R143 (New York City Subway car)

R143
An R143 train on the L route at New Lots Avenue
Interior of an R143 car
In service2001–present
ManufacturerKawasaki Rail Car Company
Built at
Family nameNew Technology Train
Constructed2001–2003
Entered serviceDecember 4, 2001 (acceptance testing)
February 12, 2002 (official service)
Number built212
Number in service212 (176 in revenue service during rush hours)
Formation53 4-car sets (2 A cars and 2 B cars)
Fleet numbers8101–8312
Capacity240 (A car)
246 (B car)
OperatorsNew York City Subway
DepotsEast New York Yard[1][2]
Service(s) assigned"L" train[3][4]
As of June 30, 2024
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel with fiberglass rear bonnets
Train length4 car train: 240 ft 10.08 in (73.4080 m)
8 car train: 481 ft 8.16 in (146.8161 m)
Car length60 ft 2.52 in (18,352.0 mm)[5]
Width9 ft 9.28 in (2,979 mm)
Height12 ft 0.29 in (3,665 mm)
Floor height3 ft 9.12 in (1,146.0 mm)
Platform height3 ft 9.12 in (1,146.0 mm)
EntryLevel
Doors8 sets of 50 inch wide side doors per car
Maximum speed55 mph (89 km/h)
WeightA car: 83,700 lb (38,000 kg)
B car: 81,900 lb (37,100 kg)
Traction systemPWM 2-level IGBTVVVF (Bombardier MITRAC)
Traction motors4 × Bombardier 1508C 150 hp (111.9 kW) 3-phase AC induction motor
Power output2,400 hp (1,789.680 kW) (4-car set)
Acceleration2.5 mph/s (4.0 km/(h⋅s))
Deceleration3.0 mph/s (4.8 km/(h⋅s)) (full service)
3.2 mph/s (5.1 km/(h⋅s)) (emergency)
AuxiliariesSAFT 250AH battery (B car)
Electric system(s)Third rail600 V DC
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
UIC classificationBo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’
AAR wheel arrangementB-B+B-B+B-B+B-B
Braking system(s)Dynamic braking propulsion system; WABCO RT96 tread brake system; safety brakes
Safety system(s)CBTC, dead man's switch, tripcock
Headlight typeIncandescent light bulb
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The R143 is a class of New Technology Train subway cars built by Kawasaki Rail Car Company for the New York City Subway's B Division. Delivered between 2001 and 2003, the cars displaced R40s and R42s that operated on the L service in conjunction with the BMT Canarsie Line's signal system being automated.

The R143 was the first "B" Division order of the NTT series, and the first 60-foot (18.29 m) B Division car built for the New York City Subway system since the R42s delivered in 1969. A total of 212 cars were built, all arranged as four-car sets. The first cars (8101–8104) were delivered to the 207th Street Yard on April 30, 2001. 8105–8108 were delivered sometime later in the summer of 2001. The first R143s entered a 30-day period of revenue service testing on December 4, 2001, and officially entered service on the Canarsie Line on February 12, 2002. All cars were delivered by March 2003 with all cars being in service by April 2003.

  1. ^ "Car Assignments: Cars Required June 30, 2024" (PDF). The Bulletin. 67 (7). Electric Railroaders' Association. July 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  2. ^
    • 'Subdivision 'A' Car Assignment Effective December 19, 2021'. New York City Transit, Operations Planning. December 17, 2021.
    • 'Subdivision 'B' Car Assignment Effective December 19, 2021'. New York City Transit, Operations Planning. December 17, 2021.
  3. ^ "Car Assignments: Cars Required June 30, 2024" (PDF). The Bulletin. 67 (7). Electric Railroaders' Association. July 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  4. ^ 'Subdivision B Car Assignment Effective June 30, 2024'. New York City Transit, Operations Planning. June 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "New York City Transit Authority R143". Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2007.