BusTalk

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2026 5:53 am Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2026 10:15 am Post subject:

W.B.:

Appreciate the photos; I had totally forgotten about these "SHELL-liners" that retained at least some of the original bulkhead configuration; I indeed do remember them.

Again, IMHO, I think that the main reason that the last "Redboids" retained so much of their original configuration was that the "Em-Tee-Ay" knew that they'd be retired in the very early 2000s......

"NYO"

["7 TIMES SQUARE"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2026 10:21 am Post subject:

See:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26553

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["I.R.T. LINES"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2026 8:58 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2026 9:30 pm Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2026 10:33 pm Post subject:

"R-16" cameo in "IMITATION OF IIFE", 1959.........

Early on in the film (which opens in 1947) there is a quick scene (about three minutes) set in a photographer's/advertising studio, where, out the window, we see a few trains of "R-16s" passing by on elevated trackage (of course, the "16s"would not have been on the scene for a little bit more than a decade, in 1947)

There was either a viaduct (or platforms) spanning the elevated BMT tracks.

I'm thinking that this MIGHT have been Livonia Avenue on the Canarsie line, but cannot be sure; I'm only guessing,here.

Or, perhaps somewhere along the "15" (today's "J") ,or the Rockaway line?

"NYO"

["AMERICAN CAR & FOUNDRY"]

W.B. Fishbowl · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 8:48 am Post subject:

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2026 11:56 am Post subject:

W.B.:

I've always had soft spot in my heart for the "Underground Dangerfields" (now THAT'S a moniker that FITS!) Wink

Like their rubber-tired,diesel-powered counterparts, they seemed to get little (if any) respect, especially in their later years......... Sad

"NYO"

"'BMT LINES"]

*Interestingly, the GE-equipped cars were much less reliable than those equipped with WESTINGHOUSE equipment.........

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2026 10:34 pm Post subject:

W.B.:

You should find this interesting......... Wink

In the 1954 "I LOVE LUCY" episode, "Lucy's Club Dance", we see Ricky and Fred going to buy a paper at a corner newsstand; the facade and marquee of "Roseland" is across the street.

A prop of an IRT kiosk is prominent, looking quite authentic, with the correct "ENTRANCE" lettering.

Now, then.......

You MIGHT think that an "INTERBOROIGH RAPID TRANSIT COMPANY" sign would be displayed.......though in b/w, the sign does appear to have white lettering on a dark blue background.

The sign reads:

8th AVE.

UPTOWN TO 205th ST.

DOWNTOWN TO FULTON ST.

BROOKLYN & QUEENS

Interesting "artistic license", especially where other authentic "Noo Yawk" detail is to be found (recall, also, that the Ricardos lived on the EAST side, which,of course, would have had them in close proximity to the IRT Lexington Avenue line (recall, also, Lucy and Ethel riding on a rush-hour Lex train in 1957's "Lucy & The Loving Cup".)..........

"NYO"

["INDEPENDENT SUBWAY SYSTEM"]

'

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 12:46 pm Post subject:

Also:

There are references to the subway in several "Lucy" episodes; obviously, "Lucy" and "Ethel" went downtown to on the Lex for shopping sprees.

Not to mention when "the boys" went ip to the (original) Yankee Stadium; then, also, using the subway to head for the original "Garden" to see the fights.

The IRT's 68th Street station woild have been right in the Ricardo's and Mertzes' neighborhood........

"NYO"

["LEXINGTON AVENUE LOCAL"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 5:38 pm Post subject:

Strange........

In the 1957 "Lucy" episode, "Lucy & The Living Cup", we are treated to a number of stock footage clips of "Lo-Vs","R-12s",and "Arnines" (the "Arnine" footage was also used in the Richard Widmark film, "Pickup On South Street", as well as the "Superman" episode, "A Shot In The Dark"; IND train was signed for the "AA")

Oddly, no BMT footage was used in the "Lucy" episode......

"NYO"

["INDEPENDENT SUBWAY SYSTEM"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2026 10:06 pm Post subject:

" A SHOT IN THE DARK"............

In the aforentioned 1950s "Superman" episode, though stock footage of "Arnines"on the "AA" is used, the set depicting the motorman's cab clearly depicts the vestibule of a prewar IRT car (NO "dead-man's" feature, and, clearly, no "stop arms"on the signals, to halt a runway running through a red signal!) Shocked

Surely, over the years, more than a few "Tee-Yay"men saw this episode and chuckled, not to mention sharp-eyed subway enthusiasts............. Wink

["AA"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2026 9:46 am Post subject:

Further........

In "A SHOT IN THE DARK", the motorman of the "VALLEY LOCAL"is knocked out by a thug, who swings the controller to its top notch before bailing oyr (NO DEAD MAN'S FEATURE, and, obviously, NO signal trip arms!!) Shocked

Thug 1 to Thug 2:

"Who ever heard of a local catchin' up to an express?"

\MUST mention some timeless background sounds of prewar cars in action! Wink

"NYO"

["VALLEY EXPRESS"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 12:48 pm Post subject:

Also of interest.............

Think of the many classic films set in "Noo Yawk"; almost always, it's either the IRT or IND that we see depicted in subway scenes, but seldom (if ever) the BMT.

In 1964's "THE INCREDIBLE MR. LIMPET", we DO have a studio set of the interior of a BMT car (a Coney Island-bound "SEA BEACH EXPRESS") ;though totally generic, the set DID, however, have the authentic "feel" of a prewar car...........

"NYO"

["SEA BEACH EXPRESS"]

NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2026 8:12 pm Post subject:

Also.........

Look at vintage animated cartoons; as I've recountedin the past, virtually EVERY cartoon where a subway is featured depicted the IRT.

I can think of but TWO where BMT was depicted.

The IND?

Cannot recall any, but, perhaps, ONE quick glimpse of what MIGHT have been an "R-11",in (I believe) a Paramount/Famous Studios short, many eons ago.........

'NYO"

["INDEPENDENT SUBWAY SYSTEM"]