At its introduction in 1949, the R-11 was billed - accurately - as the Train of the Future: "Expectations are high for construction of the Second Avenue subway and the futuristic new subway cars that will run on it. Made from gleaming stainless steel, the cars have a range of modern innovations: round porthole windows that would look at home on a rocket ship; high-tech air purification systems that use ultraviolet lamps to kill germs; illuminated route maps on the wall; and - incredible as it seems - public address systems that make clear, intelligible announcements."