Holiday Nostalgia Rides
Each December, the New York Transit Museum rolls out its vintage 1930s R1/9 train cars for the Holiday Nostalgia Rides—a beloved tradition that brings subway history to life right on the tracks. Celebrate the season with a ride back in time on these beautifully restored cars, featuring rattan seats, incandescent bulbs, and vintage roll signs.
See below for details about our 2024 rides. For information and alerts about our 2025 rides, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media at @nytransitmuseum.
2024 Holiday Nostalgia Rides
Take part in one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions!
This December, climb aboard the New York Transit Museum’s vintage 1930s R1/9 train cars for the return of our Holiday Nostalgia Rides—a magical journey through the city and through time.
Running every Sunday in December, the Holiday Nostalgia Train departs from 2nd Avenue–Houston Street on the uptown F line and 96th Street–2nd Avenue on the Q line. These beautifully restored subway cars offer a ride like no other. Don’t miss your chance to step back in time, all for the cost of a regular subway fare!
SCHEDULE
This year, the Holiday Nostalgia Train will operate on Sundays in December. Catch the vintage train between 10am and 5pm on Sunday, December 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.
The Holiday Nostalgia Train departs from the 2nd Avenue – Houston Street on the uptown F line in lower Manhattan at:
- 10am
- 12pm
- 2pm
- 4pm
The Holiday Nostalgia Train departs from the 96th Street – 2nd Avenue on the Q line at:
- 11am
- 1pm
- 3pm
- 5pm
ROUTE
The Holiday Nostalgia Train will depart from 2nd Avenue–Houston Street on the uptown F line and 96th Street–2nd Avenue on the Q line. Passengers can board the train at any of the stations listed below.
Please note:
- For stops between 2nd Avenue–Houston Street and Lexington Avenue–63rd Street, board on the F line platform.
- For stops between Lexington Avenue–63rd Street and 96th Street–2nd Avenue, board on the Q line platform.
Uptown Stops:
- 2nd Avenue – Houston Street (F)
- Broadway – Lafayette Street (D/F, 6)
- West 4th Street – Washington Square (A/C/E, D/F)
- 34th Street – Herald Square (D/F, N/Q/R)
- 42nd Street – Bryant Park (A/C/E, D/F, N/Q/R, S, 7)
- 47th – 50th Streets – Rockefeller Center (D/F)
- 57th Street – 6th Avenue (F)
- Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street (F, Q)
- 72nd Street – 2nd Avenue (Q)
- 86th Street – 2nd Avenue (Q)
- 96th Street – 2nd Avenue (Q)
Downtown Stops:
- 96th Street – 2nd Avenue (Q)
- 86th Street – 2nd Avenue (Q)
- 72nd Street – 2nd Avenue (Q)
- Lexington Avenue – 63rd Street (F, Q)
- 57th Street – 6th Avenue (F)
- 47th – 50th Streets – Rockefeller Center (D/F)
- 42nd Street – Bryant Park (A/C/E, D/F, N/Q/R, S, 7)
- 34th Street – Herald Square (D/F, N/Q/R)
- West 4th Street – Washington Square (A/C/E, D/F)
- Broadway – Lafayette Street (D/F, 6)
- 2nd Avenue – Houston Street (F)
Accessibility:
Accessible stations along the route include:
- Broadway–Lafayette Street (D, 6)
- West 4th Street–Washington Square (A/C/E, D/F)
- 34th Street–Herald Square (D/F, N/Q/R)
- 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center (D/F)
- Lexington Avenue–63rd Street (F, Q)
- 72nd Street–2nd Avenue (Q)
- 86th Street–2nd Avenue (Q)
- 96th Street–2nd Avenue (Q)
Please check the MTA app and visit the MTA’s Elevator and Escalator Status page before you travel for real-time elevator status information.
2024 Holiday Nostalgia Train: The R1/9s
Consisting of eight cars from the 1930s, the Holiday Nostalgia Train is a charming reminder of New York City’s transit history. These vintage Independent Subway System (IND) cars were once the pride of the first subway company operated by the City of New York. Modern for their time, the R1/9s complemented the IND’s Depression-Era Art Deco aesthetic. Featuring rattan seats, paddle ceiling fans, incandescent light bulbs, roll signs, and period advertisements, the R1/9s are the cars that inspired Billy Strayhorn’s iconic “Take the A Train.” They entered service on the Eighth Avenue line (today’s A/C/E) in 1932 and ran until 1977. Today, they are preserved as part of the New York Transit Museum’s collection.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Masks are encouraged, but not required on vintage trains.
- All Holiday Nostalgia Rides are weather permitting.
- Timing, routes, and equipment are subject to change.
Image: Marc A. Hermann / MTA