BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I believe you are correct about the "Shik-aga" El dimensions; recall, some of the modern steel interurban cars that entered the Loop had tapered sides, to allow for sufficient clearance at station platforms and other areas where clearances for the big interurbans was pretty tight.

Fleischer cartoons........

It was pretty obvious that more than a few of the studio's employee's rode the "Eye-Are-Tee" to and from work; the subway cars seen in several of the studio's 1930's cartoons were indeed carictures of the "Hi-Vs"/"Lo-Vs" that then ruled the "Eye-Are-Tee" (the 1938 Betty Boop short, "RIDING THE RAILS", is, without a doubt, the BEST animated tribute to the "Eye-Are-Tee" ever filmed!

Here, the "TRAMPLE 'EM RR." was the operator of the subway Betty commuted on (QUITE appropriate name!)

Though, unlike London, we still have conductors on "Noo Yawk's" subways, but, the days of men in full uniforms, and motormen attired in classic-era overalls and caps, are, sadly, now long, long gone.

London's "tubes", unlike "Noo Yawk's", evolved from locomotive-hauled trains to MU's, which ranged from tiny "motors" to massive and fearsome steeplecabs.

Too, "Noo Yawk" had always utilized the system where a third rail ran ALONGSIDE the running rails; in London, the "tubes" originally operated via a four-rail system, before being somewhat simplified with a "third" rail, still quite different than those used here at home, until the later 1990s/early 2000s..........

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mention must be made here of London's (now "off line") "Temple of Power".

To say this massive, monolithic, and magnificent facility is indeed a proud monument to London's great industrial (and transportation) past is indeed an understatement...........

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

["29A BATTERSEA VIA EMBANKMENT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Until 1956, Liverpool boasted the only elevated railway in Great Britain; you will find this page quite interesting (great photos!)

Note photos of rolling stock and "toid" rails.

There was only one underground station on the railway.

This line, in fact, was the first elevated line in the world to use automatic signalling, electric colour light signals, and MU rolling stock.

Note, also, the description of the changing of the position of the third rails......

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

["WAPPING DOCK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Liverpool Overhead Railway's rolling stock (here's another interesting page, with much detail on train operations; only one unit survives today)

After 1945, some coaches had their timber bodies replaced with new bodies constructed of aluminum and plywood.

Some coaches were built by "METRO-CAMMELL", who not only built hundreds of London "Underground" cars through the decades, but also, many hundreds of bus bodies for LT.........

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

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I was thinking the SAME as you, here, regarding a "Bee-Em-Tee" elevated scene in Brooklyn!

Notice how many docks the Liverpool Overhead Railway served along its route; this would have been atkin to having an El running along the Hudson River waterfront from the Battery all the way uptown, back the days when bustling docks, wharves, and ferry slips stood cheek-to-jowl.

Recall, also, the hundreds of Brooklyn Navy Yard employees who once rode the "Moit" to and from their jobs, decades ago...........

"NYO"

["MJ"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another city you would not expect to find an El was in Havana.

In the early 20th century, there was an El line that served Havana; the gate cars (a la BRT/CRT) were equipped with trolley poles.

A now-defunct website once had several rare photos of this long-forgotten Cuban"El" in operation...........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

A "trolley" that was equipped with LIFEBOATS and was manned by a qualified SEA CAPTAIN??

At one time, well over a century ago, one could have easily ridden (or sailed?) aboard one!

The illustrious Jules Verne himself must have come up with this totally and wonderfully bizarre electric "rail car" (the pictures are a HOOT!)

https://www.urban75.org/railway/brighton-sea-railway.html

["VOLK'S ELECTRIC RAILWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also:

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

Imagine this massive electric Jules Verne-ish electrical contraption operating at Coney Island!

(note also the prototype scale model today on exhibition in a Brighton museum)

["A SEA JOURNEY ON WHEELS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In speaking of "oddball" electric railways of well over 100 years ago, we cannot forget that, prior to 1920, a very unique electric "railway" operated up in "da Bronx", with ties to FACCo, TARS, and the "Eye-Are-Tee"........

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

["BARTOW"]

*I still remember seeing a beautiful scratchbuilt HO-scale model of the "Flying Lady" in a circa-1965 copy of "RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN", many years ago (QUITE an unusual replica, to be sure!)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further................

https://untappedcities.com/2015/04/09/the-nyc-that-never-was-new-york-citys-high-speed-monorail/

["CITY ISLAND OR BUST!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Yes, Virginia, there IS still a monorail up in "da Bronx".......

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

(scroll down page to the "WILD ASIA MONORAIL" heading; the seasonal line first went into service in 1977)

Recall, also, that the "Toid Aven-uh" El once had a spur that served Bronx Park......

"NYO"

["IRT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These two photos (1954/1973) show the location of the former spur to Bronx Park, from the now-defunct 3rd Avenue line...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75762

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?57190

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["INTERBOROUGH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On a bright sunny day back in '72, we see "stoa" #4680 (a "Dangerfield" attired in "Tee-Yay" green) at Fordham Road/Bronx Zoo............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?153947

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["OA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]