BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

You are most welcome!

In the early 1980s, ConRail was still operating the former NYC/NH commuter lines out of Grand Central; at that time, there were still ex-NYC MUs from the 1950s (P-S) and ST. LOUIS) in service; I rode them a number of times, back then......and had a good ol' time, indeed!

The old (and iconic) ex-NH FL-9s were still running, though in pretty rough shape by that time.

Back in the 60s, Mom and I loved seeing them idle at GCT, all decked out in their flamboyant McGuiness paint (Mom said these now-iconic dual-powered locos always looked like they were all dressed up for a parade!)

MUs and rapid transit have intrigued me greatly since my early childhood; there were so many different types in operation, at that time!

Just think of the lucky railfans of the 1930s in the SF area, riding and photographing the network of electrics ("KEY"/ESPEE/NWP), not to mention all the ferryboats that connected with the trains, plus all the cable car and electric streetcar lines in 'Frisco itself!

And, of course, to California "juice fans" of that era, PE's "Big Red Cars" were indeed "The Greatest Show On Earth"!

Like you, I'll read up on current operations, but it is the historic operations of many decades past that intrigue me the most.........

["NYO"]

["HOLLYWOOD VIA SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

You might find this of interest........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro-North_Railroad

["M-3"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting bit of trivia............

Unlike the New York subways (and, also, at one time, the El lines) the NYCRR utilized under-running third rail on its electrification to GCT.

In this unique system, the third rail shoes run on the UNDERSIDE of the third rail, instead of making contact with its top surface.

When a train of new BMT/IND "Brightliner" subway cars ran from the old NYC/NH Mott Haven (Bronx) coach yards to GCT for exhibition (1964), the cars had to have NYC-type third rail installed to allow the consist to operate over NYC rails and into GCT.

Interestingly, a NYC engineer road along in the cab with the NYCTA motorman, from Mott Haven to GCT.

To this very day, Metro-North's trains STILL utilize the under-running third rail, pioneered by the NYC, prior to 1910..........

"NYO"

["BUDD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are a few photos related to my previous post; Mom and I took the #5 bus (an Old Look!) into Manhattan (and then the Shuttle over to Grand Central) to see the shiny, sleek, brand-new "Brightliners" on exhibit at Grand Central (I remember that long-ago day well, still!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?114189 *

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75611

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75750

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*This entire yard (which was quite complex and had many shops/buildings) no longer exists; note, also, the elderly heavyweight head-end cars, still in regular use...........

["ta"]

[Cyberider]

NYO,

Tried to post earlier but was getting "debug mode" with a bunch of lines of gibberish. Let's see if this goes.

[Cyberider]

Guess it's working now.

Interesting about the MNRR ferry on the Hudson to Ossining. Lost what I posted before.

Also, the links to the photos of the R-32 "Brightliners." They sure lasted a long time, didn't they?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

Glad you were able to post again!

Metro-North's MU fleet are identical to those on the LIRR; these are of the M-3 and M-7 classes; all of the older M-1 and M-3 types are now all retired.

NH's MU's (like their old EP-5 "Jet" engines) to this day, switch from catenary to third rail "on the fly", just north of Manhattan.

The LIRR's MU's, of course, only operate off of third rail.

Interestingly, a number of the NYC's original 1907-era MU's lasted into the 1960s, usually on Bronx locals.

Originally, these rugged cars had handsome stained glass arches above their windows; in later years, letterboards were installed above these color glass arches, to give the cars a more modern appearance.

Prior to WW1, LIONEL offered a Standard Gauge "INTERURBAN", which was, in fact, a "replica" of one of the NYC's MUs!

The NH also operated unique steel open-platform MUs into the 1950s; by that time, they were mostly used on electrified branch lines.

QUITE a bit of "diversity", for sure, in those long-ago days.......

"NYO"

["5:15 NEW HAVEN EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Must make mention...........

Saturday, December 7th, 2024, will mark 83 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor; may we always honor both the memory of that day, as well as honoring the memory of the brave Navy men (most still not much more than kids themselves) who perished aboard the USS ARIZONA (which, interestingly, was built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard)

On a related note, the Oahu Shipyard Railway served Pearl Harbor,; transporting workers to and from their jobs in wooden cars that, interestingly enough, once ran as MUs on the then-recently defunct Boston Revere Beavh & Laynne (the cars were stripped of their electrical gear and were hauled by small steam locos and early boxcab diesels)

Some wooden coaches from the East Broad Top were also used in this service............

"NYO"

["U.S. NAVY PEARL HARBOR Ry"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Honolulu........

The first Old Looks to operate in Honolulu arrived in 1947; these were 50 TDH-4507s.

In 1953, Honolulu Rapid Transit ordered 15 5105s.

Then, in 1957, 75 more 5105s entered service.

The last streetcars ran in Honolulu in 1941.

Interestingly, in 1968, 17 T6M-5305A Fishbowls were built for Honolulu; however shipment of these buses was delayed until the spring of 1971.......

'"NYO"

["HRT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The RTS in Honolulu..........

RTSs once operated in large numbers in Honolulu.

The last purchased were 84 T80-208s in 1993.

Honolulu also purchased the remainder of the T70-608 production.......

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]

[Cyberider]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

I've also recall (on dvd) a chapter of "VICTORY AT SEA"; one clip showed Honolulu's business district, just before the War.

There were quite a number of streetcars in this scene; interestingly, they did resemble (at least to me) the trams that were then operating in several Australian cities (on the other hand, the open cars clearly were of American design)

"NYO"

["1941"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting articles w/historic photos..........

https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/tracks/

https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/honolulu-rapid-transit-hrt/ (Honolulu also once operated American trolley buses; see photo)

["HRT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also.........

In 1933, 13 miles of streetcar tracks in Honolulu were dug up; the streetcar that ran on these rails were replaced with new gas-powered motor buses.

Only three streetcar lines remained in operation, following this conversion.

These 22 buses were built by TWIN COACH (Model 40)

"NYO"

["HONOLULU RAPID TRANSIT"]

[Cyberider]

NYO,

Thanks for the additional Honolulu Transit info.