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!

UPCOMING RIDES:

BMT Standards with riders in window

Saturday, April 18, 9:30AM-11:30AM

Anniversary Member Express

All aboard the Member Express! In celebration of Members Appreciation Month and our 50th anniversary, hop on our BMT Standards (built between 1914-1924) for a journey into the past. Leaving from the New York Transit Museum’s own Court Street Station, the Standards bring riders on tracks that once served the Brooklyn Manhattan Transit (BMT) and Independent (IND) subway companies. This exclusive journey is our way of saying thank you to the members who have kept us moving for 50 years.

Kids excitedly waiting for cake at Party on Wheels

Sunday, May 18, 10AM-Noon

Party on Wheels

The New York Transit Museum is turning 50 and we invite you to join us for one of our kickoff celebrations, a special birthday edition of our annual Party on Wheels: A Family Subway Celebration! Mark your calendar for a morning of fun activities and music.

Enjoy breakfast and coffee, participate in artmaking and facepainting, pose for a special photo opportunity, delight in a scavenger hunt – then experienceshuttle rides on our vintage subway cars from the Museum platform to Hoyt-Schermerhorn station and back!

Four vintage trains on elevated tracks at Parade of Trains

Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, 11am-4pm

Parade of Trains

Get ready to ride the rails in style! MTA New York City Transit and the New York Transit Museum are bringing out a selection of historic train cars for a special weekend celebration on the BMT Brighton Line. Parade of Trains returns on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7, inviting you to hop on and off vintage favorites at the Brighton Beach station (B/Q platforms) and Kings Highway station (Manhattan-bound B/Q platform).

Don’t miss your chance to step aboard these time-traveling treasures for just the cost of your subway fare!

To help us better plan for the event, advanced registration is encouraged but not required. Registration enters you into a raffle for a chance to win a Dual/Household membership to the Museum (a $100 value)!

R1/9 with HH route indicator

Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5, 10am-4pm

50th Anniversary Weekend Rides

Museum cars will revive the spirit of the original HH Shuttle, the short shuttle service that once ran between Court Street and Hoyt–Schermerhorn. Board at the Museum and ride vintage trains back and forth along the same route that connected Brooklyn commuters in the 1930s and ’40s. Rides are included with Museum admission and reservations open June 1.

Please Note: Route and vintage equipment is subject to change for all rides.

Two Yankees fans on the nostalgia ride

Support the Vintage Train Fund for a Chance to Win Yankees Tickets!

Make a donation for a chance to win four tickets to a New York Yankees game during the 2026 regular season (non-premium game, $620 value). Your contribution helps maintain the Museum’s historic fleet so our vintage trains can continue operating for Nostalgia Rides and special events.

Entry levels:

  • $10 = 1 entry
  • $20 = 3 entries
  • $50 = 10 entries

The winner will be notified by email by June 9, 2026. Winner need not be present. The game date will be coordinated with the New York Yankees Community Relations team. Must be 18 or older to enter.

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].