R142 is the model class of the newest generation of IRT cars for the New York City Subway. Built by Bombardier in Plattsburgh, New York and Barre, Vermont from 1999–2002, these 1,030 cars, along with the R142A, are the new backbone of the IRT fleet.
The R142 cars have Alstom ONIX AC propulsion, electronic braking, automatic climate control, and an on-board intercom system.
The first R142's were delivered in November 1999. Regular service began in mid-2000 after several months of testing. The R142's and R142A's replaced most of the Redbirds—the R26, R28, R29, R33, and R36 IRT cars.
There are two types of cars: A (cab at one end) and B (no cabs). A cars are powered with four traction motors each. B cars are powered by two traction motors at number two end (car ends are numbered on the lower body just above the truck). The trains are linked up in A-B-B-B-A sets, but can be linked in 4, 6, 9, or 11 car sets.
The R142's currently operate on the 2, 4, and 5 services.
The recorded announcements are by:
- Jessica Ettinger Gottesman, 1010 WINS Anchor; Announcements on the Lexington Avenue Line
- Melissa Kliner; Original first-version announcements on the 4 and 5 outside of Manhattan, these have since been re-recorded by Ettinger Gottesman
- Diane Thompson; Announcements on the Broadway-Seventh Avenue Line
- Charlie Pellett; "Stand Clear of the Closing doors, please" and various public announcements
Although all were/are news anchors with Bloomberg Radio, their selection did not coincide with the 2001 election of current mayor Michael Bloomberg, as announcements were pre-recorded in 1999. Gottesman is now at 1010 WINS-AM, and Sirius Satellite Radio working with Howard Stern and his Howard 100 news team.[1]
R142 current roster
The following data is as of May 2005.
| Designations | Unit Numbers | Years | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Order | 6301-6980 | 1999-2002 | 680 cars |
| Option order 1 | 6981-7180 | 2002-2003 | 200 cars |
| Option order 2 | 1101-1220 | 2002-2003 | 120 cars |
| Option order 3 | 1221-1250 | 2003-2004 | 30 cars |
| GRAND TOTAL | 1,030 cars | ||
R-142 "Millennium" Specifications
| Car builder | Bombardier Rail Car Inc. in Canada | |
| Car body | stainless steel | |
| Unit numbers | 1101-1250, 6301-7180 | |
| Fleet of | 1,030 cars | |
| Car dimensions | 51 ft 4 in long 8 ft 73⁄16 in wide 11 ft 105⁄8 in height |
15.65 m long 2.621 m wide 3.623 m height |
| Track, standard gauge | 4 ft 81⁄2 in | 1.435 m |
| Doorway width (side—clear opening) |
4 ft 6 in | 1.37 m |
| Wheel diameter | 34 inches | 864 mm |
| Propulsion system | Alstom ONIX propulsion system model: 4LCA1640A, AC Traction Motors |
|
| Power (per motor) | 147.5 horsepower | 110.133 kW |
| Brakes | WABCO braking system | |
| Average car weight (empty) |
A-car (with cab) : 73,159 lb B-car (without cab): 67,630 lb |
33,184 kg 30,676 kg |
| Maximum speed | 55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Total seated passengers | A car (cab car): 34 B car (no cab): 40 |
|
| Total standees | A car (cab car): 142 B car (no cab): 148 |
|
| Full capacity totals | A car (cab car): 176 passengers B car (no cab): 188 passengers |
|
| Air conditioning system | Two roof-mounted Bombardier HVAC units each car. | |
| Price per car (new) | US$1,217,312.26 | |
References
- ^ http://nycsubway.org/cars/r142.html R142 on NYC Subway.org
External links
| New York City Subway rolling stock | |
|---|---|
| Current fleet | IND/BMT/SIR: R32 - R32A - R38 - R40 - R40A - R42 - R44 - R46 - R68 - R68A - R143 - R160A - R160B IRT: R62 - R62A - R142 - R142A - R142S |
| Retired fleet (R-type) |
IND/BMT: R1 - R4 - R6 - R7 - R7A - R9 - R10 - R11 - R16 - R27 - R30 - R30A - R34 - R110B IRT: R12 - R14 - R15 - R17 - R21 - R22 - R110A Redbirds (IRT): R26 - R28 - R29 - R33 - R33 WF - R36 - R36 WF |
| Never built | IRT/BMT: R39 IND/BMT: R55 |
| Retired fleet (private operators) |
IRT: Composite - Gibbs -
Deck Roof- Hi-V - Lo-V - Steinway - World's
Fair BMT: AB Standard - Bluebird Compartment Car - BU cars - C-type - D-type Triplex - MS Multi-section car - Q-type Queens car |
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