BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

The "Eye-Are-Tee's" rolling stock would, indeed, be more atkin to the beefy, hulkng "A-B" Standards, when compared to the Lilliputian rolling stock of the Glasgow Subway (aka "The Clockwork Orange"); these two photos depict historic and modern rolling stock........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?111152

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?89136

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Check out the photo on this page (top right) depicting a "deep level" Tube train exiting a tunnel; it is obvious as to why the Underground has always been referred to as "The Tube"; the H&M, indeed, looks like the BMT by comparison!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_line

["MOVE WHERE? EDGEWARE!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Check out this page on Glasgow's "Clockwork Orange"; these diminutive trains run on a circular line that was cable-hauled until electrified in 1935.

The original rolling stock ran until the late 1970's.

This circular system should be hailed as the "TTT" (Tiny Tube Trains"!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Subway


["HOOT MON!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Scroll down page (on the right, "District Railway" heading) to 1950's photo of a "District Line" train; these 1920's-era trains were more "in sync" (dimension-wise) with those operating in "Noo Yawk".

Note the front of the lead car; I am reminded of the "Bee-Em-Tee's" formidable "D"-types of 1925.

The railroad-roof cars, of course, recall the prewar "Eye-Are-Tee" rolling stock...............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Underground_rolling_stock

["HAMMERSMITH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of the small dimensions of the "Eye-Are-Tee" and the "Aitch & Em"...........

Recall, the MP-38 (aka "Red McAdoos") and the later Class "K" (MP-52's) used on the PRR/H&M/PATH "joint service"
to Newark.

These cars, then, were the smallest passenger rolling stock operated by the mighty "Standard Railroad Of The World".

Even taking this into consideration, the "Tubes" rolling sock were, indeed, much larger than the "deep level" Tube equipment used (and still used) on London's ancient "Underground".

From Stan Fischler's "THE SUBWAY"...........

"......its tiny, musty-smelling tunnels have given the Hudson Tubes a surreal look ever since the system opened, linking New York and New Jersey since 1908......"

"........curves that seem to defy passage snake through lower Manhattan, parts of Midtown, and in New Jersey. Over the years, passengers standing at the front windows of the trains have been dazzled that the cars can even negotiate them, thrilled by the experience..............."

"NYO"

["HUDSON TERMINAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recall, also, that, up in Boston, the 1912 "Cambridge" cars (after which the "Standards" were inspired by) were of dimensions that would have been pretty much "in sync" with the BRT/BMT and the later IND.

In Philly, the Market-Frankford lines cars were more along the lines of the "Eye-Are-Tee" (in fact, the original rolling stock did resemble INTERBOROUGH equipment)

The BSS (Broad St. Subway) on the other hand, was truly in the "big leagues" with longer, wider equipment, along the lines of the BMT and the IND.........

"NYO"

["69TH ST TERM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Philly?

Or, up in "da Bronx"?

With the exception of the car ends, note resemblence to the "Eye-Are-Tee" equipment of that era............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?94151

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["J.G.BRILL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interior view of one of the old BSS cars; easily, echoes of the "Bee-Em-Tee" can be seen..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?150836

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CITY HALL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's one of the formidable prewar BSS cars; these monsters would have been right at home on "Bee-Em-Tee" rails..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?72889

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PRT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

69th St. Terminal,* Upper Darby (Philly), circa-late 1950's.

Here we see a train of "M-1" Market-Frankford cars rounding the loop for the return trip into the city.

Again, note the resemblence to prewar "Eye-Are-Tee" equipment (note, also the roof-mounted headlight, and the lack of roof marker lights, standard on INTERBOROUGH equipment)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46012

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PHILADELPHIA RAPID TRANSIT"]

*(Note the ancient P&W "Straffod" cars up above)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This nostalgic " 'Eye-Are-Tee' in Philly" photo dates to about 1960, recalling the many joys and thrills which "juice fans" of all ages could experience for decades.

Like the INTERBOROUGH cars, note the "fish-belly" sills.

Unlike the INTERBOROUGH cars, however, the Market-Frankford cars were equipped with automatic doors from the start, and did not have to be rebuilt later on.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?30581

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PRT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting........

Both the "Aitch & Em" and Philadelphia's Market-Frankford line were both operating cars that were equipped with automatic doors, prior to 1910.

The pioneering "Eye-Are-Tee", on the other hand, lacked them entirely in 1904; it would be many, many years before ALL cars in the fleet were fully equipped with MUDC-type controls.

Also, Philadelphia's Market-Frankford line also operated prewar cars with arch roofs; it would not be until 1950 when the very first "Eye-Are-Tee" cars appeared with arch roofs (the R-15's)..............

"NYO"

['LEXINGTON AVENUE LOCAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a photo of one of the Market-Frankford's arch roof prewar cars.

Now, if you will, imagine a "Lo-V" with an arch roof (this type of car is reminiscent of the arch roof, center-door "Baldies" operated by the "See-Tee-Yay" into the 60's)

With these cars, interestingly, some retained operating center doors until retirement; others had the doors plated over, and extra seating installed............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?74484

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NO PASSENGERS"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Indeed, the Broad Street subway was built during the same time period as the first of the "Eye-En-Dee" lines was. There were articles about the construction of both in 1929 issues of Electric Railway Journal, which I've found a might valuable for the schematics and measurements alone. One can see, for example, the "Bee-Em-Tee" influence in what third rails were used by the "Ess-Eye-Are-Tee," for example, and the position of said rails both horizontally and vertically in relation to the track gauge and top of rail.

The stainless steel Market/Frankford cars, I noticed, had the appellation "Almond Joys" added owing to the "bumps" on their rooves which seemed to resemble said candy bars. M/F's track gauge, however, as I've read, were considerably wider (5′ 2.5″, as opposed to Broad Street's - and most other U.S. rail lines' - 4′ 8.5″; apparently M/F's standard was one used by trolleys).