These Old Subway Cars No Longer Carry Passengers—They're Now Filled with Fish

Old subway cars were dropped into the sea from a barge—but not by accident. This was a planned operation for a very interesting reason.

Usually, divers find shipwrecks or ancient artifacts on the ocean floor, but subway cars resting on the seabed are quite surprising. Yet, this is exactly what happened to two subway cars from the city of Atlanta, USA. Now, fish and other marine life call them home.

For years, these Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority subway cars carried commuters around the city. When they became too old for service, metro officials decided to give them a second life. They reached out to the Georgia Division of Coastal Resources, an organization dedicated to protecting marine life and promoting sustainable fishing.

The seabed off Georgia's coast is primarily sand and shells, which are not ideal for natural reef growth. For over forty years, the division has been creating artificial reefs using old bridge supports, sunken ships, concrete debris, and other materials. These objects are strategically placed in designated areas to avoid interfering with shipping. One of these artificial reefs spans about four square miles and lies 55 to 65 feet below the surface, creating a thriving underwater habitat. The Atlanta subway cars are not the first to be submerged here. The reef also contains New York City subway cars, former U.S. Army armored vehicles, and 1,000 tons of concrete culverts.

Last month, divers explored the newly added subway cars for the first time and observed at least nine species of fish inside. They also noticed new coral beginning to grow. "The artificial reef looks fantastic, and we're excited about the amount of coral and marine life activity," said Cameron Brinton, a marine biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Resources Division, in an interview with Smithsonian Magazine.

In addition to providing a unique habitat for marine life, these artificial reefs serve an important role in environmental conservation and coastal protection. By sinking subway cars and other large structures, the Georgia Division of Coastal Resources is creating stable environments that encourage the growth of coral and attract various fish species. These reefs help boost local ecosystems and support sustainable fishing practices, as they draw fish away from overfished natural reefs. They also provide new opportunities for divers and marine researchers to study ocean life, making it a win-win situation for both nature and the community.