Deck Roof Hi-V (New York City Subway car)
The Deck Roof Hi-V was a New York City Subway car class built from 1907 to 1908 by the American Car and Foundry for the IRT and its successors, the New York City Board of Transportation and the New York City Transit Authority.
| Deck Roof Hi-V | |
|---|---|
 A Deck Roof Hi-V train entering 125th Street. | |
| In service | 1907–1959 |
| Manufacturer | American Car and Foundry |
| Constructed | 1907–1908 |
| Number built | 50 |
| Number preserved | 1 |
| Number scrapped | 49 |
| Formation | Singles |
| Fleet numbers | 3650–3699 |
| Operator(s) | Interborough Rapid Transit Company NYC Board of Transportation New York City Transit Authority |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Riveted Steel |
| Car length | 51 ft 1.5 in (15.58 m) |
| Width | 8 ft 10 in (2,692 mm) |
| Height | 12 ft 0 in (3,658 mm) |
| Doors | Up until the early 1910s: 4 After the 1910s: 6 |
| Maximum speed | 55 mph (89 km/h) |
| Weight | Motor car: ~83,780 lb (38,002 kg) |
| Traction system | Motor car: 2 motors per car. |
| Power output | 200 hp (149 kW) per traction motor |
| Electric system(s) | 600 V DC Third rail |
| Current collection method | Contact shoe |
| Braking system(s) | Before 1910: WABCO Schedule AM(P) with 'P' type triple valve and M-2 brake stand After 1910: WABCO Schedule AMRE with 'R' type triple valve and ME-21 brake stand |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
Description
A total of 50 Deck Roofs were built, numbered 3650–3699. These cars remained in service from 1907 to 1959. These cars were nicknamed the Battleships because of their paint scheme where the siding was painted Battleship Grey.
When these cars were delivered, they had two doors on each side until the early 1910s, when they received another door in the middle on each side.[1] Just like the Gibbs cars, the Deck Roofs sent 600 volts into the controller, which was hazardous. Otherwise, these cars proved to be reliable throughout their career.
In the 1920s, the Hi-V fleet was being converted to multiple unit door control, with the exception of all 50 of the Deck Roofs and some Gibbs and Hedley cars. The Deck Roofs were often placed at either end of the train so that ten car trains of Hi-Vs could run.[2][3]
Until the late 1950s and early 1960s, the IRT platforms could not handle a full ten car train. Thus, the manual door controls of the Deck Roof were reliable, as the side vestibule doors at either end of the train can be opened manually even if the entire car isn't on the platform. However, two conductors were required for operation of manual door controlled cars.
Retirement
When all the platforms on the IRT were eventually lengthened to support ten car trains, the Hi-Vs were being phased out by the then new R17, R21, and R22 subway cars. The last of the Hi-Vs was retired in 1959.
Car 3662 is preserved by the Shore Line Trolley Museum, modified with trolley poles. It was previously operational, but a flood at the museum site damaged the car's electrical underfloor components. It is currently out of service awaiting restoration.[4]
