BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are two interesting signs (for motormen) at Rockefeller Center.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?133268 *

*(I LOVE this sign: TRUE, up-front "Noo Yawk-ese"!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?133219

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["TO DOWNTOWN TRAINS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The now-dated chrome "BUS & SUBWAY" sign over the entrance to the workaday, utilitarian Rockaway Parkway (BMT) station house, at one, time, was quite sleek and up-to-date (recall such "moderne" lettering at the old "Port-of-Authority", before the facility was "improved", over 40 years ago)..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?57887

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BUS & SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back in the long-ago days before the sleek, modern, handsome "Port-of-Authority" was so wonderfully "improved", I well recall the original entrances to the subway from the main concourse, which flanked the doors to 8th Avenue.

I still recall the stylish "SUBWAY" lettering above each entrance (I also remember a sleek chrome change/token booth or two, back in the early/mid-1980s, which would have dated back to the PABT's opening in 1950)........

"NYO"

["INDEPENDENT SUBWAY SYSTEM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In the book: "BUILDING THE INDEPENDENT SUBWAY" (Kramer), there is a 1930s photo on page #59 showing a stream of well-dressed rush hour straphangers transferring from the bus to the IND at the 169th Street station.

The stylish Art-Deco entrance was built into a row of shops; tiles of black glass/basalt gave a distinct modern, sleek look to the parapet.

A smart, stylized "8th Avenue Subway" sign was above the station entrance, which was located between a florist's and a cigar shop.

If only today's "ho-hum" subway entrances could be as stylish and eye-catching today...........

"NYO"

"8TH AVE SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Originally, the entrance to the IND's 135th Street station was graced by handsome lanterns that resembled miniature Gothic cathedrals.

Even though those lanterns long ago were removed, the entrance is still impressive.

Look closely, and you can see where the old incandescent bulbs were once mounted...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113356

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113357

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[" CITY OF NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Clearly reflective of the era in which it opened, this unusual entrance to the IND's 145th Street station retains its historic, old-style electric "SUBWAY" sign........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?85875

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["IND LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Looking a bit weatherbeaten, but still quite impressive, is the entrance to the "Eye-En-Dee's" 190th Street station, cut into the rock.

Note the old sign reading "ENTRANCE" above the doors on the right; in years past, the words "EXIT ONLY" were above the doors on the left.

A sign reading "8th AVENUE SUBWAY SYSTEM" was once located between the doors.

At one time, a small newsstand was situated on either side of the station entrance, and an electrical pedestal "SUBWAY" sign was located near the curbline.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?670

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["ENTRANCE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is another view of the entrance to the IND station at 190th Street; in this 2009 view, you can see that the word "ENTRANCE" (seen in the previous photo) over the right-hand doors has now been removed............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?102440

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["INDEPENDENT SUBWAY sYSTEM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When Your's Truly began working downtown in 1979, many stations still were using vintage change booths (I recall these oft-forgotten old booths well; they, indeed, had a certain charm to them)

Whenever possible, I used these classic booths, bypassing the modern MTA versions.

These days, it is more than rare to spot a long-closed booth at ANY station; this forgotten, long-closed booth is at the 190th Street station...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?145808

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["GET TOKENS HERE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This view at the 190th Street station (looking towards the street doors) clearly shows the lofty arched ceiling.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?102442

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["TO STREET"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a 2013 photo of yet another "rocky" (and quite distinctive) IND station entrance, this one at 181st Street.

You can also see the the housing that once displayed the original illuminated verticle "SUBWAY" sign..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?139142

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["8TH AVE SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An interesting (if hardly impressive) contrast in old and new signage at the IND's 163rd Street station.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?70207

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These distinctive ventilation grills at the IND's 163rd Street station remind me of a bit of those depicted in the publicity photo of INDiana Jones on his thundering steed, jumping the turnstiles on the film set representing the 58th Street station (see my original post at the beginning of this topic)...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?95086

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["IND"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This view depicts the cluttered-looking entrance to the IND's Dyckman Street/200th Street station; look closely and you'll see how the modern MTA station entrance lamp obliterates the last letter of the word "ENTRANCE", detracting from the original (if clearly time-worn) "SUBWAY ENTRANCE" sign..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?139600

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)