BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Shuttles"............

Though there is, of course, the shuttle on the Rockaways, most folks, hearing the word "shuttle" automatically think of the famed TSQ-GC line.

Of course, there is still the Franklin Avenue shuttle (which, not surprisingly, has lost virtually all of its original charm); however, in former years, there was also the Culver Shuttle (closed 1975) and the shuttles on the "Toid Aven-uh" to Dyre Avenue, until 1973.

Out in "Shik-aga", a number of "L" shuttles utilized only one car during off-peak hours.

Interesting to think about the TSQ; had the original INTERBOROUGH line not later been "jogged" (with a portion of the original line become the shuttle), would have a shuttle even had been established?

The Franklin Shuttle (aka "The Frankie") for decades seemed to have been graced with any and all "oddballs" then running, such as the CLARK-built "BLUEBIRDS", the BUDD "Zephyr", and the "R-11"/"R-34" through the 1970s.

Then, too, the streetcars of the QBRy, shuttling between Manhattan and Queensboro Plaza (until 1957)..................

"NYO"

["SS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of shuttles, recall that, in 1920, the "Bee-Are-Tee" abandoned through train service between Rockaway Parkway and the Canarsie Pier.

A track loop was built at Rockaway Parkway, and streetcars began running out to the Pier in shuttle service, in place of the trains.

In 1951, the B&QT streetcars were replaced by buses on the "B-42"..............

"NYO"

["BROOKLYN RAPID TRANSIT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting..........

The "Eye-En-Dee's" new "R-1s" were tested on "Bee-Em-Tee" rails.

In the last few years of service, prewar "Eye-En-Dee" cars operated on "Bee-Em-Tee" rails.

In the late 1950's, we had a group of "Eye-Are-Tee" cars ("Lo-Vs") running on the "Bee-Em-Tee's" Culver shuttle, fitted with flanged skirting at the doors, to enable passengers to avoid the gap created by narrow "Eye-Are-Tee" cars loading at platforms designed for wider rolling stock.

Though the new postwar "R-10s" (aka "Thunderbirds") were (technically) "Eye-En-Dee" cars, they did, at least for some time, operate on the "Bee-Em-Tee".

In the past, I've heard discussions about whether or not any "Bee-Em-Tee" rolling stock ever ran on "Eye-En-Dee' rails.

Too, recall the wooden "Q" cars; these were "Bee-Em-Tee" cars that, replaced the "Composites" on the "Toid Aven-uh" El, running on "Eye-Are-Tee" trackage..

Indeed, things WERE interesting, to say the least, for the transit enthusiasts of those long-ago days..........

"NYO"

["BoT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Tee-Yay" rolling stock running on "foreign rails"..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24431

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113309

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75654 ("Thunderbird" signed for the "15", 1954)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2348 (this is an interesting photo; note car #)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?17437

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?112795

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["TA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

GOOD point.

Sad to think that all of the American car builders, which once supplied rolling stock to the subways, have long since vanished into history.

PATH ("the tubes") indeed made headlines in the transit world in the early 70's, when they became the first rapid-transit operation in the United States to buy FOREIGN equipment (HAWKER-SIDDLEY); at least, these cars were STILL North American built.

Interestingly, into the 1920's, many of London's deep-level "tube" stock were built by European builders.

In addition to those cars built by British builders, many cars were built in France, Hungary, and Belgium.

And, recall also the our own ACF supplied to the rolling stock for what is today's Northern Line prior to 1910.

In fact, ACF later built their own plant, near London...............

"NYO"

["HAMPSTEAD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Funny, Your's Truly (to this day) never considered the "R-40/42" cars as "Eye-En-Dee" rolling stock, even they did, of course, operate on those routes.

I'll always associate them with the "Bee-Em-Tee"; the "Brightliners" and the "Brightliner Wannabes" ("R-38s") I always thought of as both "Eye-En-Dee" and "Bee-Em-Tee" cars.

Interesting to remember also that, it was "foriegn" rolling stock (the "Arnines") that brought down the curtain on prewar rolling stock on the "Bee-Em-Tee" in 1977.

Same way I could never get used to seeing the iconic "Bluebirds" on any line outside of the Flushing line; they indeed stuck out like sore thumbs in a consist of "standard" SMEE cars.

But, at least, there was STILL a lot of variety, rolling stock-wise, back then.............

"NYO"

["7 TIMES SQUARE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recall how the last of the prewar "Arnines" ended their days on the "Bee-Em-Tee" in 1977.

Now, on the flip side, the "R-27/30s" were built as replacements for the oldest of the "Bee-Em-Tee" Standards (aka "Brooklyn Battleships), and, as such, were mostly associated with this division.

However, like the "Arnines", some later gravitated over to "foreign" rails, in this case, the "Eye-En-Dee":

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24489

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?66513

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4575

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4598

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4599

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

In fact, they replaced the "R-10s" in 1989 on the "C", and ran on that line until about 1993, when they were retired (and while on "foreign" rails)........

["NYO"

["QB"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The "R-11/R-34"............

We know that this small group of BUDD-built cars were supposed to be the prototype for a fleet of such cars for the new SAS, which, of course, was never built (excluding today's "stubway")

These would have been, technically, "Eye-En-Dee" cars, but, instead, ended up virtually confined to "Bee-Em-Tee" rails until they were retired in the mid-1970s.

These cars were indeed the inspiration for the iconic "Brightliners", and, to an extant, the "R-38" (aka "Brightliner wannabes") which, back in the day, could turn up virtually anywhere.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?39311

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?34107

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24369

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["15 JAMAICA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Came across this most unusual "Slant 40" photo earlier........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?23923

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

Several things make this photo interesting......

"NYO"

["F"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recalling (prewar) work cars..........

Through the 1970's, ancient Lo-V's were still commonplace in work service.

A number of the "Arnines" were also converted into MOW cars after retirement from revenue service.

Oddly (from photos I've seen) it seems that only a very few "Standards" (aka "Brooklyn Battleships") were ever converted into work cars......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6329

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6330

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

"NYO"

["2527"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Assorted prewar work cars............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49064

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?13008

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?39281

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24614

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["4 MOTORS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

From '64 World's Fair "glamour gal" to just "another 'Noo Yawk' working girl".......talk about "how the mighty hath fallen"..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?47529

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["TA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here is the same "R-44" clearance train, this time at the "Eye-En-Dee's" Concourse yard, in 1971.

Note also the interesting variety of both prewar and postwar rolling stock in this view, still unmarred by graffiti..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41083

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NO PASSENGERS"]