Boardwalk Empire Brings Back 1920s Vintage Subway Train To New York (PHOTO)

Boardwalk Empire returns for its second season September 25th and HBO's promoting the prohibition era drama with a literal trainload of advertising.

Promoters told Gothamist:

Starting on Saturday, September 3rd an authentic vintage 1920’s train will run on the express 2/3 track in Manhattan throughout September (specifically, from 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Originally operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) system, the train began service back in 1917 and will once again be operational. Customers who have the opportunity to ride the vintage train will be transported back in time to the Prohibition era with authentic details such as rattan seats, ceiling fans and drop sash windows, as well as a custom branded interior featuring Boardwalk Empire-inspired period artwork.

The nostalgia ride will be around for four weekends, running through the 25th of September, and will stop at 96th, 72nd, and Times Square-42nd street stations only.

The Village Voice, reluctantly seduced by the gambit, is also excited to learn that "brand ambassadors" will be giving complimentary MetroCards away on the weekend of the show's premiere.

This is what the train looks like inside:

The MTA occasionally brings back vintage subway trains during the holidays. New York Magazine stepped on board a few years back:

Comments

[lucky54]

05:46 AM on 09/05/2011

I took a ride on this train yesterday with my husband. We had to wait about 30 min. and it was hot, but it was worthed. It feels great, and there are lots of people taking pics and video clips. Is so much fun. If anybody has a chance I highly recommend.

[Christmas Tree]

10:48 PM on 09/04/2011

I think the GG line in Brooklyn ran similar but a bit younger trains in until the early 70's. I remember running up miles of stairs from the 9th Street station of the RR (4th Avenue Local) to the Smith & Ninth Street elevated station to catch it. It saved me a five block walk to Brooklyn Technical High School (Class of 1973).

[noaxe397]

11:10 PM on 09/03/2011

I don't know if it is the same model but in the 60s I rode on the old R10s that had the rattan seats and ceiling fans. Rode on the number 6 line for decades for school and work.

[Mark Lacari]

02:38 PM on 09/02/2011

I've ridden on those cars, extremely fun. Better than those Pieces of garbage we got in the Subways now. They make a smoky enterance and exit, but they surely get the job done.

[Max Shaw]

01:24 PM on 09/02/2011

Bet its cleaner.

[ZombyWoof]

01:03 PM on 09/02/2011

Any homeless riding those models are to be officially referred to as hobos.

[mif991]

11:20 AM on 09/02/2011

Perfect occassion to come dressed in steampunk!

[Max Shaw]

01:24 PM on 09/02/2011

Im diggin up what ur puttin down!

[jl4141]

10:22 AM on 09/02/2011

What a totally cool promo this is -- I just might make a special trip to ride this train.

[Mark Lacari]

02:40 PM on 09/02/2011

Well just to let you know if you do ride them it will cost you, but despite the cost it is one heck of a ride and very fun for anybody.

[jl4141]

02:47 PM on 09/02/2011

Where do you get that it will cost me anything other than my usual entry to the subway system? I don't see that at all.

[northbronx]

10:15 AM on 09/02/2011

Oh yeah. Now I know what I'm doing on Sunday! It's always a treat, if sometimes startling, to see the old trains and buses rolling around. Does anybody know if the MTA is going to be running its "Nostalgia" program again this December?

[hemorrhage]

09:50 AM on 09/02/2011

No love for us residents of Brooklyn, Boardwalk Empire? I have to travel to Manhattan to check out the train? No thanks. Don't want to soil my boots. (Don't you film in Queens? Guess you don't value those folks either)

[jianyoa]

10:29 AM on 09/02/2011

Exactly. They always film in Manhattan but the trains come from Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx. Its all about Manhattan.

[LogicCircuit]

09:29 AM on 09/02/2011

42, 72, 96 ... what about us downtown folk?

[Montcalms Revenge]

09:02 AM on 09/02/2011

I love nostalgia too but as person who rides the 2 or 3 train daily I have to interject some reality here: there's no a/c in these cars and it's still hot in the NYC subways in September. They should have waited until October.... LOL! ;-)

[Deborah Thomas Welch]

08:48 AM on 09/02/2011

vandals of nyc are going to have fun with that

[budhoffmann]

08:41 AM on 09/02/2011

There was no place like NYC. It was "IT". I remember the Horn & Hardart automats, too. What a place that great city was. I miss it so much.

[CKieffer]

09:08 AM on 09/02/2011

I remember H&H! I grew up there and I have to tell you... it is a far cry from the place it once was. The upper west side looks like a giant outdoor mall on B'way from 72nd to 86th... it is horrible.

[Qjersey]

08:26 AM on 09/02/2011

I wish NYC had something like the historic streetcar F line in San Francisco...and a line like the 'Circle' line in other cities (that only loops around Manhattan).