BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1966........

The Erie-Lackawanna initiated its biggest service cuts in its shorrt history.

Service on several commuter lines out of Hoboken were either drastically cut back, or were abandoned altogether.

Several through trains were also eliminated, including thef amed "PHOEBE SNOW" (Hoboken-Chicago)

So many of these services could have still been providing valuable service today, had they not disappeared.

Too many vital rail lines in NJ bit the dust during the 1960s.........

"NYO"

["5:30 SOUTH ORANGE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also on this day in 1966................

The CNJ abandons all passenger service on the Seashore Branch, between Atlantic Highlands and the NY&LB at Matawan.

The Atlantic Highlands trains from Jersey City and (Broad Street) Newark are cut back to Matawan.

Freight serice would continue into the 197i0s.........

"NYO"

["4:55 ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS-USE LAST FOUR COACHES"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Back in the 60s, on Fridays after supper (and often on any given night during the summer) Mom and I would hop a PSNJ 4509 on the "17" for a quick 15 minute ride down to the Hoboken terminal, to watch the "LAKE CITIES" loading (I seem to remember that departure time was about 7pm)

There was also a special signboard that was affixed to the Hutchinson train indicator (I can STILL can see those colored lights!)

Not only was the "LAKE CITIES" the last E-L through train, she wasalso the last to carry head end carsand a diner.

Many 1960s-era photos taken at Dearbon show quitean assortment of E-L head-end car......ahhh, t'was indeed the twilight of a grand and colorfu eral.......

"NYO"

["ERIE-LACKAWANNA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Prior to the last run of the "LAKE CITIES" in 1970, the last E-L through trains were the "THE OWL" and the "NEW YORK MAIL"; both trains were the last to serve Buffalo, and were basically mail/express trains, carrying one or two coaches.

These trains carried diners until about 1966; thereafter, passengers dined at the lunch counter in the Binghamton station.

Both of these Hoboken-Buffalo oernights were axed in the Spring of 1969............

"NYO"

["MEAL SERVICE AVAILABLE AT BINGHAMTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1957........................

The last "K-4" steamers operate on the NY&LB; these iconic engines hauled PRR Shore trains from South Amboy to Bay Head, and from Exchange Place (Jersey City) to Bay Head.

These handsome machines were also the last steamers to operate in New Jerey; a long and colorful era had ended on the NY&LB.

The "K=4s" were replaced by the distinctive Baldwin "Sharks"; after several years, they were replaced by "E8-s...........

"NYO"

["JERSEY SHORE COMMUTERS CLUB"]

[traildriver]

The last remnant of Erie passenger trains outside of NY- New Jersey, was the single daily commuter train between Youngstown and Cleveland, which lasted into the Conrail era

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt6HlAXIIus


["Terminal Tower"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traidriver

For a good part of the 1960s, this oft-forgotten train used ancient ex-ERIE Stillwells; after the famed "PHOEBE SNOW was discontinued in late 1966, this train was refurbished with streamlened coaches from the"PHOEBE SNOW".

This train made it into the ConRail era; by that late date, mosr "commuters" were rail employees.................

"NYO"

['["DINING CAR OPENS 7PM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Futher............

As the E-L began whittling down its through train operations in the 19600s, a number of streamlined cars were sold to other roads.

Several smooth-side Pullmans went to the IC, for use on its cack "CITY OF MIAMI".

Other cars (including coaches) became circus train equioment...........

"NYO"

['DL&W"[