BusTalk

Free-transfer · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 2:46 pm Post subject: Twin on Van Wyck Boulevard....

Pre-construction of the Van Wyck Expressway in Jamaica. Seen here is a northbound Twin on Van Wyck Boulevard, just north of Atlantic avenue (the LIRR overpass is being raised in the photo to accomodate construction below), heading to Jamaica avenue. Notice the old Jamaica avenue EL and Jamaica Hospital just ahead.

Who would have (or could have) ran a Twin in that area? I'm thinking NYC from the East NY garage on the Atlantic Avenue route. I don't recall any North Shore routes as far east as Van Wyck.

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 4:18 pm Post subject:

F.T.,

Very nice photo, and thanks for sharing it with us.

I would say that the image was taken just about the time (1947 or 1948) that the City's Queens Bus Division was created to fill the vacuum left by the demise of North Shore Bus.

The post war Twin in the photo had to belong to the city noting that it is a 44S (two full size windows aft of the rear door) while North Shore's Twins of the era were 41S's with one and a half windows in the same location.

If there was an active route along the old Van Wyck Boulevard the chances are that it would have been Green Bus Lines because that would have been part of their assigned zone, and Green Line operated no Twins.

I would say that this Twin might have been a dead head to Jamaica - I personally don't remember any scheduled bus service but, then again, I was quite young at the time and I could be wrong - it was a main artery.

In the background (upper right) you can see Jamaica Hospital and, just beyond that, the BMT Jamaica Avenue El line.

The Expressway was opened in 1950 and my friends and I used to take bike rides all the way to the Belt Parkway and back from Kew Gardens on the brand new pavement before the official opening to traffic.

I also remember the mass moving of houses along the route in preparation for the highway.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

X-Astorian · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 173 Location: Central NJ

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:56 pm Post subject:

X-A,

I think we're going to have to examine this one a little more closely, and I want you to understand that I am very familiar with the operation at what was then Idlewild/New York International Airport in the fifties merely because during the three summers that I worked as a relief driver for Green Line, I was in and out of the complex hundreds of times.

What I can tell you for certain is that in my time, there was no city bus operation into the airport and the closest one to it ended at Farmers Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard down the block from GBL's garage - which was North Shore's old route Q3 from Jamaica.

However, the BOT was very much involved in the grand opening or Exposition at Idlewild in 1948 and supplied a large number of brand new 5101's to shuttle visitors from the parking lots to the festivities - I should know - I, along with my family, were among the passengers.

I believe that July 31st. to August 8th. were the dates of the opening and there certainly could have been 99,000 + visitors.

Now, I'm not saying that the city didn't have special routes to the exposition in the summer of 1948 - I was only ten years old and paid little attention to such matters, but I'd sure like to see route maps and official descriptions.

You've been pretty good on coming up with such evidences so far so lets see what you can do on this one!

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

N4 Jamaica · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 868 Location: Long Island

Could the Twin have been Jamaica-bound on the Atlantic Avenue route, operated by the Board of Transportation?
Joe

X-Astorian · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 173 Location: Central NJ

B53RICH · Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 254

N4 Jamaica, I share the same question. The B22, now Q24 Atlantic Avenue route did run down Van Wyck both directions between Atlantic and Jamaica Avenues. I'm thinking this bus was assigned to this route out of ENY depot.

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject:

X-A,

Very historic NYT clipping to say the least and I think its information is more than adequate to answer our questions - I'm sure though that there must have been printed brochures distributed to the public at the time and that would be interesting to see if we can find it.

A bit of trivia; in 1948, the Board of Transportation took delivery of 62 Mack Model C-45GT's numbered 1900 to 1961 to augment service in Brooklyn and they carried the destination 'IDLEWILD' in the right hand front curtain sign.

It has always been the rumor that the city ordered the signs this way in anticipation of winning the franchise for Idlewild routes which, of course, they lost to Green Line.

But, I'm now beginning to think that it might have been specifically for the special exposition services.

You can see these buses with the 'IDLEWILD' signs on page 29 of Greller's NYCTS Bus and Trolley Coach Fleet.

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

X-Astorian · Joined: 19 Feb 2009 Posts: 173 Location: Central NJ

Hart Bus · Age: 75 Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 1150