BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POST)

traildriver:

Regarding CNJ's "Sputnik" RDC train............

One of the "no-no's" here was that the alteration to the RDC's that the CNJ heavyweight was spliced between voided the warrantees on the Alison Torque converter.

Photos of this highly-unusual train are seldom seen; the train itself is virtually unknown to all except the most astute CNJ historian........

"NYO"

[5:05 RARITAN LOCAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is an excellent page (w/many photos) on the legendary RDC; note the interesting variations depicted, especially the unique and flamboyant BUDD-built "RODGER WILLIAMS", which once ran on the New Haven..........

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

["BUDD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting reading (and photos) on NH's unique "RODGER WILLIAMS".........

https://www.trains-and-railroads.com/roger-williams

["NH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

Here are several related historical photos (I grew up with classic scenes like this, over 60 years back!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?31917

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?72570

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?138969

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24760(1965 photo date is incorrect; this car would have, by this late date, been re-lettered for PATH)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?728270

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["P E N N S Y L V A N I A"]

[Cyberider]

Interesting that the RDC's used the GM 110 Diesel engines. I'm a big fan of all the GM/Detroit Diesel 2-cycle Diesel engines.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

You should find this interesting.........

In 1950, after an RDC demo operated on the NYS&W, the railroad ordered four, to replace the often trouble-prone ACF "Motorailers", which entered commuter service in 1940.

These units ran between Paterson (on the Paterson City Branch) to a new station, "SUSQUEHANNA TRANSFER", built under the helix leading to the Lincoln Tunnel; this was a transfer station, where commuters could transfer to leased PS buses for the short ride into Manhattan.

These sleek cars were air-conditioned; quite a novelty at that time!

The RDCs only ran for several years, when they were sold to the CNJ (most times, these cars ran as single units)

The railroad referred to the RDCs as "Speedliners".

The RDCs were replaced by heavyweight coaches from the Boston & Albany, hauled by ALCO "RS-1s".

The old ERIE "Stillwell" coaches had been replaced by new BUDD-built coaches (hauled by diesels), but, by the later 1950s, these cars were sold for further service in Saudi Arabia; ec-B&A coaches replaced them on these commuter runs. runs.

All NYS&W passenger service ended in 1966; service had already been cut back to Susquehanna Transfer from the ERIE's Pavonia Terminal in Jersey City (closed in 1960)

The four RDCs which ran for several years on the "Susie-Q" ran on the CNJ until the 1970s, before being retired.....

'NYO"

["S"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Irony.........

The original RDCs were known for their solid reliability and efficiency for decades; on the other hand, the "new and improved RDC", in the form of the "SPV-2000" was anything but a success, being troublesome and unreliable from the start, not at all popular with crews, nor commuters.

Only 31 of these ill-fated units were built........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_SPV-2000

["BUDD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Into the 1970s, the LIRR rostered a magnificent collection of classic cars which they used in parlor car service.

Many types of cars were in operation, and many "fallen flag" railroads were represented.

This is an EXCELLENT site, depicting TRUE raolroading......enjoy!

www.parlorcarseast.com

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Though the time-honored term "parlor car" has fallen into disuse on AMTRAK, there are still what the agency refers to as "elevated services".......

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

["PARLOR CAR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recalling AMTRAK's classic and diverse "Heritage" fleet................

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

["SILVER METEOR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Well into the 1970s, PRR's stalwart, owl-eyed MP-54 MU's jostled for space along the busy NEC with AMTRAK varnish.

The first on the LIRR entered service in 1910, five years prior the those of the PRR.

Of course, those on the LIRR ran off of third rail; the PRR cars used catenary.

While the very last of the LIRR "54s" were retired in 1971, their PRR cousins served the P-C well into the 1970s.

I grew up with these classic MU's (the PRR cars), and have many fond memories of these growling, grinding relics of a long-ago era.......I miss them still............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRR_MP54

["4:55 S. AMBOY LOCAL"]

["5;15 PORT WASHINGTON"]



'NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A few vintage photos of LIRR's legendary, long-lived "54s".............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?76519

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?10646

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?30985

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?10576

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?10660 (unlike the PRR fleet, the LIRR rostered a large number of arch-roof "54s")

(courtesy:nycsubwa,org)

["AMERICAN CAR & FOUNDRY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recalling the PRR's once-familiar "54s"...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49813

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?72536

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142308

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?20487

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["4:20 TRENTON LOCAL"]

[Cyberider]

The MP-54's were classic and sure stayed on the scene for a long time. Makes me wonder why something so durable ever had to be retired.