The R42 was the first New York City Subway car model built as a fully air-conditioned fleet.
The Budd Company manufactured 400 R42 cars for the BMT and IND divisions. They entered service between 1969 and 1970, during a period when air conditioning was becoming an increasingly important feature of modern subway design.
Earlier cars, including the R32 and R38 fleets, could receive air-conditioning equipment through modifications, but the R42 was the first model designed and delivered with air conditioning throughout its fleet. This distinction is why the R42 is often remembered in subway history.
The R42 also introduced several updated design features, including improved lighting and a more streamlined front design. The model remained in passenger service for decades before its final retirement in 2020. It should not be confused with the R44 or R46, which were later and larger fleets.