BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1934.....

The sleek articulated "ZEPHRR" enters service on the BMT; it would be 30-odd years before BUDD built the famed "Brightlinedrs" ("R-32s") for the BMT/OND......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46944

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75915

"NYO"

["BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Note photos from the 1953 "Superman" episode, "A SHOT IN THE DARK" ; note stock footage of IND "AA" train (also seen in 1953's "PICKUP ON SOOTH STREET", and the 1957 "I LOVE LUCY" episode, "LUCY& THE LOVING CUP").

Also, note photo of Jimmy Oleson at the "34th Street" station, and sets depicting what obviously was supposed to be a prewar IRT car!

("M" train reference is a hoot..it's only a blur of the "AA" sign!)

(some CLASSIC prewar rolling stock sounds, as a bonus, in the episode!)

Too, the "VALLEY LOCAL" and "VALLEY EXPRESS" signs.

And, the classic shot of "Superman" mangling the "thoid" rail.......

See:

https://thetrolleydodger.com/2015/03/03/superman-in-the-subway/

"NYO"

["AA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also:

In the photo of Clark and Lois on the platform at the "34th Street" station, you can easily see "Eye-En-Dee"i inspiration (you DO get an authenntic "Noo Yawk" feel, here); also, in the photos of the "AA" train, it is clear it is an uptown train, heading for 168th Street.............

'NYO"

Also:

".....whoever heard of a local catching up with an express?"

Obviously, NO BLOCK SIGNALING, nor TRIP ARMS in the Metropolis Subway System(!!)

Wonder how the "Noo Yawk" subway buffs and early "Tee-Yay" workers got a "jolt" oit of that, at the time this episode first aired??

["INDEPENDENT SUBWAY SYSTEM"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Wierd how you and I think alike, on many topics!

I often have thought the SAME thing!

Interesting, too, how we see stock footage of "Arnines", and the platform set eokes the "Eye-En-Dee", and, then comes the scene where one of the thugs knocks out the motorman (NO dead man's feature!) the subway car mockup CLEARLY depicts the vestibule of a prewar "Eye-Are-car!

It would seem that SOMEONE on the "Superman" set had at least some knowledge of prewar IRT cars......

"NYO"

["VALLEY LOCAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.....I am also thinking that the studio that produced "SUPERMAN" sebt a "scout" or two from the prop department east to "Noo Yawk", to garner some "authentic" details regarding the subways (interesting how "34th STREET" was chosen for the station platform set)......

"NYO"

["AA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Interesting.........

At therime of the 1953 "A SHOT IN THE DARK episode, PE's Hollywood Subway was then still in operation.

"El-Ay", indeed, but, IMHO, I think the producers felt the "Metropolis Subway"would look more "nig time", imitating "Noo Yawk"........

"NYO"

["HOLLYWOOD VIA SUBWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1964............

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

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

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75751

(courtesyL nycsubway.org)

["ta"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Indeed, few (if any) back in '64, could have thought that the "Brightliners" would have lasted as long as they did; they even surpassed the service lies of the IRT "Hi-s", which, by 1964, had been gone 6 years.

The "Aitch & Em's " Class "" Black cars, built in 1909, ran for 56 years before they were retired in late 1966.

Now......

Imagine if at least SOME "ta" and "stoa" buses from '64 were still on the streets, when the "Toiity Twos" wsre retired?

"NYO"

["NYCTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here we have the ceremonial "Brightliners" on display at GCT; the TDI "Big 'A'" ad poster dates this long-ado scene as much as the cars themselves.

Mom and I came over (on a NHBL #5 Old Look!) to see these shiny new "silver subways" (as Your's Truly referred to them!) while theywere on display......long. long ago.............

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

"NYO"

["BUDD"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I can recall clearly, back in the 1960s, the HUGE "Kodkl" display, which featured a sizeable HO layout during the Christmas season.

And, it should be noted, that, the train indicator boards at each gate (which are still intact) then used roller curtains..........

"NYO"

["NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSTEM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

GCT track indicators..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?139545

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?108896

(coirtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Note:

The sliding drawers of each trac kindicator once were used to store the different roller curtains used fordepartures.....

['p"5:22: WJITE P:AINS EXPRESS"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]