BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Regarding that 1955 photo you mentioned, I indeed concur.

Besides the infamous "Borough Bomber", the postwar TWIN "Oddballs" clearly were not at all suited to the trials and tribulations of daily "New Yawk" traffic (amazingly, many lasted in "Shik-aga" service into the early 1970's*)

As quite a few were already OOS by 1955 (obviously no buyers on the second-hand market) it is clear that these buses did not have much of a following in the East.

*I've read that the "See-Tee-Yay's propane-powered "Oddballs" (nearly 1000 in all) were quite sluggish, had a tendency to overheat, and were not at popular with most drivers..........

"NYO"

["TWIN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

These glaring photos from 1955 speak volumes; obviously, the "Tee-Yay" was quite pleased to retire the postwar "Oddballs" so early.

When these sad photos were taken, the "Oddballs" had not even been in service a decade when they were sent to the scrap heap............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156967

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156991

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156961

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BoT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156989

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["New York City Transit Authority"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here we have two formidable "Pattons" awaiting the call to duty at the Flatbush garage, back in '55, displaying those peculiar front sign boxes.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156952

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"YARD DUTY" (1955).................

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156993

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NYCTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting "Boy, have I got a headache!" photo from 1973, taken at "stoa's" Coliseum garage; note the OOS "Shermans" still on the property, three years after the last were retired.................

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153787

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["OA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

As Your's Truly had noted elsewhere, the "See-Es-El", pre-"See-Tee-Yay", were diehard followers of WHITE and TWIN (big surprise!), with an assortment of (prewar) ACFs and MACKS thrown into the mix.

WHITE 798s were purchasedin great profusion during the "See-Es-El" era; the first purchased in 1940, the last in 1947.

When the "See-Es-El DID finally purchase postwar "Shermans" (for itself and its subsidiaries), they were still in the ultra-minority; management favored TD-4506s.

The earliest postwar "Pattons" were also small in number; 17 C-41GTs.

Postwar "Brill-Boas" were C-36s............

"NYO"

["CTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Photos lacking in the nyscubway.org archives:

1960s-era photos of "Pattons" (no boroughs currently represented; surprisingly, no 1960s photos of "Pattons" running on "R" routes out of St. George)

No early 60s photos (b/w or color) of SURFACE buses still wearing SURFACE paint.

Far too few garage/depot/yard scenes.

Early-era "Dangerfield" photos.

Few photos of buses carrying ad racks behind rear wheels....................

"NYO"

["TA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting and nostalgic) photo from 1981...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153669

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Note that the "Dangerfield" of "JAMAICA BUS" is carrying no ad racks; the "slant back" RTS on the right gives us an idea of what "Em-Tee-Yay" RTS would have looked like, had they purchased "Torpedoes" early on, instead of the ill-fated "Bombers".............

"NYO"

["RTS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These (Brooklyn) photos from 1979 gives us an idea of what the "Em-Tee-Yay" would have been ordering, had they not been so bowled over by the soon-to-be-infamous (and rattletrap) "Borough Bombers" (also note roller sign)................

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153225

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153226

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["B63 COLUMBIA ST"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]