i always liked the r-40s because they were the most diffrent ,and as a teen would ride the r40 to rocaway beach in the 1980s to ditch homeroom.
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Chicago 6000s, although I have never ridden one. I just like their PCC looks.
My favorite subway is located about 350 miles from those usually covered here. It is the Rochester subway that ran in the old Erie Canal bed. I am surprised it ran as long as it did since it was intalled by one party and opposed by the other. Left hand running since the equipment came from New York State Railways city lines. Shut down about 1955.There were attempts to revive it but some of the sections werem used by the Interstate Highway system and the CBD was no longer of imporatance .
Cleveland's rapid transit. Kind of sad and a little tired now, but back in the '50s, it was America's first postwar rapid transit with many "firsts". Nothing was cooler than those sleek blue and silver trains. Cleveland was also the first city to operate a direct rapid transit connection to its airport. But that was then. Today? Alas, poor Cleveland.
I was interested to see the Rochester Subway mentioned because I'm from there (decades ago) and I saw a portion of the subway remains near the downtown library during a visit last summer. And I purchased a book on the subject.
The Rochester Subway was a progresive venture for its time as it eliminated street running of trolleys and interurbans through downtown. Unfortunately, trolleys and interurbans were already starting to fall from favor by the time it was completed in 1927. Because the existing trolleys and interurbans loaded passengers on the right side, the subway portion used left hand running for the island platforms.
Where I grew up outside of Rochester, we had an old RS&E trolley grade in the backyard, and the NYC mainline behind that, which turned me into a lifelong railfan.
I'll nominate the London Underground as an impressive subway system because of its extensive network, the only major subway that I've travelled on much. I've improvised a high-speed battery-powered O gauge transit car which somewhat resembles a London Underground car. I've named it for my "Bump and Skitter Transit Authority - Rail Division". I haven't figured how to post photos on here yet.
The Rochester Subway was a progresive venture for its time as it eliminated street running of trolleys and interurbans through downtown. Unfortunately, trolleys and interurbans were already starting to fall from favor by the time it was completed in 1927. Because the existing trolleys and interurbans loaded passengers on the right side, the subway portion used left hand running for the island platforms.
Where I grew up outside of Rochester, we had an old RS&E trolley grade in the backyard, and the NYC mainline behind that, which turned me into a lifelong railfan.
I'll nominate the London Underground as an impressive subway system because of its extensive network, the only major subway that I've travelled on much. I've improvised a high-speed battery-powered O gauge transit car which somewhat resembles a London Underground car. I've named it for my "Bump and Skitter Transit Authority - Rail Division". I haven't figured how to post photos on here yet.
My favorite were the R-1's which I rode when I was a kid. Even at a young age, I appreciated the rattan seats, the fans, and the incandescent lamps. I loved it when the cars traveled over a 3rd rail gap and the dim battery-operated lamps came on for a second. I liked being in the front car and watching the motorman operate the train. In hot weather, the motormen would prop the cab door open with a wooden wedge and a kid could look right in and ask a million questions.
I have to give it to New Yorks IRT division. I always liked the short cars with the huge trucks passing on the express tracks with mixed consist and sparks from the pick up shoes. In the summer i liked sighting the length of the train and how cool it looked going into a curve with all the end doors open, very cool with the lights going off over a switch.I also liked those tight radius turns in the tunnels, although i have to say Bostons green line wins hands down for the tightest curves in the tunnels, i thought the edge would scrape the sides!no wonder those cars have a taper on the car ends.
Lo-V's on the Woodlawn-Jerome line in the Bronx. Nice big vestibules where you could look out the front window without getting in anyone's way... a glimpse of Yankee Stadium... and screeching downhill around the curve right before diving into the tunnel under Gerard Ave. 
Jim
Jim
I'm with Jim on the Jerome Ave #4. However, my fondest subway memories are from my childhood trips in the late 50s and early 60s on the D-Train from 205th St. There was something about the smell of that subway that was memorable(it was a mechanical smell). I wish that scent could be bottled for my layout.
The Broad Street Subway, old school, pre-Kawasaki with the great whine of the engine run up to the Vet, Spectrum, and JFK Field for games. Much like the Lo V in NYC, you could lower the window in the front door of the train as they hi-balled it from City Hall all the way down to the stadiums. Go Phils.
My favorite subway was the Newark City Subway.
My favorite subway CARS were the Lo-V's.
Lee
My favorite subway CARS were the Lo-V's.
Lee
My favorite subway Car is the R68/R68A
My favorite MTH model is the R40 Slant and R142A
Zach
My favorite MTH model is the R40 Slant and R142A
Zach
Washington DC - don't know their designation. I have ridden in Chicage, Minneapolis, NYC, Washington DC, Oslo Norway, and have done the street cars in New Orleans and San Fransico.
My favorite subway car is the R142A. I like the the nice futuristic start when it ,eaves the station and it's awesome speed. I rode it all the time as a kid and I even have the subway set. My top 5 are the R142A, R160, R40, R68, and all of the redbirds
#1 to me is the Chicago CTA, with all the sights and smells I remember as a young child. Flying thru the subway in the rail fan seat aboard early 6000 heading to state street and all the big retail stores. It sure makes for a great day! #2 Berlin U-bahn, Just one trip and you too will be hooked with such a great system.
Mine is the EL in Philly since I grew up riding on it and My dad worked for PTC/Septa 69st shop. The old Market and Frankford cars from 1907 and 1922 were nice since you could open the front door and lean on the wooden gate and get a nice breeze during the summer.
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The Orange Line on Boston's MBTA. I rode it to school for 6 years.
- Mike
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DC Metro.......but I really like them all!
Simon
While strictly as a passenger I came to appreciate the later generation BMT/IND slants, I've felt that something was forever lost by not being able to look out the front window (subway/rail fan window), and learn & appreciate the engineering & design of the system's track work etc. I wonder how many others grew up wanting to be a subway motorman simply from that experience alone?
Has to be the R32 This was the most common train in service while I was in high school. Rode it every day to and from school
Never been on one in the U.S. Like Mr. Hokkanen, have ridden the London Underground, the Paris Metro, and the subway out of Stockholm that runs out into
the country side to Uppsala. (from there you catch an interurban to the Viking mounds
at Gamla Uppsala) Oh, yeah, went the wrong way on an interurban out of Copenhagen and wound up out in the boonies of Denmark in the dark. Had to buy
another ticket to get back.
Due to an unintelligible Cockney accent, I missed the train stop announcement for Stonehenge, had to ride back, and then got to the site too late to get a bus back to the station from the ruins. Had a pleasant three mile walk through the English country side to a bus stop at a cross roads out in the boonies (try to find one of those over here). Bus showed up, and back into London on the train.
I've ridden the London Underground the most.
BMT -- ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, lots of veggies -- what's not to like?
The #7 Flushing Line
Took it to High School for 4 years. After school it could deliver me to Shea Stadium,Main st. Flushing or the smut of Times Square. On the way you would ride over the Sunnyside Yards and see the GG-1'S in action.
When it snowed out we would have station platform snowball fights between the guys from Queens and the Bronx.
Growing up in Brooklyn, before moving to Staten Island, I used to ride the RR Line. I lived on 96th & 3rd, just 2 blocks from the last stop. Great memories.
Its safe to say that between the subway and the Bay Ridge Model Railroad Club, which was 0 Scale, was the result of my fascination in this hobby! Also, thanks Mom & Dad!
Here is a link to the club. http://www.members.tripod.com/...delrailroadclub.html
Cesar
