The Subway (also frequently named Subway Car or EL-Train) is a train featured in Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
Description
The Subway Car is an adaptation of the classic NYC subway car, which serves as a public transportation for the city. The Subway Car is only featured in games that are set in the 3D (named "Train" in-game) and HD renditions of Liberty City, reflecting its usage in New York City.
Both renditions are undrivable, but the player can ride the subway for a small fee, dependent on distance travelled.
Design
Grand Theft Auto IV
In Grand Theft Auto IV, the subway car is a single carriage train based on the NYCTA R38 subway cars, with influences from the older R32 and newer R62 cars. The bulkheads of the cars feature route signs (roll signs) and additional lights seen only on pre-rebuilt R38s (rebuilt R32s and R38s featured only a digital flipdot sign), including "EXP" ("express") marker light, even though no express lines are present in the game. Only two or three subway cars will be connected to each other at random.
The subway cars are poorly maintained, as their interiors are quite dirty and the cars are covered with graffiti inside and out. By using the camera on the Mobile Phone, one can see the interior of the subway car while inside the vehicle. The interior textures appears to be rather undetailed and only a few in-game ads (ECola, Cluckin' Bell and others) are visible.
The roll signs on the subway car are the same every time, and do not reflect the line. The route symbol sign states "K - Happiness Island", even though Happiness Island is completely inaccessible by trains. The roll sign states "Sundance St., Sth. Slopes" - this most likely refers to Schottler Station in Broker (it is on the border of the South Slops neighborhood, and it has a Sundance St. exit) - but Schottler is not served by K trains, only 3 and 8.
The subway car has four doors on either side of the train, all of which slide open when arriving at a station. The trains have unique door-ajar-chimes, which can be heard when a train leaves at any station. The trains have small brake lights which operate under braking in tight corners, as well as headlights used inside tunnels and during night time. The cars produce bright blue sparks from their wheels when cornering.
The subway cars cannot be driven by the player, but are considered vehicles. They can be entered to go on subway rides in Liberty City. The train will not stop at stations when the player has a three star or higher wanted level. If the player is on the train with a three star or higher level, it will stop when it reaches the next station and will refuse to go on until the player exits or loses their wanted level.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
The subway car and train tracks appear in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. However, the trains cannot be ridden, and the player cannot enter the stations. When close to straight tracks, the train will speed past in a split second (due to limited movement algorithm, the trains won't spawn if the player is standing near curved tracks). It is impossible to follow the train for more than a few seconds, as it despawns as soon as it is off the screen.
Performance
Grand Theft Auto IV
The train will operate at a constant-but-moderate speed and doesn't slow down for corners. The train will not stop if the player blocks its path, attempts to stop the train or using any other method of blocking it.
Falling under the train will instantly result in the player getting wasted. Outside of scripted events, the player cannot destroy a subway car, nor being able to intercept it with another car, as the subway car will practically push the player's vehicle effortlessly. If the player's vehicle is stuck on an obstacle while being pushed by the train, the vehicle will simply be crushed.
Unique Variants
- In the mission "No Way on the Subway", there are several derailed trains under the Algonquin Bridge to add blockades when the player is chasing a Lost MC biker. They also feature unique train horns.
- In the mission "Bang Bang", Luis can blow up a uniquely destructible train.
- In the mission "For the Man Who Has Everything", one train carriage can be uncoupled to be stolen. They will also smoke whilst being hit by bullets and exploding Police Mavericks and Annihilators. Like the ones in "No Way on the Subway", they feature unique horns and its formation is also scripted (six cars instead of the usual two/three cars).
Gallery
Prominent Appearances in Gameplay
Grand Theft Auto IV
The Ballad of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
See Also
- Train - Listing other forms of trains in the Grand Theft Auto series.
- Train (vehicle) - The 3D Universe equivalent of the Subway Car from Grand Theft Auto IV.