BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/PHOTOS)

Also...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113217

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113224

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BU"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just "hoid" on 1010 WINS........

".....as the subways move more and more towards computerized signaling and train operations, the feasibility of having two-person crews is again being discussed; most subways in other countries have been operating OPTO for years............

Fellow from the "TWU" made it QUITE clear what his take was on this topic.

IMHO, with the system now mostly "NTT", block signals vanishing, and all-male train crews now (like the iconic SMEEs) now relegated to history, live station announcements now replaced with insipid recordings, it's indeed NOT the subway system that so compelled me to ride and explore almost every nook and cranny of the subways, many, many years ago.

Sure glad I made the most of the opportunities available to me, long, long ago.......

"NYO"

["IRT LINES"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Today is the anniversary of the "foist" horse-drawn streetcar route in Manhattan, which beginning on this day in 1832, running along Fourth Avenue and the Bowery between Prince Street and Union Square.

Two different routes claim this line as lineage:
- South of 42d Street: the M1 - Fifth and Madison Avenues bus line
- North of 42d Street: the Metro-North Railroad Harlem line
Only the latter still has what resembles what they should be, as opposed to creatures from outer space (or what passes for "buses" that the M1 runs these days).

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also:

London's "tubes" ("Underground") have not utilized guards (conductors) for a number of years, now.

All "UndergrounD"l trains are now "OPTO"...............

"NYO"

["EDGEWARE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Closer to home........

I've read that there had been some talk, early on, regarding converting BMT's "Multi-Section" units for "OPTO" operation.

Recall, also, these were also were the first production model trains to utilize full-width cabs, today the law of the land...........

"NYO"

["16 8TH AV."]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just thinking now of the "Silverboids" and "Brighton Belles" having cabs that could be converted from full-width to "traditional".

Too bad today's "NTT" fleet are not so equipped.........

"NYO"

["XL-465"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On a related note....

Since 2005, all London double-deckers have been "OPTO"; the last of the time-honored conductors* went with the last of the iconic "RMs" were retired.......

"NYO"

*Interesting historical note note:

In London, "conductor" was always used to describe the bloke who collected fares and issued tickets on the buses, while a "guard" was the term used for a chap who opened and shut the doors (and announced the stations) on "Underground" (tube) trains.

Also, way back in the day, conductors were also employed on single-deck buses and coaches.......

["127-UXBRIDGE STN"]

["GOLDERS GREEN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Historical note............

Regarding the possible elimination of conductors on subway trains, I am thinking of, many decades ago, when trains were staffed by MULTIPLE conductors.........

"NYO"

["LET 'EM OFF FOIST! WATCH YER STEP!"]