1959-1960 - American Car & Foundry - Model R26 # 7750-7859
1960-1961 - American Car & Foundry - Model R28 # 7860-7959
1962-1963 - St. Louis Car - Model R29 # 8570-8805
1962-1963 - St. Louis Car - Model R33 # 8806-9345
1963-1964 - St. Louis Car - Model R36 # 9346-9769
Specs:
( 51 x 9 ft ) 15,000 to 18,000 pounds (body)
Sunk:
50 cars - Cape May Reef on July 3, 2003
50 cars - Deepwater Reef on July 16, 2003
50 cars - Atlantic City Reef on July 25, 2003
50 cars - Garden State North Reef on Sept 3, 2003
50 cars - Shark River Reef on Oct 14, 2003
619 cars - Delaware Reef 11 from Aug 2001 to Nov 2003
Sponsor:
New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
anti-
Sponsor:
Environmental group Clean Ocean Action lobbied aggressively and almost successfully to prevent the use of these subway cars as artificial reefs in New Jersey, resulting in most of the cars going to other states.
These metals are of little interest as artifacts. They are, however, interesting for other reasons. Tin and zinc are used in copper-based alloys such as bronze, and the diver's favorite - brass. Aluminum, lead, and titanium are all used in the manufacture of many items of dive gear, not the least of which is tanks. And zinc is used in pure form in sacrificial anodes which protect the other metal parts of your dive boat from corrosion, while chromium and nickel are major constituents of many marine alloys. Wouldn't we all like to find a trove of silver and gold!