BusTalk

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:03 am Post subject: Here's one for Mr. "L"!

37th St. and 2nd Avenue, 1974........a truly classic "meet"! Very Happy

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2462

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:06 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629,

Thanks for the great photo of a great bus!

Carey Transportation had no less than fifty-six PD 4104's and they were screamers! - I don't really know how fast today's buses are but they'd have to go some to out pace those chariots and I speak from personal experience;

I've often told this story before but I'll bring it out again for an airing for you new comers;

I worked three summers during my college years for Green Bus Lines (NY) and very often drove a 'night car' on the Q10 Lefferts Boulevard line which had four branches including what was then New York International Airport (now known as JFK).

On the airport run, I'd come down through Richmond Hill Circle past the sewer plant and out and around the curve in front of the Federal Building which put me right on the Van Wyck Extension and a four mile non-stop straightaway to the main terminal.

Invariably, as I entered the Van Wyck I'd look in my mirror to see a Carey Transportation 4104 coming right at me and hauling you know what to pass me like I was standing still!

Now, I had no thought of any race with a mechanical 4104 from behind the wheel of a two speed hydraulic 4507, a 4509 or even an agile 5104 - it just wouldn't be in the cards.

But my luck changed if for only one night when I'm behind the wheel of a 'hot' 5104 (hot meaning a broken governor) and it was off to the races with my pedal to that metal and a speedometer reading 75 MPH!

While I didn't beat this driver (who always joked with me about what I was driving) I did give him a run for his money pushing him all the way to the terminal - I'll never forget his facial expression and head scratching as we both left our buses for a quick coffee break together.

Those were the days!

Regards,

Mr. 'L'

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:55 am Post subject:

Mr. "L":

My pleasure, sir!

As soon as I stumbled across this nostalgic old shot you came to mind in a flash!<G>

GREAT story....and thanks for sharing! Very Happy

NO WONDER they're called "The Good Old Days"! Wink

Sure wish you'd write a book (illustrated, of course!) about your days behind the wheel.....I'll be the FIRST in line at the book signing! Wink

Thanks again!

NYO

frankie · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:38 am Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:48 am Post subject:

Frankie:

Agreed all the way!

In the transit enthusiat's market, I think Mr. "L" could indeed have a BEST SELLER on his hands! Very Happy

Mr. "L's" way of telling a story reminds me quite a bit of Jim Lehrer's "A BUS OF MY OWN"......he certainly has the knack for being a FIRST-CLASS storyteller......PLUS....he has so many years of "hands on" experiences in the bus industry in and around New York....you KNOW that his work would be worth MORE than the cover price b y light-years! Shocked

Yep, I sure hope our good friend Mr. "L" takes the hint.......(!!) Wink

NYO

Mr. Linsky · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:13 am Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:13 am Post subject:

Mr. "L"......

I take it that you are pleased to see that you are held in HIGH REGARD here? Wink

You have QUITE a loyal following here, my friend! Very Happy

And NO WONDER! Very Happy

NYO