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Now that the RTS is history.....what might be the new "
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 11:33 am    Post subject: Now that the RTS is history.....what might be the new " Reply with quote

All:

For many years, the now-gone RTS has beome (and deservedly so) a "classic" among New York City bus types.

Now that the legendary RTS is no longer in service with the MTA, what bus do you think MIGHT have the potential to become tomorrow's "classic"?

Granted, I have not been in the city since I retired in 2003, but I have certainly seen enough photos as to what makes up the MTA bus roster today.

Personally, I can't find one bus that "clicks" with me; most modern buses these days (IMHO) either look like giant milk cartons, giant caterpillars, or oversized Dustbusters.

The classic "appeal" that once was the hallmark of most buses years ago seems to have vanished down the echoing corridors of time.

As far as city buses go, have we finally reached the point where "classic" buses exist only in the Museum fleet?

What do you think?

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In retrospect.........

Remember when the last Old looks were in their twilight (New York and NJ), and we basically ignored each and every Fishbowl, so we could focus our attention (and our KODAK Instamatics!) on these vanishing, once-familiar workhorses of another era.

Then, when the METRO/FLX METRO began making inroads to area fleets (as well as the RTS), now our attention (and affections) swung over to the Fishbowl!

When the last of the classic Fishbowls vanished, we began to "warm" to the FLX METRO.

Then, when the FLX METRO was poised to vanish (I'm talking NJ buses, now), we began to pay more attention to them, and missing them when they were no more.

Now.....the late, great RTS is itself but a fond memory.

Where does out attention (I'm not at all sure about "affection") go now........ Question Question

"NYO"
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frankie



Age: 77
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What makes a bus a classic depends on how dominant they are as well as longevity in service. Regarding NYC, I can name the old look, new look (both Flxible and GMC) and the RTS. Today there are so many makes intermingling with each other, that there no longer is one particular model that stands out.
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

frankie wrote:
What makes a bus a classic depends on how dominant they are as well as longevity in service. Regarding NYC, I can name the old look, new look (both Flxible and GMC) and the RTS. Today there are so many makes intermingling with each other, that there no longer is one particular model that stands out.


frankie:

Well said.

Growing up, I remember that GM's, by far, dominated most transit and suburban fleets, although there were also a number of WHITES and MACKS in operation at that time as well.

The GMC's, being the most commonplace (whether they were Old Looks or New Looks) dominated most fleets for decades, and so, were instantly and easily recognizable, and quickly became enthusiast's favorites, and remained so for many years.

In my area, these days, there are (transit model-wise) only NJT's NABI's and the NEOPLAN artics; there are also the big MCI's (which I've nicknamed "Jersey Hounds" and "Big Boys".

The NABI's never did a thing for me; the only thing I like about the NEOPLAN artics is the way the snake along.

Of course, I cannot speak for anyone else, but, IMHO, the days of "classics", for the most part, are now over.

About the only new buses I kind of like are the new NJT MCI's that have not yet made an appearance in my area.

No wonder I cherish my memories and old photos so much.....

"NYO"

The classic "Buses of Olde" that so many of us grew up with, back in the "good ol' days", were indeed, in their own way, "magical" (just like those Amazin' NY Mets, who, earlier this muggy and stifling August evening, pulled off a last-minute miracle to beat the Indians at Citi Field, and win four straight games in a row!) Wink
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2019 11:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"True Classics" we loved.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?792

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?817

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?784

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hudson & Bethune, 1972.

Here is another good example of a "classic" scene that far too many of us (Your's Truly included) took too much for granted.

From the time it debuted in 1959, the New Look had all the hallmarks of a true classic.

Like the Old Looks before them, they truly were an "All-American" bus through and through.

Also, like the Old Looks, they dominated countless fleets, both large and small, across the country, for decades.

Unlike today's oversized milk cartons, mutated giant insects, and slithering articulated caterpillars, the New Look, though futuristic and even startling at the onset, was STILL a bus that was both rugged AND handsome.

Time flies.......much too fast..........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?862

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 22, 2019 1:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Timeless" and "Classic"....two words that truly evoke fond memories of the legendary SCENICRUISER......especially when in New York.

The likes of a bus like this, sadly, will never again grace our highways......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3333

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Recalling the timeless "classics" once so commonplace in my ol' home state of "New Joisey".......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1519

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1522

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 2:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Recalling the days when scenes such as these were simply everyday sights on the streets of New York.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1733

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1739

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Though I saw this now-classic scene too many times to count, back in the day, it all seemed so "permanent".

I certainly would not mind experiencing it all again........GMC's, indeed, ruled the scene, back then......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2359

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A few early 70's photos of Fishbowls still attired in classic "Tee-Yay" green; it is easy to see why such vehicles are still highly regarded as "classics" today.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1294

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1603

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1605

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1564

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kingsbridge Depot, 1997.

This photo is now 22 years old, but...I don't know...I just don't see a future "classic" here (at least that's my opinion)........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3456

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

*I must admit, though, as boxy as this bus was, it, at least, was far more preferable to seeing a city bus masquerading as a giant, mutated insect......(!!)
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W.B. Fishbowl



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PostPosted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
Recalling the days when scenes such as these were simply everyday sights on the streets of New York.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1733

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1739

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

Buses with superscript 'th's or 'st's depending on what number was used, on their front roll signs, were definitely made by Transign in 1964 when contract MB-15-OA was being fulfilled by GM. Later front signs with that layout only said '1 Ave' or '12 Ave'. 54th Street (where the 16 - both this one, and the ex-FACCo Elmhurst Crosstown - was assigned at the time) evidently kept all their '64-65 GM's rear windows as 3-piece, unlike some depots where they were retroactively converted to 4-piece. 'Twas also from this order that the side signs had crosstown routes described as, like shown in one of these pics, '16 34 St Xtown'.
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W.B. Fishbowl



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PostPosted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
A few early 70's photos of Fishbowls still attired in classic "Tee-Yay" green; it is easy to see why such vehicles are still highly regarded as "classics" today.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1294

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1603

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1605

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1564

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

As to the last pic: It seems when M23X was started, they went everywhere for buses that ran on it. One of the 1969 Flx's from either Kingsbridge or West Farms ran on M23X, as well as this one. 'T'wasn't until about late 1972 when M23X would be assigned to 100th Street.
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W.B. Fishbowl



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PostPosted: Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
Kingsbridge Depot, 1997.

This photo is now 22 years old, but...I don't know...I just don't see a future "classic" here (at least that's my opinion)........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3456

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

*I must admit, though, as boxy as this bus was, it, at least, was far more preferable to seeing a city bus masquerading as a giant, mutated insect......(!!)

True, but . . . you do have to admit, it does look like an oversized milk carton, dunnit? Yesterday's schoolchildren who made scale models of buses from milk cartons, became today's bus designers working in accordance with Federal mandates. Rolling Eyes
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