BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Fellows:

Yes (according to "Seinfeld") today is "FESTIVUS" ("A Festivus For The Rest Of Us!")

So, putting political correctness aside, WHATEVER holiday you are celebrating, sure hope it's one of good health and of good cheer!

"NYO"

['AVOID THE FUSS-SHOP BY SUBWAY & BUS!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When "THE STRIKE" episode of "SEINFELD" aired in 1997 (introducing us to "Festivus"), the era of the Fishbowl in "Noo Yawk" was just about over, but the now-iconic RTS was still the hard-working backbone of the fleet.

On the subways, we still had the "Boids" in still decent numbers running on the "Eye-Are-Tee", plus we still had a number of now-retired car classes that are today considered "classic".

And the SI Ferry was still carrying vehicles aboard the now-retired "KENNEDY"-class diesels of 1965.

See:

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

["MTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Ahhhh, to go back to '97.....at least we STILL had the iconic "Are-Tee-Es" in "soivice"..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156460

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156465

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["B41"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Meanwhile, on the rails, back in '97..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41411

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41329

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BUDD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Indeed, how sweet it was............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156464

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["9121"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Although storm clouds were beginning to brew on the horizon that first "Festivus": the first buses shaped like oversized milk cartons, and the first of the "rolling Slinkies" a.k.a. "rolling Wurlitzer accordions" (albeit without the music), began to show up on the roads, thus:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156456

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156453

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Still, the "Are-Tee-Ess" was "king of the road." Though their numbers would progressively shrink - and those of the "other" BINO's would rise - in the years since Seinfeld left the air.

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Also, near the end of Seinfeld's run, was when the first of the "En-Tee-Tee's" (R-142's) first began to hit the road, thus bringing us to this point.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

It's 1997, and the "Mighty Wurlitzer"/"Slinky"-era has now arrived on the scene........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156453

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BX1"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also in 1997, we have a "BBB" ("Bland, Boxy, Boring") "BINO", exuding as much charm and appeal as a big white shoebox on wheels...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?156456

(courtesy: nycsubway.prg)

["M"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

And in 1997, the Roosevelt Island Tram was still using its original "cabins"; and the now-iconic tokens would still be in use for several more years..........

http://nycsubway.org/perl/show?24345

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["THE TRAM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back in '97................

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153806

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?144613

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6236

(courtesy: nycsubway.or)

["BUY A 10-PACK TODAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thought.............

Back in 1997, who would have been thinking that the then-commonplace RTS ("Torpedo") would STILL be on the job, a few decades later, and regarded as a classic in its own right?

In all honesty, I never did.......these were the last "Noo Yawk" buses I can truthfully say I REALLY liked......oversized milk cartons and huge "slinkies" just don't do it for me.

In, in 1997, we still had a decent variety of rolling stock on the subways, and railfan windows were still more than commonplace, with traditional block signals still running the "shew"................

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]

["432 REP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

And, here in "Joisey", back in 1997, the last several Fishbowls (NHBL) were indeed in their twilight, and would all be gone by the following year......

Likewise, a lone ex-WMATA "Dangerfield", running on the NHBL #1 to JSQ.

How little was then left................

"NYO"

["GMC"]

["FLXIBLE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of 1997........

Curious as to how many (MTA) "Are-Tee-Es" were on the roster, at that time?

Also in 1997, what would have been the oldest "Are-Tee-Es" operated by the Queens independents, then still in existence?

Appreciate info, as always.............

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

1997 memories............

I rode several "Are-Tee-Es" up in "Bah-ston" that October; it was also about that time (or maybe not long after) when "En-Jay-Tee" began bringing in large numbers of the NOVA models, which I liked from the get-go.

"En-Jay-Tee" (IMHO) could have kept these buses in service longer than they did; IMHO, they were retired far too soon............now it's all insipid, boxy "NABIs" and "Slinky Specials" New Flyers, neither of which interest me in the slightest..........

"NYO"

["22 HILLSIDE"]