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New subway cars elude Queens’ No. 7 line

By Philip Newman

More than 1,000 new subway cars featuring everything from more hand rails for straphangers to grasp to computerized air conditioning and a smoother and quieter ride will go into service in a few months, although none of them will replace the renowned “red bird” cars on the No.7 line.

The first of the new cars are to go into service on the No. 2, 5 and 6 lines possibly as early as April or May, but that is still tentative, Transit Authority spokesman Al O'Leary said. They first must undergo intensive testing..

The $1.4 billion purchase of the cars, manufactured by Kawasaki and Bombardier companies, is the biggest in New York City subway history

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