BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Exactly.

All the more reason why the historical aspect of the transit hobby is so intriguing!

Recall, also, the long-gone "buzz boxes" that were used at certain BMT stations, that were actuated via third rail.

When reading of the third rails/third rail shoes of the old wooden El equipment, you'll read of both "El type" and "tongue shaped" shoes.

With the BRT's 1400-series "BU" cars, "U"-shaped third rail shoes were originally used; later on, these shoes were replaced with the more-modern tongue-shaped shoes, on cars serving the Fulton St. line, and, later, the Culver.

Interesting, also, to think of the El trains, early on, also running on surface trackage (both street running and private ROW), and equipped with trolley poles, end platform steps, fare registers, and headlights.......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Undated (1960's/early 70's) view of a Lo-V work motor at 36th St.; note the "Tee-Yay" green New Looks in the background.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24412

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back in the day, the sight of a single-unit subway car opering sans train indeed conjured up images of streetcars and interurbans (or, the one-car ME-1 trains used on the SIRT's Arlington and South Beach lines, until 1953)

Here, we see IND R-1 #137* on the move at 36th St.; note that the car is signed up for a BMT route:

"2-ASTORIA VIA TUNNEL"

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?112562

*note the "traditonal" motorman sporting a tie!

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Agreed!

That "2" clearly is shaped in the classic SMEE-era IRT style.....LOVE classic subway signage!

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ya gotta wonder........

Today, in 2020, we have several hundred new subway cars sidelined because of safety issues.

Back in the day, however, WOODEN El cars, many of which dated back to the late 19th century, and which were originally hauled by small Forney engines, lasted in service through the mid-20th century.

I've read that some of the oldest cars, after being relegated to work service, were nearly 70 years old..........and these were WOODEN cars, mind you!

Even well into her 90's, Mom remembered girlhood jaunts with her family from Park Row to Coney Island (1920's/early 1930's), on "trains that they used to take the sides off for the summer" (these were, of course, the classic BRT/BMT covertibles!)

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?112537

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?112560

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(I'd LOVE to see any of the modern NTT trains last THIS long, even as a work car!)

You're NEVER too old to continue life as a trusted "work horse", in your "senior years"(!!)

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?112579

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

36th St. yard, circa-1954.

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6761

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

In this old photo, we see ex-SIRT ME-1's and a sea of Old Looks* dominating this timeless transit portrait.

(*one bus #4452, can have its number easily read; this would have been a TDH-4510, built in 1948)

Recall, too, that the SIRT electrified its lines in 1925 with BMT-style cars, which would have (via a new set of tubes under the Narrows) to allow the SIRT's newly electrified lines to link up with the BMT's 4th Avenue line, thus allowing Staten Island commuters a one-seat ride into Manhattan.

The NYCTA purchased a number of SIRT ME-1's after passenger service was abandoned on the South Beach and Arlington lines (after a 1962 fire at the Clifton shops, the SIRT indeed wished that they still had these cars on the roster!)

The NYCTA removed the large headlights from the cars, and installed subway-style axiflow fans inside.

The flip-over seats were bolted in place, requiring half the passengers to ride backwards.

Metal destination plates, rescued from scrapped El cars, were installed, and BMT Standard controls were installed between the center doors; the cars were also repainted

The ex-SIRT trailers were used as yard offices/work cars, and were not used in revenue service (originally, they were to be converted into revenue collection cars)

The former Staten Island cars were used on several BMT routes, including:

WEST END-NASSAU LOCAL

FRANKLIN AVENUE SHUTTLE

CULVER-NASSAU (DITMAS-CHAMBERS)

The ex-SIRT cars were not long for "Tee-Yay" service; by 1961 they were OOS, and were scrapped.......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An interesting lineup at the Fresh Pond (BMT) yard, 1971.

No BMT rolling stock is to be seen in this view (the last Standards were retired two years earlier); only prewar IND cars are seen, awaiting the next call to duty.

Note that two sets are here signed for the "M" (note blank destination boxes); the (third) train on the right is bearing classic BMT signage* "10-METROPOLITAN AVENUE".......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1763

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*The first BMT rolling stock to utilize end sign boxes were the "D"-type Triplex units, which entered service in 1925 (retired 1965).........

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The BMT "Multis", which entered service in 1936, represented the last production model articulated subway trains for not only the BMT, but also, New York subways in general.

These trains were also unique in that they were the first production model cars to have full-width cabs, which, of course, is the norm nowadays.

These handsome units were quite "state of the art" for that time; interestingly, in sort of a "deja vu inkling", the units were quickly withdrawn from service as the BMT deemed that modifications were needed to the trucks.

The units were returned to service in 1937, and were assigned to the Eastern Division.

The modern cars did not enjoy a long service life; the "Tee-Yay" retired them in 1961, as these were deemed "non-standard" equipment on the roster.

Sadly, none of these impressive units were saved.

Their unique chain-driven "NEXT STOP" interior signs were the ancestors of the electronic signs now commonplace in today's NTT trains.....

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6733 *

(A nice BMT third rail shoe/end of third rail view here as well!)

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Scruffy-looking R-27's and a vintage prewar IND train operating a fantrip (here signed for the BMT #10) both at Fresh Pond Road, climbing the ramp up to the station, with a number of OOS Fishbowls down below.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?38573

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1972

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here in 1971, we see a train of R-42's climbing the Fresh Pond ramp, this time rising above a group of Old Looks*........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5618

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Note lead bus was one of the "buses with the sign that sticks out in the front" (TDH-5106)

Sadly, these unique and handsome buses were not destined for long service lives........

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

An interesting photo from 1977 at the Rockaway Parkway station "LL" (Canarsie line)

Front and center, we see a graffiti-scarred R-16, patiently awaiting the next call to duty.

Note the New looks in the background; while the bus on the left is sporting the "new" MTA blue, the bus on the right (which appears to have a three-piece rear window) is still wearing its original "Tee-Yay" green........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3014

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[W.B. Fishbowl]