Two vintage train cars operating at Parade of Trains

Nostalgia Rides

What better way to explore transit history than by experiencing it firsthand? Throughout the year, the New York Transit Museum offers special opportunities to ride our beloved vintage fleet of trains throughout the system and to destinations across the city.

See these historic trains up close and experience them just as New Yorkers did decades ago. Sit on original seats, grip old handholds and leather straps, read vintage advertisements, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of another era.

New rides are generally announced one to two months in advance. Sign up for our e-newsletter and follow us on social media at @nytransitmuseum to learn about future rides first!

Train of Many Colors, led by a Redbird, on the 7 line

UPCOMING: MARCH 26 AT 11AM

Mets Home Opener Nostalgia Ride

Let’s Go Mets! To help the Amazin’ Mets start their season, the Transit Museum’s eight-car Redbird train will depart from 34 St-Hudson Yards on the 7 line at 11am on Thursday, March 26, making several stops on the way to Mets-Willets Point. Whether you’re a longtime Flushing Faithful or a first-time visitor to Citi Field, you’ll arrive at the ballpark feeling ready for the season. This is our year! From the first pitch to the final out, it’s all about Mets magic.

For just the cost of your subway fare, riders can hop aboard a vintage train car and take a ride back in time on their way to cheer the New York Mets to victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Please Note: The vintage train will depart from 34 St-Hudson Yards at approximately 11am. The Mets Nostalgia Train will make stops at Times Sq-42 St, 5 Av, Grand Central-42 St, Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av, Hunters Point Av, Court Sq, Queensboro Plaza, 61 St-Woodside, Junction Blvd, and Mets-Willets Point. The ride to Queens is about 35 minutes, getting fans to the stadium with plenty of time before the first pitch at 1:15pm. There will be no return trip.

Lo-V train with Yankees decals in front of Yankee Stadium

UPCOMING: APRIL 3 AT 11AM

Yankees Home Opener Nostalgia Ride

We’re offering the perfect way to get into the spirit of baseball season and show off your pinstripe pride – a ride to Yankee Stadium aboard a four-car 1917 IRT Lo-V train! Departing from Grand Central-42 St at 11am on Friday, April 3, the Yankees Nostalgia Train will run non-stop to 161 St-Yankee Stadium. As an added bonus to accommodate even more railfans, a six-car Redbird train will arrive immediately following the Lo-V Nostalgia Train.

For just the cost of a MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap, riders can hop aboard a vintage train of their choice and take a ride back in time on their way to cheer the New York Yankees to victory over the Miami Marlins.

Please Note: The vintage trains will both depart from the uptown 4 train platform at Grand Central-42 St at approximately 11am. The Redbirds will arrive immediately following the Lo-Vs. The trains will not make any stops between Grand Central Terminal and Yankee Stadium. Fans are welcome to ride on the Lo-Vs or the Redbirds. The ride up to the Bronx is about 25 minutes, getting fans to the stadium gates with plenty of time before the first pitch at 1:35pm. There will be no return trip.

Previous Rides

Our Nostalgia Rides transport straphangers through time, using the very same equipment that city dwellers traveled in over the past 120 years. Each season offers a variety of rides, with journeys to the Bronx, Coney Island, the Rockaways, and even through Manhattan—featuring different trains from our rotating fleet.

Additional Information and Policies

Member Discounts

Members receive discounts on programs! Members can buy discounted tickets for the number of people covered by their membership. To receive the member ticket price, click the register button and sign in on the ticketing page to verify membership. The discount will appear at checkout.

Visit our member tickets page to learn more about member program discounts. Not a member? Join or renew now to access all the perks of membership!

All Ticket Sales are Final

If you cannot attend the program on the date you reserved, the total price of unused tickets will be treated as a donation to the Transit Museum and is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another date.  

Age Requirements

Children ages 2 and up need their own ticket to the program.

Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Program Experience

Nostalgia Rides happen rain or shine. Equipment, route, timing, and duration are subject to change. Ticketed rides last about 60-120 minutes. Some include destination stops, while others are round-trip excursions.

Restrooms are not available on the trains. While some vintage cars are air-conditioned, many are not.

Your safety is important to us!

  • Please walk carefully on platforms and stay behind the yellow line. Do not sit directly on the platform.
  • Please keep arms inside the train. Walking between train cars is not allowed.
  • The first car of the train is a magical place for everyone. Please consider our youngest visitors and allow children to look out the front window.
  • Help us preserve these vintage cars for future generations! Do not eat or drink while on board and leave all original elements where they belong.
Accessibility

Some but not all of our Nostalgia Rides use stations that are ADA accessible. Please check your ride’s webpage on our programs calendar.

For accessibility questions, please visit our accessibility page or email [email protected].

Pets, or comfort, therapy, or emotional support animals are not permitted at Museum programs. Only service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted.

For information on American Sign Language interpreter requests, Assistive Listening Devices, or other accessibility matters please visit our accessibility page or email [email protected]. If you secure tickets, please request any accommodations via email at least two weeks in advance.

Review and download the Nostalgia Ride Social Narrative to learn more about what to expect at these popular events. Review and download the Parade of Trains social narrative to learn more about what to expect at this popular event.

Photography & Filming 

Personal photography and short video clips are permitted at Museum programs. Continuous audio or video recording of our programs is not permitted. Tripods, monopods, stands, selfie sticks, Go Pros, and external lights may not be used. All photographs taken must be for personal, non-commercial use and permission to photograph may be revoked at any time.

Professional photography and recording are not permitted, unless authorized with advanced approval by the New York Transit Museum’s Press and Marketing Department. Professional photography and recording include taking photographs or videos for publication, advertising, or commercial purposes. To contact the Press and Marketing Department, please email [email protected].

Visitor Release

Attendees assume for themselves and anyone in their party including minors under the age of 18 all risk of injury, harm, or death, and agree to release, indemnify, defend, and forever discharge New York Transit Museum and our partner organization(s) for this event from all liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, and causes of action.

Any materials (images or recordings) provided or shared by the Museum or presenters during programs are for personal use only. These images may not be used by media or for commercial purposes, including in blog posts, social media, news coverage, or promotional materials of any kind. All such images remain the intellectual property of the New York Transit Museum or presenters unless otherwise stated.

By attending this program, you consent to having your image, voice and/or likeness filmed, recorded, and/or photographed. The resulting materials may be used by the Museum without restriction, credit, financial compensation, or other consideration, for any and all purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify a Museum staff member before attending the program.

Newsletter

By registering for an event, excursion, or program, you will be added to the New York Transit Museum’s email newsletter list, which allows you to receive reminder emails, notices of upcoming programs, and news. You may unsubscribe anytime using the link at the bottom of the newsletter. Please Note: Unsubscribed individuals may not receive important program reminders and updates, which may include necessary information to participate such as Zoom links and departure locations.

Contact Us

Questions? Email [email protected].