Taking a Nostalgic holiday ride back in time

The R100 is one of a few old cars set to run this month as part of Nostalgia Train along the V line. (Photo courtesy of New York City Transit)

Remember when subway cars had wicker seats and ceiling fans? Well, if you’re under the age of 50, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about, but subway history is going to come alive for a few weeks in December.

Beginning on Sunday, New York City Transit is going to start a five-Sunday run of a Nostalgia Train along the V line between Queens Plaza and Second Ave. You can bet subway watchers and railfans will be out en masse this month snapping photos as often as they can.

According to the MTA, this special holiday Nostalgia Train will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Sunday in December along the Sixth Avenue local line. “Holiday shoppers will have the opportunity to experience a ride on a train from another era,” NYCT President Howard Roberts said. “With a little bit of luck and good timing, riders will be able to catch a ride on this classic subway train at stations along the V line between Queens Plaza and Second Avenue.”

The train will feature many cars generally on display at the Transit Museum, and Subchat is already buzzing with anticipation. I’ll be doing some train-hunting one of these weekends.

According to the MTA, this Nostalgia Train is designed to highlight the history of the IND. Among the cars included will be Car No. 100, an R1-type car that was the first of 300 placed in service when the IND opened 75 years ago; Car No. 484, an R4 car that was outfitted with a then-experimental public address system; and Car No. 1575, an original R7 that, after a wreck, served as the prototype to the R10.

Get your cameras ready; bring a book for those long waits on the platforms; and have fun. Nostalgia Train spotting is a great way to experience the subways as they once were.