BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINK)

Here are a few photos showing Baltimore's prewar PCCs in their last years (all streetcars were replaced by new a/c Fishbowl buses in October, 1963)

Not only were these buses the first Fishbowls to operate in Baltimore, they were also the first buses in the city to be a/c-equipped.

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42148

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21680

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21682

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42141

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This circa-1954 photo shows a BTC PCC alongside a "Peter Witt"; note the angular, straight-lined front end of the Peter Witt, setting these Baltimore cars totally apart from all others "Witts" produced.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42139

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

When I was a moderator on a now-defunct transit forum many, many years ago, I gave these unique cars the moniker "Witt-less Witts", a moniker that was soon picked up by the other board members.

One of these tough-looking, unique cars has been restored and today resides at the BSM................

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is a photo of beautifully-restored "Witt-less Witt" #6119 at the BSM; solid, rugged cars like this remained in service well into the 1950s.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?50341

(courtesy; nycsubway.org)

["FRONT ENTRANCE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here, PCC #7074 is seen sitting outside the BTC's massive Carroll Park facility; Carroll Park stopped servicing streetcars in 1959, when all track connections were severed.

Interestingly, it still is used by today's MTA to service buses.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21671

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["15-CITY HALL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This photo dates to circa-1955; the trackage curving off in the foreground was then being used by several car lines.

By the end of streetcar service in 1963, however, those tracks were only used to turen back certain "short turns" during the rush hours, as well as used for non-revenue moves..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42142

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BTC"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[Cyberider]

Just like so many other systems, they had their "light rail" system only to tear it out for buses. I haven't studied Baltimore so don't know whether they've put in modern light rail in the meantime. Well, why worry? It's just the taxpayers money. . .

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Baltimore has also had a subway {"Metro") since 1983; at least the cars were built here in the States, by BUDD.............

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

["ROGERS AVENUE"]

[Cyberider]

Thanks for the info on Baltimore. About all that can be said is that they haven't evolved into the angry caterpillar stage yet.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just remembered this..........

Back in the early 1970s, my dad used to drive me over to "Rich's Hobbytown" (now long, long gone); I used to ALWAYS buy the latest issue of Vane Jones' "TRACTION & MODELS" (LOVED that magazine!)

In the main lobby, they had this (enclosed) coin-operated TRACTION layout (HO) utilizing ALL "Red Car" models by E. Suydam......CUSTOM PAINTED! (I've read that, 50 years later, many of these BEAUTIFUL brass interurban/streetcar models sold back then STILL remain unpainted!); these highly-detailed brassWAY, WAY too expensive for a teen traction buff!)

Most of the structures were also E. Suydam; I remember a two-car train of "Blimps", and a train of "Hollywood" cars, as well as a number of other PE-prototypes, ALL PROFESSIONALLY PAINTED!!!

AND, the layout featured WORKING OVERHEAD!!

This AWESOME pike had me ENTRANCED!!!

Was GREAT FUN watching these model PE cars roll along!

Oh, and there was also a two-car PCC train!

I had a traction layout then in my bedroom, based on (what else?) the City Subway in Newark!

I had two BOWSER PCCs and a number of plastic TYCO single-truck streetcars, as well as those I "kitbashed"........had a LOT of fun operating this layout (I even had one area where "ramps" brought certain cars to "street level", just like Newark!

Cannot believe that this was well over 50 years ago, now!

"TRACTION & MODELS" also gave me so many great ideas to incorporate onto my layout!

Man, I was only about 15, then; this was all was all a LOAD of FUN while it all lasted!

"NYO"

["RIDE THE BIG RED CARS"]

[Cyberider]

I read Traction and Models, too. Must still have them around here somewhere. Have a half dozen or so Suydam brass PE models, all still unpainted.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]