NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway system and Long Island Rail Road have holiday-train operations on tap, with the first set to begin Dec. 1.
The New York City Transit Authority will operate a vintage subway train on all five Sundays in December, beginning Dec. 1. The train will consist of 1930s R1-9 subway cars, survivors of over 1,000 nearly identical cars delivered between 1930 and 1940 that ran until 1977. Intact from that era are the rattan seats, paddle ceiling fans, incandescent light bulbs, roll signs, and period advertisements. The cars are maintained as part of the New York Transit Museum’s collection.
On Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, the train will leave the 2nd Avenue F line station in Lower Manhattan at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. On Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, it will depart the downtown A train station 125th Street station at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.; on Dec. 15, 22, and 29, it will depart from the D line 145th Street station at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Each week’s trip will include stops in different directions; all trains are weather permitting with equipment subject to change. The ride is available for the normal transit fare of $2.75; some diehard fans will ride all day on a single fare.
More information is available at the transit museum website.
The Long Island Railroad will be running its 4th annual Holiday Express trains Dec. 7-8, reserved-seat, non-stop journeys from the Ronkonkoma and Babylon stations to Pennsylvania Station in New York. The 10 a.m. departure from Ronkonkoma on Dec. 7 and from Babylon on Dec. 8 are both sold out, although a wait list is being maintained for possible cancellations. The rids will include giveaways, carolers, a visit from Santa Claus, and other on-board merriment to keep all travelers busy. More information is available on the MTA website.
Ridden a couple times. Most impressive. Awesome.
Awesome ??