Ride MTA's 'Train Of Many Colors' To Mets' Home Opener

FLUSHING, QUEENS -- As New York Mets fans ring in another season of America's national pastime, the Metropolitan Transit Authority will celebrate opening day with its own tradition: A nostalgia-laced train ride.

The MTA will break out its "Train Of Many Colors" for the annual ride to the Mets' Home Opener at Citi Field on Thursday. The vintage train, whose cars represent different eras of subway history, has made the trip to the baseball field in Flushing Meadows Park for years as part of an opening day tradition.

The Train Of Many Colors is among the New York Transit Museum's "nostalgia trains" still used for occasional excursions. The train's nickname comes from the various color schemes found across its 11 R-33 and R-36 subway cars, which were manufactured between 1948 and 1964.

The vintage train's exterior is painted in shades of bright reds, robin's egg blues, the signature World's Fair creme and more.

On the Mets' Opening Day, the train will operate as a 7 express subway from 34 St-Hudson Yards to Flushing-Main St., an MTA spokesperson said.

This year, the Mets will play their opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 29 at 1:10 p.m. The Train Of Many Colors will depart at 11:30 a.m. in order to continue its tradition of arriving at Citi Field in time for the first pitch.

Lead photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.