BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS)

This 2007 photo at Fresh Pond is indeed interesting, as it depicts a solo OOS RTS ("Torpedo"), between the BMT ramps.

Note the "DO NOT START" message scrawled on the windshield...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?70201

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["RTS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here, it's 1974, and we have a train of "Museum" Lo-V's heading down the ramp at Fresh Pond; down below, the area between the ramps is now jammed with Fishbowls, silently awaiting the torch............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?8069

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["INTERBOROUGH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The storing of scrap-bound buses between the BMT ramps at Fresh Pond........

From the photos I've gleaned gleaned from the nycsubway.org galleries, it would appear that this area began to be used as a "repository" for OOS buses sometime about 1970.

Through at least the mid-1970s, retired "Shermans" and Fishbowls were parked in this tight area, as they awaited scrapping.

Only one photo depicts "Dangerfields" parked between the Fresh Pond ramps.

The most recent photo to show any buses parked here dates to 2007 (the rare photo showing an RTS)

It would be interesting to find out exactly when the "Tee-Yay"/"Em-Tee-Yay" began parking retired buses here, and when this practice ended.

As can be seen in the photos whose links I've posted, at times the constricted space between the ramps was jammed with retired buses, while, at other times, only two or three were on hand............

"NYO"

["MTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further:

The most recent photos taken at Fresh Pond (showing the former "bus repository" between the El ramps) show that the area is now virtually empty, with perhaps a van or a small truck parked there.

As noted earlier, it would seem that one (or possibly two) photos show an RTS parked at this location; if a group of retired RTS were ever stored there, prior to scrapping, I've yet to see any photos.

Too, as noted earlier, I've only come across one photo that depicts "Dangerfields" parked between the El ramps.............

"NYO"

["FLXIBLE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Comparison views at Fresh Pond*, all dating to 1971; there must have been a fairly regular "turnover" of retired buses stored here, as can be seen in these photos..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?158291

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5618

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2099

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["B.M.T. LINES"]

*(It had to be one heck of a job backing those buses so far back into such a constricted, confined area)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also, if you notice the photos taken between the BMT ramps at Fresh Pond, you will notice that the area was empty through the 40s, 590, and for much of the 1960s, with no buses to be seen.

It was not until about 1970 (going by the photos at nycsubway.org) that the MTA began to temporarily store retired buses (awaiting scrapping) at this location.

Just when this practice ended, I am not sure, but, it seems that the latest photos where a group of buses is stored between the Fresh Pond ramps is the mid-1970's............

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this mid-later 1970s-era scene, we see only a couple of buses dusted with snow; the rest of the area between the tracks is otherwise empty (the graffiti-covered R-16s in the background further date this photo)...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41792

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["M"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this photo from 1971 (which I linked previously) you can glimpsed an a/c equipped bus; I doubt if a bus this new (in 1971) was going to be scrapped, unless it had been involved in a serious accident, where the front end was damaged beyond economical repair............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?158291

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["FRESH POND ROAD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In 1970, the last ex-SURFACE TDH-5106s were retired; for some time, they were stored in the yard at the Colesium depot.

One of these distinctive buses (with the protruding front sign box) can be seen here (link below) at Fresh Pond, one year after retirement, in 1971.

I wonder if all of these forty buses were driven (or, more likely, towed) from the Colesium depot to Fresh Pond, prior to being scrapped.

FACL also rostered 50 of this type..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?5618

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["ST"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another interesting "mystery" surrounding the long-abandoned "bus repository" between the El ramps at Fresh Pond, is that virtually all photos show Old Looks (aka "Shermans") and Fishbowls parked in this area.

Only one photo shows Flex New Looks (aka "Dangerfields") resting there, and only one photo showing an RTS ("Torpedo")

As noted (and I've posted several photo links previously relating to this), while there are photos of soon-to-be-scrapped MACKS ("Pattons") at Fresh Pond, no photos show any between the El ramps, which is interesting......

"NYO"

["TA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are several interesting photos (dating from the 1950s through the 1970s, of a variety of buses (in service/retired) at the BMT's 36th Street yards...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?88069

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6761

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6948

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?33666

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6722

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?78157 (also, note ad rack behind the rear wheel of the Flex New Look (aka "Dangerfield") on the right)

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NYCTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Though an ancient "Lo-V" work motor dominates the foreground, note the line of Old Looks (aka "Shermans") in the background.

As these buses look to be in good shape (and are still carrying ad cards) they might have still been in service, at the time of this 1969 photo.

Recall, by 1972/1973, the MTA had purged the last of the Old Looks from the fleet.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?150322

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["MCB"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The same yard, in a view dating to the 1980s.

Here we have a group of RTS awaiting their next runs, in the right background.

Note also, the ancient BRT line poles now carrying modern street lighting.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?114907

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["RTS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

I just came across this photo (had not seen this one previously) taken at the 36th Street yards (1960s)

Note the row of "Shermans" at left; these appear to be buses still in revenue service, and ready for duty............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41842

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["New York City Transit Authority"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further comparison of station tablet tiles ("BROAD STREET" [BMT]/"WYOMING"[BSS])...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?98426

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?143879

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

I think it is also important to remember that, when the first section of the BSS opened in 1928 (outside of Boston), New York was the only other city to have a "SUBWAY".

So, it would stand to reason, that the tilework used in the BSS's stations would indeed emulate New York

"NYO"

["SUBWAY"]