Absolutely incredible find. The only other known model of this type is the R36 worlds fair blue robin 2 car set which is also pictured in this auction. This is an r40m variant, one car and it is a MONSTER. There is an o scale MTH r40 model in one of the pics to show just how massive this thing is. I have no production notes or certs to go with with unfortunately but the craftsmanship alone as well as this having the same details, font type and design cues definitely say it was commissioned officially by the NYC transit authority. R40 “slants” are loved by many but their design proved odd for “safety” reasons, some were modified with gated walkways between cars and others had their front ends replaced to look like this. Another tell of this being a pre-production model is the destination sign above the front door in similar style to the r40 car which reads “New York” this was omitted in the actual production car. One side featured blue and silver “ridges” while the other side features an r46 style blue belt line yet again lending to the fact that this is indeed a pre production model of the subway car. There are paint chips in a few places and one of the windows is missing and a small panel of ridges is missing but for someone with time this would be a very easy restoration or you can leave it as is. Train is made of wood and HEAVY. Again it is HUGE but definitely scale and still an amazing piece of NYC subway history as it is. I’d honestly put this up there as “museum class”. Anyone work for the transit museum or transit authority at present who would happen to know more about this model, please reach out!