BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Given "Shik-aga's" brutally cold winters, I have often wondered just how long the CTA's rails last?

Remember, the CTA has far more exposed trackage/routes (elevated/surface) than underground.

This, of course, would translate into far more trackage in the system exposed to the elements.

One can only imagine non-stop, pounding punishment the CRT/CTA rails had to taken, back in the day, when the El trains which ran over now-demolished routes, along with the heavy interurban traffic, courtesy of the CA&E and the CNS&M, were commonplace......

"NYO"

["DEMPSTER"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Odd as all get-out.......

In the course of this brutal cold snap, I have not heard of any major subway, PATH, or LIRR issues.

Could it be that the "rolling iPads" and "Blue McAdoos" (along with the LIRR/MN rolling stock) are made of sterner stuff than we previously thought, at least when it comes to cold-weather operations?

Also, still thinking of the man cold weather-issues still plaguing the "See-Tee-Ay" (cracked rails, frozen switches, inoperable door mechanisms, etc)........

"NYO"

["THIS IS THE POLAR EXPRESS!"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Appreciate the info on the re-assignment of the "Brighton Belle" R-68s; MOST appropriate route for the now-veteran "Belles"!

"Rolling iPads", etc.......

Seems as though that they are more prone to experiencing MELTdowns durring the summer, than developing issues during the winter months......strange, indeed.

Regarding "Shik-aga".......

Given that winter winds are known to be always howling through "Shi-kaga"(especially the Loop), is it any wonder that the complex ganglia of "L" trackage is indeed always facing the brunt of the worst winters?

"NYO"

["M"]

["CTA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Indeed!

Talk about "living dangerously"!

"NYO"

["LOOP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

.....and, to think, on a certain night in January, 1963, when temps were hovering around MINUS-20(!!) the last CNS&M trains still sped between Chicago and Milwaukee on their last runs. despite the fsct that, with the exception of the 23-year old "Electroliners", most of the railway's fleet consisted of rolling stock that date back to the teens and twenties........

"NYO"

["CHICAGO LIMITED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Eyewitness News at 4..........

Traffic "helly-copter" showed the nearly-totally frozen Hudson; ferry service is STILL suspended.

A cluster of "FINOS" (Ferries In Name Only) were docked at the Weehawken Terminal, not going anywhere soon (the former site of the sprawling West Shore terminal)....the boats were, literally "locked in".

Ditto the "Coicle" Line's familiar fleet; clearly held prisoner by the thick ice at their pier.

West Side (and NJ) shoreline is pretty well ice-locked; one small ice cutter was seen valiantly fighting its way up the ice-choked Hudson, barely making progress.....

"NYO"

['AMERICA'S FAVORITE BOAT RIDE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of snow...........

Years ago, when I was the moderator for a transit discussion board on a now-defunct rail forum, I started a thread, which posed the pros and cons of "toid" rail and catenary during heavy winter weather.

It turned out to be a very interesting discussion; where was "toid" rail the better choice?

Where was catenary batter employed?

Recall, the DL&W/E-L"Wickerliners" used catenary (as do modern NJT trains); service on the ex-NH lines into GCT are all catenary furnished, except for the "last lap" into the city.

The "El-Eye-Double-Are", of course, has always been "toid" rail; the ex-PRR suburban lines (Northeast Corridor), on the other hand, continue to use catenary.........

"NYO"

["S. AMBOY"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Today is the 6th anniversary of the R-42's last stand. I had gotten on the train at High Street-Brooklyn Bridge, stayed to its termination at 207th Street, then remained all the way to Euclid Avenue. It was arranged as (S) 4826-4827, 4831-4830, 4807-4806, 4797-4796 and 4791-4790 (N).

It was somewhat odd that, amongst the subway fleet, this lasted longer than any of St. Louis Car's other fleets for the system, but in any case it was the last of those cars they built to be so retired in the subway system (followed, over four years later, by the retirement of the R-44's that remained on Staten Island's rails).

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I well recall the TV coverage; this was just about the time that COVID was rearing its ugly head.

When I was still "woikin' down on da Street", with the BMT Broad Street station just outside the doors, Your's Truly often took "lunchhour jaunts" on either the "J" or the "M" (going waaay back, I well recall the veteran "R-16s!")

I HATED that GOH that the non-IRT cars went throigh; these cars lost their familiar blue stripes, as well as their standee straps

Believe me, I spent a LOT of time at those great RFWs, getting a motorman's-eye view of the whole show, including CLASSIC BLOCK SIGNALS!

When the last of thehallowed-out shells that HAS been the"Brightliners"were retired, we ALL knew that a long and colorful era on the subways had ended.

Dang glad I got so many many great memories if these classic cars!:

"NYO"

*Interesting that the first of the "42s" began arriving as the very last of the ancient "Broadway Battleshops" (Standards) were gasping their last.......

**Might I suggest, that, since the "42s" took a prominant part in 1971's high-impact "FRENCH CONNECTION", that we give them them the appropriate moniker of "Hackmans"?

["BROAD STREET"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

If I only had a dollar for every time I used this entrance, back in the day.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?53383

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Aaaaahhh, the memories.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?36233

*courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["J"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

I had forgotten how that GOH ruined the side doors and end storm doors of the "Hackmans"; agreed, the "27s" should henceforth be known as the "Warriors".

Back in the early 80s, I well remember them on the "RR", usually totally splattered with "FUA" ("Flamboyant Urban Artwork")

Good cars; though, I last rode these on the "C", in the early 90s, when they had been painted red ("Redboids on 'roids")

And, of course, "Thunderboids" aptly described those formidable "Artens", once the mainstay of the old "See-See"..

"Buddliners" (IMHO) would have been another fitting moniker for the "Brightliners".........

"NYO"

["BUDD"]