BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Yep, that indeed MORE than explained just why the "El-Eye-Double-Are's" MP-41s and the "Eye-Are-Tee's" original cars were so similar (even both types operating off of "toid" rail!)

Once those ancient "Hi-V's" had center doors and fishbelly sills installed, indeed looked quite a lot like the later "Lo-V's".

Too bad that, to this day, no known photos seem to exist of the "41s" operating to Chambers Street via the "Bee-Are-Tee's" rails.........

"NYO"

["LIRR"]

["INTERBORO"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A different "woild"..........

Remember that the original "Steels" (like their big brothers on the commuter roads) were furnished with window shades and glass shades covering the bare bulbs.

If this were today, the train would not even have pulled out of its "toiminal" without most of those window shades and lamp covers being trashed.

Regarding rapid transit/commuter coach interiors, the IC's 1926 electrics had metal straps at each end of the car; into the 1960s, CANADIAN NATIONAL was operating a fleet of rehabbed heavyweight commuter cars, and the interiors were indeed a combination of suburban commuter and rapid transit.

No wonder, that, by the late 1960s/early 1970s, that the "Em-Tee-Yay" was scrambling to remove upholstered seats from its subway fleet.....indeed, I've read some sobering "horror stories" about the "antics" of "frustrated" young punks, just looking for something to do.

The seeds of the rampant chaos that plagues transit today indeed had its seeds sown fifty-odd years ago.......and, indeed, no change for the better seems to be on the horizon........

['NYO"

["5744"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Today's riddle:

Q:

What did the infamous "Mr. Moh-ziz" have in common with the swashbucklin' "INDiana Jones"?

A:

Both HATE "snakes"!

However, those loathed by "Mr. Moh-ziz" were of the "toid"-rail powered variety, while those still despised by INDiana Jones are of the reptilian species.....(!!)

"NYO"

["IND LINES"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Indeed, I've seen many old films, where the camera was looking DOWN on the Els a rooftop, and, yes, they DID look like snakes slithering about!

Mom used to say that the "Aitch & Em's" ancient "Black" cars reminded her of "black snakes"; IMHO, I'll take a "black snake" over an oversized silver centipede (or a caterpillar) anyday.....(!!)

"NYO"

["P.A.T.H."]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Possible inspiration for today's ultra-modern (and downright sinister-looking) light rail and rapid transit rolling stock (and articulated buses)?

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

(quite a few online photos of this creature; "National Geographic" did a big feature on this weird illuminated insect, back in the 70s; kind of making Your's Truly wonder if, perhaps, this little beast had provided at least provided SOME inspiration of what passes for rail equipment, and articulated buses today)......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.....just now wondering if the aforementioned "railroad worm" just might have been the inspiration behind "En-Jay-Tee's" fleet of New Flyer artics....(!!)

"NYO"

["QUICK, HENRY! THE FLIT!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Hmmmmmmm........

Weren't these the inspiration behind the "Em-Tee-Yay's" fleet of articulateds? (aka "rubber-tired caterpillars"/"Slinkies"/"Mighty Wurlitzers")........

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

["MTA BUS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

I do not even WANT to know WHAT inspired these oversized mutant insects from the planet Romulak.....Good God, these hideous "creatures" are EASILY a fearsome phantom from your worst NIGHTMARE....(!!)

Give me a PCC anyday!

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?135965

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?132805

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["QUARTERMASS AND THE PIT"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

You do have to wonder if those "light rail" designers spent more time in biology class than in engineering class . . .

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just "hoid"..........

Seems that the long-neglected, echoing, decaying, monolithic BMT Chambers Street station is about to get a MASSIVE $100,000,000 renovation (LONG overdue!!!)

(1010 WINS news anchor Larry Mullins stated that the "....MTA will be calling out 'Ghostbusters' to chase the ghosts still lurking down there.....")

From what I've read, there will be great care in restoring historical fixtures,mosaics, etc (this SHOULD be QUITE interesting!)

Work is expected to last two years (one online report wrongly stated the station opened in 1904)

Your's Truly once visited this echoing, decaying hulk of a station toomany times to count, when he worked downtown (this fascinating ruin of a station STILL, to this day, brings out the "Indiana Jones"in me!

Stay tuned......

"NYO"

["BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of the Chambers Street station..................

I know I am far from alone in hoping that, one day, a few ancient (VERY rare!) photos will surface, depicting LIRR's "MP-41s" at Chambers Street, or, at least, on BRT trackage.......

''NYO"

["LONG ISLAND"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

In an interesting "what if?" scenario, it would be interesting to see what the Chambers Street station would be liketoday, if:

1:

The Nassau Street connection had not been built.

2:

Seeing the station's multiple platforms and fare control areas remain open, even after the Nassau Street connection was built.

I know there isa long-closed mezzanine at this station; I would imagine that the LIRR's ticket windows would have been adjacent to the BRT's.

The sheer size and scope of thisdecaying, massive station indeed still can capture one's interest; despite the decades of neglect and decay, it is still easy to imagine what this station was like in its heyday, amid the aggressive growls, snarls, ans whines of "Standards" and "Triplexes", starter's bells,ticket choppers busily manning the big levers of their wood and glass chopper boxes,, and so many other once-commonplace sughts and sounds.......

'NYO"

["BROOKLYN-MANHATTAN TRANSIT"]