R26/R28/R29

The R26/28 cars were the oldest of the Redbirds, with the first cars being built in 1959. These cars were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen from 1985 to 1987. Because of their deterioration and wear-and-tear throughout the years of hard work, they were the first Redbird cars in 2001 to be stripped, reefed, and replaced by the R142/142A cars. As a matter of fact, many of these cars were in very bad condition, especially the #7800 series cars, which all had to be scrapped. Things were so bad that besides severe rusting, some cars suffered serious mechanical problems. Therefore, almost all of the R26/28 cars have been dumped in the Atlantic Ocean to serve as artificial reefs.

Like the R26 and the R28 cars, the R29s also suffered deterioration and overwork, especially those on the IRT #6 Pelham line (cars 8570-8690). These cars were also rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen in 1985 to 1987. By early 2002, there were no more R29s operating on that line. Redbirds that ran on some occasions on the #6 line after the R29s were scrapped were mainly cars borrowed from the Lexington Avenue Express lines. The rest of the R29s (IRT #5 assigned cars, 8691-8805) were better off than their Pelham counterparts, but like the other Redbirds, also suffered rusting. Many of these cars had number plates that were often corroded and worn. These cars ran along with R26/28 cars.

Before these cars were retired, a number of these cars served in work service. Cars 7818-19 and 7846-47 were used for a brief period as Refuse Collection Cars in 2002. These cars reportedly went back to passenger service but were eventually stripped and reefed. Also in 2002 during the summer months, cars 7848-49 were used as temporary school cars at the south side of East 180th Street Yard at the end of Track 10. The pair was reportedly mechanically dead in November 2002 and remained in the yard through March 2003, with the front end signed for the IRT #5 - Dyre Avenue line. These cars were later scrapped. The last R26/28 cars to be reefed were cars 7862-63 in October 2003.

Some R29s were also in work service for a while. In 2001, the MTA tested out four Pelham-assigned cars for switch dolly work service. These were cars 8600-01 and 8634-35. But for some reason, after only a few months, the MTA opted to strip the cars and reef them. In November 2002, cars 8716-17 and 8718-19 were used for work service. They were first seen operating along with Rail Adhesion Car R33 #8885. These cars were also stripped and reefed sometime in 2003. The only R29s that exist today are Pelham-assigned cars 8678-79 as part of the Unionport Redbirds consist, the last two cars on the north end. --Omar Pagan.

Car Notes

R26 MDBF

R28 MDBF

R29 MDBF

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