Elliot "Lee" Sander

MTA Marks 75 Years of A Train Service

As previewed in today's New York Times, the MTA this morning held a ceremony commemorating the 75th birthday of the A line, originally known as the IND 8 Ave, which made its first run on September 10, 1932.

By Brad Aaron

1:23 PM EDT on September 10, 2007

As previewed in today’s New York Times, the MTA this morning held a ceremony commemorating the 75th birthday of the A line, originally known as the IND 8 Ave, which made its first run on September 10, 1932.

After a two-man jazz combo played Billy Strayhorn’s “Take the A Train” for the media types clustered at Inwood’s 207th Street Station, and MTA Director Lee Sander issued some brief remarks (which may have been of some consequence — I admit to leaving my notepad at home, having made the two-block trip primarily to see the cool train), the fun began. Reporters and camera crews piled onto a shortened train consisting of vintage, fully operational cars for the trip south to Chambers St., marking the full length of the A line’s original route, and picking up confused commuters along the way.

The 1932 R1 cars were a little louder than some of today’s, but you can’t beat those cushy seats.

Ceiling fans (!) and open windows made for a surprisingly comfortable ride.

Lucky Inwoodites settle in for the trip.

Photos: Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.