# All The Non-Passenger Trains in the NYC Subway

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIvU2NzY71A
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/wIvU2NzY71A
Generated: 2025-09-22T15:33:32.615+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The New York City subway utilizes various specialized non-passenger trains, including the VakTrak, which functions as a massive vacuum cleaner to remove debris from the tracks, significantly reducing delays caused by trash, smoke, and fire.

**Key Points:**
- The NYC subway employs specialized 'VakTrak' trains that act as massive vacuum cleaners to remove debris from tracks, thereby reducing delays.
- These VakTrak trains, costing approximately $23 million for three units, began service in 2018 and have reduced delays caused by debris, smoke, and fire by more than half.
- Debris on the tracks can cause water buildup, damage track circuits, lead to signal failures, and is the biggest cause of track fires.
- The VakTrak vacuums up to 14 cubic yards of debris, equivalent to three-quarters of a Toyota Camry, in a single pass.
- The system also utilizes other specialized trains like the TGC4 for track geometry maintenance and the "pump train" for clearing flooded tunnels.
- The subway system has faced challenges with flooding, as demonstrated by the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and also contends with snow during winter months.
- The MTA phased out older, less efficient models in favor of new trains that require fewer runs to clear trash.

![Screenshot at 00:01: A close-up shot of a "Subway" sign on a teal-colored entrance railing, with blurred city lights and buildings in the background, setting the scene in New York City.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-01.png)

**Context:** This video explores the specialized maintenance and support trains that operate within the New York City subway system, beyond the passenger trains people use daily. It highlights the challenges faced by the MTA, such as debris accumulation, flooding, and snow, and showcases the innovative solutions developed to address these issues, including the unique VakTrak vacuum trains.

## Detailed Analysis

The New York City subway system utilizes a variety of specialized trains to maintain its extensive infrastructure. The video introduces the VakTrak, a massive vacuum cleaner train that efficiently removes debris from the tracks, significantly reducing delays. This initiative, costing the MTA $23 million for three units, began in 2018 and has already proven effective, cutting delays caused by debris, smoke, and fire by over 50%. Debris is identified as a primary cause of track fires and signal failures due to water buildup. Each VakTrak can clear approximately 14 cubic yards of trash in a single pass. The video also touches upon other crucial maintenance trains, such as the TGC4 for track geometry work and the "pump train" used to clear flooded tunnels, a problem exacerbated by events like Hurricane Sandy. The MTA is also phasing out older, less efficient trash-clearing models in favor of newer designs that require fewer runs. Beyond trash, the system must also contend with weather challenges like snow, employing specialized equipment such as snow blowers and de-icing machines. The video also briefly mentions the historical 'money trains' that transported cash from ticket machines, which were armored passenger cars used from 1951 to 2006.

### VakTrak Introduction

- massive vacuum cleaner train
- removes debris from tracks
- reduces delays caused by trash, smoke, and fire

### VakTrak Efficiency

- cost $23 million for three units
- began service in 2018
- reduced delays by over 50%
- clears 14 cubic yards of trash per pass

### Challenges Faced

- debris causes track fires and signal failures
- flooding (e.g., Hurricane Sandy)
- snow during winter

### Other Maintenance Trains

- TGC4 for track geometry
- "pump train" for clearing flooded tunnels
- snow blowers and de-icing machines

### Historical Context

- "money trains" transported cash
- armored passenger cars from 1951-2006

### Operational Details

- VakTrak operates six nights a week
- requires 2-3 passes per station to clear debris effectively

![Screenshot at 00:01: A "Subway" sign on a teal-colored entrance railing, with blurred city lights and buildings in the background, sets the scene in New York City.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-01.png)
![Screenshot at 00:03: A large rat is shown on top of the subway entrance sign, highlighting the common association of rats with subway systems.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-03.png)
![Screenshot at 00:04: A bustling subway platform with passengers boarding a train, illustrating the daily operation of the NYC subway.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-04.png)
![Screenshot at 00:09: A first-person perspective shot of someone walking on a subway platform, with "AMY CAM" and "REC" overlays, indicating personal recording.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-09.png)
![Screenshot at 00:13: Passengers are seen inside a subway car, some looking at their phones, others reading, showing the typical environment.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-13.png)
![Screenshot at 00:16: Maintenance trains with flatbeds carrying construction materials are parked on tracks in a subway yard, showcasing non-passenger trains.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-16.png)
![Screenshot at 00:23: A person with a circular logo obscuring their face stands on a subway platform, with maintenance trains in the background.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-23.png)
![Screenshot at 00:26: An aerial view of a train yard filled with many subway cars parked on multiple tracks.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-26.png)
![Screenshot at 00:32: An email from the MTA Media Liaison stating they cannot accommodate a request, displayed over a background of train cars.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-32.png)
![Screenshot at 00:34: A close-up of a blue and white striped locomotive \(VakTrak\) at a subway station platform, with "VAKTRAK" visible on its side.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/wIvU2NzY71A/00-00-34.png)