BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

( SEE PREVIOUS POST)

Here is a rare (c. 1950) color photo of a well-maintained 2600-series "Compromise" roof car running on the "29", which was converted to buses in 1952:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118352

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

This lengthy line ran between Newark and Caldwell; it shared its off-street Caldwell terminal (which I remember in the 1960s, and no longer exists) with DE CAMP buses (#22 to Jersey City) and buses of the "144", also serving Newark.

Though the cars were double-ended, a loop was in place at the Caldwell terminal, which also included a waiting room and luncheonette.........

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is another rare color photo, showing a resplendent, elderly 3200-series deck roof car at the in-street stub terminal of the "23 CENTRAL".

The car is seen awaiting its inbound run to Newark, via the City Subway ramps at Norfolk Street.

This classic photo looks to be taken sometime in 1947, not long before the line was converted to buses; as previously mentioned, this was the first of the subway-surface lines to be converted........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118354

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SUBWAY CAR-SAVE TIME & PARKING"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another rarity (circa-1936)..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118336

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Though signed for the "23 CENTRAL", this 3200-series car (wearing the "De Luxe"paint scheme of the late 1920s) is actually on an early fantrip, not far from the Heller Parkway station, then the Subway's outer terminal.

Service would not ve extended to Franklin Avenue until 1940..........

["PUBLIC SERVICE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another fantrip, using a 3200-series car, seen heading east (towards Newark) in East Orange, c. 1947...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118357

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SPECIAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The deck-roof 3200s were solidly built; the very last were not retired until early 1954.

This c.1947 NRHS fantrip photo was taken at the old Mississippi Avenue loop (no longer in existence)

Note the "Golden Glow" headlight.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117013

["NRHS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Through 1953 and into early 1954, both the ERA and NRHS sponsored a number of fan trips, prior to retirement of the last of the old PS streetcars.

Not surprisingly, all of these "farewell" trips quickly sold out...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?18984

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?158237

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CITY SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Pending the conversion of numerous streetcar lines to ASVs and buses during 1937 and 1938, PS sponsored several large weekend fantrips (Saturdays AND Sundays!) to cover the remaining streetcar lines in north Jersey........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?18981

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Each excursion boasted several cars each (usually at least five cars!), covering all lines on the following divisions:

ESSEX

HUDSON

BERGEN

PASSAIC

CENTRAL

There were many photos stops on these sold-out excursions, and the fans shared (and traded) photos while riding the cars.

To date, I've only seen a handull of photos from these multi-division excursions, which were even covered by the local newspapers.........

"NYO"

[Cyberider]

Thanks, NYO. The pre-PCC history is even more interesting than the PCC-history of the system.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

At Orange Street, until 1951, cars of the "21 ORANGE" branched off from the Subway, and headed due west towards Orange,passing by the "ROSEVILLE" carhouse.............

These historic photos are from that era........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?158233

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?158235

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?158238 (the tracks for the "21" can bereen branching off at left)

["21 ORANGE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are two early PCC-era photos taken at Bloomfield Avenue, showing the abandoned ramps for the "29 BLOOMFIELD", which went over to buses in 1952.

When the "29" was still in operation, the tracks swung towards the left (west), heading to Caldwell, at street level.

Through the 1970s, one of the old switches, as well as the rails on both ramps were still intact; thankfully, I took photos here, back in '72.

Along-dormant block signal was also then still in place on the inbound ramp............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?76130

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?30589

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["29 BLOOMFIELD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this 2001 photo, just prior to the retirement of the PCCs,, we see an outbound car about to stop at the Bloomfield Avenue station; the abandoned (inbound) ramp used by the "29" until 1952 can be seen in the right background........

https://www.nycsybway.org/perl/show?54958

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BLOOMFIELD AVENUE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Not surprising........

Not long ago, I read (via another transit board) that, since the City Subway has become "Newark Light Rail", and the PCCs have disappeared, replaced with monstrous "Baby Beluga" LRVs, the once-formidable popularity among railfans has markedly fallen off.

Gee....I WONDER why?

"NYO"

["ENTRANCE TO CITY SUBWAY CARS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thoughts on the revolutionary "ASV", developed by PSNJ.........

Though these unique hybrid buses only lasted little more than a decade in use, they were then not only the only vehicles of this type in the United States, but also, abroad.

I've researched the unique and fascinating "ASV" for many years, but, after purchasing the outstanding, exhaustive, hardcover book on the development, history, and operation of the ASV, I will be totally honest and admit that I felt like the most amateur novice, when I learned just how complex and advanced these unique vehicles (and their operations) were for the time.......

"NYO"

["21 WEST NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting article on dual-powered buses; today's vehicles are indeed the great-grandchildren of PSNJ's unique "ASV" of the 1930s (the "ASV" is mentioned in this article)........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-mode_bus

["15 PASSAIC"]