BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINK)

Meanwhile, out in "Shik-aga".......

The unrelenting artic cold has been wreaking havoc with both CTA and METRA; multiple lines have been affected by the bitter cold temps.

The numerous issues include cracked rails, switching problems, and frozen, inoperable doors.

Pretty brutal, for "soitan"..............

"NYO"

["DEMPSPER"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Recall, the hulking, stalwart 4000s were the only steel cars in the CRT/CTA fleet until the "foist" 6000s appeared in 1950; these now-iconic cars would have debuted about the same time as IRT's "R-15s".

Both the 4000s and the 6000s proved highly-reliable and rugged, lasting many decades in "soivice" ("lo-rech" rules!)

For many decades, CRT/CTA "L" towers employed illuminated signs, which displayed numbers, and were easily read by CRT/CTA/CA&E/CNS&M motormen; the numbers ran from "0" to "4", and instructed motiomen what level of heat to apply in their trains.

Interestingly enough, though the vast majority of the (wooden) "L" and interurban fleets employed electric heating, there were still some unrebuilt wooden cars that utilized coal stoves right up until retirement............

"NYO"

["RIDE THE 'L'"!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

You also asked about "Bah-ston".........

From what I've read, the diesel commuter lines got hit the hardest; however, there werealso a number of cancellations along the rapid transit network, most especially the Red Line (not surprisingly, buses were pretty much out of it, as well)

Recall, unlike "Noo Yawk"and "Shik-aga", "Bah-ston" does not have any electrified heavy rail commuter lines.

Into the 1970s, and even a bit beyond., the "T" still employed a sizeable fleet of 1900s-era streetcars as snow plows.

Back in the day, on the "Blue Line", those formidable 1924-vintage "East Boston Tunnel" cars would have plows affixed to them, and they would be used a ssnow-fighters during off-peak hours...........

"NYO"

["T']

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Formidable Senior Snow Fighters" (from up in "Bah-ston").............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?114979

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?87597

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118965

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46049

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BERy"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A "must mention".........

When the great CNS&M ("North Shore") was abandoned in January, 1963, the temps in greater Chicago area were hovering around MINUS 20!

Consider, now, that the railway's newest trains were the famed "ELECTROLINERS", then 23 years old.

Most of the fleet, however, was made up of rolling stock that dated to the 1920s.

"Takes a lickin', and keeps on tickin"', for sure............

"NYO"

["CHICAGO"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A little of "da white stuff" was 'nuthin' to those hulking old 4000s, out in "Shik-aga", back in the day.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?141622

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[" 'A' LAKE"]