June 23, 2022

Historic subway car up for auction through July 6

NEW YORK – The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) today listed Redbird subway car #9075 – the last of its kind – for public auction. The iconic, scarlet red subway car formerly transported visitors to and from the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and was retired from service in 2003. Opening price for this remarkable piece of New York City history is $6,500.

“If you want a full scope of all of the items and goods our agency helps manage then look no further than our public surplus auctions. You may end up with a ferry boat, a train car, or some deeply discounted office supplies,” said NYC DCAS Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “It’s a true reflection of the breadth of our reach and the role we play in every facet of making government work citywide. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history that is so intrinsic to the City’s identity. That blazing red subway car is as memorable and iconic as yellow taxi cabs, and now it could be yours. Take a look at our surplus offerings and claim something new today.”

The 50-foot, 40-ton subway car is among the last train cars to feature the tear-drop shaped metal hand grips, that inspired the term straphanger for subways riders. In the early 2000s the Redbirds were phased out and replaced with stainless steel cars throughout the transit system. Redbird cars were built between 1959 and 1963 and upon their retirement many were repurposed to form a reef barrier in the Atlantic Ocean. Redbird subway car #9075 avoided an aquatic fate and has been residing at Queens Borough Hall.

Upon sale of the Redbird, the owner will be responsible for retrieving the subway car in its as is condition within 10 days of winning the bid. The notice of award, the payment receipt, and personal identification must be presented at the time of pick-up, or the City of New York will not release the item to you. Interested parties should review the full terms and conditions included in the item listing.

The DCAS Office of Surplus Activities (OSA) handles surplus City property and either transfers it to other City agencies if it is needed, auctions it off if it is no longer needed by the City of New York, or, in certain circumstances, disposes of the property. Surplus property sales are managed through online auctions.

For more information or to view current goods, please visit: DCAS Surplus Goods Auctions.

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:

• Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees
• Managing 55 public buildings
• Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property
• Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies
• Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country
• Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas or by following us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.

Contact:
Anessa Hodgson
Deputy Director of Communications
communications@dcas.nyc.gov