Description
The NYCTA R32 "Brightliners" are some of the most iconic subway cars ever to run in New York. Built by Budd in 1964, this 600-car order was the largest in the system's history and introduced a gleaming stainless-steel exterior that gave the class its nickname. Designed to B Division specifications — wider, longer and heavier than IRT stock — each R32 had four side doors with inward-facing bench seating between, married pairs with end signage, and side rollsigns visible both inside and out. As delivered, R32s featured bold blue doors and the NYCTA logo with route, terminals and tower/express/local indicators at the car ends.
Between 1986 and 1990 the fleet was overhauled and air-conditioned; the AC equipment went on the roof at the car ends, which required removing the end rollsign hardware and left only a flipdot display. The R32 became one of the longest-serving modern subway cars in the world, with over 200 still on the roster by 2010 and active service running into 2020. Farewell trips ran through 2021 and 2022; retired car shells were sunk off Cape Henlopen, Delaware to create artificial reefs, and 3360-3361 have been preserved in their original delivery appearance.
Rapido's HO R32 is designed from original blueprints and field measurements and comes as two-car sets (powered or unpowered options) with NEM-style close-coupling for prototypical car spacing through all trackwork. Track-powered flicker-free interior lighting, full directional lighting including headlights, rollsigns and route indicators, and a display set option with platforms make this an exceptional subway recreation. DC/Silent or DC/DCC/Sound versions are available. Pre-orders require a 25% deposit; balance collected when stock arrives.
This unit: HO Scale NYC Subway Display Platform: IND 81st-Museum of Natural History
- Designed from original blueprints and field measurements
- Available as two-car sets (powered or unpowered)
- NEM-style close-coupling system for prototypical spacing
- Track-powered flicker-free interior lighting
- Display set option with platforms and car+platform combinations
- Both original and overhauled (rebuilt) carbody details
- DC/Silent (DCC ready) or DC/DCC/Sound with ESU LokSound 5 Micro
📦 Preorder details:
Expected ship date: see the Rapido Product Delivery Schedule for the latest dates
25% deposit required at checkout, balance charged when product ships.
Preorder cancellation: 7 days from order date; deposit non-refundable after that.
Browse more from Rapido Trains and our HO scale collection, or see all preorders. Ships from Oakville, Ontario. Contact us for special orders.