BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: Agreed 100% (strange also-is that Philly does nor roster any historic trains for railfan specials or "Holiday" runs); there are-of course-thankfully-the PCC II's for the streetcar buffs-but no (operable) "Bullets" or "Straffords"(ex-P&W) on SEPTA rails; likewise no restored historic Frankford El rolling stock (all prewar Frankford El rolling stock was long ago scrapped) Likewise-Boston does not roster any historic (and operable) rapid transit cars------at least the "See-Tee-Yay" DOES roster (and-once in awhile-) operates historic "L" rolling stock out in "Shik-aga"--------"NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: Good question------I know that riding the "L" (and "See-Tee-Yay" in general) nowadays-sadly-is atkin to the current insane situation in "Noo Yawk"; I know that SEPTA has really gotten particularly bad these past few years-particularly the subways and the Frankford El I know that "See-Tee-Yay's" historic rapid transit rolling stock is not as plentiful as here in "Noo Yawk"-------and-it would not surprise Your's Truly to learn that the actual running of the historic fleet is far below what it once was; as you and I both know-the heyday of ERA and NRHS fan trips are now long gone ----------I know the "See-Tee-Yay" ran a brilliantly-lighted "Holiday Train" through the Loop (and on other lines) but I do not know if this special train still is in operation during the holidays-------society has totally changed-----and certainly NOT for the better---------- "NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"See-Tee-Yay" holiday train (2023): Just did a fast online search-the "Holiday Train" tradition started 32 years ago; this train is unique in that the fully-decorated-glittering cars-stop at all regular stations to pick up/discharge passengers (current rolling stock is used); in the consist are flats which are also likewise decorated with Santa-reindeer-sleigh aboard; there are 'Holiday" bus counterparts as well (the buses are the current insipid caterpillars and shoe boxes-nothing historic-but at least they look quite glittering at night); related articles and also photos online "NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

SEPTA (at last report) still operates decorated buses during the holidays; back in the heyday of streetcars-quite a few cities had brightly-decorated streetcars which were often sponsored by the big downtown stores during the holidays (PSNJ once operated such cars in Newark)-------regarding non-holiday rapid transit fantrips-recall also that the historic rolling stock in both "Noo Yawk" and "Shik-aga" are (regarding certain cars) a century old (or close to it)-new parts for ailing elderly rolling stock can also be an issue (the prewar "Eye-Are-Tee" cars date back to 1917-106 years ago!)------"NYO" *at nycsubway org there is a 2004 photo (photo 42027) of the lone extant 1938 "WF" car at the CIY-decorated for the holidays; pretty sure that this was the only "Noo Yawk" rapid transit car decorated for the holidays (unless retired "school cars" were also decorated)------------

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Been hearing that this could be the last year for the "Holiday Nostalgia Trains"(sadly-not surprising) Look at how long it has been now since those proud and historic buses ran for the holidays With the passing of each year-there are less and less "historically skilled" guys to take care of these old buses and-that-in itself-is sobering; I'd HATE to see those historic buses trashed by hell-bent idiots if they were to start running again (sure as heck hope none are scrapped) With "people" now so "off the wall" and hell-bent------Your's Truly does not think that the historic subway and El cars displayed at Court Street are now totally and truly safe-----------it's beyond sad------ "NYO" what Your's Truly has been reading online during the past few days-it could well be that the historic subway car fleet won't be running in future years- especially hat the highly-skilled fellows who know HOW to keep this historic trains in good running condition are rapidly passing on to that big subway yard in the sky-------

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: Forty-odd years back-------Your's Truly went to "Court Street" nearly all Saturdays; I went with a good work buddy who though-not a transit buff-enjoyed seeing the old cars and signage he recall growing up in Brooklyn (later Queens); indeed-it didn't hurt that he was always interested in the knowledge on the subways that I shared!)-----------I owe a LOT to the older guys there-who enriched Your's Truly with a great deal of historical knowledge-regarding the "Tee-Yay" First two books I bought on the "Noo Yawk" subways: "UNDER THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK" (Cudahy) and "UPTOWN-DOWNTOWN" (Fischler) really enlightened this dedicated transit buff and I gleaned a great deal of historical info through these great books!) ------- when I worked on "The Street" one elderly "runner" (who I later knew well) worked on the "Eye-are-Tee" back in the 30's/40's/50's (Engineering Dept); what a surprise when-one fine day-he presented Your's Truly with his old circular brass badge: "I R T CO- 9257-ENGINEERING DEPT"; WHAT A PRIZE! I display it proudly today! ----------I bought a LOT of old transit goodies at "Court Street" back then-happily lugging it all back to "Joisey" on the "Eye-Are-Tee" and ex-O&B/INTER-CITY Fishbowls out of the PABT! Ahhh those were the good ol' days for sure! (I also recall a HUGE detailed plaster replica of a postwar Old Look in "Bee-oh-Tee" colors in a glass case; also a BIG "cutaway" replica of a postwar B&QT trolley-bus; ironcally when I first started going down to "Court Street-the R-10's/14's/15's were STILL in operation-but NOT looking all sleek and pristine as they did on display!) "NYO"

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

WB: I TOTALLY forgot that HUGE R-11 replica; WOW!!! How I wished Your's Truly could add it to his transit collection! ------I recall how I used to inhale DEEPLY at Court Street------just get a STRONG whiff of rapid transit history! Once (sadly) I had to pass up a "Jetson" Fishbowl running light-so I could lug a (side) "Arnine" roller box (w/curtain) back to "Joisey" (I always keep it set for "HH FULTON ST LOCAL"* (what else?) ------- Was a LOT of great fun while it all lasted! "NYO" *(Recall-in later years-when the "HH" designation was brought back for Rockaway trains?)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recall also-back in they heyday of the "Eye-En-Dee's" Rockaway line (ex-LIRR) operations were quite interesting; crews were "swapped" at Euclid-the line was also thought of as the 'Tee-Yay's FOURTH subway operation; recall-too-that special tokens were once used on the Rockaway line------the first "official" train on this new line were the new R-16's; though the line OPENED in 1956-----it was still not FINISHED; the substations were still not fully on-line and-for awhile-trains operated at reduced speeds-consists were short-and there was a total ban on the "Are-Tens"; only prewar "Eye-En-Dee" units could run on the line until the substations were finished and finally totally on-line and "running full tilt"-----"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Flashback to the IRT line that ran along ex-NYW&B (abandoned 1937) row up in "da Bronx"; though the rolling stock was ex-INTERBOROUGH (El cars)-the new line (opened in 1941)-was-interestingly enough-operated as part of the "Eye-En-Dee"; with "Eye-En-Dee" crews! And-it took until 1954 for the "Eye-En-Dee" ("D" line) to reach Coney Island-courtesy of a new track connection; now-at last-through "Eye-En-Dee" trains connected "da Bronx" with Coney (Bronxites no longer had to transfer at TSQ to connect with Coney-bound trains!)-------- "NYO"