The
nickname of an older set of
New York Subway rolling stock. Specifically, the cars built by either
American Car and Foundry or
St. Louis Car, models
R26,
R28,
R29,
R33 and
R36 cars. They are currently the oldest running cars in the
MTA's roster (they average 40 years old), and are mostly being phased out by newer
R142 type cars.
Probably the most obvious reason for this name is due to the fact that they're painted red.