BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/PHOTOS)

"Timeless"............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151641

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NORRISTOWN EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The yard of Old Looks and Fishbowls seen here serve to date this nostalgic 1972 photo as much as do the iconic "Bullets" in this view; so much transit history seen here.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151651

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["RED ARROW LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Two views from long ago..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151681 (a most iconic electric!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151705 (nostalgic panorama of steel-wheeled and rubber-tired classics!)

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SEPTA"]

[Cyberider]

Awe inspiring. Take me back!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Sadly, during my two visits to Philly, back in 1982, I never got the chance to ride out to the end of the "P&W" in Norristown.

The old terminal has long since been replaced by a new, modern facility with no character nor appeal whatsoever

Until 1949, LVT's famed "Liberty Bell Limiteds", upon reaching Norristown, rolled down a ramp that took then down to LVT street trackage, after changing over from third rail to overhead.

After 1949, the ramp was removed and a bumper was installed where the ramp had connected to the elevated P&W rails.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151613 (note square-window Old Look!)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?57492

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?159238

(courtesy: nyvsubway.org)

["LIMITED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Former "El" cars "elevated" once again their twilight (Norristown)............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69081

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69073

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69103

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SEPTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Historical note:

The LVT relinquished trackage rights over the P&W (between Norristown to 69th Street) in 1949; thereafter, until the end of "Liberty Bell" service a few years later, inbound LVT passengers had to transfer to P&W trains at Norristown, requiring payment of an additional fare.

This resulted in the LVT losing still more customers.......

"NYO"

["LIBERTY BELL ROUTE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The sole survivor of the iconic "Liberty Bell Limited" fleet, the elegant and stylish car #1030 (an ex-IR car) today proudly resides at the Seashore Trolley Museum.

Though these handsome, speedy cars were single-ended, they were also equipped with controls in the rear observation compartment, to enable the cars to utilize wyes, as well other reverse moves (such as at carbarns)

There was also a wye adjacent to the 69th Street terminal.

Except for #1030, all other 1000-series LVT cars were ex-C&LE.

Car #1030 was also easily recognizable by its rounded observation end.

Indeed sad that no other cars in the series were saved..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69401

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?53099

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["LIBERTY BELL ROUTE"]

["ALLENTOWN LIMITED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The last day........

On September 6, 1951, the last "Liberty Bell Limiteds" made their final runs, b etween Allentown and Norristown.

Though only five 1000-series cars were operating that last day, two cars later suffered electrical/mechanical issues, so, at the very end of operations, only three were still operational.

Car #1006 (an ex-CL&E car) had the dubious honor of closing out all "Liberty Bell" service.

LVT crews wasted no time in ripping up the rails, and taking down the overhead; dismantling began later in the same day that service ended..........

A sad ending indeed........

"NYO"

["EXPRESS-PHILADELPHIA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent LVT page, with much historical info, photos, info on rolling stock, facilities, scheduling, etc............

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

['LVT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

More photos and info..........

www.phillytrolley.org/liberty.html

["1030"]

[Cyberider]

Thanks for the interesting LVT, etc. information. There certainly were a lot of interesting operations around Philadelphia. I've watched some recent videos of some trips to Norristown and other places. I think they were SEPTA trains made up of Silverliner 4's and 5's. Is this the same Norrisville line? It did end at a track bumper, as I recall.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

Glad you enjoyed all the info and photos....my pleasure!

The SEPTA "Silverliners" operate on what you would call a "main line suburban" electrification, recalling the days when PRR and RDG MU's carried commuters back and forth between Philly and the suburbs.

The Norristown "High Speed" line is what was once the "P&W", operating off of third rail.

It is sad that indeed, although there are certain types of Philly-area electrics that are preserved at various electric railway museums, none of the pre-"Almond Joy" prewar rapid transit cars survive (Market-Frankford El)

"NYO"

["PHILADELPHIA RAPID TRANSIT"[

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This classic 1959 photo shows a train of the oldest Market-Frankford cars (note resemblence to the IRT "Lo-Vs*") on the turnback loop at 69th Street terminal.

Up above, note the P&W "Straffords" awaiting their next runs.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?16767

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Unlike the IRT cars, these cars were not equipped with rooftop markers, and, also, featured large headlights)

["J.G.BRILL"]