BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

PSNJ's "doodlebugs:..........

By the early 1930s, PSNJ's once-premier "Fast Line" between Newark and Trenton had indeed fallen upon hard times.

The Depression (and bus competition) caused PS to not only reduce service on this high-speed lone, but also, remove all overhead wires.

Several 3500-series Compromise" roof cars ("DELUXE" cars) had their poles removed, and a power plant was installed in the rear vestibules, making these former high-speed streetcars single-ended gas-electrics.

Substations along the line were de-activated.

Service was gradually cut back, until what remained of the once-proud electric line was abandoned aboit 1935..........

'NYO"

["NEWARK"]

[Cyberider]

I remember the MUNI steam conversion. I have to wonder how the emissions could have been "far less" than the diesel engine when the steam bus consumed so much fuel?

Unfortunate about the "Fast Line." Seems kind of short-sighted removing the overhead and then rebuilding a few electric cars with gas engines.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

PSNJ also operated box motor freight service for some years on the "Fast Line"; in later years, both cars were converted into ESSEX Division work motors.

In fact, one later went on to become a member of the Newark Subway's work fleet.

Forgot to mention, that, after the de-electrification of the "Fast Line", PS also operated a few small-capacity YELLOW buses (front engine) that were converted into rail buses, for off-hour service......

"NYO"

["PSNJ"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Photos of the "Fast Line's" two box motors are very rare.

Here is one of the two (photo circa-1916)........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117027

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

After the de-electrification of the "Fast Line", the box motors were converted into work cars, assigned to the ESSEX Division......

'NYO"

["PSNJ"]

[Cyberider]

Pretty sharp looking car other than the almost flat roof!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"West of Hudson" commuter electrifications.........

Only the DL&W and the PRR operated MUs into their respective waterfront terminals.

However, the ERIE originally had plans to electrify its suburbam runs oit of Jersey City.

In fact, the earliest of the famed "Stillwell" coaches were delivered with end porthole windows for a motorman, like the NYW&B's MU's (recall, Stillwell designed both types of cars)

These ERIE cars also had provision for adding underbody electrical gear.

Alas, electrification was not to be.

The CNJ's arch-roofed heavyweights were also designed for conversion into MUs, at some future date, had the CNJ electrified its suburban lines,as it had planned.............

["ERIE"]

[Cyberider]

Was watching Laurel & Hardy last night and they got their car squashed between a couple of street cars. Hilarious! Their car was about half as long and twice as high afterward but somehow they drove off after the incident.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[Cyberider]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cuberider:

Those handsome, open-top, LAMCCo double-deckers lasted into the early 1940s; the longest-lived open-toppers were those operated by FACCO;they were not retired until 1946, replaced by new GMs.

CMCCo's opem-top buses were already gone by that time.

A retired LAMCCo open-top YELLOW was featured in the early 1940s "Our Gang" short," "GOIN'FISHIN", lettered "INTER CITY"..........

"NYO"

["YELLOW COACH"]

[Cyberider]

Unfortunately, I don't have the later Our Gang pictures because they were taken over by another studio and I only have the Hal Roach ones which were the best ones. It is nice, though, how transit equipment was often a part of these old pictures.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also:

In the Laurel & Hardy film,"THE DANCING MASTERS" (1943), a runaway open-top double-decker is featured (both as an actual vehicle and a VERY NICE scale model!)

"NYO"

["LOS ANGELES MOTOR COACH COMPANY"]