BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

TARS cars in Philadelphia.......

Interesting to note that a group of TARS cars went to Philadelphia during WW1, to help handle the tremendous traffic generated by the Hog Island shipyards.

The cars were never repainted, and carried their original TARS paint until they were retired...........

"NYO"

["TARS"]

[Cyberider]

Those TARS cars sure got around.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1964........

The two refurbushed former North Shore "ELECTROLINERS" entered service on Red Arrow's (ex-P&W) Norristown line, between 69th Street and Norristown.

The trains were re-christened the "VALLEY FORGE" and the "INDEPENDENCE HALL" ("Liberty Liners")

These sleek, high-speed trains, however, were not well-suited for the "stop-and-go" format of the Norristown line, and were never able to re-capture the glories of their high-speed days on the now-dismantled North Shore.

Thankfully. both of these historic electric trains today reside in museums, beautifully restored.........

"NUO"

["LIBERTY LINER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A proud relic of a long-ago, fascinating era of electric railroading........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?71632

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?71633

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["RED ARROW LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1962...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21228

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

The last remaining streetcars lines in Washington DC were converted to buses.

By this late date, only the all-conduit lines were in operation............

"NYO"

["SILVER SIGHTSEER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ain't the same..............

In 1963, the famed "North Shore" interurban was abandoned; no longer would its fleet of handsome, classic, high-speed electrics sprint between Milwaukee and Chicago's Loop.

Today, electric rail transit is again running in Milwaukee; however, today's highly-unattractive, high-tech equipment far more resembles giant robotic insects than any sort of "traditional" electric rail car............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?160171

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?160175

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["QUICK, HENREY! THE FLIT!"]

[Cyberider]

I guess that's where the money is and what "woke" people want! No attraction for me whatsoever!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Center-entrance Birneys?

NEVER knew these unique Birneys existed until today, when I received my excellent copy of "WATERBURY TROLLEYS", published by the Connecticut Motor Coach Museum.

These unique cars (only two were ever built) were ordered by the Cape Breton Tramways (Nova Scotia); when the company canceled the order, the two double-truck, center-door Birneys were purchased by the Waterbury & Milldale Tramway in 1921.

These unique cars ran unti lthe line closed in 1931; the cars were later scrapped..........

"NYO"

["WATERBURY-DERBY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Connecticut Company Birneys..........

Though the "typical" single-truck "Safety Car" was quite commonplace on the CCo's several divisions, double-truck Birneys, on the other hand, were indeed in the minority.......

"NYO"

["NEW HAVEN"]

[Cyberider]

PE had three double-truck Birneys which they used in the "Orange Empire." Without looking it up, I think they obtained them from Fresno (CA) Traction.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

Just received my copy of "SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TROLLEYS" ("IMAGES OF RAIL").

This excellent book is a MUST for Philadelphia trolley (and PCC!) fans.

A large number of excellent PCC photos are in this book; also, a number of excellent "Red Arrow" photos.

There are also many interesting trolleybus photos, as well as bus photos.

For the PCC fan alone, this book is a MUST for ANY traction library!

I purchased my copy for $17.00 (and MORE than worth it!)

"NYO"

["2263"]