 |
BusTalk
A Community Discussing Buses and Bus Operations Worldwide!
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
 Posted: Thu May 02, 2024 4:23 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
(SEE PREVIOUS PHOTO)
This photo is a "companion" to the one in the previous post.............
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4055 (note the totally askew roller curtain displayed by the train on the left)
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
["LEX-JEROME"] |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
| Posted: Thu May 02, 2024 6:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Here's an interesting picture from 1971, depicting a "pristine"-looking (no graffiti yet!) three-car train of "Bluebirds" at Elder Avenue in "da Bronx".
Note, also, the original "INTERBOROUGH" platform signage and vintage lamp fixtures.
At first glance, I thought this might have been another fantrip, but note that the train appears to be empty (including the cab).....
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4122
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
["NO PASSENGERS"] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
| Posted: Thu May 02, 2024 11:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Back in 1972, we see two sets of "Bluebirds" working in a "mixed" #1 train consist at 125th Street..............
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4098
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
["1 BROADWAY"] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
| Posted: Thu May 02, 2024 11:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
"BROOKLYN BLUEBIRD" (1972).............
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4126
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
Here we have a graffiti-splotched "Bluebird" (#9408) at Flatbush Avenue, working the #3.
Indeed, times were a-changing, light-years removed from the stylish and exciting "FOLLOW THE BLUE ARROW" days of the '64 Fair............. 
["3 FLATBUSH AVENUE"] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
W.B. Fishbowl
Age: 57
Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 2502
Location: New York, New York, USA
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 8:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | Back in 1972, we see two sets of "Bluebirds" working in a "mixed" #1 train consist at 125th Street..............
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4098
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
["1 BROADWAY"] |
And as it headed back to the underground section towards 137th Street-City College station, it no doubt passed by the ex-FACCo, now " 'stoa," depot at 132d Street which was home to the 3, 4 and 5 (and, up to the point of the fall 1972 opening of the Hudson depot, 11) bus routes. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
W.B. Fishbowl
Age: 57
Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 2502
Location: New York, New York, USA
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 8:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | W.B.:
Recall, also, that, by the time the Fair opened in 1964, the 1938 WF "Stienways" had already been removed from the IRT "mainlines" and had been re-assigned to the "Toid Aven-uh" El up in "da Bronx", where they would remain until replaced by sets of "R-12s" in 1969.
Interestingly, the "Bluebirds" carried fans of both the "Bombers" and the "Amazin' Mets" to and from their respective ballparks, over the years (of course, the iconic cars carried far more Mets fans than Yankee fans, over the course of several decades........
"NYO"
["I.R.T. LINES"] |
Although, in 1974-75, what Bluebirds were still holding down the #7 route (given how scattered they'd become) were carrying both Mets and Yankees fans, as this was when Yankee Stadium (I) had its total overhaul. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 9:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
W.B.:
In sort of a "the party's over" scenario, recall that, during the Fair's two-season run, the "Bluebirds" were EXCLUSIVE to the Flushing line, and, of course, thoroughly associated with the Fair.
After the Fair closed, the once-flashy cars found themselves being scattered throughout the system, just like the rolling stock of the "mainline" fleet.
I still recall one Saturday (early 1980s) seeing two white-painted ex-"Bluebirds" in a Lexington Avenue train at Grand Central.
Not only did I HATE the "Hey, 'artists', here's your new canvas! Scrawl all over me!" white paint (God, it was even worse than the "Ronan" scheme), but I never could get used to seeing "Bluebirds" in mixed "mainline" trains.
Alas, the magic was gone.
Likewise, the "R-12/14s/15s" indeed looked like "odd ducks" when in a mixed train of cars ("R-17" and upwards.)
Then again, with the subway car fleet so highly unreliable, back in those days, it is not surprising that "if it could run, it was used, no matter what the consist looked like" was indeed the law of the land, way back then............
"NYO"
["M"] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 9:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
"World's Fair" buses............
W.B.:
The iconic IRT "Bluebirds" (ending their days as "Redbirds" in 2003), remained in service for nearly 40 years, by which time the Fair was but a memory.
By 2003, of course, the last of the Fishbowls and "Dangerfields" had already been gone for some years.
What I am curious about is, the "Tee-Yay" and "stoa" buses (Fishbowls/"Dangerfields") that were in service during 1964-1965.
When were the last World's Fair-era buses retired by the "Em-Tee-Yay"?
As always, look forward to your input.....
"NYO"
["NYCTA"] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
W.B. Fishbowl
Age: 57
Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 2502
Location: New York, New York, USA
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 11:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | "World's Fair" buses............
W.B.:
The iconic IRT "Bluebirds" (ending their days as "Redbirds" in 2003), remained in service for nearly 40 years, by which time the Fair was but a memory.
By 2003, of course, the last of the Fishbowls and "Dangerfields" had already been gone for some years.
What I am curious about is, the "Tee-Yay" and "stoa" buses (Fishbowls/"Dangerfields") that were in service during 1964-1965.
When were the last World's Fair-era buses retired by the "Em-Tee-Yay"?
As always, look forward to your input.....
"NYO"
["NYCTA"] |
Ah. On the " 'stoa" side, as during the '64-65 WF, the oldest buses would have been ex-FACCo and NYCO buses dating back as far as '47 or so; I presume all the Surface clunkers (and they really were, given their poor maintenance record while in bankruptcy and before Fifth Avenue Coach Lines took them over in '56) were sent to the scrapyard by then. (Those "Sherman" throwbacks would have no doubt included the original NYCO #2969, a.k.a. the "Jackie Gleason bus.") Then also the "loaned" buses originally of the "Bee O'Tee," the 4510's that were 102" wide but only 35' long. The " 'stoa" order of 5201-5525 came just in time for the 1965 season of the WF, the first ordered-for-" 'stoa" set (3301-3555) were already "veterans" on the streets of "Noo Yawk" by the time of the first Fair season. Goes without saying that the '58-'59 "protruding front sign box" buses and "Jetson" Fishbowls ordered in 1960 by FACL for both them and ST were still more or less on their respective original paths before most were all corraled, after the last season of the Fair was over, to Kingsbridge depot while the A/C units FACL ordered were initially at 132d Street serving the "tony" Fifth Avenue routes before they were all sent to Brooklyn and then Queens.
As, on the "Tee-Yay" side, did the "Dangerfields" of 5001-5165 come in time for '65 WF. No doubt the Binghams and the 5101's and whatever 4510's weren't loaned to " 'stoa" - plus the 6000-series "Pattons" and 7000- and 9000-series "Shermans." As well as the four orders of "Jetsons" (1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962) and the "Tee-Yay" "Bullets" (3601-3950).
It was around 1983 that all WF-era ordered buses would have been retired, owing to their being non-A/C. Including the 5001-5165 "Dangerfields" and what were left of the "Bullet" Fishbowls for " 'stoa" (5201-5525). Plus, those that came a year after ("Dangerfields" 5601-5790 and Fishbowl "Bullets" 6401-6900). (The experiences of the Grumman "Borough Bombers" led to many of the post-'67 buses being rebuilt by Blitz.) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
W.B. Fishbowl
Age: 57
Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 2502
Location: New York, New York, USA
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 12:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 wrote: | W.B.:
In sort of a "the party's over" scenario, recall that, during the Fair's two-season run, the "Bluebirds" were EXCLUSIVE to the Flushing line, and, of course, thoroughly associated with the Fair.
After the Fair closed, the once-flashy cars found themselves being scattered throughout the system, just like the rolling stock of the "mainline" fleet.
I still recall one Saturday (early 1980s) seeing two white-painted ex-"Bluebirds" in a Lexington Avenue train at Grand Central.
Not only did I HATE the "Hey, 'artists', here's your new canvas! Scrawl all over me!" white paint (God, it was even worse than the "Ronan" scheme), but I never could get used to seeing "Bluebirds" in mixed "mainline" trains.
Alas, the magic was gone.
Likewise, the "R-12/14s/15s" indeed looked like "odd ducks" when in a mixed train of cars ("R-17" and upwards.)
Then again, with the subway car fleet so highly unreliable, back in those days, it is not surprising that "if it could run, it was used, no matter what the consist looked like" was indeed the law of the land, way back then............
"NYO"
["M"] |
Funny that, outside of 1969-70, that "Borgaschmord" mentality was otherwise not applied to the "Bee-Em-Tee" and 'Eye-En-Dee" fleets. But then, no two sets of orders (apart from possibly the R-16 and R-27/30/30A, or R-32 and "Brightliner Wannabe" R-38 which often did run together in some consists, or R-40M and R-42 likewise) for the "wider" divisions looked alike, unlike the 1955-63 "Eye-Are-Tee" cars. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 12:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
W.B.:
As always, your tremendous storehouse of knowledge truly amazes and impresses me; thank you again! 
OK, so it was about '83 when the last of the WF-era buses were retired; and, to think, the "Bluebirds" (aka "Redbirds") lasted twenty years more in service.
Yup, they sure don't build 'em like they used to, that's for sure........... 
"NYO"
["NYCTA"] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 23049
Location: NEW JOISEY
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
W.B. Fishbowl
Age: 57
Joined: 02 Oct 2014
Posts: 2502
Location: New York, New York, USA
|
| Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 12:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Funny you mention that . . . I saw a few surviving R-42's around Coney Island shops passing by on the F train last week, now serving as work trains. Talk about going around and coming around . . . |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
BusTalk Main
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
BusTalk Galleries
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
