BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINKS)

Club cars/parlor cars on the E-L..........

The very last were the small group of 1912/1917 MU control trailers (formerly steam-hauled coaches) which sported handsome, diamond-shaped leaded glass windows at each end (these cars were assigned to the electrified Morris & Essex)

Used by members of the exclusive "381 CLUB" for decades, these vintage cars featured ice-activated air conditioning, wicker chairs and setees, and a uniformed attendant.

Drinks and light snacks were served.

The "381 CLUB" disbanded in 1984, when NJT retired the historic DL&W "Edison Wickerlinera".

I well remember seeing these handsome cars many, many tines down Hoboken, back in the day........

"NYO"]

["ERIE-LACKAWANNA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Futher:

Club car/parlor car service ended much earlier on the E-L's diesel lines, in 1971, with the arrivalof the new push-pull trainlsets.

Car #1105 (an ex-DL&W heavyweight) was assigned to the Boonton line's "LAKELAND", which ran during the weekday AM and PM rush hours.

The car was always at the rear of the trains.........

"NYO"

["THE FRIENDLY SERVICE ROUTE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"JERSEY SHORE COMMUTER'S CLUB" (ex-PRR coach's last revenue run, 1983).......

It was during NJT's FAREWELL TO THE GG-1 DAY" celebration that this iconic PRR coach (#1734) made its final revenue run,

It's retirement was not at all surprise, as the veteran heavyweight car was not compatible with the modern push-pull rolling stock.....

"NYO"

["MEMBERS ONLY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

LIRR parlor/club cars.......

Here are some vintage photos of some of the LIRR's classic-era parlor/club cars;these cars were particularly handsome; these vintage cars were indeed quite popular with the railfan photographers of that time.

Note ex-PRR and NH cars............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45647

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?43407

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42426

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42429

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42421

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42397

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?42670

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["ROAD OF THE DASHING COMMUTER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

CNJ commuter clubs/club cars.........

Into the 1970s, the CNJ operated severalheavyweight club cars.......

"BEACHCOMBER"

"RED BANK"

"JERSEY COAST"

"MONNOUTH"

It is quite interesting to note that the club car "BEACHCOMBER" was originally the Blue Comet coach, "D'ARREST"; the "MONMOUTH" was the former Blue Comet open-platform observation car "BEILA".................

"NYO"

{"JERSEY COAST"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

PRR commuter club/parlor cars/clubs (NY&LB)...........

"THE SANDPIPER'S CLUB"

'JERSEY COAST ASSOCIATES"

"JERSEY SHORE COMMUTER'S CLUB"

From the 1930s until the outbreak of WW2, there was also "JERSEY SHORE WOMEN'S COMMUTER'S CLUB"; this car was coupled to one of the men-only cars

This women's commuter's group only met once a month; the assigned car, obviously, was only used in this service once each month.

At Christmastime, the "JERSEY SHORE COMMUTER'S CLIB" chartered a PRR cafe car, with stewards aboard; this ca rwould be coupled to the "JSCC" car for their annual Christmas party..........

"NYO"

["CAFE CAR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In speaking of commuter club/parlor cars, mention should be made of bar cars.

Such cars were once commonplace, especially on NYC and NH trains out of Grand Central............

https://vinepair.com/articles/where-did-americas-commuter-bar-cars-go/

["5: 20 BREWSTER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back when the vast majority of male commuters still wore suits and ties, cars like this would be full of thirsty, smart-looking fellows in their sharp Brooks Brothers suits, unwinding after a long day at the office.

So very 1970s.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?86430

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?86432

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?86433

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?86431

(courtesty: nycsubway.org)

["NEW HAVEN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent page on this historic "JERSEY COAST", which once was part of the fabled "Blue Comet's consist; this historic car spent many years in CNJ commuter service, in later days........

https://whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/equipment/jersey-coast-club-car/

["JERSEY CENTRAL LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

NOT your "average" RDC, by ANY means!

https://en.wikipidia.org/wiki/M-497_Black_Beetle

I well recall seeing photos of this totally unique "RDC" in newspapers and magazines (also on TV news coVerage)

Photos of scratchbuilt/kitbashed models were also featured in MR and RMC; TRAINS magazine also ran photos of it during its trials.

Would indeed make for an eye-catching exhibit at any rail museum, if it had survived.........

"NYO"

["M-497"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Excellent page on the NYC's futuristic "Black Beetle" (drawings, photos, etc)..........

https://railfan.com/m497-built-for-speed/

["NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSYEM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is another interesting article w/photos; be sure to check outt the "Black Beetle's" Russian cousin, the formidable "SVL" Turbojet of 1970, converted from an electric MU coach/

Its inspiration is indeed quite clear.....

https://en.wokipedia.org/wiki/Turbojet_train

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is another interesting article w/photos; be sure to check outt the "Black Beetle's" Russian cousin, the formidable "SVL" Turbojet of 1970, converted from an electric MU coach/

Its inspiration is indeed quite clear (read interesting sub-article on the Russian version).....

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

["SVL"]