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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
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 Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS/LINKS)
Like their 'big brothers" (the "R-11s") the 1950 IRT "R-15s" also featured "turtleback" roofs and porthole windows, giving them a sleek, stylish. modern look.
I rode these now-classic cars many times when I was working downtown (7th Avenue IRT); the last of these distinctive cars were retired around 1985........
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?87458
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75920
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
["7 TIMES SQUARE"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 9:41 am Post subject: |
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The last NYCTA subway cars to feature porthole windows (end storm doors only) were the "R-16" (BMT) and the "R-17" (IRT), both of which entered service in the mid-1950s.
The use of portholes on the side doors had fallen out of fashion (sadly), by this time............
"NYO"
["PELHAM P'KWAY LOCAL"]
["CANARSIE-8TH AV."]
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sat Nov 15, 2025 9:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
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Location: NEW JOISEY
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Cyberider
Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Posts: 1262
Location: Tempe, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| I think the R-15's are interesting looking cars with the round windows in the side and end doors. I wonder why the round windows only in the end doors were retained in the R-16's and R-17's? In any event, I think the R-11's were the most elegant. |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Cyberider wrote: | | I think the R-15's are interesting looking cars with the round windows in the side and end doors. I wonder why the round windows only in the end doors were retained in the R-16's and R-17's? In any event, I think the R-11's were the most elegant. |
Cyberider:
Many long-time subway buffs (You's Truly included!) have often posed the same question; WHY were "portholes" only to be found on the end doors of the "16s" and "17s".
Styles change, it would seem.
Agreed; the "R-11" was a gleaming preview fg what the "SAS" had in store for the riding public of the fute......HAD the new system opened WHEN it was supposed to, in the mid-1950s.....alas, t'was not to be........... 
"NYO"
["R-11"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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"IDENTRA" coils.......
In New York, this unique feature was only to be found on the IRT's Flushing line (7) into the 1970s; the hoops seen here mounted on the car ends actuated electric signs on the platforms of the Flushing line, alerting passengers that a train was approaching.
The only other city to use the "IDENTRA" coils on their trains was Philadelphia......
"NYO"
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?23993
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?38712
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?31932
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
["7 TIMES SQUARE"]
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sat Nov 15, 2025 2:29 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
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Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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Cyberider
Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Posts: 1262
Location: Tempe, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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NYO,
Thanks for pointing those out. I never noticed them before.  |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Cyberider wrote: | NYO,
Thanks for pointing those out. I never noticed them before. |
Cyberider:
You are quite welcome! 
Many of those "not in the know" assumed that those "IDENTRA" hoops were radio antennas! 
Interesting that in New York, "IDENTRA" was only used on the Flushing line.
When the "R-12/14/15s" were transferred to the IRT "mainlines" in 1964 (after the arrival of the World's Fair "Bluebirds") the "IDENTRA" hoops were all removed from these transferred cars........
"NYO"
["7 MAIN STREET"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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On this day in 1931..........
The famed BRILL "Bullets" began service on the P&W (today's SEPTA Route #100-"Norristown High Speed Line"), running between 69th Street and Norristown.
The last of these iconic speedsters were not retired until circa-1990!
Thankfully, I rode these classic cars several times back in 1982, during two VERY ENJOYABLE "traction weekends"! 
"NYO"
["EXPRESS"] |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
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Location: NEW JOISEY
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Cyberider
Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Posts: 1262
Location: Tempe, AZ
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| I was amazed when I read in one of my books about these cars and that they were still in service in the 1980's and would liked to have ridden them. Glad you were able to. |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Cyberider wrote: | | I was amazed when I read in one of my books about these cars and that they were still in service in the 1980's and would liked to have ridden them. Glad you were able to. |
Cyberider:
These iconic and truly classic electrics indeed embodied classic traction at its FINEST.
They hummed and growled; their compressors thumped loudly, their wheels screeched, their leather seats thick and oh-so-comfy!
And, noy, they could STILL move!!!!!!!!!!
I also got to ride the"trolley-ish, 1920s-vintage "Straffords" despite their being older than the "Bullets", they could STILL zip merrily along, indeed, living monuments to the glory days of Philadelphia traction!
So very fortunate I was able to PERSONALLY experience both types of cars.....experiences that I'd never be able to experience again!
"NYO"
["J.G. BRILL"]
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sat Nov 15, 2025 8:32 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629
BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 30756
Location: NEW JOISEY
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| Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2025 8:46 pm Post subject: |
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This timeless lineup of classic traction rolling stock, taken at the 72nd Street shops back in 1973, indeed evokes a modern-day electric railway museum, proudly displaying its rare treasures!
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151637
(courtesy: nycsubway.org)
["THE INTERURBAN ERA"] |
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