BusTalk

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject: 'EX L.I.R.R.'

Some old Long Island Railroad coaches never died! they just became guest houses!

Seen below is what was known as a 'Ping Pong' car circa 1917 and was designated as an MP54-C Multiple Unit.

These 54 foot long all steel coaches became the backbone of Long Island's passenger car fleet for nearly fifty years.

Some definition of model designations;

'M' designated the unit to be a 'motor' or powered control cab and the 'P meant 'passenger', with the '54' denoting the length of the car measured bulkhead to bulkhead.

While the electrics were MP's, the non-powered trailers which accounted for about fifty percent of the fleet carried a 'T' designation. Some of the earlier original purchase M and T units had clerestory roofs and not the famous arched roofs (as pictured).

Information by Dave Keller

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

ripta42 · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

Neato! That's perhaps even more creative a use than the one that became a rest area on the Long Island Expressway.

Hart Bus · Age: 74 Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 1150

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 1:49 pm Post subject:

ECA,

There are a couple of remaining L.I.R.R. passenger cars showcased around the island;

The upper photo shows coach # 1398 at route 112 in Port Jefferson.

The lower photo coach acts as a Visitor's Center in Deer Park.

BTW; car # 1398 (upper) is a combination motor, passenger and baggage while the lower image is only a trailer.

Enjoy.

Photo credit; Mike Arnold

WCA

Dieseljim · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject: Ex LIRR

Now those are excellent ways to recyle old railroad equipment. Giving them new uses reduces waste. Too bad more old rail equipment is not recycled this way.

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:02 am Post subject:

D.D.,

Out here in Los Angeles we have no less than two Union Pacific Pullman cars (circa 1950's) that have been converted to diners.

The upper photo shows Carneys on the famous Sunset Strip (Sunset Boulevard) in West Hollywood.

The lower image is that of Carneys just over the hill on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City (note the Santa Fe caboose coupled to the coach).

Until I saw these pictures, I never realized that they used two cars for each installation.

They are landmarks and do very well even in this economy!

Enjoy.

Mr. Linsky - Green Bus Lines, Inc., Jamaica, NY

Hart Bus · Age: 74 Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 1150

WCA: Gotta remember to visit the lower one when the Mrs and I invade your state next year. We usually stay at a Marriot on Ventura Blvd near the 405 in Sheman Oaks. From there it would be a right turn onto VB and just keep going.

Wonder what the RR car looking sheds are behind the car and caboose.

ECA

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject:

ECA,

From Ventura at the 405, Carneys is about three miles or so East on the North side of the street between Coldwater and Laurel Canyons.

We've eaten there a few times and its a lot of fun - there's also lots of rairoad memorabilia to see!

The rear sections are another full car at Ventura and a half of a car at Sunset and are used mostly for utilities and kitchens.

Attached are a couple of mouth watering shots as well as engineering studies for the Sunset installation.

Enjoy!

Photo crdits; Carneys

WCA