R160 (New York City Subway car)

R160
A northbound R160 train on the F approaching Avenue P
Interior of an R160 car, prior to refurbishments
In service2006–present
Manufacturer
Built at
Family nameNew Technology Train
Replaced
Constructed2005–2010
Entered service
  • R160A: October 17, 2006
  • R160B: August 17, 2006
Refurbished2017–present
Number built
  • R160A: 1,002
  • R160B: 660
  • Total: 1,662
Number in service1,662 (1,381 in revenue service during rush hours)
Formation
  • 93 four-car sets (two B cars)
  • 258 five-car sets (three B cars)
Fleet numbers
  • R160A (four-car sets): 8313–8652; 9943–9974
  • R160A (five-car sets): 8653–8712; 9233–9802
  • R160B: 8713–9232; 9803–9942
Capacity
  • 42 seating, 198 standing (A car)
  • 44 seating, 202 standing (B car)
OperatorsNew York City Subway
DepotsEast New York Yard (372 cars)
Jamaica Yard (1290 cars)[1][2]
Service(s) assigned
  • R160 (four-car sets):
  • "J" train "Z" train "L" train "M" train[3][4]
    As of June 30, 2024
  • R160 (five-car sets):
  • "E" train "F" train "G" train "R" train
    (1 train is also used in Q service during morning rush, but is shown in the R assignment)[5][6]
    As of June 30, 2024
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel with fiberglass ends and rear bonnets
Train length
  • 4-car train: 240 ft 10.08 in (73.4080 m)
  • 5-car train: 301 ft 0.6 in (91.760 m)
  • 8-car train (two 4-car sets): 481 ft 8.16 in (146.8161 m)
  • 10-car train (two 5-car sets): 602 ft 1.2 in (183.520 m)
Car length60 ft 2.52 in (18,352.0 mm)
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-in-wide side doors per car
Maximum speed55 mph (89 km/h)[7]
Weight85,200 lb (38,600 kg)
Traction systemIGBTVVVF (Alstom ONIX 800 or Siemens SITRAC[a])
Traction motors
  • 4 × 3-phase AC induction motor[8][9]
  • Alstom 4LCA 1640 147.5 hp (110 kW)[10] or Siemens 1TB1710-1GA02 161 hp (120 kW)[a][11]
Acceleration2.5 mph/s (4.0 km/(h⋅s))
Deceleration
  • 3.0 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’ (4 car sets)
Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo’+Bo’Bo (5 car sets)
AAR wheel arrangementB-B+B-B+B-B+B-B (4 car sets)
B-B+B-B+B-B+B-B+B-B (5 car sets)
Braking system(s)Dynamic braking propulsion system; WABCO RT96 tread brake system
Safety system(s)CBTC
Dead man's switch
Tripcock
Headlight typehalogen light bulb
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The R160 is a class of New Technology Train subway cars built for the New York City Subway's B Division. Entering service between 2006 and 2010, they replaced all R38, R40, and NYCT-operated R44 cars, and most R32 and R42 cars. The R160s are very similar to the earlier R143s and later R179s. The biggest difference between the R160 and R143 is the Flexible Information and Notice Display (FIND) system on the R160s in place of static LED maps on the R143s and all A-Division New Technology fleet.

In total, 1,662 cars comprise the R160 class, which consists of two models, the 1,002 Alstom-built R160A cars and the 660 Kawasaki-built R160B cars. The R160A cars are organized in two different configurations, with 372 cars arranged in four-car sets and 630 cars arranged in five-car sets. All R160B cars are in five-car sets, but are subdivided by which propulsion system they use; the majority use the Alstom ONIX propulsion system also found on the R160A cars, while cars 8843-9102 use Siemens SITRAC propulsion.

Kawasaki had little to no problems in delivering the R160B cars, which entered service on August 17, 2006. Alstom was behind the delivery schedule early on for the R160As, which first ran on October 17, 2006. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority exercised options for both contracts, and by June 2010, all R160 cars were in service. Numerous experimental features were added to the R160s through the 2010s. 64 R160A cars were fitted with communications-based train control (CBTC) equipment installed for service on the Canarsie Line (L train), while the rest of the remaining fleet has CBTC equipment installed for service on the Queens Boulevard Line (E, F, M, and R trains).

  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. ^ "Car Assignments: Cars Required June 30, 2024" (PDF). The Bulletin. 67 (7). Electric Railroaders' Association. July 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  6. ^ 'Subdivision B Car Assignment Effective June 30, 2024'. New York City Transit, Operations Planning. June 30, 2024.
  7. ^ "New York City Transit Authority R160B". Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  8. ^ Hughes, Murray (January 1, 2003). "Subway contract won with help from Brazil". Railway Gazette International. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
  9. ^ "CIYT201122.jpg Photo by mediccjh | Photobucket". Smg.photobucket.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  10. ^ "Alstom Motors Catalogue 2015 - English" (PDF). Alstom. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-27. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  11. ^ "R160B Siemens Traction Motor Build Plate".[permanent dead link]


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