Transit Museum in New York Expands Its Film Collection with Chappell Roan's 'The Subway' Addition
The New York Transit Museum, a treasure trove of vintage subway cars and related assets, has been a popular choice for film and television productions for nearly five decades. With its long and notable history, the museum has played a significant role in showcasing New York City's transit history on screen across multiple decades.
The museum's versatility is evident in its ability to accommodate filming of entire scenes within a single subway car, with special effects added later, as well as larger scenes involving train movements filmed on the exterior. This versatility has allowed the museum's fleet to be featured in a wide range of productions, from gritty crime films like The French Connection (1971) and The Taking of Pelham 123 (1974), to prestigious dramas such as Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ Bridge of Spies (2015), which showcased the R11 car with its distinctive blue interior from the museum’s collection.
The museum's vintage trains have also graced the screens of large-scale musicals, including In the Heights and West Side Story, and have been used in various television series and events, such as Motherless Brooklyn, Boardwalk Empire, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and even music videos like AJR’s “Weak” and Gregory Porter’s NPR Tiny Desk performance, as well as fashion shows like Moschino’s Fall 2020 runway.
The New York Transit Museum's decommissioned 1936 Court Street station is another unique location that has been used for filming. The museum's fleet has been a popular choice among productions, with its vintage trains being used in films and television across various genres, from crime thrillers to prestige dramas and large-scale musicals.
Despite the high demand for filming, the museum can only accommodate about a dozen requests each year. This is due in part to the fact that filming typically happens after hours or on closed days, with larger shoots coordinated with the MTA’s film unit.
The museum displays about 20 restored subway cars at a time, with nearly 100 in total. These historic subway cars have a cinematic legacy, appearing in films like King Kong (1933) and The Incident (1967).
Beyond its role in the film and television industry, the New York Transit Museum offers experiences that connect history with popular culture. For example, special vintage subway rides are offered on preserved cars like the R32 Brightliners, which also have historic significance.
Recently, the museum was the location for Chappell Roan's music video for her single "The Subway". The R44 car used in the video was previously used in Olivia Rodrigo's commercial for Sony's LinkBuds Fit earbuds. The music video debuted at number three on Billboard's Hot 100, and the R44 car is popular among visitors, especially younger ones.
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music Radio, Chappell Roan revealed that "The Subway" is inspired by Los Angeles but was filmed in New York's subway system because it feels "so much more romantic."
The New York Transit Museum welcomed over 700,000 people in 2024 to its locations, programs, and events. The museum also offers discounted tickets for special events, such as the release of Chappell Roan's "The Subway."
As Chappell Roan prepares for four sold-out shows at Forest Hills Stadium next month as part of her exclusive three-city-only tour this fall, it's clear that the New York Transit Museum continues to be a unique, authentic location and resource for film and television productions, as well as a popular destination for visitors and music video shoots.
