When the first Budd R32 Brightliner cars were delivered to the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) in 1964, they were the largest subway car order yet for NYCs massive subway system. They also ushered in a new era, with gleaming stainless steel exteriors that were a first for the agency, and led to the Brightliner name.

R32 cars were built to the specifications of NYCTAs B Division all lettered services – which has wider, longer, and heavier rolling stock. The 600 R32 cars each feature 4 doors on each side, with inward facing bench seating between each door. Each car is in a married pair, with signage on the outer ends of the car pair. On the sides of each car, a rollsign display shows the route and terminals on both the inside and the outside.

As delivered, the R32s featured bold blue doors and the NYCTA logo. At each end of the pair, cars display the route, terminals, and had tower lights and EXP (Express) and LOCAL lights.

Between 1986 and 1990, the R32 fleet went through a general overhaul program that, among other things, added air conditioning. The A/C units were installed on the roof at the ends, and required the rollsign equipment on the ends to be removed. Rebuilt cars feature a minimal end, with just a single flipdot display remaining.

R32s ended up being among the longest running modern subway cars worldwide, with the last cars leaving the roster after 58 years. A large chunk of the fleet was retired by 2010, having been replaced by Alstom/Kawasaki R160s.

These car shells were used to create artificial reefs of the coast of Cape Henlopen, Delaware, but after 2010, over 200 stayed on the roster and in active service until 2020. The final farewell trips occurred in 2021 and 2022. Several cars were saved and preserved, including 3360-3361, which have been restored to their original delivery appearance.

R32 \”Brightliner\” NYCTA Subway Features:
Two-car powered sets feature one powered and one unpowered R32 series car
Two-car unpowered sets feature two unpowered cars with only interior lighting
Power car uses coreless truck motors
Fully detailed interior includes amazing seat and decoration details

Original cars feature:
headlights
taillights
marker lights (tower lights)
express/local indicator lights
interior lighting

Rebuilt cars feature:
headlights
taillights
post-rebuilt flipdot display
interior lighting

Fully detailed underbodies
Wire grab irons
DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DCC/Sound
Unpowered sets feature interior lighting only
Suggested minimum radius: 18