BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Good point to bring up.

"Shik-aga's" gate cars indeed closely resembled those that ran here in "Noo Yawk".

Big difference was that these cars used coiled tension springs between the cars; here in "Noo Yawk", only the "Aitch & Em's" distinctive "Black" cars were equipped with these.

Too, unlike the "Bee-Are-Tee"/"Bee-Em-Tee", the wooden El cars retained their trolley poles into the 1950s, as certain lines were still using trolley wire on ground-level trackage......

"NYO"

["SOUTH SIDE RAPID TRANSIT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Just thought of this........

Recall after the infamous 1918 Malbone Street wreck, wooden equipment was banned from running in tunnels.

BUT, there WAS an exception.......that long-forgotten part of the 9th Avenue El that ran underground up in "da Bronx?"

"NYO"

"INTERBOROUGH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?8260

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?30768

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["WOODCREST AVE."

[X-Astorian]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Indeed, wooden cars were NOT used in the State Street subway; ironic, also, in that when the State Street Subway opened, a train of "old" 4000s initiated service (they were, of course, the only steel cars that the "See-Are-Tee" had on the roster at that time)

Here in "Noo Yawk", when the 11th Street connection in Long Island City inaugurated "Bee-Em-Tee" service between the "Eye-En-Dee's Queens Plaza station and the "Bee-Em-Tee's" Lexington Avenue station in 1955, a train of "old" Steels did the honors.

Had this connection opened a bit later, the new "Are-16s" would have been a more appropriate choice for the "first train"; Brighton locals, operating weekdays (between Coney Island and Forest Hills) via the Montaque Street tunnel, provided this service............

"NYO"

["BMT LINES"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Recall, also, that, aside from the 4000-series "sub-series", the "Baldies", no "Shika-ga" cars featured door arrangements following the general pattern of "Noo Yawk's" rolling stock.

The 4000s, equipped with only vestibule doors, always reminded me somewhat of "ME-1's", especially the interior seating layount) but without "center-of-body doors.

Too, the "See-Tee-Yay's" rolling stock, door-wise, seem to be more "in sync" with the cars used on Philly's Market-Frankford El.

Technically, here in "Noo Yawk" , strictly speaking, we have "SUBWAY" cars; back in the days of the old El lines, there was, of course, a HUGE difference between a "SUBWAY" car and an "ELEVATED" car.

In "Shik-aga", the term "rapid transit car" seems to pretty much fit the bill...............

"NYO"

["CRT"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When Your's Truly visited "Shik-aga" (in both 1977 and again in 1986), I got to ride only the now-classic 6000s.

During BOTH visits the "Skokie Swift" was out due to repair work.........

"NYO"

["CTA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

As always, VERY intricate and detailed "behind the scenes" information.....and ALWAYS interesting to read!

When Your's Truly visited "Shik-aga" in 1978 and 1986, I only rode the 6000s on the "L" trackage (oddly, I did not venture "underground", on either trip).......

"NYO"

["CTA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I hear you, friend.

AT LEAST (as high tech as they are) our subway cars LOOK like SUBWAY cars, and not mutant insects, alien spawn, oversized dustbusters, electric eels, and the like (BEWARE of what will soon be coming to "Bah-ston" and "Philly!)

Rapid transit/commuter/main line, Great Britain, Europe, and Asia are now literally infested what I like to refer to as "Le Escargot Electrique!"

Rome's new low-floor LRV's (no more Peter Witts) look like nothing more than evil, human-digesting, giant caterpillars; this goes for most European/Asian rolling stock nowadays.

I'll take "Noo Yawk's" hard-workin' "Brontos" and "Jeterbugs" anyday!

"NYO"

["NEW YORK, NEW YORK"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Well, as Your's Truly never studied French, I guess this moniker is close enough!

Anyway, I am sure you DO get the idea....(!!)

"NYO"

"SPRAGUE"]