R36 Combine Coach wrote:The BMT already had articulated subway cars with the D-type Triplexes in 1928.
ever ride them? they are really neat.. and they illustrate how a semi-private traction interest experimented with the economics of using articulated equipment. Less trucks, motors, no vestibule to fall through, nice ride, oh and they lasted forever. Unlike the IRT.. The BMT operated with some solvency till unification.. perhaps because they invested in technologies that lowered operational costs, or maybe management knew what they were doing.. or simply the company had routes with more patrons... you be the judge.
When i was at the TA and the 142's were being delivered I asked why no articulated car bodies? Seemed like perfect sense to me, especially with the 142's AC traction package, control stand, and ride control system that made them a nice riding vehicle. At the time the Kawasaki's seemed really good while the Bombs.. just bombed with door and BCO problems. RTO cried 'no operational flexibility'. I think they just lacked the balls to try something that actually worked (1928). Articulation equals Car Equipment accountability..
Seems that there is always some dimwit that has to prove that their idea is better than something that has been already been proven to work and work well. Look at the 44's and 46's, the ass that recommended them still curses the road with control stand and contactor issues + the fact that they are useless on certain routs, lack of doors, and the extra wear & tear on infrastructure.
Almost all the new IRT cars were 5 car 'semi-permanent' sets. plus with the trailer and alternate motor arrangement they really are permanent 5 car sets because you'd have to either mod them or bust another like pair up. not to mention the time/personnel to do that cost's money too. Seemed to me that operational flexibility was already kinda a moot point.
Since we're on the subject of fantasy equipment.. Mine would be a R32 car-body, articulated in 5 car sets, ac traction with full-width cab. Corrugated Stainless sides mean lightweight vandal proof exterior (now that scratchitti is killing my 7 line) Interior would be like R160 but without the stupid video screens. Steel dust is making them go retarded and will just kill them anyway. IMHO R32 is/was the pinnacle of car-body design, light-weight, simple, robust, and would go forever if it did not get the sh*%t knocked out of it 24hours a day. 40 years is damn good if you ask me..