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Retired MTA buses as work vehicles
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 11:43 pm    Post subject: Retired MTA buses as work vehicles Reply with quote

Fellows:

I know that, in years past, the BoT/NYCTA utilized retired buses as salt spreaders, snow fighters, wreckers, etc.

I've seen a photo of a retired ex-North Shore Bus Company TWIN COACH being utilized as a crew locker at the Williamsburgh Bridge Plaza.

Converting retired subway and el cars into work equipment has been commonplace for decades; this was also commonplace for streetcar operators.

Does the MTA utilize converted revenue buses as work vehicles, or is that policy no longer in vogue?

I have also seen a 1950's era photo of an elderly ex-CSL bus being used as a "Magnet Bus"; the bus had a huge magnet mounted up front, and would pick up stray pieces of metal along bus routes to reduce the possibility of punctured tires.

This unique bus average at least 7 pounds of stray metal from the streets per mile.

Appreciate any and all input.....

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NYCTA "SNOW FIGHTER" (ex-FACCo.)..........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2230

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org
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Stearman



Age: 43
Joined: 26 Sep 2018
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
Fellows:

I know that, in years past, the these trusted online casinos utilized retired buses as salt spreaders, snow fighters, wreckers, etc.

I've seen a photo of a retired ex-North Shore Bus Company TWIN COACH being utilized as a crew locker at the Williamsburgh Bridge Plaza.

Converting retired subway and el cars into work equipment has been commonplace for decades; this was also commonplace for streetcar operators.

Does the MTA utilize converted revenue buses as work vehicles, or is that policy no longer in vogue?

I have also seen a 1950's era photo of an elderly ex-CSL bus being used as a "Magnet Bus"; the bus had a huge magnet mounted up front, and would pick up stray pieces of metal along bus routes to reduce the possibility of punctured tires.

This unique bus average at least 7 pounds of stray metal from the streets per mile.

Appreciate any and all input.....

"NYO"


It's so awesome that these old timers are put to good use after they stop serving their main purpose. I'd love to see more pics as well.


Last edited by Stearman on Wed Aug 31, 2022 8:36 am; edited 2 times in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 9:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stearman wrote:
It's so awesome that these old timers are put to good use after they stop serving their main purpose. I'd love to see more pics as well.


Stearman:

Agreed......."recycling" at it's best! Wink

The CTA, at one time, found good uses for a number of its retired buses, especially back in the 50's, 60's, and 70's.

As an example, I've seen a photo of a retired WHITE 798 that the CTA was using as a mobile medical exam unit; other retired buses served in various non-revenue capacities until they themselves were finally retired......

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 9:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stearman wrote:
It's so awesome that these old timers are put to good use after they stop serving their main purpose. I'd love to see more pics as well.



BTW:

WELCOME ABOARD! Very Happy

Look forward to your participation on the BEST bus forum on the 'net! Very Happy

The fellows here REALLY know their buses, believe me.....they provide a tremendous amount of information and historical data that is beyond comprehensive!

HAVE FUN! Very Happy

"NYO"
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

During a blizzard many years ago (late 70's/early 80's?) I remember watching the news (I believe it was on 4 WNBC) and the news anchors were talking about seeing "old retired buses" being used as salt spreaders.

I can't recall them showing any actual footage of these buses in action, but I certainly remember the comments.......

"NYO"
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traildriver




Joined: 26 Mar 2011
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think that nowadays, the companies purchase more specialized 'work' vehicles, that are designed to perform a specific function, much better than these 'home made' work vehicles could ever do. Having 'unlimited' government funding to do that, is why they do not have to be more innovated, as their predecessor's were...
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver wrote:
I think that nowadays, the companies purchase more specialized 'work' vehicles, that are designed to perform a specific function, much better than these 'home made' work vehicles could ever do. Having 'unlimited' government funding to do that, is why they do not have to be more innovated, as their predecessor's were...


traildriver:

Thau is most likely why traditional "work trains" are now virtually unheard of on the railroads, with a few exceptions here and there.

Recall when work trains would be equipped with retired coaches/diners/combines, etc., not to mention old box cars, flats, and other retired equipment.

Recall, too, the monstrous "Big Hooks" that were an integral part of virtually every railroad's work fleet.

Today, I see more and more photos of "Hi-Rail" vehicles at work on the rails, in lieu of the old-style "work trains" so many of us recall.

Rapid transit systems and streetcar companies also "recycled" retired equipment into work cars for decades; in New York, think of all the Lo-V's and Redbirds, especially, that became work cars after retirement......

"NYO"
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The "big hooks" have indeed disappeared, replaced by much more flexible hiway cranes, that can get to most wreck scenes quickly, and clear them up much faster than rail based wrecker's. Since it does not happen that often, most railroads contract that work out to companies that specialize in that field, and can mobilize the special equipment needed, as well as experienced operator's, on demand.

The NYC Subway, since there are few places that can be accessed outside, still rely on self-help equipment. And retired passenger cars are still used on work trains...usually former IRT, since their smaller size means they can go anywhere on the system.

One of the few uses of old buses that you see, are those 'Metrocard' sales buses parked at various senior citizen activity centers. And some given to other city agencies, such as the NYPD....
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 10:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

traildriver:

Another great post! Wink

Speaking of subway work cars, oddly, very few of the BMT Standards ever made into into MOW cars; on the other hand, many retired IRT cars went into work service after retirement.

Also, some prewar IND cars eventually sported "work car yellow" paint in their later years.

In the later 1930's, after PSNJ abandoned the use of their center entrance trailers, many were converted into waiting shelters (sans trucks), storage sheds, and the like.

One ex-PS trailer served for years as a waiting room at the PS terminal at Exchange Place in Jersey City, opposite the former PRR terminal; it survived in this capacity into the 60's (I was quite young then, but I remember this former trailer car clearly)

One PS trailer, the very last, now resides up at Shore Line at East Haven...............


Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:12 pm; edited 1 time in total
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"Metrocard" RTS.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1341

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ex-FACCo. Old Look reincarnated as "SF-12" (note the OOS Macks in the background).............

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1415

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NY Transit Police New Look #3000 (1978)................

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4333

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote:
NY Transit Police New Look #3000 (1978)................

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4333

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)


The NYPD Highway Patrol, 3rd district, based along the Grand Central Parkway in Cunningham Park, has a retired RTS...don't know the number...
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traildriver




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PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Speaking of uses for transit cars...when I was a child, I attended the Pouch Scout Camp on Staten Island for an "overnite"....
They had a bunch of old elevated "gate cars", converted into cabins, for winter camping...I believe they are long gone...
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