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"To The Piers" (W. 42nd St.)/Uptown nostalgia
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:33 pm    Post subject: "To The Piers" (W. 42nd St.)/Uptown nostalgia Reply with quote

Fellows:

Earlier last evening, I was thinking of the buses (and streetcars) that have plied the busy 42nd route for many a decade; in particular, I was thinking of the bus services along that famed "naughty, gaudy, bawdy, sporty" thoroughfare, Forty-Second Street.

Until 1959, the NYCRR's West Shore ferry operated from the foot of W. 42nd to Weehawken; until the 1970's, the famed Hudson River Day Line also docked in the vicinity (Pier #81, phone BRyant 9-5151!)

There was also, of course, the legendary Circle Line (happily, still with us today!)

And, back in the days of the graceful, monolithic, trans-Atlantic liners, their piers were within walking distance of the bus routes that terminated at 12th & W. 42nd St.

Am also wondering if bus service along W. 42nd St. was busier back in the days when the Hudson River pier area was still thriving..........

"NYO"


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Tue Oct 01, 2019 10:36 pm; edited 3 times in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A few old views, taken at 12th & W. 42nd............

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2772

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?966

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?971

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's a couple more........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2907

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1025

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

1940's views of the W. 42nd St. terminus for TARS conduit streetcars; note YELLOW COACH buses in the background.

At the time of this photo, the busy NYCRR West Shore ferry to Weehawken was still in operation...........

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/tars/htm/tars042.htm

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/tars/htm/tars001.htm

(courtesy: newdavesrailpix)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 12:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm also including this SURFACE-era photo of 125th St., when postwar MACKS ruled the thoroughfare.

Until 1950, the heavily-used 125th St. Ferry to Edgewater, N.J. docked at the foot of bustling W. 125th St.; until the early 1960's, the graceful, majestic, and stately steamboats of the HUDSON RIVER DAY LINE also docked at W. 125th (the ferry was operated by PSNJ until 1943, and ELECTRIC FERRIES operated the line until 1950)

The diesel-electric boats themselves later operated on the St. George- Brooklyn 69th St. crossing until November, 1964.

Like W. 42nd St. far downtown, W. 125th St. was once a busy transfer point, regarding surface transit (both streetcar and bus) and water transport........

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/tars/htm/tars153.htm

(courtesy: newdavesrailpix)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 12:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's 1972 (47 years ago, now!), and we are now, once again, back at the foot of W. 4nd St. and 12th Avenue........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2016

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2018

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 12:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A decade has now passed since the previous photos were snapped, in 1972.

Note that the old West Side Highway is in the process of being demolished; the "meet" between a GRUMMAN and an RTS (also, a Fishbowl*) certainly brings back great memories (I never thought that either of these "modern, hi-tech" buses would be considered a "classic" one day.......)

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2088

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

*Also, note the exposed florescent tubes in the Fishbowl's "batwing", where a portion of the advertising panel is missing......
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 8:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice shots...

I miss the Miller Elevated Highway (West Side 'official' name)...and the elaborate iron work on its sides...
While it was a pioneer expressway, its geometry was poor for vehicle flow, and many accidents as a result. But I wish we had a modernized elevated highway there today, in its place...
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 10:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
Nice shots...

I miss the Miller Elevated Highway (West Side 'official' name)...and the elaborate iron work on its sides...
While it was a pioneer expressway, its geometry was poor for vehicle flow, and many accidents as a result. But I wish we had a modernized elevated highway there today, in its place...


traildriver:

I have an old photo I took in the late 70's of the old West Side Highway at Liberty St.; the letters spelling out "FERRY" were still intact on the steelwork of the elevated highway.

This sign referred to the CRRofNJ's Liberty St. ferry to Jersey City, which shut down in April, 1967; demolition of the majestic 1914-era terminal (with its two-story high main concourse and Tiffany glass skylights) began right after service to Jersey City was abandoned.

Passengers who once used this terminal, could, at one time, also connect with the B&O (until 1958) and READING trains (until 1967) at Jersey City.

Too, the travelers using either TARS streetcars or SURFACE buses on W. 42nd St. to reach the West Shore (NYCRR) ferry could also connect with trains of the NYO&W at Weehawken, until the 1950's.

Back in the early/mid-60's, as a kid, I always remember at least a few buses laying over at 12th & W. 42nd St., when Mom and I would be heading for "America's Favorite Boat Ride"! (this was still the era when CIRCLE LINE was using converted ex-WW2 USN and Coast GUARD craft!)

Being so close to the PABT, we always walked down to the pier, but that never stopped Your's Truly from watching the buses........ Wink

Ancient history, for certain..........

"NYO"


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Mon Sep 30, 2019 4:34 pm; edited 1 time in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 2:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A long-ago, rainy-day view of a SURFACE Mack heading westbound along W. 42nd St., 1954.

At the time this photo was taken, bus passengers could transfer to the NYCRR's West Shore ferry at the end of the line, and, in season, both the CIRCLE LINE and the DAY LINE......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3334

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 4:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Speaking of transit on 42nd Street...I wonder what ever happened to that plan to bring back streetcars?

I suppose the extension of the 7-Line subway might have lessened the need somewhat, at least on the west end of the line...although they never finished the 10th Avenue station...
Perhaps 34th Street would be a better candidate to restore streetcars on...
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
Speaking of transit on 42nd Street...I wonder what ever happened to that plan to bring back streetcars?

I suppose the extension of the 7-Line subway might have lessened the need somewhat, at least on the west end of the line...although they never finished the 10th Avenue station...
Perhaps 34th Street would be a better candidate to restore streetcars on...


traildriver:

Yes, I now recall that, for some time, there was quite a bit in the news about the revival of streetcars ("streetcars" referring to giant mutant electric eels!); this proposal has seemed to have evaporated into nothingness.

I agree with you about the #7 line extension to Hudson Yards; this, more than likely, took the air out of the new streetcar project along 42nd St.

Recall, also, that, for many decades, it would have been impossible to extend the IRT #7 line westwards beyond Times Square, as its path would have been blocked by the now-demolished lower level IND downtown platform at 42nd St. (last used by rush hour "E" trains in the 1970's)...........

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 7:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In speaking of public transit along 42nd St.......

Recall, also, that Grand Central Terminal (the present facility, as well as two earlier depots) was once the terminal for certain 3rd Avenue El trains.

These tracks ended just east of the present Park Avenue viaduct.

After the 3rd Avenue line was extended north of 42nd st. in 1878, this portion of the line became a shuttle, which connected with the "main line" at the 3rd Avenue station at 3rd Avenue.

Over the years, this shuttle declined in importance (the famed IRT Times Square-Grand Central shuttle began operating in 1918); service on this spur ended in 1923.

It would have been interesting if this "spur" had been extended along the length of W. 42nd St. to the Hudson (North) River, then an area bustling with waterfront activity.......

"NYO"
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's a collection of rare photos depicting the 42nd St./Grand Central branch of the 3rd Avenue El.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/showpix?nsta=311205

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 30, 2019 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

42nd St., looking west, 1955 (note the new '55 Chevy taxis!)

The Manhattan portion of the venerable 3rd Avenue El was nearing the proverbial end of the line when this photo was snapped; also, note SURFACE buses (GMC's and MACKS)

The classic neon signs for the "AUTOMAT" and "MARCO POLO" further date this nostalgic scene of a bygone New York........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75749

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Mon Sep 30, 2019 9:15 pm; edited 1 time in total
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