BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS)

Budapest's Metro opened in 1896, using most unusual-looking, low-slung cars that operated off of overhead wires.

Here is yet another European metro system which has a rich and most interesting history (note historic photos*)............

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

*(You can clearly see where the inspiration for the IRT's iconic kiosk entrances originated!).......

["2"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Like New York, graffiti also "decorated" much of Budapest's rolling stock; interestingly, the 1960s/70s-era cars seen here closely resemble (even to the paint) those which ran in Moscow for many years............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6114

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6119

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["32x"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is an excellent page (with many outstanding photos) of the Moscow Metro, which first opened in 1935.

The original stations rivaled the most stunning and most opulent European palaces (and museums) of that era; indeed breathtaking, painstaking examples of long-ago craftsmanship............

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

["M"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These photos depict older model Moscow Metro rolling stock*; interestingly enough, these "open cut" scenes easily recall the BMT in Brooklyn!

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?59540

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?59552

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?59522

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*I have read that, to this day, there are still rumors floating about.....rumors** that these handsome cars utilized "stolen" R-12 technology (though the cars themselves would have looked more "at home" on either the IND or the BMT)

**(On the same note, Moscow's postwar trolleybuses CLEARLY were "knock offs" of YELLOW's Old Looks.....resemblence is uncanny!)

I've also seen a few (quite rare!) interior views of these now-retired cars; they featured incandescent enclosed lighting (no bare bulbs) that reminded this writer of the long-since retired 1958 PRR/H&M/PATH Class "K"/"MP-52" joint service cars of 1958.....

"NYO"

["4735"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Was lucky enough to come across this rare interior photo of one of Moscow's older cars.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?59517

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Like the old "joint service" cars (PRR/H&M/PATH) these cars featured incandescent lighting and overhead stanchions instead of straps.......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is an interesting view of the cab of one of the Moscow Metro's older cars...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?59505

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["3455"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The Madrid Metro's first line opened in 1919.

Note the photos of the earliest stations, which clearly echo (and, in fact, were inspired by) those of the Paris Metro.

Today's rolling stock (operating off of overhead wire) are ultra-modern, typical of most European metro systems today.

Thankfully, some historic rolling stock has been preserved.

This systems had a rich history and is interesting to read about..............

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

["METRO"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Berlin's extensive "U-BAHN" opened in 1902; the original, small rolling stock were similar to the original cars used in Paris (a train of these restored cars is preserved today; see picture on this page)

For many historical reasons, this system is a fascinating one to read about..........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_U-Bahn

["U"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is an excellent illustrated page on the "U-BAHN's" rolling stock through the decades; thankfully, a number of historic trains are still in operating condition.........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_U-Bahn_rolling_stock

*Interesting historical note:

In 1945, Soviet occupation forces seized a number of "U-Bahn" cars and had them transported to Moscow, where they operated until 1966.......

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The extensive Paris Metro has always been a diverse and most interesting system; it opened in 1900.........

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

The Paris Metro was also the first in the world to operated rubber-tired trains (late 1950s/early 1960s)

Prior to WW1 (and during the 1920s) famed British toy train manufacturer "BASSETT-LOWKE", along with French toy train manufacturer "JOEUF" offered electric tinplate versions of early Metro trains in "O" gauge.

These beautiful tinplate trains even boasted sliding doors and chains between the cars; needless to say, these toy trains are light-years beyond rare today.

Most surviving examples are today in museums.....

"NYO"

["METRO"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The prewar "SPRAGUE-THOMSON" cars were perhaps the most famous of all Paris Metro cars, seen in countless classic films.........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprague-Thomson

These steel cars replaced the original wooden-bodied "M-1" rolling stock..............

["CHOISY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting page on the "MA-51" class (Paris Metro) rolling stock of the 1950s (great photos!)

These handsome cars were also the first articulated trains to run in the Metro........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MA_51

["RATP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This site is dedicated to the ancient and now-iconic Paris Metro "SPRAGUE-THOMSON" cars:

www.sprague-thomson.com

Note that this is a FRENCH website; so, unless your up on your French, like Your's Truly, simply click on the different links (some VERY interesting photos here, showcasing these charming old cars!)

[N4 Jamaica]

The front of the Spragues is an ugly mash.
Please see this English-language site for the assembly of new MF-19 Boas.

https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2024/3/alstom-receives-additional-order-103-mf19-new-generation-metros-modernise-paris-region-network

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]