New Jersey Scuba Diving

Brightliner Subway Cars (1/3)

Brightliners Subway Cars reef
Type:
~100 "Brightliner" subway cars - NYC Subway system
Built:
1963-1964 - Budd Company - Model R32 # 3350-3949
1966-1967 - St. Louis Car - Model R38 # 3950-4149
1967-1969 - St. Louis Car - Model R40 # 4150-4349
1969-1970 - St. Louis Car - Model R42 # 4550-4949
Specs:
( 60 x 10 ft ) 10 tons ( all, typical, body only )
Sunk:
44 cars were sunk on Atlantic City Reef on April 3, 2008
more in Cape May reef and Delaware reefs
Sponsor:
New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA )
GPS:
too many to list, and all gone anyway
Depth:
Depths vary by location
Brightliners Subway Cars reef

Update 2020

The "Brightliners" went to pieces unexpectedly fast, and there is almost certainly nothing left of them by now.

Brightliner Reefs

On April 3, 2008, 44 decommissioned stainless steel subway cars were deployed on the Atlantic City Reef site as part of the Artificial Reef Program. The cars are placed in a tight circle pattern to better accommodate divers. More cars were deployed on the Cape May reef, for a total of about 100. When the cars were found to have completely fallen apart after only several months, plans to deploy another 500 were abandoned.

Brightliners Subway Cars reef
Atlantic City Reef, April 3, 2008

After being stripped of windows and doors, it will be difficult to tell one type from another. The R40s and R42s will also lose their fiberglass end-caps. Compared to the Redbirds, these cars are 10 feet longer, and over a foot wider, with much heavier stainless steel construction.

Brightliners Subway Cars reef
R32
Brightliners Subway Cars reef
R38
Brightliners Subway Cars reef
R40 "Slant"
Brightliners Subway Cars reef
R42

Brightliners were named for their gleaming unpainted stainless-steel finish and overall modern appearance, which contrasted strongly with the painted cars of previous generations, such as the Redbirds.

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Artificial Reef Sites, Artificial Reefs, Atlantic City Artificial Reef, Delaware #11 Artificial Reef, Delaware Artificial Reef Sites, Delaware Artificial Reefs, New Jersey Artificial Reef Sites, New Jersey Artificial Reefs,

Zebra Mussel

Zebra Mussel

Dreissena polymorpha

Size: to 2"

Habitat: grows profusely on any solid surface

Zebra Mussel

Notes: Zebra Mussels were introduced into the Great Lakes in the mid-eighties from the Caspian Sea region of Eurasia. They probably arrived as larvae in the ballast water of visiting ships. Since then, they have been having a regular party - spreading like wildfire and often covering every available hard surface, including each other. This wreaks havoc with power-plant cooling systems and municipal water supplies, where masses of the tiny bivalves clog pipes and water intakes. The mussels also radically alter the native lake ecology by efficiently filtering nutrients from the water. This does have one positive effect for divers, however. Apparently, the Great Lakes and surrounding waters have never been cleaner or clearer.

More: Zebra Mussel ...

Disclaimer:

I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.

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