BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Thanks for the correct spelling!

BTW:

Am still puzzled as to how the Mets' Nostalgia Special can operate on the #7, an all 'See-Bee-Tee-See" line?

"NYO"

*Too, Mr. Bhalla also mentioned that he was enraptured by the many vintage TV and radio station ads inside the restored cars at the "Myoo-Zeeum"; he came right out and said, "I'm a real geek for this kind of thing!"

Well, you and I BOTH can identify with this comment, for sure!

["7 TIMES SQUARE"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Meanwhile . . . apparently "Ess-Eye-Are's" "Fordy-Fours" (what's left of them, anyway) will officially outlive the "Fordy-Sixes" - as the latter cars are beginning to be shuffled back and forth to scrapland. Here are a couple videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9o07MJ3JqI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivn8o9S_G3Y

Clearly, yet another "end of an era." Although some of them may be less than 50, because remember, the "Fordy-Sixes" were introduced over a period of over three years, from Spring 1975 to late 1978.

It now begs the question: How long do the "Brighton Belles" (a.k.a. R-68's and R-68A's) have left?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Thanks for these links; will indeed be watching them later on this evening!

I still cannot imagine the "Fordy-Fours" on the "Es-Eye-Are-Tee" lasting even longer than the ancient "Em-Ee-1s" (aka "Staten Island Toonervilles"), which were 48 years old when they were retired in 1973.

Took me a awhile to "warm' towards them, but, indeed, they were far more resilient than I had originally thought.

As to the "Brighton Belles" (R-68s), I would not be surprised to see them hit the big "4-Oh"......that is, if the "Em-Tee-Yay" does not decide to replace them with a new generation of "En-Tee-Tees".

Footnote:

IMHO, the "Em-Tee-Yay" would be wise to "mothball" a few sets of the venerable "Fordy-Fours", just in case the newfangled "Are-2-Elevens" on the "Es-Eye-Are-Tee" experience further "teething issues"........

"NYO"

{"St. George"]

["Q"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

History repeating itself (1915/1987)...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45948

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?127662

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BROOKLYN RAPID TRANSIT"]

["BROOKLYN-MANHATTAN TRANSIT"]

["M"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Let's just say that, indeed, "great minds DO think alike'!

It WOULD seem a no-brainer to stable a "backup fleet" (recall, some years ago, when the new NTTs were sidelined with issues, and the recently retired "Brightliners" had to be pulled off the retirement line, and back into "active duty" status?

(too, subway block signaling should be retained as a backup, in case "See-Bee-Tee-See" goes down, as we have discussed here in the past)

Recall, also, after 1969, the "Em-Tee-Yay's prewar fleet consisted only of "Arnines" and "Em-Eee-1s"; After 1973, the "Arnines" remained the only prewar cars still in revenue service.

Too, remember that, when the "Fordy-Fours" took over on "The Isle of Staten", none of the ancient "Em-Eee-1s" were retained as spares; all were scrapped, save for the two lone survivors up at shore Line and Seashore.

Back in the 70s, one "Em-Ee-1" was SUPPOSED to got to Richmondtown, and displayed alongside the old New Dorp station house; also, funds for trucking the historic car to Richmondtown never materialized........

["NYO"]

["RIDE THE RAPID"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"THE OLD ORDER PASSETH" (Tompkinsville, 1973)...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?21956

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

['GREAT KILLS EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

And on this day in 1986, the first "Brighton Belle" R-68s were being tested on the "Dee" line................

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?40245

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["D"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"THE PASSING OF THE TORCH" (Tottenville, 2024)............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?161698

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

{"SI"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Remembering..............

THe "Fordy-Fours"/"Fordy-Sixes" (as was also the case with several other car classes) lost a bit of of their original appeal, when they were GOH'd and lost their distinctive blue stripes.

As I had, by this time, "warmed up" to these cars, I most associate them (back in the "blue stripe days") with a work buddy who then lived in Queens, riding the "E".

Gosh, where have 40-odd years gotten to?

IMHO, these cars lost a bit of their original "flash" when their striping was removed during GOH; still, they are classics..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?73350

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?73363

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?133204

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["E"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

No coincidence, it would seem, that the "Fordy-Fours" and their later counterparts bore a solid "family resemblence" to the "El-Eye-Double-Are's" new M-1s.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7649

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5700

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5701

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["S"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting........

The "Fordy-Sixes" were the last cars to be delivered with the blue striping.

Also, the "foist" cars to be longer than the iconic "Broadway Battleships". ("Standards")

Also, I wonder why the "Em-Tee-Yay" did not opt for "Fordy-Four" seating aboard the "Es-Eye-Are-Tee" R-211s, instead of the "backs-to-the-wall" subway-type seating?

Recall, the long-gone "Em-Ee-1s" featured seating that combined both elements of rapid transit and suburban commuter rolling stock.........

"NYO"

["PRESSED STEEL CAR COMPANY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

While on the subject of the "44/"46"........

Check out this interesting (not to mention unorthodox!) lash-up at Fresh Pond yards, back in 1971)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?38900

(courtesy: nycubway.org)

["BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"LAST RUN"...........

On this date in 1990, the "JFK EXPRESS" was discontinued.

In this interesting 1978 photo note the sharp contrasts between the design of subway cars from the late 1940s and the 1970s.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2426

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CC"]