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How to "fan" today's NYC subway ?
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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Joined: 18 Dec 2007
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 12:43 am    Post subject: How to "fan" today's NYC subway ? Reply with quote

Gentlemen:

I have not ridden on a NYC subway (or PATH) train since I retired way back in 2003.

I retired (after nearly 25 years) not long after the last Redbirds did likewise(!!)

I know so many things have changed on the subways since then, relating to the enjoyment once so beloved of generations of "juice buffs" like myself; the traditional "railfan window", once found on nearly every NYC subway train, are now precious commodities.......how many of us "played motorman" while standing at these windows, regardless of our ages? (yours truly, included!)

No more "playing motorman" on PATH at all, either, since all the original "PA" cars were retired.

Welded rail has eliminated the exciting, time-honored "clickety-clacck" in many areas; timers have "put the brake", so to speak, on formerly speedy express runs.

Who ever thought that the ubiquotous tokens would go the way of rattan seats and incandesent car/station lighting?

My question is this:

Without railfan windows, IMHO, railfanning the complex labyrinth of the New York Subway System seems (at least to me) almost redundant.

Then, too, most equipment in use are silver look-alikes; even during the ugly epidemic of graffiti, well over 30 years ago, there was still a great variety of equipment to ride, photograph, and enjoy.

Many stations still had at least some incandescent lighting, and old fashioned turnstiles and vintage change booths (complete with grills on the windows!) were still common components in day-to-day subway operations.

Those days, of, course, have long since vanished down the echoing corridors of time.

Growing up, I "made friends" quite firmly, with the prewar rolling stock then in operation; in later years, I was more than happy to savor every aspect of "SMEE" Heaven!

Today's subway is (to my tastes) too homogonized and sterilized; modern station design/renovation leaves me cold......far too barren and cold for my tastes;likewise, the trains themselves (especially the interiors), also they are lacking the traditional straphangers and all the fascinating doo-dads, piping, and other hardware that made the old cars (especially the prewar equipment) so interesting and so easy to like.

Did any o us ever think that, one day, standee straps would vanish from the entire subway system? (I know I never did!)

It seems that so much of the "classic" subway era so many enthusiasts knew and knew so well evaporates into the past with each passing week

But, I guess the today's "juice jacks" know just how to get the most out of today's subways!

I guess when you are old enough to recall an all prewar/SMEE system, you DO get more than a little "prejudiced" towars today's modern system!

Interested on hearing your own views on this topic....... Wink

"NYO"


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:41 am; edited 1 time in total
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MaBSTOA 15



Age: 70
Joined: 27 Feb 2013
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Extremely well said! I miss those GREAT cars and those great items you mentioned. That is why I visit the Transit Museum as much as possible.

Thank goodness for black-and-white photos!
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

MaBSTOA 15 wrote:
Extremely well said! I miss those GREAT cars and those great items you mentioned. That is why I visit the Transit Museum as much as possible.

Thank goodness for black-and-white photos!


Recall.......

Opening front windows, savoring that intoxicating tunnel breeze, as you roared and clattered along between stations?

Recall conductors on the R-10's, straddling the footplates between the cars, and opening the doors in classic 'Noo Yawk" style? (Man, I miss those old, rail-bound Sherman tanks!)

How can we forget the distinctive porthole windows on the R-15's.......or how the exciting was the blinking on and off of the interior lights, when the trains went through a gap in the third rail, wheels screeching deliciously?

Penny gum machines.....NEDICK'S hot dog stands.....wooden turnstiles........"five bulbs to a cluster" light fixtures.......savoring a front window adventure from TSQ all the way out to Main St., aboard a vintage World's FAIR "BLUEBIRD"......what a trip!!

Thank heavens for old photos.....AND, most important, our MEMORIES! Very Happy

Man, I feel soooooo OLD now.......... Rolling Eyes

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nostalgia on the rails.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24360

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4201

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26198

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26382

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

More nostalgia 'neath the streets.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6922

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?87557

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26699

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?39320

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Transit-wise, I've always been "slanted" towards the nostalgic elements....... Rolling Eyes

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?68224

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5282

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5284

(courtesy: nycsubway.org/perl/show?5284

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 3:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Blue stripe nostalgia......cannot believe these views are now over 40 years old.......... Rolling Eyes

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?40486

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24695

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24702

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5685

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?62212

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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traildriver




Joined: 26 Mar 2011
Posts: 2452
Location: South Florida

PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well thank goodness, (and The Budd Company), you can still ride the R-32's, railfan window and all.....
they must now hold the record for the longest lived active cars in NYCTA history.... Cool
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
Well thank goodness, (and The Budd Company), you can still ride the R-32's, railfan window and all.....
they must now hold the record for the longest lived active cars in NYCTA history.... Cool


traildriver:

'nuff said, my friend!

I think that the only other "Tee-Yay" cars that have lasted longer in service than the R-32's were the wooden "Q" cars on the Myrtle Avenue El; I believe they were about 66 years old when the El shut down in 1969 (then the only wooden rail cars still in regular service in the country)

IRT Hi-V's and Lo-V's also wracked up long service records; the last IRT Hi-V "Gibbs" cars were 54 years old, when they were retired in 1958.

The time-honored BMT "Standards" also had long service lives; but, however, it DOES indeed seem that the sleek and shiny "Brightliners" will (like the "Energizer Bunny"!) just keep on going on....and on...and on.......(!!)

Mom and I went to see the "Brightliner" display train at GCT back in '64......I STILL remember calling it the "Silver Subway"!

Where did all those years get to.......?? Rolling Eyes

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Wooden" ya know.......... Wink

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6814

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6787

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6801

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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traildriver




Joined: 26 Mar 2011
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Location: South Florida

PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

With a minimum of care, I believe those R-32's could easily last a century...
but it looks like they may be gone in a few more years, due to new purchases, so the "Q"'s will probably retain their record in service...
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
With a minimum of care, I believe those R-32's could easily last a century...
but it looks like they may be gone in a few more years, due to new purchases, so the "Q"'s will probably retain their record in service...


traildriver:

I sure hope that the NYCTM gets at least two "Brightliners" to keep in operating condition (and PLEASE rebuild the end bulkheads and re-install the original style roller signs....and PLEASE re-install the standee straps!) Very Happy

Maybe one would go up to Shore Line.

Those historic minded-guys like us would sure love to see a restored two-car "Brightliner" set, complete with BLUE doors........aaaahh, perchance to dream........ Rolling Eyes

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 9:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The years indeed have slipped by too quickly indeed....the R-68 "Hippos" have now been plying the "Tee-Yay" rails some 30-odd years now......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?70958

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?50330

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?131669

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:39 am; edited 1 time in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Subway car interiors have changed greatly over the past century (again, I'm feeling QUITE old, now)........ Rolling Eyes

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

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6426

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6575

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

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2793

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 11:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

More "time travel" via "Noo Yawk" subway car interiors......

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

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

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5678

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3606

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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