BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POST)

Also:

"TRACTION EXTRA #1: THE CITY SUBWAY-NEWARK'S BEST-kEPT SECRET" (Traction Slides International/Joseph P.Saitta)

EXCELLENT little softcover; many rare photos of the Subway from 1935 through the mid-1980s; many rare photos of the streetcars, connecting surface lines, historical timelines, etc (even a few photos of "The Boss" himself, the late Bob Kittler!) whom I have often spoke of, and knew personally!

Deck roof cars, Compromise roof-cars, PCCs....they're all here; so much Your's Truly knew so well, over 50 years ago!

"NYO"

["7 CITY SUBWAY"]

[Cyberider]

Thanks, NYO. I made a note of these and will see which ones I can locate.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also, regarding the outstanding book on PSNJ's unique ASVs........

in all my years of researching all facets of PSNJ's rich and diverse history, I never came across such a tremendous wealth of information as I did when I (through a late friend who volunteered at the BSM for many years) obtained a copy of this VERY comprehensive work.

I had NO IDEA WHATSOEVER just how truly complex and complicated the ASVs were until I started going through this book; you have here a wealth of rare photos of ALL operations on ALL divisions, garages, wire/route maps, vehicle operations, etc.

This book, in all honesty, indeed BLEW me awat, THAT is how impressive it is!

Many of these VERY RARE photos (especially those of various locations on the HUDSON Division I recognized right off the bat!)

ANYONE interested in PS's rich history would do well to have a copy of this EXHAUSTIVE and EXCELLENT book on their shelves!

"NYO"

["21 WEST NEW YORK"]

[Cyberider]

Thanks, NYO. Hope I can find a copy of the ASV book. Sounds fascinating.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting ASV trivia........

Interestingly enough, ASV wiring did not extend into the garages/shop areas.

When beginning a run, the driver would pull the ASV out of the garage (unless the vehicle was outdoors in a yard) under gas power; then, the driver would position the outbound coach under a "wire pan", and raise the poles.

Then, he would pull forward slowly, to allow the poles to make contact with the overhead.

Pulling into a garage at the end of the day, this procedure was reversed........

"NYO"

["43 JERSEY CITY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"What's in a name"?

Regarding streetcars, you'll read any of a number of books (and hear as many references) and see/hear the term:

"TROLLEY"

"TROLLEY CAR"

"STREETCAR"

From my many years of researching "streetcars", I've also learned that, in certain areas, the term "streetcar" was THE popular term to use.

In other areas, it was strictly "trolley" (and/or "trolley car")

In New Orleans, for instance, it is a given that the word "STREETCAR" is used (and has ALWAYS been!)

Then, too, you will read of "interurban trolleys".

When the first of P&W's legendary "Bullets" entered service over 90 years ago, a newsreal heading referred to the featured "Bullet" as:

"The World's Fastest Street Car".

Interesting.............

"NYO"

["CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! WENT THE TROLLEY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

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

Baltimore STREETCAR Museum

Seashore TROLLEY Museum

Guess it all might be local preferences......

"NYO"

["KUHLMAN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further..........

My late friend from Baltimore (he was also an original member of the BSM) told me that in Baltimore, by and large, the local terminology used was "streetcar".

Also, since he was a boy, always called them "screechcars"(!!)

"NYO"

["BTC"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Then there is:

"THE TROLLEY SONG"

Books......

"TROLLEY CAR TREASURY"

"THE TIME OF THE TROLLEY"

"THE TROLLEY CAR FAMILY"

"WHO MADE ALL OUR STREETCARS GO?"

"BALTIMORE'S STREETCARS"

"STREETCARS OF WASHINGTON, DC"

And so on...........

"NYO"

{"LACONIA CAR COMPANY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also......

In the 1990 movie "AVALON" (set in 1948-early 1950s Baltimore), ANY and ALL references to trolleys as "STREETCARS" is status quo (frequent mention if them throughout the film, including the #32, which went to buses in 1955)

A full-sized operational replica of a Baltimore PCC (sadly now but a memory) was constructed for the film (built on a bus chassis, using blueprints from the BSM) and featured in several scenes.

A few quick shots were filmed (at night) at the BSM, using streetcars from their collection..........

"NYO"

["32"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

SPOLER ALERT ("AVALON")

One VERY dramatic scene in this film depicts a PCC derailing and crashing into an auto standing at the gas pumps of a filling station across the street; this scene utilized the aforementioned (built of plywood) replica PCC described above..........

"NYO"

["BALTIMORE TRANSIT COMPANY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Washington, DC......

Prior to the 1962 replacement of DC TRANSIT's streetcars, a large electric directional sign hung from the ceiling in the main concourse of Union Station, reading:

'TO STREET-CARS & BUSES"

In Newark, back in the heyday of the City Sibway, many referred to the streetcars which used the subway as "subway cars"..........

"NYO"

["WARNING! STREETCARS ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also......

I've seen early (circa-1910) postcard views/photos) of the H&M mezzanine at the Hoboken Terminal; until 1949, a number of PS streetcar lines utilized a massive, copper-clad elevated terminal

There were signs in the H&M mezzanine that directed commuters directly to the elevated trolley terminal; these signs read:

"TO ELEVATED STREET-CARS"

"NYO"

["SUMMIT"]