New York subway memorabilia draws thousands to annual public auction

City officials have been offering retired subway equipment to collectors for years, but five years ago they expanded the program to let anyone attend a two-day open-air market in south Brooklyn. Visitors are limited to a 45-minute search period before the next group enters, creating a fast-paced atmosphere that attracts roughly 4,000 people annually. Items such as large station signs can cost $500 to $1,000, and the orange plastic seats introduced last year now command about $900 each.

Celebrities like Spike Lee were spotted buying a Penn Station sign, while younger shoppers like Trinyce and Ijeoma hoped the pieces would personalize their homes. The MTA does not disclose total revenue, but the event has become a popular way for New Yorkers to own a tangible piece of the city’s transit history.