After having ascertained the general type of cars which would be best
adapted to the subway service, and before placing the order for car
equipments, it was decided to build sample cars embodying the approved
principles of design. From these the management believed that the
details of construction could be more perfectly determined than in any
other way. Consequently, in the early part of 1902, two sample cars
were built and equipped with a variety of appliances and furnishings
so that the final type could be intelligently selected. From the tests
conducted on these cars the adopted type of car which is described in
detail below was evolved.
After the design had been worked out a great deal of difficulty was
encountered in securing satisfactory contracts for proper deliveries,
on account of the congested condition of the car building works in the
country. Contracts were finally closed, however, in December, 1902,
for 500 cars, and orders were distributed between four car-building
firms. Of these cars, some 200, as fast as delivered, were placed in
operation on the Second Avenue line of the Elevated Railway, in order
that they might be thoroughly tested during the winter of 1903-4.
[Illustration: END VIEW OF STEEL PASSENGER CAR]
In view of the peculiar traffic conditions existing in New York City
and the restricted siding and yard room available in the subway, it
was decided that one standard type of car for all classes of service
would introduce the most flexible operating conditions, and for this
reason would best suit the public demands at different seasons of the
year and hours of the day.
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