New York City’s transit history comes alive as MTA New York City Transit and the New York Transit Museum present the annual Parade of Trains.
The event runs on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 from 11:00am to 4:00pm, featuring vintage subway cars shuttling between Brighton Beach and Kings Highway stations on the B and Q lines.
The Parade of Trains gives riders a rare chance to travel aboard historic subway cars spanning more than 100 years of service. All rides are free with a standard MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap, no special tickets required.
This year’s lineup showcases iconic rail-cars from the Transit Museum’s collection, including the 1904 BU Gate Cars, the BMT Standards, and the IND R1/9s, better known today for their role in the Museum’s Holiday Nostalgia Train. Each car preserves original features such as rattan seats, hand-operated doors, period advertisements, and ceiling fans, offering a unique glimpse into New York’s evolving transit legacy.
Trains will run in a continuous loop between the B and Q platforms at Brighton Beach and the Manhattan-bound B and Q platform at Kings Highway, with each ride lasting about 10 minutes. Passengers may board or exit at either station. However, at Kings Highway, boarding is limited to the Manhattan-bound platform. Riders should expect some wait times throughout the day.
Kings Highway station is ADA accessible, with an elevator on the south side of Kings Highway, west of 16th Street. Brighton Beach station is not wheelchair accessible, and not all vintage cars can accommodate wheelchairs. For the latest elevator service updates, riders are encouraged to check the MYmta app or the MTA’s Elevator and Escalator Status page.
The vintage fleet includes the BRT Brooklyn Union Elevated Cars (1903–1969), the oldest in service. These wooden “gate cars” feature open-air vestibules and manual gates operated by conductors. The BRT/BMT Standards (1914–1969) introduced brighter lighting, larger windows and destination signs, reflecting a shift toward comfort and better passenger information. The IND R1/9s (1930–1977) are pre-war models featuring rattan seating, roll signs and wider doors, setting a new standard in subway car design.
