BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Personally, I am glad that none of the Old Looks (those that were still in service at the time) never were repainted into the new MTA two-tone blue.

IMHO, it just would not "click"..........I much preferred the "old order" of things.....

(in retrospect, I came to like the two-tone blue, especially when compared to than oh-so-bland, nearly all-white scheme [at least there was a blue stripe!] that they last wore, at the time of retirement)

"NYO"

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?791

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?792

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?793

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?795

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"CONTRASTS" (1982)..........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2907

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Odds 'n ends..........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show/180

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?182

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?203

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?204

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A few more nostalgic odds 'n ends.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?233

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?268

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?277

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.......though I have always found the topic of roll signs fascinating ( both bus and subway) I have found them even more intriguing by what I have learned here, courtesy of W.B. Fishbowl and MaBSTOA 15.

Their highly interesting, highly-detailed and solidly "in depth" commentaries on NYCTA/MaBSTOA roller curtains throughout the decades (font changes, splicings, etc.) truly add a great deal of "behind-the-scenes" dimension to the great old bus photos that we post and discuss here.

IMHO, the dot matrix and later electronic signage never held the same level of interest to me, as did the roller curtains of old.

Another thought......no need for electronics, software, and punching out codes with the old roller curtains.....all the driver had to do was to either turn a crank or flick a switch!

Simplicity, I feel, has long been grossly underrated........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Roll sign "sidenote"......

In my well-worn copy of "NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY CARS" (James Clifford Greller) there is an interesting 1979 photo taken at the (BMT) Rockaway Park yard.

Two R-16's are nearest the camera, and both sport quite interesting "head codes"!

The car closest to the camera displays the original BMT "14 BROADWAY" designation in one box, and a more recent (white-on-blue) "KK" reading..

The car alongside has a BMT "10" displayed in one box, while the other displays an "M" reading.

The photo, as previously mentioned, was taken in 1979, many years after the Chrystie Street connection eliminated the separate identities of the BMT and the IND.

Again, whether it relates to buses or subway cars, the subject of roll signs is indeed a fascinating study unto itself.

Just my 2 1/2 cents worth..........

"NYO"

[MaBSTOA 15]

I've looked through the photos you posted several times. They are fantastic.

Something kept jumping out at me and finally I realized how great the design of these buses was specially with the gray rubber channels around all the fixed glass. The green with the gray is a perfect combination.

Unfortunately, during the middle of third generation new look production the rubber channels was changed to black rubber. It unique beauty was no longer there.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MaBSTOA 15:

Glad you liked the photos; I try to find photos that are not only of interest from a bus enthusiast's point of view, but also, photos that show how greatly so many areas of the city have changed over the course of the past several decades.

I totally agree with you; the gray rubber of the channels surrounding the fixed glass just added enough of a "subtle" touch to the overall design, and gave the buses that little "added something".

Amazing to think that, forty-odd years later, not one GM bus prowls the streets of New York today.

From the late 40's, onwards, GM dominated the City...and now....outside of those buses that are preserved today, nothing remains....not even the shadows.....

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More memories of MaBSTOA.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2830

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2845

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1084

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2854

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org0

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a few more......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2828

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2841

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2847

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On a sidenote:

From beneath the teeming streets of Noo Yawk, here's an assortment of roller and electronic subway car signage..........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?3188

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2284

http://www.nycssubway.org/perl/show?26345

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?77628

See also:

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?146548

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?145702

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?130584

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

OK......let's see if our resident rollsign experts can find anything of particular interest in these roller curtains (at the moment, I must admit I can't......but, then again, I'm from "Joisey"!!)

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2585

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2869

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2876

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2899

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A few more "oldies but goodies".......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1110

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1125

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1129

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1141

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Broadway & Reade, 1970.........

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1158

(courtesy: bus.nycsubway.org)