BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting page (w/photos) on the Roosevelt Island subway station (served by trains on the "F" line).......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt_Island_station

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In 1989, we see a train of 1948/1949 vintage R-10 cars on a fantrip, making for a sharp contrast to the ultra-modern contours of the new Roosevelt Island station (these classic subway cars (known to fans as "PATTONS" and "THUNDERBIRDS") were also retired in 1989.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?150309

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Fast-forward now to 1993, and, at the same station, we see a train of red R-30 cars (here displaying old BMT route signs), also on a fantrip.

These thirty-something cars were about to be retired, when this photo was taken.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7555

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

When this photo was taken in 2012, the venerable old R-10's and R-30's were long gone; here, then, is the future.....a sleek, silvery train of ("NTT") R-160-A-1's, looking "right at home" within the modern, tubular deign of the futuristic Roosevelt Island station......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?138894

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Originally, the tracks of the 2nd Avenue El ran down the center of the Queensborough Bridge, as can be seen in these photos.

In later years, the El tracks were shifted over to the north side of the span, to create additional motor traffic lanes......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142517

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142524

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a rare photo of the QB in 1912, several years prior to the beginning of El service over the span......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?142529

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

2nd Avenue El trains at the Bridge; trains are made up of "MUDC" cars.

As with the other Manhattan El lines, the 2nd Avenue El was an INTERBOROUGH operation......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75595

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?132616

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this circa-1935 photo, we see an elderly STEINWAY car awaiting passengers at QP, beneath the complex ganglia of steelwork for the rapid transit lines rumbling above.

https://www.newdavesrailpix.com/nyc/htm/stein24.htm

(courtesy: davesrailpix)

In 1949, the Dual Contracts arrangement of joint IRT-BMT service on the Flushing and Astoria lines was eliminated. The IRT's #7 FLUSHING line, with its new cars (R12/R14) became exclusively an IRT operation.

The Astoria line line, meanwhile, had its platforms shaved back to accommodate the BMT's steel subway equipment that would now provide service on the line.

Routes through the elevated QP station complex were consolidated, and half of the huge structure was later torn down.......

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In a truly bygone, nostalgic "Gee, I wish I could go back in time!" scene at QP, we see two BMT "Q"-type shuttle trains atop each other, with a QB Ry car (one of the second-hand units from New Bedford) down below.

An Old Look bus can just be glimpsed in the background......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75913

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting overhead view at the QP complex in 1965, showing a train of "Museum" Standards on a fan trip (a train of IRT World's Fair "Bluebirds" can also be glimpsed)

At lower right, note the two buses.....NOT "Tee-Yay"......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26203

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Note that this train of prewar IND cars are seen here running on the BMT's* Astoria line, signed for the "2" ("QUEENS PLAZA VIA TUNNEL")........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?25672

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?23234 *

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*In this view, we see the (IND) train signed "95th ST.-FT. HAMILTON"

**Ironically, the very last of the prewar IND cars ended their days not on the IND, but on the former BMT; these vintage cars, the very lat prewar cars in revenue service, pulled into the yards for th last time in 1977.

For a time, by the later 1960's, prewar IND cars could also be found on the BMT's 14th St. line (today's "L" line)

Too, the R-1's underwent trials on the BMT while the first section of the IND was still under construction, in the early 1930's.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A lot of "traction action" here at QP (early 1970's?); note the bus down below, still attired in "Tee-Yay" green.

Also, note the Lo-V's in work train service; also, abandoned trackways on lower level......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?57299

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Date this QP photo to 1981; note buses at lower left.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?38890

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Now, fast-forward to 2009..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?73542

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this circa-1956 street-level scene at QP, note the two "indy" Old Looks on the right (GREEN LINE bus nearest the camera)......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?136112

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)