BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

As always, appreciate the input; always something new (old?) to learn......

Did NOT know about the door rebuilds on the GOH-'d rolling stock; again, "if it ain't broke, DON'T fix it!"

STILL have NO idea why the "Em-Tee-Yay" removed the standee straps from the 32s/38s/40s/42s; not only were those straps "traditional", they are also far more comfortable to hold onto than the replacement bars (I'm only about 5' 7")

BUT.....they (thankfully) left the straps intact on the "Redbirds" (also, R-27/30s)

Odd, too, that, with the "Eye-Are-Tee's" R-12/14/15, straps had been replaced with overhead bars (the ONLY IRT cars NOT to have straps then); in later years, however, small "grab handles" were installed along the bars.

Take notice that the IRT equipment returned to straps with the R-17s.

The "Bee-Em-Tee's" rolling stock was quite interesting, in regards to being equipped (or not) with standee straps.

Certain series of Standards (aka "Brooklyn Battleships") had straps, while others did not.

The "C" units also did not have straps; ditto the "D"-type Triplexes and Multi-Sections.

Then, too, the R-11's; they did not have straps when new, but, had them installed when later rebuilt as R-34s...............

"NYO"

["B.M.T. LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Regarding standee "straps", let's not forget the buses; it would seem that some were so equipped, while others were not (this was also the same scenario here in "Joisey", back in the day).............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156947

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155306

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156848

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156824

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155939

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["New York City Transit Authority"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"SMEE" strap variations..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2733 (R-12 re-equipped with grab handles)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3060

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3064

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3296

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3317

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4679

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5125

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SMEE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

BMT "Standards" (w/ and without straps)...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?130215

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41805

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CULVER L'C'L"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Prewar strap comparisons...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7109

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1992

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6383

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["LEXINGTON AVE EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In Greller's "NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT BUSES", the only buses seen to be furnished with straps were the TDH-5106s (rear area only)

In going far back in my memory, I can remember only SOME "Shermans" here in "Joisey" being equipped with straps; perhaps some (transit) Fishbowls also had them, but cannot clearly recall these.

I know I cannot remember any "Pattons" having straps.............

"NYO"

["SURE-IT'S A MACK!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

As I had mentioned previously, when new, the R-11s were furnished with overhead bars for standees.

However, when they rebuilt in 1964 as R-34s, they had "traditional" straps installed, much "in sync" with those used on the "Brightliners"............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2644

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BUDD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The "Aitch & Em".............

Oddly enough, only the original 1908 Class "A" cars were equipped with (leather) straps; none of the H&M's cars, from the Class "B" of 1909, through to (and including) the 1958 "K"/MP-54 class, had straps.

It was not until the arrival of the "PA" cars that straps came back to the "Tubes"'; today, however, like the subways, PATH cars no longer have straps (or, for that matter, railfan windows)...............

"NYO"

["33RD STREET"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.......in "WELCOME ABOARD THE GM NEW LOOK BUS" (McKane/Squier) there is an interior photo of an "stoa" TDH-5303, with "bowling alley" seating.

No straps/grips are seen in the view.

It would seem to me that, buses that were used on high-density "crush load" routes would be a "natural" to furnish with straps for standing passengers.

I'm now wondering if FACL's "Jetsons" had straps/hand grips, and also, how many "Tee-Yay" Fishbowls had them (what about "stoa"?)

Did any of the "Dangerfields" have straps (or, if you choose, "hand grips"?

RTS?

"NYO"

["OA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Thanks for this info; Rod Taylor was always a fave of mine (especially in 1060's "THE TIME MACHINE") and I'd like to see him aboard a FACL "Jetson" (I gotta get "SUNDAY IN NEW YORK" on dvd now!)

Speaking of Fishbowls, PSNJ/TNJ's "Z-300" series transit (purchased about 1967/6 were furnished with leatherette/vinyl seating, bucking the then-popular trend towards hard plastic seating; I rode aboard these veterans twice daily for years, beginning in 1979.

Something else of related interest.......

Notice how interior ads on the buses (here in "Joisey" and in "Noo Yawk") became more and more sparse as the years went on?

Like the subway cars, the ads displayed inside the buses hawked everything from ANACIN to VICKS VAPORUB.

Too, recall the ad panels that were large enough for one "square" ad, which were contoured to fit the curve where the wall met the celing?

I remember the pSNJ/TNJ "Z-300s" having these, but, in later years, they were usually devoid of ad cards........

"NYO"

["TA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Note the large curved ad racks on both sides of the aisle here; these are what I was referring to..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156848

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["New York City Transit Authority"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]