BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Fellows:

My lifelong (nearly 60 years!) fascination with public transit vehicles (albiet the vintage models) has encompassed buses, trolley buses, streetcars, rapid transit, commuter trains, cable cars, and ferries.

I owe decades-old fascination to the humble bus, which, according to my mother, caught my interest in a BIG way when only several months old.

Over the years, I've read in many railfan publications that there was, for the most part, an open hostility between railfans (especially trolley fans) and bus enthusiasts.

In fact, I recall reading many years ago in RAILROAD magazine, that, especially during the 40's and 50's, when many streetcar lines accross the country were being converted over to buses, that it was almost suicidal for a "juice fan" to admit he liked buses as well!

It was the former TCRT PCC trolleys that were then running in the Newark City Subway that got me hooked on streetcars at the tender age of four.

I cannot imagine not loving buses, any more than I can imagine not loving streetcars.

My opinion has always been "Like what you like, and don't be afraid to show it!"

Strangely, though, trolley buses have always been a great favorite with many die-hard traction buffs, even though they are mereley 'buses with sticks on top".

Too, it is important for railfans to remember that not only did many big traction companies uses buses on feeders and new suburban routes, but also, that a number of railroads used buses in train-connection service (B&O and SANTA FE were just two of the railroads that operated motor coaches in this way)

In closing, the transit hobby is indeed a rich one, a hobby from which one can derive much fascination and enjoyment.

While today's equipment (IMHO) will never have the appeal that the older generation of vehicle had, the hobby is still one that will always provide tremendous interest to its followers.......

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

I've always loved "old-timey" views like these. where the subject matter appeals to both the bus enthusiast and the rail buff......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46323

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?141030

(courtesy nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another vintage "something for all" scene from long-ago Brooklyn......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118066

(courtesy nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Philadelphia........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3660

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3657

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Transit nostalgia from North Of The Border......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4290

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4277

(courtesy bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This rare photo from Seattle shows quite a distinct advancement in transit vehicles through the decades.......

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/seattle/htm/smer126.htm

(courtesy newdavesrailpix)

[John Roth]

NYO. I'm with you. Bus or streetcar, I love both. Why limit yourself to only one. Great pics.

John

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

One of my all-time favorite "rails and rubber" photos; this vintage shot hails from sunny LA.........

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/larys/htm/lary115.htm

(courtesy newdavesrailpix)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A frozen moment in Windy City transit history......

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/cta/htm/cta0291.htm

(courtesy newdavesrailpix)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This truly magnificent color PE portrait is a classic, in every sense of the word.......

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/pe/htm/pe276.htm

(courtesy newdavesrailpix)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here we see a hulking PE box motor car overshadowing a PE White and a diminutive FORD in "Fruit Salad" colors........

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/pe/htm/pe096.htm

(courtesy newdavesrailpix.com)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

For any enthusiast who loves both Old Looks and PCC cars, this vintage scene from Philly is right up your alley!

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?13441

(courtesy nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

And.....if your tastes run to sleek FLXIBLE Clippers and handsome PE interurbans.....

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/pe/htm/pe520.htm

(courtesy of newdavesrailpix)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Blimps" and buses.........

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/pe/htm/pe336.htm