I believe that there is a company which makes resin bodies of modern US prototype subway cars. Several different ones, and i beleive that there were some older ones as well. Additionally they sold asccompanying decals. I'll have to see if i can locate the link to their website. Resp, Nikki
N scale subway is easy. Just lay out foam underlayment, paint it concrete color and tell everyone it's there, they just can't see it because it is underground. Hand them a controller and tell them to have fun.. just kiddin. But in all seriousness, wouldn't it be challenging to build a nice one since most of it is out of sight?
It's easier than an above ground layout. You just have the detail the windows that look into it. But then again you usually put the windows into the stations which need lots of detail. Urban Transit modelers are mostly scratch and kit bashers. Here is a picture of my powered version of a CTA L train.
When it comes to NYC rats you would have to use HO rats for N, N ofr Z. Come to think of it, catch one in your garden and you can use it for your Garden size model!
If I were to model it, it would be the focus, not a main railway. Above ground structures would be static scenery.
