Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit 2390



Facts and Figures


Current Number2390
Railway RepresentedBrooklyn-Manhattan Transit
BuilderAmerican Car & Foundry
Built In1914
Builder's order id7986
Currently in (State)New York
--(Locality)New York
Totally out of svc date1989
(Initial retirement date)1965
Car Typerapid transit car
-subtypesubway car
-designationType A/B
Statusoperated occasionally
More info
Gauge4'8.5"
Constructionsteel
Roof typeDR
EndedDE
Length67'6"
Width9'8"
Height12'1"
Weight95000
#Seats78
#Wheels/Conf.8
Total HP320
TrucksA55 Arch Bar
BrakesAMUE (ME23)
CompressorWABCO D3F
ControlWH ABF (27B2)
MotorsGE 248A (2)
Voltage (if not 600DC)

Car 2390 in operation in New York in 2016
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/47904859@N08/27908994585/

Car 2390 in operation in New York in 2019
Flickr
photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dpirmann/49647893378/
Car History by Jeff Hakner & Frank Hicks


Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit 2390
In 1913 the city of New York signed the Dual Contracts with its two large rapid transit companies, IRT and BRT (later BMT). This step led to a vast expansion of the city's rapid transit network and resulted in the creation of a network of subway lines owned by BRT. For rolling stock on these new lines, BRT designed a modern all-steel 67'-long car designed specifically for subway service. These cars, known as "Standards" or A/B types, incorporated many of the latest theories in efficient passenger operations. Between 1915 and 1924 a total of 900 virtually identical A/B type cars were delivered; these cars formed the backbone of BMT subway operations for over half a century. By the 1960's most had been retired and replaced by newer cars and it was decided to save several A/B's for historic preservation. Car 2390, built as a single car in the second order for A/B's, was made part of a three-car set early in its life. Its three-car set (2390-2392) was chosen for preservation to represent the Standards. Set aside in 1965 when the set was taken out of service, cars 2390-2392 operated on periodic fan trip service during the late 1960's and 1970's. They were removed from operation in 1981 and stored for most of the next twenty years. In late 1988 NYCTA decided to divest itself of some of its historic cars and the A/B's were put up for sale; RPC bought them but they continued to be stored at NYCTA's Coney Island Shop. Over the past several years 2390 and its two sister cars have been undergoing restorative work to make them operational again. These cars make up the only complete set of A/B's in existence.

Ownership History


OwnerCar NumFromToPreservation?Loan?
Brooklyn Rapid Transit (New York, Brooklyn)23901914 1923 NO NO
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit (New York, Brooklyn)23901923 1940 NO NO
New York City Board of Transportation (New York, New York)23901940 1953 NO NO
New York City Transit Authority (New York, New York)23901953 1965 NO NO
New York City Transit Authority (New York, New York)23901965 1989 YES NO
Railway Preservation Corporation (New York, New York)23901989 present YES NO

Additional Media

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Car 2390 in operation in New York in 2018
YouTube
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAsqZiDnAYQ