New York City Transit R-16 Car 6398

6398 in service, 1974

6398 is an R-16 car built for New York City Transit in 1955 by American Car and Foundry of Berwick, Pennsylvania. The R-16 series of cars introduced new tech­nol­ogies to New York's riding public: a public ad­dress system, electric doors (previously doors were air driven) and enhanced car performance.

6398 was first assigned to the BMT division, but late in its service life it ran on the IND division also.

Car 6398 retired from pssenger service in the spring of 1987 and was acquired by the museum in 1996. The Preservation and Restoration Group, who spearhead transit vehicle restoration at the museum, has been overseeing 6398's restoration for over three decades. Original members of the group include our President Erik Garcés, our Chief Mechanical Officer Harold Greenblatt, and Trustee James McGinty.

While 6398 was mechanically damaged by the flooding Superstorm Sandy brought into our museum in 2012, volunteers have helped since then to restore the car. Its restoration is almost complete. The museum used the car on occasion for special events, pulled by our Whitcomb diesel locomotive.

600V lighting is tested in the car
 

What exactly is 6398's destination?
 

The car at night, 1996
 

Erik Garcés finishes a spot repair on the R-16, 2003.

6398 data

Dimensions: 60'-3" x 10'-1" x 12'-2"
Weight: 86,270 lbs.
Seating Capacity: 54, Standees: 42
 

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This page was last updated by Omar Pagan on July 24, 2017.
Photo credits: 1) unk 2) H. Greenblatt 03 3-4) G. Katkowski 5) G. Rowe 96 6) E. Jennings