Despite their appearances (and their smell), the subway cars in New York City are actually regularly replaced by newer versions. What happens to the older, obsolete ones? Well, it might not sound great at first, but don’t quit on it right away. When the MTA retires a subway car, it takes a journey to the bottom of the ocean. Yes, that’s correct. They dump them in the ocean. It’s okay, though; this actually does something awesome for the environment.
Retired New York City subway cars.
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Once the cars are stripped of asbestos and anything else that would harm the ocean’s ecosystem, they’re put on a ship headed for the Atlantic Ocean.
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All along the East Coast, these stripped subway cars are dumped into the water to help assist the local oceanic ecosystem.
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Here’s one taking the plunge.
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The artificial reefs that the cars create are a boon for marine life and the fishing industry.
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An NYC subway car gets ready to see its new home.
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Cannonball!
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While many fish benefit from the cars, fluke, flounder, and other bottom feeders are the biggest winners.
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2,580 retired subway cars were dumped underwater between 2001 and 2010.
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That’s a lot of big splashes.
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Staying true to form, these things even experience delays while sinking.
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Goodbye, old subway cars. Enjoy the bottom of the ocean!
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What a great idea.
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(via BusinessInsider)
It’s nice to see these old subway cars give life to something that isn’t germs. I wonder if the fish who swim through these reefs hate those annoying Dr. Zizmor ads.
