BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed May 24, 2023 11:32 pm Post subject:

This nostalgic postcard from 1968 colorfully recalls the long-lost era of Piccadilly Circus' electric "spectaculars" (indeed, there are echoes of Times Square here, back in its heyday)

With the exception of a lone "RM", the buses seen here are all of the "RT"-class.........

https://europebylondontaxi.blogspot.com/2011/12/postcards-piccadilly-circus-1361968.html

"NYO"

["462 WEYBRIDGE STN"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 6:23 pm Post subject:

"Remember Me To Herald Square"............

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:The_Leaders_of_the_World_Electric_Sign

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Fri May 26, 2023 1:53 am Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri May 26, 2023 2:49 am Post subject:

W.B.:

Again, your knowledge of these old "spectaculars" truly impresses me; though I've been fascinated with these classic electrical wonders since childhood (and have a BASIC knowledge about them) your knowledge would seem to come from someone who actually installed (and worked on) these huge electrical wonders, so long ago.

In one of my many books I have on LT buses, one book (focusing LT buses and coaches in 1946) shows a photo of Piccadilly Circus, with a number of "LT"and "STL"-class double-deckers on hand.

The electric signs visible in this view include:

VOTRIX VERMOUTH

JACOB'S CREAM CRACKERS

SWALLOW RAINCOATS

GORDON'S GIN

WRIGLEY'S (FOR VIM AND VITALITY)

SCHWEPPE'S

EVER-READY BLADES

Comparing vintage photos of "the Circus" with modern-day views is a jarring experience, to say the very least.

T'ain't the same, Guv'nor........... Sad

"NYO"

["35 CLAPHAM COMMON"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri May 26, 2023 2:58 am Post subject:

The photo at the top of this page shows "The Circus" circa-late 1950's, back in its glory days (buses are "RT"-types)

Be sure to check on the other wonderful vintage photos of "The Circus" here, all highlighting both the old,"classic era" electric signage and LT's iconic buses.............

"NYO"

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/407998047496446043/

["53A OLD KENT RD."]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 1:28 am Post subject:

...........studying the vintage photos (of Piccadilly Circus) in the link I previously posted, it is very interesting to note the changes over the decades, both modest and more significant.

Prior to the introduction of the first rear-engine, one-man double-deckers in the early/mid-1960's, post-1954, LT's double-deck fleet consisted of only "RT"-types, with the "RM" Routemasters entering the fleet during 1959.....

"NYO"

["94 PICCADILLY CIRCUS"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 1:56 am Post subject:

This timeless 1960's-era view of "The Circus" indeed recalls the long-gone days of the area's electrical heyday.

Note the "AIR INDIA" sign; this sign is seen in many of the vintage views of "The Circus"; interestingly, into the early 1980's, a number of ex-AIR INDIA Lockheed "Constellations" were still serving both the INDIAN AIR FORCE and the INDIAN NAVY.......

https://www.flickr.com/photos/trainsandstuff/17017974890/

Also of interest:

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

["A1 HEATHROW"]

frankie · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 1:36 pm Post subject:

WHY ARE WE DRIFTING INTO FOREIGN TERRITORY? I don't see the connection with what this has to do with New York buses. Let's get back to what this forum was intended to be about.

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 2:43 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 2:52 pm Post subject:

This 1950's view at Times Square* shows a SURFACE bus (MACK) with an Old Look (aka "Sherman") in the background, and the spectacular PEPSI-COLA waterfall on the right............

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/54324739239085347/

*("TO CATCH A THIEF" was released in 1955)

["RIDE THE SURFACE WAY"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 3:03 pm Post subject:

Looking towards the iconic and historic Flatiron Building, we see another SURFACE bus (note, also, the two-aspect traffic light).

Look closely, and it looks like a GREYHOUND bus, on the right, partially blocked by the MACK.

The Judy Holliday movie would date this photo to 1952.........

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/523332419187629842/

["ST"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 3:12 pm Post subject:

Another SURFACE bus (yet another MACK) is seen in this view; the huge billboard for "APACHE" (starring Burt Lancaster) dates this photo to 1954..........

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/640426009503631517

["SURFACE TRANSPORTATION"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 3:23 pm Post subject:

Two Old Looks ("Shermans") on 5th Avenue are in the company of a SURFACE Mack crossing 42nd St., in this colorful (and bustling!) view from the early 1960's (note, also, that the familiar "RIDE THE SURFACE WAY" slogan is absent from the MACK, at this late date)..............

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/261490322095165078/

["GO THE MOTOR COACH WAY"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat May 27, 2023 5:33 pm Post subject:

Here is a wonderfully nostalgic collection of fascinating 1960's-era "Noo Yawk" photos (NO shortage of buses, here......Old Looks/MACKS/Fishbowls!) Wink

There's even a few "bonus" shots of SIRT's venerable ME-1's (at the old New Dorp station/grade crossing) and a rare interior view of a rush-hour #7 IRT train ("Bluebirds"!)

Indeed, a lost city....and a lost world.............

https://www.vintag.es/2016/09/35-incredible-color-found-photos.html

["7 TIMES SQUARE"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun May 28, 2023 12:15 am Post subject:

In this timeless "hustle 'n' bustle" scene from 1960, the Old Look and (SURFACE) Mack date this view as much as the soaring tailfins on that big, gas-guzzlin' Caddy! Wink

https://pinterest.com/pin/244742560983156801/

["MACK"]