BusTalk

[Cyberider]

Thanks for the info, NYO. Too bad they had to go. Once again, born too late and in the wrong place, in my case.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Relic of a past civilization........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?28713

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["INTERBOROUGH RAPID TRANSIT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Since its opening as the Manhattan terminal for the Brooklyn Bridge's cable railway in 1883, the Park Row terminus was expanded greatly over the years, as the El lines electrified and were extended over the Brooklyn Bridge.

The gargantuan hugeness of this busy, bustling, looming structure is more than ecident in these historic photos...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113413

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?38061

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?52468

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?101411

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113224

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["FULTON ST. LINE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

After the demolition of the Park Row "El" terminal in 1944, the trolley loops beneath the structure were then exposed to the elements.

By this time, the streetcars had been shifted over to former "EL" tracks on the Brooklyn Bridge, until service ended in 1950..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140682

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117639

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7748

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["DE KALB"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The approach trackage the Sands Street station were quite complex, as can be seen in this 1939 view.

This is a rare photo, showing one of the new (BMT) CLARK "Bluebirds" on an early test run.

Note the interlocking tower in the background; the overhead steel girderwork was used by the streetcars.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?"46908

(courtesy:nycsybway.org)

["NO PASSENGERS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another rare (circa-1945) photo; this one (Park Row) shows retired car #3740 being used as a "waiting shelter".

Shorn of trolley poles, the car was connected via cables to the overhead, to provide lights and heat to waiting passengers, on raw, wintry days.

Note also the electric route indicator board mounted on the pole on the right...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117588

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["FLUSHING AVE."]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this circa-1940 view, we see a double-ended 8000-series Peter Witt outbound from Park Row (the "El" terminal can be seen in the background)

When the "EL" trains stopped crossing the bridge in 1944, the streetcars were were shifted over to the former BMT tracks, and the old streetcar tracks paved over for an additional vehicular roadway in either direction (we are looking west)..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?141088

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["GRAHAM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This post-1944 photo shows a PCC inbound to Park Row, nearing the end of its run.

By this late date, the streetcars had been shifted over to the former "El" tracks; after the streetcars stopped running over the bridge in 1950, the steel trusswork between the tracks and the roadways were removed, creating another traffic lane.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140681

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["FULTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This post-1944 photo (looking west) shows an outbound PCC heading to Brooklyn, having just left Park the Row loops

Prior to 1944, the PCC would have been running where the auto is, and the BMT "El" trains would have occupied the tracks on which the PCC is running.

The line poles also had to be re-positioned, with the streetcars now running on the former "El" tracks.

Third rail and signals were removed prior to the streetcars using these tracks; note, also, that the old Park Row "El" terminal has vanished from the scene..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?30945

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["PLEASE HAVE EXACT FARE READY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here, in this rare 1942 photo, we see a BMT "EL" train (lead car a "BU" convertible), with a PCC running alongside.

This was how it all appeared prior to the 1944 removal of the BMT "EL" trains from the Bridge.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?132316

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These early 1900s photos show the Park Row terminal undergoing one of its many expansions; note the early exposed third rail.

Also, note "El" cars sporting trolley poles;prior to WW1, the BRT (later BMT) elevated trains switched to overhead wires when operating on surface trackage.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?116198

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?116199

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["BROOKLYN RAPID TRANSIT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this rare 1906 photo, we see a "Bridge Railway" cable train; after the "Els" electrified, the cable trains (running between Park Row and Sands Street) ran only during the rush hours, and shared the rails with the "El" trains.

Note, also, the steady parade of open streetcars.

The cable trains were discontinued in 1907; the rolling stock was identical to the electric "El" cars, except that they were woder, and lacked headlights and markers..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?116298

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["BROOKLYN RAPID TRANSIT"]

[Cyberider]

When was cable train service started between these two points?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]