New York Subway: Redbirds Dumped into Ocean

Back in 2003, old "redbird" cars, formerly used on the 7 line to Shea Stadium and Flushing, were dumped into the Atlantic Ocean off New Jersey. It's a win-win: New Jersey gains artificial reefs meant to attract fish, NY finds an environmentally friendly way to get rid of old subway cars.

Here is a news clip of the dumping, along with some fascinating images of barracuda, jellyfish and sea turtles swimming through cars that I may well have rode in, on my many trips to Shea Stadium.

The redbirds, used on the IRT lines ( the "number" trains L 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 lines) were durable models that served the City well over many decades. Even in their last days they had a low breakdown rate.