BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Compare these photos of 2nd Avenue El trains crossing the Queensborough Bridge, with the photo of an articulated KEY SYSTEM "Bridge Unit" crossing the lower level of the Bay Bridge...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?17423

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45986

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?16265

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BRIDGE RAILWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting to consider, that, while only the INTERBOROUGH operated the El lines in Manhattan and the Bronx (and, also, Queens), the BRT (and, later, the BMT) was indeed the Royal Sovereign Monarch in Brooklyn; ALL of the El lines (except those which were part of IRT subway lines) were all operated by the BMT.

Too, consider that, in Brooklyn, the BRT/BMT was also quite involved with streetcars, buses, and trolleybuses.

When IND trains began operating over El structures (not including the elevated line leading over the Gowanus Canal to Smith-9th St.) they operated over former BMT rails (to Coney Island), and, also, out to the Rockaways (via former LIRR trackage)

Earlier in this discussion,I had mentioned that, when it opened in 1941, the Dyre Avenue line was being operated as a part of the IND, even though it was using old INTERBOROUGH El cars; when the IND Rockaway line opened in 1956, it was actually regarded as the city's FOURTH subway division!

Interestingly, for a number of years, through trains from Manhattan to the Rockaways would change crews at Euclid Avenue, and special tokens were required..........

"NYO"

["ROCKAWAY HERE WE COME!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a very detailed and informative page on the Rockaway line.......

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

["R-16"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"ROCKAWAY, HERE WE COME!")

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75677

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75688

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?144535

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SPECIAL-WAVECREST"]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

See this detailed article on the Steinway tubes.......

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

Note that, originally, these tunnels were to be used by streetcars!

"NYO"

["STEINWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

See also.......

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

(diagrams included also show former and current track layouts; changing service patterns over the years are also highlighted. The station was far more complex in operations than it is currently)

"NYO"

["BMT QUEENS PLAZA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"STEINWAY" Lo-V's........

A small order of Lo-V's (PRESSED STEEL) was placed in 1915 by the INTERBOROUGH.

These cars were purchased to initiate service through the new Steinway Tunnels, between 42nd St. Manhattan and Long Island City.

As these tunnels were built to be used by streetcars, the gradients within the tubes were such that the existing motor cars might encounter difficulties in maintaining schedules.

It was determined by the IRT that no trailer cars would be used through the tunnels, and that the motor cars should have a gear ratio which would improve performance.

As the initial order for "Steinway" cars were small, it was decided that the cars would serve as a "test bed" for new developments; these cars were the first of the iconic "Lo-V's to enter IRT service.

In later years, these cars would be subclassed 'Steinway" for the special motor gearing.

(Source: INTERBOROUGH FLEET" (Cunningham)

" QUEENS TRAINS-USE THIS STAIRCASE"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Lo-V's" on the Flushing line*...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45223

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45197

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?145584

*These photos date to just prior to the new R-12/14's entering service on the Flushing line, which then relegated the "Lo-V's" to "mainline" IRT service.

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["TIMES SQUARE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Excellent page on the interesting history, the construction, and operations of the Flushing line.........

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

["7 MAIN STREET"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The Lo-V's on the Flushing line began to be replaced by the new (ACF) R-12's, which began arriving in 1948 (the following year, the nearly identical R-14's joined the 12's in Flushing line service.

These new cars were not only the first IRT cars to feature florescent lighting, but they were also the first to dispense with single-panel doors.

They were also the last IRT cars to have the conductor's controls between the cars, and also, the first to feature the large route number/destination signs at each end.

The 12's and 14's were the last IRT cars to have "monitor" roofs.

After these cars (and the 1950 R-15's) were replaced by the new WF "Bluebirds" in 1963/1964, they were transferred to the IRT mainlines, where they operated in mixed consists with other postwar SMEE-types.

Their outdoor conductor's controls were also disconnected, and they were no longer positioned where a conductor would be stationed.

The last of these pioneering cars were retired about 1984/1985; I rode them many, many times of the IRT's 7th Avenue line, 40 years ago, and still miss them today.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?43882

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?114457

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2663

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["A C F"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In 1950, the first "turtleback" roof IRT car debuted on the Flushing line; these were the R-15's, which were quite modernistic and stylish for the time, with their distinctive door "portholes".

These cars were also the first on the IRT to have the conductor's controls located inside the car, instead of between units.

Like the R-12's and R-14's, after they were sent over to the IRT "mainlines" in the mid-60's, these distinctive cars served straphangers traveling between the Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, into the 1980's.

These cars (built by ACF) were always great favorites of mine; I loved enjoyed riding them; I remember them mostly on the 7th Avenue trains, when I was working downtown, many eons ago............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75934

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?96151

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41836

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["5993"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

I would indeed be amiss if I didn't mentioned the IRT's 1938 "Steinway" World's Fair cars.

These cars were the first IRT cars to lack end vestibules, and, also, the first to dispense with traditional "railroad" roofs.

They were also the first IRT cars to be equipped with (albeit small) end destination signs; too, they were the last IRT cars to be equipped with old-fashioned metal destination sign plates.

The WF cars were also the last new IRT cars to clerestories (the later R-12/14's had similar roofs, as did the H&M "Black" cars); they were also the last new cars ordered by the INTERBROUGH, prior to Unification.

These cars were also the last IRT cars to have straps for straphangers (the 12's/14's/15's had overhead bars, but, in later years, had small grab handles added); the R-17's would usher in the use of standee straps on the IRT, as would all other classes of IRT cars up to and including the R-36.

After the new postwar cars took over the Flushing line by 1950, the 1938 WF cars were transferred to the "mainlines"; by the 1960's, however, they were relegated to service on the Bronx 3rd Avenue El, where, along with older Lo-V's, ran their final miles in 1969, ironically, replaced by R-12 units.

Some of these cars later served in work service for many years; only one survives today (#5655), undergoing restoration at the Coney Island shops.

I am most fortunate enough, indeed, to have a number plate from car #5698!

"NYO"

["GUN HILL ROAD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Remembering the 1938 WF "Steinways"..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45209

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?47752

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?45214 *(World's Fair Express)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46867

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?8167

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7153 *(In MOW service, 1971; note abandoned "Westchester" platforms at E. 180th in the background)

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["INTERBROROUGH RAPID TRANSIT"]

[traildriver]