BusTalk

[MaBSTOA 15]

This is the side sign curtain found on all MaBSTOA Manhattan based new looks (TDH-5303 models) no matter what depot they were assigned to. The sign was found in the standee window just ahead of the rear door. It was only illuminated by the buses' interior fluorescent light.

This applies to the following MaBSTOA fleet numbers: 3301-3555; 5201-5515; 6401-6700.

Note that I did not include any bus with batwings since they did not have this feature.

Enjoy!

[MaBSTOA 15]

... and the roller curtain continues

[MaBSTOA 15]

and lastly...

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MaBSTOA 15:

Talk about rare relics of a past civilization.......WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure wish I had even ONE of these curtains in my collection!

THANK YOU for sharing these historic signs with us!

"NYO"

["OA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

This, I think, was the 20.5" wide version, besides having been fabricated on Feb. 27, 1967. Cut-up snippets of a 1971 " 'stoa" side sign - about 26.5" wide - have been on eBay forever and a day. That later one would have been struck after the M23X express line was created, the 2 - 5th & Madison via Lenox would have been eliminated and 101A - 3rd-Lex-Lenox Aves would have been nestled in-between 101 and 103. Plus 'SPECIAL' as well as the 'NO PASSENGERS' blurb.

Nonetheless, it is indeed a treasure.

And how many instances would a 10 8th Ave-Cent Pk W run have shown "10 Broadway" on the side instead? (10 - Broadway was the ex-FACCo pull-in, pull-out route that ran from "135 St Only" to 168th Street.)

From what I could see, the route numbers were 4.5", the 'NO PASSENGERS' was 4", and the route descriptions were 2" with the 'ND,' 'RD' and 'TH' in 1" Venus Bold Extended.

[MaBSTOA 15]

This photo was taken at the GM plant in Pontiac. This series, 5201-5525, with 5516-5525 having batwings, was delivered in 1964.

Note the difference between the sign and the roll curtain I posted. Originally it was XTOWN and in the February 1967 update it said CROSSTOWN.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MaBSTOA 15:

Man, do your pictures want me to find a time machine and go back to the days of REAL buses!!!!!

GREAT photos!!

Sadly, as much as we loved them, I think we all pretty much took Fishbowls for grante, when they were still runningd.......

"NYO"

['GENERALMOTORS"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

Back when 5201-5525 were being manufactured, the first three routes were mentioned thus:
1 - MADISON AVE VIA 135 ST
2 - MADISON AVE VIA 116 ST
2 - 5th & 7th AVENUES
In fact, a few pics taken in 1971 of these everGREENs had side signs saying '16 34 ST XTOWN." Proving just how old they were.

Pray tell, which buses would've had the 26" wide side signs? (Besides the "Dangerfields," of course.) The final (1971-73) Fishbowls?

[MaBSTOA 15]

I just measured the roll sign that I posted above and its 20 1/4 inches wide.

The front destination signs were 53 inches wide.

The side destination signs on the 9000 series Flxibles were also 53 inches wide. Best way to know is to visit the Transit Museum in Brooklyn and measure the sign they have on display. Last time I visited about 10 years ago it showed route Q44A. And it is a side destination from a Flxible.

Heres a picture I took during my visit

The 26 inch wide rolls I think came from the 7700 series Flxibles and possibly the T8H-5309 and T8H-5310 new looks.

The batwing sings were approximately 34 inches wide

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

MaBSTOA 15:

Man, if I even ONE of these rare and beautiful relics in my collection!

Hard to fathom that it has now been many,many years sincea "Noo Yawk"bus had roller curtains......TOO long!

GREAT PHOTOS!

"NYO"

["Q44"[