BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINKS)

Also.........

Note the that basic seating arrangement (postwar) on the BMT/IND remained virtually unchanged through to and including the "R-16s".

The "R-27/R-30s" ushered in "Eye-Are-Tee"-style, backs to the wall seating, which was utilized through to and including the "R-42s"

Recall, also, the the "Es-Eye-Are-Tee's" ME-1s of 1925 featuring seating that was a combination of rapid transit and suburban commuter (walkover seating)

Again the new "R-211s" (aka "Staten Island Rattlers") should have been equipped with "R-44"-type seating, given the "commuter" nature of the line........

"NYO"

"'RIDE THE RAPID"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Passenger comfort appears to be the last thing on the "Em-Tee-Yay's" mind, irrespective of the seating arrangements of the "Arnines" through "Are-Sixteens."

And "Staten Island Rattlers." I presume that since the A and C lines also now have these 211's in "soivice," they should be called "Rockaway Rattlers"?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Right you are....."Rockaway Rattlers"....seems quite fitting, from reports I have "hoid"!

Recall, now, way back in the day, when the fearsome "Artens" were known as "Thunderboids".......

"NYO"

["ROCK AWAY TO THE ROCKAWAYS VIA SUBWAY!"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here we have a "Rockaway Rattler" posing for the photographer; perhaps this sleek new train is wondering just how its "Staten Island Rattler" cousins are faring nowadays.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?159351

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["A"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Oh, say can you "C"...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?161702

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["C"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome_Metro

(scroll down page to "SIGNALLING" heading)

Also:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS4_Codici

Note how each Metro line utilizes its OWN signalling system (and, here we thought that "See-Bee-Tee-See" was screwing up the system in "Noo Yawk"!

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just "hoid" on 1010 WINS..........

BILLIONS are now secure for the "Em-Tee-Yay"; new subway cars, 'lectric buses, and MODERN signalling for a good number of the lettered subway lines.

So, it would seem that whatever "traditional" block signalling remains will be getting the axe, in favor of "See-Bee-Tee-See".

Now, let's see if the "Second Aven-oo" Stubway FINALLY makes it up to 125th Street (I'm not holding my breath, though)

Yeah,it's gonna get interesting, for sure.

Wondering now what order of new cars will replace the now-veteran "Brighton Belles" ("R-68s")

Gotta have everything "all new and shiny", according to the "Em-Tee-Yay".......(!!)

"NYO"

["Q"]

["463 REP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

BE SURE to read this article end-to-end; I think you'll find it of interest (as did Your's Truly!)

This is a good read...........

"NYO"

https://www.thecity.nyc/202505/14/subway-train-cars-subway-guide/

["Q Coney Island"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Agreed.

Personally, I cannot see any of today's "hi tech" trains lasting in "soivice" HALF as long as the iconic "Black" cars of the "Aitch & Em"; recall, the 1909 Class "B" cars were 56 years old when they were retired in late 1965!

And, NEVER thought that the now-classic "Fordy Fours" would have lasted for over a HALF-CENTURY, before retirement started, over on "The Isle Of Staten"

Think about it......these now-classic cars have outlived ALL of the ferryboats they once connected to, at St. George, at the time they arrived on SIRT rails (1973)

STLL cannot believe e that the hale and hearty "Fordy' Fours" over on "Es-Eye-Are" were in "soivice" for OVER fifty years!

IMHO, the "Are-Two-Elevens" won't even match HALF of the service record of the faithful "Fordy-Fours".........

"NYO"

["RIDE THE RAPID"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1941........

The Dyre Avenue line (utilizing ex-NYW&B row in "da Bronx") began operations, utilizing refurbished open-platform El cars.

When the line opened, it was indeed quite a "conglomerate" operation, if you will.

The elderly wooden El cars were from the "Eye-Are-Tee"; the signals were surplus from the "Bee-Em-Tee", and the line was operated as part of the "Eye-En-Dee" (THAT one always had me scratching my head!)

It would not be until 1957 that the route would be tied into the "Eye-Are-Tee" mainlines, allowing through service to Manhattan and Brooklyn...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42095 (note ex-NYW&B catenary still in place, remaining against the possibility of restored "Westchester" express service)

["DYRE AVENUE"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Good point.

Interesting, also, when you think that, out in "Shik-aga", the CA&E and CNS&M operated their heavy interurban trains directly into The Loop, via the "L".

To extend the "Westchester" into Manhattan via the "Toid Aven-uh" El would have been light-years beyond cost-prohibitive; the spindly El structures were, of course, NOT built to handle heavy steel cars, and, also, the "Westchester's" rolling stock were far larger than the wooden El cars, and, to shave back platforms, adjust clearances, relocated signals, etc., would have been beyond a monumental headache.

For all of its stately granduer and well-built stations and infrastructure, the NYW&B was most certainly NOT an example of "build it and they will come."

And, by the time the Westchester building boom DID take place after WW2, the old NYW&B was but a forlorn and abandoned raod, still displaying inklings of iys former elegance.....

"NYO"

*Some of the NYW&B's handsome MUs went up to "Bah-ston" where they were converted into conventional coaches (dead ringers for ERIE's arch-window Stillwells) and used in the NH's commuter services.

Still others went west, and were used as coaches to transport War workers, hauled by locomotives,

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Date this timeless photo of a CNS&M train on "L" trackage to 1961.

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46040

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Now, just imagine how "beefed up" the spindly "Toid Aven-uh" El would have to be, to be able to carry the NYW&B's heavy steel MUs, to enable the "Westchester" to serve the Manhattan business and financial districts........

["EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

It's all one and the same to me..........

Over on SubChat, there was discussion about how tell an "R-160" from an "R-179".

For Your's Truly, it's all one and the same; a "rolling iPad" (aka "Bronto") are all lookalike generics.

The last "Eye-Are-Tee" car I could readily identify was the "R-62"; the last "Bee-Em-Tee"/"Eye-En-Dee" car I could indentify were the "R-68s" (aka "Brighton Belles")

Funny, the "Eye-Are-Tee" SMEE rolling stock ("R-17" through the "R-36") all basically looked alike (except for the "WF" cars), and, yet, they had APPEAL, and were easy to like, for a number of reasons.........

1:

They had railfan windows

2:

They had REAL straps to hang onto

3:

The lights blinked on and off at third rail gaps

4:

They LOOKED like SUBWAY cars, and not something that was a product of a hyper-electronic world.

5:

They had roller curtains, and not ultra-sophisticated electronic signage.

Just my 2 1/2 cents worth..........

"NYO"

["1 SOUTH FERRY"]