BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:12 pm Post subject: NOT your average Yellow "Z" types

Whether they ran on steel wheels or rubber tires, PSNJ, through the 1940's, operated a wide variety of unique and distinctive transit vehicles, certainly very much appreciated by the transit enthusiasts of that era.

In 1935, PS began operations of the unique ASV (All Service Vehicle), a bus that could operate as both a trolley bus and a conventional motor bus.

With the exception of one lone 1935 MACK, the rest of PS's modern ASV fleet were built by YELLOW.

In 1937/1938, a number of streetcar lines were converted to ASV operation, particularly in the greater Newark area.

The "other breed" of ASV looked like no other trolley bus on the streets; PS converted a number of 1920's vintage YELLOW "Z" types for ASV operation.

Perhaps the most distinctive vehicles ever to be operated by PS, these highly recognizeable vehicles ran well into the 1940's, alongside thier more modern fleetmates.

PS pulled the plug on ASV operation in 1948, thus rendering these ancient machines obsolete; they were replaced by modern GM diesels.

Sadly, all were scrapped; none ever made it to preservation.

Enjoy these vintage views of these highly unique buses....

"NYO"

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:15 pm Post subject:

Here are two views of PS's YELLOW "Z" types in action, in Hudson and Essex counties.....

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_040_newark_bv.htm

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_011_newark_bv.htm

(courtesty of Tom's Trolleybuses.net)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:30 pm Post subject:

Several stylish ladies pose with YELLOW ASV demonstrator #2015; note the "W. SHORE TERMiNAL" reading on the role sign , indicating that this was a HUDSON Division route, which served the NYCRR's West Shore terminal in Weehawken.

ASV's served the West Shore terminal (along with buses and streetcars) until 1948; the streetcars ran until August of 1949.

Also, note the "BUSES FOR HIRE" placard displayed......

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_2015_demonstrator_1934_irm_ss.htm

(courtesy Tom'sTrolleybuses.net)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:38 pm Post subject:

The tough, no-nonsense austerity of the YELLOW "Z" ASV's is quite apparent in this nostalgic 1940's view taken at Hoboken; just above the coach is the elevated approach to the Hoboken (DL&W) Terminal, used by several PS streetcar lines until August of 1949........

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_037_newark_bv.htm

(courtesy of Tom'sTrolleybuses.net)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:46 pm Post subject:

Though no photo location is given for this wonderfully "old timey" scene of bygone transit, it appears that it was taken somewhere in the Newark area.

The stark contrast between the YELLOW "Z" types and the more modern "flat front" coaches is clearly visible here.

Note that the newer buses are sporting the new PS gray (this was never applied to the "Z's")

Sadly, the newer vehicles did not carry this classic PS scheme for long, for, in just a few short years, they would be derelict and unwanted in the FEDERAL scrapyard in Newark, their trolley poles reaching up in vain for wires that no longer existed, as they awaited the torch.........

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_9924_irm_ss.htm

(courtesy: Tom'sTrolleybuses.net)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2014 8:54 pm Post subject:

This sad scene illustrates the less-than-dignified end that met all of the PS's ASV fleet.

If only a few of these unique and distinctive vehicles could have been saved and preserved......rust in peace, faithful old friends.......

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_001_waitingtobescrapped.htm

(courtesy: Tom'sTrolleybuses.net)

JimmiB · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 12:27 am Post subject:

It really is a shame that vintage vehicles are considered junk until there are none left to preserve. Then later on are deemed "classic" and people bemoan their passing. Sad.

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:14 am Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:20 am Post subject:

A New Jersey bus museum with an outstanding collection?

No......this was just a typical "business as usual" scene at the Hoboken Terminal, during the 1940's.

What a museum fleet these buses would make today!

Route #25 YELLOW "Z" is here just starting an outbound run from the Terminal.......

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_039_newark_bv.htm

(courtesy: Tom'sTRolleybuses)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 8:35 am Post subject:

This "Z" is seen here holding down a schedule on the #3 BERGEN; this was one of many streetcar lines in Newark converted to ASV in 1937......

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_038_newark_bv.htm

(courtesy: Tom'sTrolleybuses.net)

JimmiB · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:05 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:14 pm Post subject:

JimmiB:

I have read many stories over the years about the "juice fans" of many years ago who also happen to like buses; seriously speaking, these fellows had to keep such a scandalous admission to themselves, or at least, to thier fellow bus/rail enthusiast buddies......it was nothing short of BLASPHEMOUS for a "juice jack" to admit he actually LIKED the very vehicles that were sending the handsome old streetcars to the scrap yard!

For me, nearly 60 years ago, it was buses that started me in my lifelong love for (vintage) transit vehicles; buses, trolleys, rapid transit, trains....you name it, I love 'em all!

For those hardy souls that dared admit that they loved both buses and streetcars, a vast system like PSNJ was indeed a paradise on earth; PSNJ operated such a wide variety of transit vehicles, in so many different paint schemes through the 1940's, that it is no wonder that the company has long had such a tremendous fan base!

Ahhhh, yesteryear...........

"NYO"

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:24 pm Post subject:

This YELLOW "Z" ASV is just a few seconds away from ending its run at the Hoboken Terminal on Hudson Place.

The bus is seen here near the end of Washington St., passing in front of the stately Hoboken City Hall, which still looks the same today.....

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_034_newark_bv.htm

(courtesy: Tom'sTrolleybuses.net)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject:

A long-ago workaday scene on an ESSEX Division route......

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_041_newark_bv.htm

(courtesy: Tom'sTrolleybuses.net)

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:05 pm Post subject:

This formidable YELLOW "Z" ASV was caught on camera while running on the #6 MAIN route in Paterson; as this was a very busy shopping area for decades, this appears to have been taken on an early Sunday morning.

The vintage store fronts are also worthy of note; well into the 1960's many similiar shops in New Jersey featured signage and styling such asd those seen here.

ASV's were commonplace in Paterson for about a decade before PS replaced them with motor buses; the last streetcars served Paterson in 1938.....

http://www.trolleybuses.net/psct/htm/usa_h_psct_yellow_036_newark_bv.htm