Go Retro at the New York Transit Museum

T he New York Transit Museum is one of the principal cultural institutions in the city and is the largest museum in the U.S. that's committed to the history of urban public transportation. Moreover, it's a premier institution of its kind worldwide. The establishment explores the development of the greater NY Metropolitan region via the presentations of tours, exhibitions, and workshops dealing with the social, technological, and cultural history of public transportation. Since its inception, it has grown in popularity and scope. The historic station also offers the opportunity to view vintage subway cars in the exhibits. Here's a look at some of the exhibits you can expect. Vintage Cars BMT Q Number 1612C Wooden cars weren't considered safe for subway tunnel operation and consequently faced elimination from underground service following a 1918 accident involving wooden cars, killing 93 passengers at Malbone Street. However, over 2,000 open-platform elevated cars, for instance, 1612 remained operational on elevated lines, which couldn't support the weight of new all-steel subway cars. BRT CAR NUMBER 1407 In 1907, the BRT ordered cars resembling car number 1407, which was characteristic of the self-propelled cars after the electrification of the BRT lines in 1900. In spite of electrification, the car retained the same design-lightweight coaches in which passengers exited and entered through open-air vestibules at every end. Surprisingly, this car had a long career. After three decades of service on Brooklyn elevated lines, they underwent modernization into Q cars. If you're looking to learn the history of New York's mass transportation, you'll find the underground museum very enlightening.