From the few glances ive had at trains stopped in stations on the opposite side from me, it seems like the Bombardier and Kawasaki cars have very different-looking trucks (bogies). I know they have different traction motors (though i cant tell much of a difference in sound), but are the entire trucks different as well?
One model seems to have trucks with large cast frames that wrap around the axles and are connected to the axles with shock boots, as seen in these photos:
1,
2.
The other has a smaller squared off cast frame that ends at the axles, and a prominent stamped steel bracket that comes down flush with the side of the cars, as seen in these photos:
1,
2.
The earlier photos at nycsubway.org seem to be of the former type (and there seem to be more photos of the former type in general), while the later photos seem to be of the latter. Since 142's (Bombs) outnumber 142A's (Kawasakis) my best guess from this information is that the first type of trucks are Bombardier and the second, Kawasaki, but this is just an educated guess.
Anyone know for sure?