BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS)

Stringing overhead ASV wires..........

For the most part, this was a relatively simple operation, only requiring erecting an additional wire alongside the existing streetcar overhead.

Where it DID become complicated (to say the least) was at complex junctions, intersecting lines, etc.

Also, if the streetcars ran on a median track in the center of a street or road, the existing wires had to be moved closer to the curb line (this was commonplace on PSNJ's first ASV line, the "49 UNION", which was converted from streetcar operation in late 1935)

Interestingly enough, as I have mentioned elsewhere, ASV wiring did not extend inside the carhouses/garages; the ASV's entered and left via gas power, and connected/disconnected (and to/from) the overhead outside said facilities.........

"NYO"

["43 NEWARK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting ASV trivia........

After ASV operations were discontinued on the ESSEX and HUDSON Divisions (1947/1948) a small number of YELLOWS had their electrical gear removed and operated as gas buses for a few years before being replaced by new GMs..........

"NYO"

["PSCT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Before the modern George Washington Bridge Bus Station opened in early 1963, PSNJ, as well as several other New Jersey suburban carriers, utilized their own "off street" terminals adjacent to the span.

These rare photos date to c. 1955.................

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?157229

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?157228

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["82 FORT LEE-LEONIA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another c. 1955 photo of the PS terminal adjacent to the GWB in upper Manhattan; note, also, the large and impressive PS neon sign.

This station was extremely busy during rush hours..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?157235

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PUBLIC SERVICE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Replacement buses for PSNJ's ASVs...........

Between 1947 and 1948, PS purchased a large number of "TD-4008" diesels to replace the ASVs on the HUDSON and ESSEX Divisions.

Large numbers of "4509s" would be making inroads into the fleet by 1949.....

"NYO"

["21 WEST NEW YORk"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

PSNJ's Birneys.........

By 1920, PSNJ rostered 200 Birney Safety Cars; these little "Toonervilles" were mostly (not surprisingly) assigned to secondary lines and feeders.

As was also the case in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston, these cars were sometimes used on the heavier trunk lines, where they were not at all suited for the heavy loads.

All of PS's Birneys had been sold off or scrapped by 1931; oddly enough, none were retained for conversion into work cars.

Photos of PS Birneys are quite rare; I've only seen a few through the years.

On the East Coast, the Connecticut Company was also yet another property that rostered Safety Cars.

These stalwart little "Toonerville" operated in many US to wns and cities at one time; quite a few ran in Queens through the 1930s.

These little cars indeed saved the day (at least temporarily) for many a small-town operator, requiring only a one-man crew, and also requiring less power...........

"NYO"

["CAR HOUSE ONLY"]



"NYO"

["J. G. BRILL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting reading and photos..........

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

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

["DOWNTOWN ONLY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Awhile ago in this thread, I had noted that PSNJ's fleet of trailers (4500 series, built by OSGOOD BRADLEY) which entered service in 1920, were later relegated for use as waiting shelters.

100 trailers were once in operation; by 1930, however only a handful remained in service (these cars only operated on the ESSEX Division)

The remaining trailers were all retired in 1935; these were the only trailers operated by PS.

One lone example survives at the Shore Line Trolley Museum.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118342

)courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["MT. PROSPECT"]