OpenBVE NYC Subway: NEW R152 "Open Gangway" Cars enter service on the (1) Line

July 6, 2026 – A Historic Day for the New York City Subway At precisely 8:46 AM on the morning of July 6, 2026, the New York City Subway entered a new era. The first R152OG "Open Gangway" trains—consisting of cars 1001 through 1005 and 1006 through 1010—departed Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street station on their inaugural revenue run down the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Local, better known as the (1) Line. This marked the first time in over a century that passengers could walk seamlessly from one end of an IRT train to the other, with the gangway connections allowing free movement between every car in the consist. The R152OG represents a monumental leap forward for the A-Division fleet. These ten cars, configured as two five-car sets coupled together, feature Hitachi MELCO Hybrid Silicon Carbide (SiC)-VVVF propulsion—the most advanced traction system ever installed on a New York City Subway train. The distinctive, refined whine of the SiC inverters echoes through the tunnels of the West Side, a stark departure from the familiar DC motor sounds that have defined IRT operations for generations. But the R152OG is more than just a technological marvel. It is a statement of intent from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, signaling a commitment to modernizing the oldest lines in the system while honoring the legacy of the rolling stock that came before. The stainless steel bodies gleam in the morning light, accented by the classic blue stripe and gold trim that pay homage to the R62A cars that have served the (1) Line so faithfully for over four decades. The Hard Shell gangway design on these initial sets provides a rigid, finished connection between cars, offering excellent sound insulation and a consistent, premium feel throughout the train. Passengers can now move freely to find a seat or simply enjoy the unprecedented sense of space and openness. The 54-inch-wide doors, LED interior lighting, and high-resolution FIND displays further elevate the passenger experience, reducing dwell times and providing real-time information with crystal clarity. Across the city, at the Yonkers Plant, the second wave of R152OG sets is already being prepared. The Soft Shell sets, numbered 1011 through 1015 and 1016 through 1020, feature flexible bellows in the gangway connections—a lighter, more articulated design that will be tested alongside the Hard Shell sets to determine the optimal configuration for future orders. The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. The last time New Yorkers could walk between subway cars in the IRT was during the era of the original composite and steel cars of the early 20th century. The R152OG restores that freedom while delivering modern reliability, efficiency, and comfort. As the train glides through stations like 96th Street, Times Square, and Chambers Street, it carries not just passengers, but the hopes of a city looking toward a brighter, more connected future. And so, on July 6, 2026, the (1) Line was reborn. The R152OG is here. The future has arrived.