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[PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025

Fasten your seat belts for a ride on the IND subway !
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The result of a catastrophic collision that claimed #212, #378 & #472. All three units were scrapped on 2/17/1936.
Contract R-9 added three cars as replacements. #1880, #1801 & #1802.

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Original caption for photo states 25th Ave - West End Line. Correct ?
R-1's assigned to the #2 Fourth ave local dead heading to Coney Island yard. (undated photo)/b>
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Interior view of R-6-3 #980 (A.C.F. built 1935-36)
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Car card that most likely displayed on IND equipment as well as local trolleys advertising LaGuardia Field and their observation deck for the admission fee of 10 cents.
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November 23, 1948 memo alerting employees that new equipment (R-10s) are equipped with air horns.
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R-4 #733 was used to test "axflow" ceiling fans that would later appear on IRT R-15 contract.


Also as a test bed for a revised interior, what was rumored as R-1 #103
sporting longitudinal seating, fluorescent lighting and smaller ceiling fans. (undated photo)

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Just outside 20th St shops stands R-4 #535 displaying "BRONX EXPRESS". I wasn't aware of this roll sign of Bronx Express. (Undated photo)
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The extension of BMT service to Astoria enlisted the help of the IND division that sent R-1's to the #2 Fourth Ave. local service seen here at 14th St. Union Square.
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Posted notice of subway changes due to water main break (December 7, 1962)
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This scene at the West 8th St. station was taken sometime after IND takeover shows this neighborhood has changed dramatically.
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Drill motor #41 (1931 or 32 Magor Car Corp. builder) at 207th St. yard.
#41 is preserved while sister car #42 was scrapped sometime after a collision.(Photo: April 27, 1963)

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Drill motor #42 at 207th St. yard. (undated photo)
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A test to simplify car cleaning using a gasoline engine vacuum cleaner didn't last long.
Exhaust fumes and dust generation would probably cause health issues with employee using it. (undated photo)

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R-8 cars #66 & #67 were blind motor cars especially made for revenue collection. (207th St. yard April 27, 1963)
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#67 at the N.Y. Cross Harbor yard at 1st Ave. in Brooklyn awaiting to be sent out for scrap.
Don Harold once told me he wanted to have this car rehabbed for use to run with
the Nostalgia Specials of the late 1970's as a car selling refreshments, collectibles etc. (April 1986)

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Interior view of #67 showing how this car was outfitted for collection of revenues. (undated photo)
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Bare bones interior view of #67 at 1st Ave. yard. (April 1986)
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MTA paint applied to R-9 cars didn't sit well for some rail fans.
Here's one instance of a complete and not mixed consist.
Location: Knickerbocker Ave. (M) Myrtle Ave line. (April 7, 1971)

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And for the final photo, this is what a freshly repainted interior of a silver/blue R-9 looks like. (undated photo)
Yes, there will be a part two next week. Thanks for viewing.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by trains61 on Sun Sep 21 10:26:26 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

Very nice photos. Looking forward to part 2. My favorite photo thus far, is the one of LGA and the unmistakable profile of the Marine Air Terminal. Thanks for posting these.

The Lurkers' Guild
KLGA MAT 1979 thru 1984

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Q4 on Sun Sep 21 14:08:47 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

❤️❤️

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sun Sep 21 14:42:12 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

Fabulous photos and memories

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by W.B. on Sun Sep 21 14:48:24 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

Count me as being appreciative . . . as for the shot with the "Bronx Express" sign at 207th, I remember seeing that picture in Frederick Kramer's "Building the Independent Subway" book.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 14:56:27 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by W.B. on Sun Sep 21 14:48:24 2025.

Count me as being appreciative . . . as for the shot with the "Bronx Express" sign at 207th, I remember seeing that picture in Frederick Kramer's "Building the Independent Subway" book.

Thank you. That photo was scanned from a photo and not the book, just to let you know. I've never seen the Bronx Express segment on any roll sign.

Bill M.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Sun Sep 21 19:24:44 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 14:56:27 2025.

There is a photo of an old timer sporting a Concourse Fordham Rd front sign. Another holy grail, right up there with the IND World's Fair sign.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by zac on Mon Sep 22 09:31:45 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

The MTA paint on the R9s was akin to putting lipstick on a pig. It is still a pig.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Wallyhorse on Mon Sep 22 10:52:38 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

That crash must have been bad in the first photo.

The last photo of a newly painted R-9, I doubt they realized that was begging to be tagged with graffiti.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by italianguyinsi on Mon Sep 22 12:27:11 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos!

shame the IND revenue cars were scrapped.....

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Mark S. Feinman on Mon Sep 22 13:29:10 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

This is great! Thank you for sharing.

The bar car idea for #67 ... that would have been something.

--Mark

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Q65A on Mon Sep 22 15:10:12 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.

Great pix; thanks for posting!

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Elkeeper on Mon Sep 22 15:57:41 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by trains61 on Sun Sep 21 10:26:26 2025.

Too bad that the City did not extend the Queens lines to LaGuardia Apt. It could have been done under the Grand Central Pkwy or via Steinway St and Ditmars Blvd.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Sep 22 19:01:16 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Mark S. Feinman on Mon Sep 22 13:29:10 2025.

The bar car idea for #67 ... that would have been something.
It was already done:
On January 12, 1962, a publicity stunt that failed.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Sep 22 19:04:19 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by italianguyinsi on Mon Sep 22 12:27:11 2025.

Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos!

shame the IND revenue cars were scrapped.....


Thank you, that car would have fit perfectly on the nostalgia runs to the Rockaways and Coney Island. The NY Transit Museum could have used it a rolling gift shop.

Bill M.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Sep 22 19:15:06 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Q65A on Mon Sep 22 15:10:12 2025.

Great pix; thanks for posting!

Glad you liked them.

Bill M.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Sep 22 19:21:20 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by zac on Mon Sep 22 09:31:45 2025.

The MTA paint on the R9s was akin to putting lipstick on a pig. It is still a pig.
OINK !!
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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by BLE-NIMX on Mon Sep 22 19:39:25 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Mon Sep 22 19:21:20 2025.

I see a single track baton in the cab!

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by Handbrake on Mon Sep 22 20:03:15 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Steve B-8AVEXP on Sun Sep 21 19:24:44 2025.

Unfortunately before the era of the Transit Museum, and large scale Transit oriented organized Railfan initiatives, or interest, first generation rollsigns of the IND, and BMT, ended up in trash cans.

This true up until the early 80's when the first, and early generation IRT SMEE fleet equipment was replaced by R62 railcars. The R12-22 series cars went to the scrapper with their their IRT rollsigns.

The TA crews that dragged the first Gen IRT cars to Cross Harbor for handoff to be scrapped didn't think, except a few of them, to remove the rollsigns before the cars were dropped off on 2nd Avenue Brooklyn.

The last licks for roll signs collectors are the R62 & R68 fleet. Once those cars are gone, the fat lady of the roll sign collection society will have sung her final song.

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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by gbs on Tue Sep 23 00:49:52 2025, in response to [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Bill Newkirk on Sun Sep 21 09:55:32 2025.


Of all the "modifications" made to the poor old R1/9s in their later years, the worst was replacing the soft padded wicker and vinyl seats and seat backs with hard plastic. The plastic replacements did not have the same shapes, contours, and curves as the originals and were incredibly uncomfortable, the worst offenders being the high seat backs on the transverse seats, which lacked the bottom bulge.

I understand why the soft seats were replaced, but the replacements could have been made more friendly to the human body, especially the spine.







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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by gbs on Tue Sep 23 01:11:18 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by trains61 on Sun Sep 21 10:26:26 2025.


Everyone should visit the Marine Air Terminal, for its historical significance and its exterior and interior beauty, including the WPA-era murals.

Wikipedia article

The Q33 now serves the Marine Air Terminal, officially called Terminal A.
Q33 schedule








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Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway

Posted by BILLBKLYN on Tue Sep 23 02:49:04 2025, in response to Re: [PHOTOS] Odds & Ends Of The IND Subway, posted by Handbrake on Mon Sep 22 20:03:15 2025.

I was dumb, as I had the chance to get rollsigns from the old cars in the mid-late 80s that were on the scrap line at the 1st Avenue NYCHRR yard.

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