BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Most unusual indeed was the highly-distinctive "LUXTORPEDA" from Poland, which made for quite a sight, back in the 1930's!

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recalling the elegant (now defunct) TEE network........

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Today's "EuroCity"..........

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also of interest:

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

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

SEPTA's "Norristown High Speed Line" (the former Philadelphia & Western), whose rails were once well-burnished by Bullets, Straffords, and Liberty Bell Limiteds......

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

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In retrospect............

As I had posted at the beginning of this topic (nearly five years ago!) it is quite sobering to see so many countries throughout the world utilizing high-speed intercity rail networks, while here, in the States, the closest we can come up with is the "isolated" NEC, and its "ACELA".

Imagine high-speed electrics connecting New York and Chicago; Chicago to Los Angeles?

Of course, government agencies, political climates, demographics, and, of course, FUNDING, all come into play here.

What has long puzzled me is, "If THEY can DO it, then WHY can't WE?"

Sad that America was once at the forefront of railroading, a tremendous source of pride to all.

Now, we only half to look to foreign shores, to see just how far behind the rest of the world we really are, when it comes to high-speed intercity rail corridors........

["NYO"]

["EUROSTAR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further..........

PS also experimented with several "in house" prototype buses during the 1920s and into the 1930s.

Though none went into production, certain features of these experimental "mock ups" were later used in production model buses, built by other manufacturers.

The oldest of the ASV fleet (the ones with engines in front) had originally been gas/gas-electric buses.

Interestingly enough, back in the 1930s, on certain lines, ASV operation began before new wiring had been completed............

"NYO"

["21 WEST NEW YORK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also..........

Another of the main reasons why, originally, PSNJ rostered such a diverse fleet of early buses is that (and this is important to remember) that many (but not all) of the "jitney" buses which PS took over from "rogue" operators had been converted from touring cars, sedans, and also, utilized home-built bodies mounted on truck chassis.

Thus, you had early PS "buses" built by such early auto makers as

FORD

OLDSMOBILE

DART

MOON

PIERCE-ARROW

WILLYS-KNIGHT

HUPMOBILE

REO

BUICK (just to mention a few)

By the mid/late-1920s, PS's ever-expanding bus fleet was encompassing large numbers of YELLOWS, along with smaller numbers of ACFs and MACKS..............

"NYO"

["NEWARK-4 CENTS"]