BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is a nostalgic and fascinating view I came across earlier today; note the front-engined buses.

I have no idea what company they ran for, however, I do know that INTER-CITY was a big player in this area, for many years.

The railroad tracks seen here were those of the ERIE main line, out of Jersey City.

In 1963, this route (operated by the Erie-Lackawanna after 1960) was abandoned (the line was re-routed away from downtown), and the tracks removed.

"NYO"

http://rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/erie-jeffx30-ads.jpg

(photo courtesy of FallenFlags.org)

[Mr. Linsky]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629,

Glad to see you back - hope everything with family O.K.

You mentioned Inter City Lines and I just happen to have a couple of great old photos found on eBay;

(Top); Taken in 1947 in Patterson, New Jersey and listed for bid as item # 170974944446 under Vintage-Vault75' is fleet # 701 - a 1940 ACF Model 37-P.

Of note are the required New Jersey safety bars on the passenger windows and the New York State mandated full time mechanical ventilation system (not under driver control) which is evidenced by air intakes to either side of the destination sign.

# 701 is signed for the New York - Sussex run.

(Bottom); Taken in 1949 at the company's Maywood, New Jersey facility and listed for bid as item # 170974946930 (also under Vintage-Vault75) are fleet #'s 516 and 517 - both custom parlor coaches mounted on early thirties Yellow Model Z-250 heavy duty chassis.

Air horns, passenger window bars and directional signals are all included on 516 and 517 which are signed for commuter service to New York.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, New York

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mr. "L":

Yes, there has been a bit of a "rough patch" as of late, here at home; I do appreciate your good wishes.

Your photos are OUTSTANDING...I have NEVER seen either of these fine old views!

One thing I did notice is that the script-style "INTER-CITY LINES" lettering on the buses didn't change through the years; this is the same style lettering I remember on the company's WHITES, ACF-BRILLS, and Old Looks, back in the 60's.

Again, THANK YOU for sharing these photos of truly classic motor coaches!

"H.F.M."

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is another photo taken of the same area of downtown Passaic (May, 1956)

A PS coach can be seen on the left (clearly, this photo was taken on a sleepy Sunday, as this area bustled with activity, six days a week)

Note the big S.S. KRESGE store under construction, on the right.

The ERIE commuter train is eastbound, heading to the Jersey City ferry terminal.......

http://rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/erie-passmay56-ads.jpg

(photo courtesy of FallenFlags.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The same area, several years later.

Several things here tell us this photo dates to the early 1960's.

Newest auto is a 1960 Chevy; new "WHITE WAY" streetlamps have replaced the old lamposts, and a PSNJ Fishbowl can be seen on the right.

Again, this looks to have been shot on a quiet Sunday......

http://rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/erie-main1950-ads.jpg

(photo courtesy of FallenFlags.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just about all of Passaic turned out to see the last E-L passenher train pass through downtown (May, 1963), and then to witness removal of the first rails that once was the ERIE Main Line.

Look closely and you'll spot two chartered PS Fishbowls, parked together.

I have a color "close up" of this scene in one of my railroad books, and the buses show up very clearly......

http://rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/el-lasttrn-ads.jpg

(photo courtesy of FallenFlags.org)

[traildriver]

Welcome back, NYO! I missed your interesting shots, as well....
I like those views that you can spend a lot of time perusing all the busy scene.

Those ACF 37-P's were a favorite of several National Trailways carriers. Santa Fe Trailways even had early air-conditioning in theirs. They were later replaced by ACF IC-41's, ACF's last highway model.

As for Inter-City, IIRC, their routes extended at one time as far as Monticello or Liberty where they competed for business with Short Line...

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Thanks!

It IS good to be back, and discussing vintage buses!

Back in the 60's, when I was growing up, INTER-CITY's old #97 (JSQ-PATERSON) ran right by our old apartment building in Union City.

The line was fascinating; Old Looks, WHITES, and ACF-BRILLS were all used on the route.

Man, oh, man, but those BRILLS were GORGEOUS!

Like yourself, I love studying vintage city scenes, especially those where public transit vehicles abound!

As is obvious through these photos, time never stands still.....

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Passaic, 1939.

Look closely in the distance and you'll spot a PSNJ ASV dual-powered trolley coach.

Note, too, the overhead wires for the gas-electric buses, which only recently replaced the streetcars......

http://rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/erie-pasmain-ads.jpg

(photo courtesy of FallenFlags.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another view of downtown Passaic, circa-1957.

A few PSNJ buses are visible, off to the left......

http://rr-fallenflags.org/el/bldg/erie-main1950-cds.jpg

(photo courtesy of FallenFlags.org)

[mackbuses]

Inter-City operated four ACF Model 37PB buses on their Mountain Division runs in the 50's. These were bought used from Safeway Trailways.

Dave

[traildriver]

Thanks for that info!
I actually worked for Safeway Trails from 1968 to 1971, but by that time anything older than 4104's were long gone....