In the meantime, Delaware took Maryland's place in line. Then, New Jersey and Virginia asked for cars.
By the time Ocean City received its permits and raised money to cover the $25,000 delivery charge for one bargeload, states farther south and New York got in line, too.
"It's a good problem to have," said Michael Zacchea, assistant chief operations officer for New York's MTA. "All 1,600 cars are spoken for. From the get-go, we had a home for all the cars."
Maryland is now part of a rotation of six states.
A single contributor wrote a check to cover the first barge. The foundation has the cash toward a second one, and MARI is paying for delivery of a third barge.
The cars, built in the mid-to-late 1960s, weigh 18 tons each and are 60 feet long. Their stainless-steel exteriors hold up well underwater, allowing a thick coral crust to develop for habitat.
"After 40 years transporting the people of New York, they have another 40- to 50-year life as habitat for fish," said Zacchea, who is in charge of disposing of subway surplus. "In my view, this is the highest form of recycling we can perform."
candy.thomson@baltsun.com
