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R32The R32 nickname Brightliners is a New York Subway car model built in 1964-1965 by the Budd Company in Philadelphia for IND and BMT service. These cars were the first mass-produced stainless steel cars built for the NYC Subway. The designation R32 is derived from the contract number under which the cars were purchased. They were originally assigned to BMT Southern Division service only, initially on the Brighton Beach Line Express service (Q train) and the Sea Beach Line (N train), later seeing service as well on the West End Line (T and TT trains). In 1963, the New York City Transit Authority contracted with Budd for 600 IND/BMT cars (300 pairs), to replace older equipment, including the BMT D-type (Triplex) articulated cars. Budd had bid on previous contract with the NYCTA, but had never won a City contract for a production run of cars until the R32s, as Budd built only stainless-steel equipment, and the TA refused to allow a differential in competitive bids for this higher-quality construction. Budd won the contract by coming in with the absolute low bid of ~USD117,000. Budd low-balled the price to win the contract and introduce stainless steel equipment to the modern New York City system. They were successful insofar the TA allowed a premium for future stainless steel contracts, and all subsequent subway equipment was at least partly stainless construction. In 1987-1990 the R32 cars were rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen at its shops in Hornell, New York. 10 R32 cars were rebuilt by General Electric in its Buffalo facility. Today the R32 continues to provides reliable service, almost 40 years after their introduction, despite a nominal useful service life of 35 years. They can be found on the , , and services. It is possible that the R32's will endure until the 2010s. Their durable all-stainless construction will be a factor, demonstrating that a premium for such construction was warranted. Ironically, the Budd Company's gambit in providing the cars at a low bid did not pay off, as they never won another contract for NYCTA subway equipment and they now no longer produce railroad cars. The R32s are numbered 3350-3949. One car is numbered 3348, it lost its even-numbered mate in an accident, so it was renumbered. R32 specifications - Length 60 ft 2.5 in (18.4 m)
- Height 12 ft 1.4375 in (3.7 m)
- Track Gauge 4 ft 8.5 in (1.435 m)
- Weight 79,930 lb (36,256 kg)
- Propulsion GE SCM 17KG192E3
- Motors Westinghouse 1447JR, GE 1257E1, 115 hp (86 kW) 4/car
- Braking WABCO RT2
- Seating 50
see also: Rolling Stock of the New York City Subway External link
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