BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Good points, all.

On that note, in John Doyle's outstanding "CHICAGO MOTOR COACH COMPANY", there is a photo (book came out in 2018) depicting a head-on view of a CTA "Slinky"/"Wurlitzer".

The caption says:

".......this modern bus is like a spaceship......."

Indeed, nothing more than a bendable 'BINO" (Bus In Name Only)

"NYO"

["151 SHERIDAN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Right on the mark, for certain......

".......the metaphors modern buses offer is indeed depressing. Their designs indicate troubled minds; seats on different levels, lurid playpen fabrics and color schemes, straps at unusable heights, soundtracks of electronic bleeps and ticks........"

".....the interiors of modern buses have all the aesthetics of the inside of a Hoover......."

"........the buses are insipid and boxy; they look deformed, like 'Action Man' bulked out on steroids............"

Talk about being SPOT-ON!!!!!!!

Source:

"THE BUS WE LOVED: LONDON'S AFFAIR WITH THE ROUTEMASTER" (Elborough)

["152A-CHIGWELL VIA EMBANKMENT"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Somehow, I think this British gentleman would have the SAME opinion!

Some of the UGLIEST "BINOs" are now infesting Europe, Asia, and South America; they more resemble partially-hatched insect larvae, complete with antennas!

The light rail units are even more bizarre in appearance, looking more like evil, human-digesting caterpillars from a far-off, alien planet.......

Give me an Old Look, Fishbowl, a "Dangerfield", or a PCC anyday!

"NYO"

["QUICK, HENRY! THE FLIT!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

One thing I have often thought about was the time when the RTS was starting to make inroads into the "Em-Tee-Yay" fleet in the early 1980s, and thinking on the following:

1:

Driver acceptance

How did MTA drivers respond to the new RTS?

Were they pleased with overall performance?

Did they prefer the older Fishbowls/"Dangerfields"?

2:

What about depot/garage mechanics instruction classes, familiarizing the men with this new "state-of-the-art" bus?

3:

On routes with noticeable grades, did drivers find that the RTS had better "climbing ability" than the older buses, or, was it basically the same?

As always, appreciate info from "those in the know"........

"NYO"

["Rapid Transit Series"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Thanks for the detailed info; much appreciated!

A few interesting bits from "RAPID TRANSIT SERIES BUSES" (McCausland).......

"......Fort Worth, Texas, bought "T8j-204s" in 1981, later leased a handful of ex-NYCTA units in the late 1990s.........." (all since retired)

"......these ex-New York City buses were originally used for express service......"

"......New York City had another visitor from GM in the middle of 1980, when a 40', 102" wide RTS visited as a demonstrator......"

"......at the height of the Grumman fiasco, older model buses awaiting scrapping were brought out of retirement, while 105 GM Fishbowls and Flex New Looks were borrowed from Washington DC, to fill in the void......"

"NYO"

["4725"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

The T8J-204 and 206 variants were the ones with the "Luminator" electronic front and side signs, which remain my favorite of that bunch.

The T8W-204 and 206 had electronic signs from TransDot, which were not so much a favorite of mine.

Isn't it funny that old controls and sign elements from those old buses - the "Are-Tee-Ess' " and "Borough Bombers" - now fetch as much at eBay auctions as do the old mylar or cloth roll signs? When there is nostalgia for old electronic signs, you REALLY know you're gettin' old . . .

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thinking...........

Think of the thousands of roller curtain boxes that were simply left inside the older buses that were scrapped decades ago; now fast-foward several decades, and think of all the still-serviceable electronic sign boxes still inside of "Borough Bombers" and "Torpedos", when it was their turn to meet the torch.

No wonder at all that has survived now commands astronomical prices, prices that the "average" collector" can in no way afford........

"NYO"

["WELCOME ABOARD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Thought..........

I have not been at the NYCTM since 2002; I always wondered why they did not have a display area featuring vintage bus roller curtain boxes/electronic signs, related items, etc.

It wasn't like these were "rare" items, way back in the day..........

"NYO"

["ta"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

How commonplace those "first generation" electronic signs once were here in "Joisey", aboard the "Bombers" and "Metro Bs"..........man, it's all so long ago, now........

"NYO"

["181 WEST NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In the beginning.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?155429

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["GM TRANSBUS"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]