BusTalk

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Railroad Chapel cars are seldom discussed (or recalled) today, except by the most dedicated rail historians.

Here, you will read of the rich and dignified history of these unique rail cars ("When Religion Rode The Rails" (photos included).......

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

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"Bound For Glory" (more historical information/photos on railroad chapel cars).......

https://www.chapelcarsofamerica.net

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The old North Jersey Rapid Transit (NRT) operated a number of two-car MU special trains between Suffern and Paterson/E. Broadway in the teens and twenties to carry "God-fearing folk" to the popular revival meetings of famed evangelist Billy Sunday.

Excursions such as this (including Sunday School picnics and early auto racing at the old Ho-Ho-kus Racetrack warranted two-car (Jewett) MU trains; the majority of NJRT "trains" were single-car......

"NYO"

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Here's a rare color photo showing a TARS work car near a handsome old church:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?116899

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

It must be remembered that, in the days before everyone owned a car, many worshipers rode the streetcars, Els, buses, trackless trolleys, and subways to attend their churches, synagogues, or temples......

"NYO"

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In this nostalgic circa-1940 photo, we see elderly B&QT convertible #4193 with a majestic Gothic church adjacent.

Back in those days, I am sure many (well-dressed!) worshipers rode the streetcars to attend Mass/services........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140869

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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Here's another beautiful old photo (circa-1948) showing a B&QT convertible with a magnificent old Brooklyn church in the background; here again, it think it safe to assume that many worshipers used public transit to attend on Sundays.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117672

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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Here's another wonderfully nostalgic Brooklyn photo, showing single-ended Peter Witt #6070 working the Graham Avenue line; note, also, the beautiful old church in the background.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117808

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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Philadelphia, 1969.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?158634

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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Here's another old view from Philadelphia (1984)........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151201

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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This 1960 Philadelphia photo is quite interesting; in the background, you will see two churches, while, off to the right is a GOODYEAR dealership, which, only a few years earlier, had been a PTC carbarn* (Route #'s 60, 15, and 25 were all based here)........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42173

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Here is a photo of this same structure in use as a PTC car barn (1).........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118710

(1): I have seen photos of this car house when it originally had five tracks.

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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5th & Erie, 1968.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?13474

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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4th & Gerritt, 1970.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?74894

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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Woodland & 50th, 1973........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?74180

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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Chicago, circa-1954...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14870

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

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Pittsburgh, 1970......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14256

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)