R110B (New York City Subway car)

The R110B (contract order R131) was a prototype class of experimental new technology New York City Subway cars built by Bombardier of Canada for service on the IND and BMT (B Division) services delivered in 1992 and entered service on June 15, 1993 on the A service. The R110B was designed to test various new technology features that would eventually be incorporated into the R143 and was not intended for long-term production use.

Description

The nine R110B cars were ordered from Bombardier in December 1989.^[1]

There were nine R110B cars, numbered 3001-3009. The cars were linked into three-car sets by consecutive numbers. The cab cars are powered with four traction motors each, while the center car of the 3-car set is an un-powered, cab-less trailer. The cars are typical B-Division size, except that they are 67 feet long, a length shared by the BMT Standards, and the SIRT ME-1, along with all of the SEPTA's Broad Street Subway cars and the current PATCO fleets.

The R110B uses the standard subway train control stand, but with some added computerized features. The layout of the controls is desk-style, with switches, lamps, and a single lever to control traction and braking. A CRT with function keys on either side is used to monitor speed, train status, etc.

The R110B's design is similar to that of the R68 cars now in use on the BMT and IND lines, but the ends are more square and use Lexan glass in the windows. Car ends that do not have cabs have an expanse of glass, which makes the car feel open and airy. The seating configuration is the same as in the R68, but the materials are more advanced.

A matte plastic is used that allows scratches, tags and stubborn graffiti to be buffed out using a light abrasive. The seats have a reduced bucket. Internal surfaces are tan fiberglass and plastic, with accents provided using a plastic mosaic applique. The floor uses linoleum with a pattern of slightly raised and textured squares. The R110B cars have handholds for shorter passengers.

There are rollsign line indicators in the front of the train, LCD destination signs (on windows) and interior strip route guides on top of the ad space, and LED indication of stops ahead on both sides.

Another new and important feature was the passenger intercom, which could be used for emergencies.

Accident

On November 4, 1996, a fire and explosion occurred on car 3006 while the train was in service on the A train. This resulted in set 3007–3009 being permanently taken out of service and cannibalized of parts to repair car 3006 and to keep the other two sets operating. The two remaining sets (3001-3003 and 3004-3006) ran as a six-car train on the C route.

Retirement and Current Status

Throughout 1999, the remaining R110Bs had been in and out of service for both repairs and additional component testing. The train was permanently removed from service in 2000 due to frequent breakdowns and low Mean Distance Between Failure (MBDF) numbers, and never ran in service again.

After retirement, many of the cars were reused throughout New York City, including:

• 3001, sent off to College Point, Queens in early 2014 for use as a training car for the NYPD. Part of the car was cut away to allow the car to fit in the building.^[2] It most likely replaced R33s 9156-9157.
• 3005, used as a training car at P.S. 248, the New York City Transit Learning Center, since July 15, 2004. This car replaced R16 #452.
• 3004 and 3006, used as training cars at the Coney Island Yard's firefighting facility since August 2004. These cars replaced R30s 8392 and 8401.
• 3008, spotted in late August 2015 near FDNY's Randall's Island training facility. This car may replace older cars there.

Cars 3002-3003, 3007, and 3009 are currently stored at the 207th Street Yard.^[3][4][5][6] Plans are unknown for these cars; however, with recent movements of several cars, it is likely that more will be taken off property to various locations in the near future.

References

Further reading

• Sansone, Gene. Evolution of New York City subways: An illustrated history of New York City's transit cars, 1867-1997. New York Transit Museum Press, New York, 1997 ISBN 978-0-9637492-8-4

External links

• R110B at nycsubway.org

New York City Subway revenue rolling stock
Current	B Division / SIR: R32 R42 R44 R46 R68 R68A NTT R143 R160 R179 A Division: R62 R62A NTT R142 R142A R188
Future	B Division / SIR: R211
Retired (R-type)	IND / BMT (B Division): Arnines R1 R4 R6 R7 R7A R9 R10 R11/R34 R16 Redbirds R27 R30/A R38 R40 R40A R110B (experimental) IRT (A Division): R12 R14 R15 R17 R21 R22 Redbirds R26 R28 R29/R99 R33 R33 WF R36 R36 WF R110A (experimental) Train of Many Colors
Retired (private operators)	BMT / SIR Elevated: BU cars C-type Q-type Queens car Subway: AB Standard Bluebird Compartment Car D-type Triplex MS Multi-section car SIRT ME-1 IRT Composite Gibbs Hi-V Deck Roof Hi-V Hedley Hi-V Steinway Lo-V "Flivver" Lo-V Standard Lo-V World's Fair Lo-V
Work trains	R8A R65 R127/R134 R156
Never built	R39 R55 R83
See also: R-type contracts