BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINKS)

Two more 1970 views of the "R-44" clearance train (Sunnyside yards and St. George)

Only two pieces of rolling stock were floated over to St. George, the clearance car itself and a companion "R-1".

The rest of the consist consisted of "ME-1s"............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?71094

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1847

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["STAND CLEAR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An interesting article on an interesting railway; be sure to note where the article details connections with BMT/"Tee-Ay" rails............

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

["SBK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"FLOATING POWER" (1977)........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5770

(coirtesy:nycsubway.org)

["M"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This interesting photo from 1977 easily recalls the long-ago days when harried motorists routinely encountered trains of massive interurban cars, rumbling down the streets of certain US cities (recall, also, when BRT "El" trains trundled down the streets of Jamaica)........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5772

(courtesy:nycsubway.org_

["S"]

[Cyberider]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ctberider:

Indeed!

Had the tunnels under the Narrows been built, linking the SIRT to the BMT in Brooklyn, a one-seat ride into Manhattan would have been a reality, and a boon for SIRT commuters working uptown.

To this day, bellmouths for the tunnels that would have connected the BMT to the SIRT still exist, near the 59th Street (Broojlyn) station........

"NYO"

["RIDE THE RAPID"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These sobering photos are, IMHO, made all the more ironic, when you consider how many subway cars were delivered via carfloat, in years past...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26682

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?28897

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?100633

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["LAST STOP!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Sharp contrasts, indeed..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?100635 (2009)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4976 (1964; note CNJ tug just visible)

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NYCTA"]

["M"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1953..........

The SIRT abandoned passenger service on the Arlington (North Shore) and South Beach lines.

The South Beach line will be totally abandoned, while the Arlington line will continue to serve freights.........

"NYO"

["SIRT"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Agreed.

Recall, also, that when PATH retired the old "joint service" cars ("MP-52s"/"Ks") they, also, were consigned to "Davy Jones' Locker", off the coast.

Several cars, before reefing, had been purchased by SEPTA, so their trucks could be installed under the 1960 "Almond Joy" BUDD "El" cars, which were then being used on the former "P&W" out of 69th Street terminal.......

"NYO"

['HUDSON TERM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

SIRT/BMT "joint service".......

Always wondered if SIRT crews would be swapped at 59th Street (Brooklyn) for a BMT crew, and vice-versa, on SI-bound runs.

Recall, the crew "swaps" once commonplace on the IND's Rockaway line, taking place at Euclid Avenue, many years ago.........

'NYO"

["STATEN ISLAND L'C'L'}

["HH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also......

In 1925, when the SIRT electrified, the first "CPLs" began to appear, though traditional semaphores were still pretty much ruling the lines.

Back in the "joint service" days, H&M/PATH motormen were required to pass a PRR rulebook test, for operating trains on the Newark line, after the line to Newark was re-signaled with position lights (recall, the "Aitch & Em" used traditional color block signals).........

"NYO"

["NEWARK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another interesting "what if", regarding the SIRT..........

Had the SIRT been taken over by the MTA a few years earlier, I could easily see additional "R-40Ms" being purchased to replace the aging "ME-1s".

Or, fast-forward a few years, and think of "R-42s" running between St. George and Tottenville.

Would these cars have had modified seating for SIRT service?

We can only speculate, today, todat in 2026 (of course, the cars would have had to have been equipped for FRA operation)........

"NYO"

["St. George Express"]