy the beautiful outside scenery of New York. But in the end, I just stay standing in front of the door like I usually do for scenery.

[@RailWeekly]

Great video! Do you know what makes the R211S models different? Did they have to make modifications to the design for the SIRR?

[@Thom-TRA]

The SIR has to conform to Federal Railroad Administration guidelines because of its status as a former commuter rail, so the trains have to be built to some stricter standards.

[@jfmezei]

In Montréal, the MP10 (Azur) trrains have door lights white by default. As you approach a station, the side that will open turns green. I For the R211s, I noticed that it turns green as the door opens so no advance hint of which door side is to open. (and when a door is deffective, it is red at all times so you know not to expect it to open). Also, I noticed that the R211A turn the door light to red just as the doors start to close. In Montréal, they turn red, then a chime rings, and then they start to close with a respectable delay between time they turn red and time closing actually begins (if you get off escalator to platform and see they are still green, you can run like hell to make train, but if the doors are already red, you know the odds of making iot are next to slim, but if you are already running to them, you know you have enough time). The maps above doors are very nice. That is one area where Montréal lacks, but in exchange we have higher doors. The gap between the 211A cars seems HUGE. Wonder if it will be the same gap with the 211S but with huge rubber accordeon in between or if the cars will be closed to each other. (on a fixed length train for system's platform length, reducing gap between cars allows for signifcant increase in capacity. Open gangways give you a bit more capacity, but not that many actually ride between cars). Of course gap between cars depends on curves on system. The tighter the curces, the more space you need between cars. On the 211As, are doors betwene cars locked and "New Yorker proof" or do people routinely switch cars using those doors?

[@alk61695]

Wow lucky you. I live in New York and I have still yet to ride, let alone see the R211. Granted I don't use the A line that much but still, I have tried to catch one but was never lucky. I am sure I will get on one eventually.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m sure you will!

[@alk61695]

@Thom-TRA yeah if I have the time to camp out at an A line station I'll try.

[@cynikalX]

what causes that strange three-tone wistling sound when the train leaves the station @3:35 ? this is NOT the new R211* trains, but i first noticed this about a decade ago or more on say the 4/5/6 trains when they got replaced (mid-2000's? late-2000's? don't remember exactly)

[@cousinevey]

Great coverage. But whose good idea was it to put the strip map over the doors? You probably can't see it when you're sitting down and that's when you need the info. And give up your seat read it? Never happen!

[@Ryan-he2qz]

Gangway like in asianor europe Gives commuter a freedom to transfer from one to another . Seemless movement for safety and convenience.

[@alanbutler9627]

Thom, It looks as though the new trains have access at each car end to the next car, so you could walk through the train while it is moving. Is this correct>

[@TCORV]

The r211 looks good and all but they should do something with those tiny windows and maybe a new door chime

[@Thom-TRA]

They should never replace the door chime. It’s an iconic part of the New York subway.

[@Cjtrans1]

I'm a big fan next time come out to Staten Island to our mini railroad ! Its at the ferry terminal not a bad ride very historic. B and o operated before the ta got it and we are getting those new trains soon and questions hit me up

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve always wanted to ride SIR. I do the ferry every time I’m in town but never taken the train. Is it true you can ride for free?