BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

"Tweety" was SPOT-ON, for sure!!!!!

You know, it is indeed STRANGE when an "old-time purist" like Your's Truly can find SOMETHING positive to say about one of today's "Brontos" (or a "Bensonhoist Bullet", aka "Staten Island Rattler")......at the VERY least, they DO NOT look like the hideous, monstrous, mutated, pseudo-serpents found on so many other raid transit systems in other countries.

>odern buses?

Like yourself, I regard then as "BINNOs", and nothing more.

"BYO"

["GM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Getting back to the "Frankie"............

I often wonder if there is ever any talk about making the shuttle into a "through route", recalling much earlier days (recall, Brighton-Franklin service ended in 1956; last Saturday through service ended in 1963)

"NYO"

["7"]

["SS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Detailed history*.......

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

*Note that electrified service began in 1899, using trolley wire; the El trains using third rail on elevated trackage switched to overhead at Franklin Avenue..............

"NYO"

["BROOKLYN RAPID TRANSIT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In 1961, we see a set of the fearsome "D"-types running along the "Frankie"; in the background, note the "Kramden" passing by over the ROW; what route would this bus have been running on?

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113285

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further (regarding aformentioned 1961 photo).........

Whatever Brooklyn bus route that "Kramden" was operating on, I wonder that route was 100% "Gee-Em", or, were any "Pattons" also being used, at that time?

"NYO"

["NYCTA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Gotcha.

So, what route would that "Kramden" have been operating on?

"NYO"

["MACK"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

On this subject, I wouldn't even hazard a wild guess; YOU are "THE Man" on THIS particular topic!

"NYO"

["GENERAL MOTORS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1957............

Three sets of "Q" cars were tested on the "Frankie"; the cars were still equipped their IRT ex-Composite trucks.

The cars had a difficult time climbing the grade north of the Botanical Gardens station; the three "Q" sets were withdrawn from the line after only one day.......

"NYO"

["B.M.T. LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

1960s-era "Q" fan trips on the "Frankie" (nice views of the "toid" rail as a bonus!)..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24376

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?152076

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["7 PROSPECT PARK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Dean Street ("Q" fantrip), 1969............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4592

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["DEAN STREET"[

*Historical note:

On this day in 1999, the "Frankie" re-opened, after being closed for two years, for renovation and rebuilding; "Brighton Belle" R-68s made the first runs.

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Here are a few interesting vintage views, taken at the 36th Street yards (earliest 1932)........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?130196

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

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?128509

(courtesy. nycsubway.org)

["20275 MCB"]