Video: The C Train Proves Itself As The Worst Train Ever

Flickr user mheidelberger2000

In the event that you don't actually, for some reason, believe that the C train is the worst train in the city, allow the magic of film to prove it to you. ABC just took a little ride on the oldest cars in the MTA's fleet—which "sound like [they're] in pain" when they pull up to a station—and decided to put their camera on the floor to see just how shaky a typical commute can be. Check it out:

The trains are almost always lacking in air conditioning in the summer as well—when we tested subway temperatures last summer they reached 92 degrees. And ABC's report doesn't even mention how the C trains run infrequently (at least three A trains will show up while you wait for one).

Transit officials are planning on making $24 million in repairs, but those repairs will only be enough to keep the current C trains, which have been in use since 1964, running for another five years, instead of retiring them and getting new ones. "It does work from point A to point B," rider Guy Nelson said, which is alternately the highest compliment and the saddest thing you can say about the C.

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By Jamie Feldmar in News on January 20, 2012 10:53 AM

Comments [rss]

Sagar

Journey To The End Of The Night
http://vimeo.com/25323576

SPsGhost

The A is neither "sleek" nor "modern." This bimbo is clueless.

I was actually reminiscing about my childhood, riding the 2 train downtown. The trains ran faster then, the tracks were much less level, and there points along the line where standing passengers holding the poles would actually catch air. I miss those days.

diablofreak

i dunno guys, they're probably doing this on purpose. go visit the coney island or the flushing meadow yards and you'll see tons of unused and not in service brand spanking new trains (the ones used for E, F, M, N, Q)

C train is like the adopted son nobody likes.

RammyH

I ride the C daily and what kills me is that they slow it way the hell down in the evening. Morning rush it rushes along nicely and it'll get me from Crown Heights to 50th in about 20mins - but then if I grab a couple after work and head back after 8pm the same damn trip in reverse is 45-50 mins of hell!

What the hell is the rationale for that? - "Well there's fewer trains running on the track and its pitch black outside - hey, lets make the trains run at half speed so that commuters can really enjoy the subterranean atmosphere".

PenAndInkUs

Last remnant of the good old days, minus the graffiti. Its signature ear-splitting screech insures that you'll step far back from platform's edge. And it really flies!

Big Red

It does still have the scratchiti and otherwise damaged windows. The MTA never bothered to put those anti-scratchiti films on the windows.

Heidi Vanderlee

er, the new E trains are the quietest - the As are almost as old as the Cs. clearly, this reporter doesn't ride the subway much.

PFOOMA

at least you get a train
-7 Train commuter

colonelcasey

WABC just realized this now? The C has had R32's for a while and will continue to have them until the R179's come in. The C would've had R44's now had they not been forced into early retirement.

Tony Borelli

I like these old rattling battle wagons. Yes, the heat and AC are powerful. And they were born in '64, just like me.

krock1

What are you talking about? Anytime I get on one of those old train cars in the summer the air conditioning is blasting. It's always colder than the newer cars. And shouldn't we be giving the MTA props for adhering to a recycle and reuse policy?

longacre

Agreed, AC on the new trains is weak. The old R-40 Slants had the best AC I think.

ButtPlugs

I rode that last ride for the R-40 slant. :(

WZA

Agree with both.

imnotsayin

I spend 75 to 90 minutes a day on the C. Biggest complaints are:

1. Frequency vs. A and E (the 8th Ave line is only two tracks between Jay/MetroTech and Canal - so three lines share one track in each direction, and the C gets trumped by the A about three trains to one).
2. Lighting / interior paint - the old-school fluorescents on the old-school yellow-beige interiors is about as depressing as the psych ward of a state prison (I'm guessing)

But!

The heating and air conditioning are the best in the system. The heating in the R32's is like an old Caddy's - hot (and probably wonderfully inefficient) in the winter. Sat on top of one of the heating units this morning. Glory!

The air con runs FRIGID compared to other train models. I'm sure the compressors in newer cars has been made more energy efficient - and thereby less chilly in the summer. Did anyone else notice on the hottest days of this past summer, the MTA began switching out the 32's with the A line's R46's - giving the colder, older cars to the always-preferred express riders?

I'll happily keep the ancient R32's another 5 years.

Big Red

The reason for the swap last summer was to put more reliable A/Cs on the underground-only C-Train. The A-Train has an outdoor portion, which is less taxing on the A/Cs.

I do agree that, when working, the A/Cs on the C-Train are really cold. But they also fail the most.

quebonitoesvolar

I have been on the A train numerous times in the morning when it inexplicably slows down and WAITS for the C train to pass it going into Hoyt-Schermerhorn. So no. The C often trumps the A, and it seems I'm always on the A when it does.