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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 1:08 am Post subject: |
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Back in the day, Key System's sleek, modern, articulated "Bridge Units" (which entered service when the Key Pier and ferryboat connections were still in operation) were every bit as "tomorrow" as the new light rail equipment so commonplace today in so many cities.
In fact, one could indeed say that these handsome, streamlined cars were indeed the "granddaddy" of today's modern articulated LRV's......
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/keysyst/htm/key007.htm
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/keysyst/htm/key009.htm
(courtesy: newdavesrailpix) |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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In this circa 1940 scene, we see an SN train being outpaced by an IER (ex-SP) "Red Electric", en route to the Transbay Terminal.
It is interesting to note that the SN trains used trolley poles, pantographs, and third rail shoes on its passenger equipment.
Also interesting is that the SN utilized three DC voltages:
600 volts
1200 volts
1500 volts
On the Bay Bridge's lower level, the KEY trains used third rail (600 volts), while SN and IER trains utilized overhead catenary
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/sn/htm/sn067.htm
(courtesy: newdavesrailpix)
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu May 11, 2017 7:07 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Afer the SN abandoned passenger service, several old "Hall Scott" cars went to the Key System; these cars were used as rush hour trippers, and, not surprisingly, were quite popular on the many railfan excursions of the day.
This handsome consist* is seen approaching the Transbay Terminal in 1947................
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/keysyst/htm/key003.htm
*Note the cars are painted in the NCL "fruit salad" colors........
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu May 11, 2017 4:01 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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A late 1930's view showing a Key "Bridge Unit" approaching the old pier terminal; in the background can be seen the new Bay Bridge.
Soon enough, the Key and SN trains will be rerouted to the new "Bridge Railway" on the span's lower deck, heading to the new Transbay Terminal.......
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/keysyst/htm/key106.htm
(courtesy: newdavesrailpix) |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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Both the SP and the NWP operated similar owl-eyed MU's; SP's "Red Electrics" used catenary, while the NWP units used third rail.
The newest cars were the NWP units; 19 were built between 1929 and 1930.
These big steel/aluminum cars, together with the old wooden open end electrics, served Marin commuters until the NWP abandoned its electric rail commuter system (as well as the connecting ferryboats at Sausalito) in 1941.
The SP's "Red Electric" operations were operated by the IER (Interurban Electric Railway) between 1939 and 1941.
The SP and NWP cars later went to the PE, where they became the noteworthy, legendary "Blimps".
Both the SP and NWP cars utilized sliding mesh gates at the car ends; PE removed these and replaced them with doors......
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/odds/ca/htm/sp03.htm
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/odds/ca/htm/nwp01.htm
(courtesy: newdavesrailpix)
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Thu May 11, 2017 10:27 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Interestingly, the SP, until 1929, also operated "Red Electrics" in the Portland area.
These cars later went to the SP's East Bay area commuter lines; and, still later, to the PE.
Notice that, like their East Bay counterparts, the Portland units also used pantographs.
This is an interesting story with some rare old photos......
http://www.pdxhistory.com/html/red_electrics.html
(courtesy: PdxHistory.com |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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A combine leading an SP East Bay "Red Electric" train, circa late 1930's.
Note the sliding vestibule mesh gates on the cars........
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/odds/ca/htm/sp02.htm
(courtesy: newdavesrailpix) |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 11:02 am Post subject: |
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Some interesting stats on the SP and NWP cars that became PE "Blimps":
When the cars arrived on PE property, the NWP cars had their third rail shoes removed, and the SP cars lost their pantographs; trolley poles were then installed on all cars.
All cars had their sliding mesh vestibule gates removed, and replaced with doors.
Due to the tight curves the cars would be encountering on PE trackage, couplers were repositioned.
Interestingly, the ex-NWP cars could run at nearly sixty miles an hour, even when hauling a trailer; however, the ex-SP cars could hardly attain 45 miles an hour until they were rebuilt........
"NYO" |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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Here is an excellent, detailed, and illustrated page on the NWP's electric commuter train operations, which shut down in 1941.
http://www.mendorailhistory.org/1_railroads/nwp/interurban.htm
Of all the NWP's engineering details, its signalling system was the most innovative.
The rails were shared by both main line steam trains and electric commuter trains; with such heavy traffic, an automatic block signalling system was required.
But since the electric commuter trains used direct current, battery circiuts in the running rails--traditionally used or signal systems--could interfere with signal circuits.
Under US&S Co. auspices, alternating current track circuits were employed; they did not interfere with the direct current, and the railroad was the first to use a signalling concept that today is employed universally on rail rapid transit systems.
The original NWP signals were o the semaphore type.
During the modernization o the NWP electric commuter netwoork between 1929 and 1930, modern color light signals replaced the old semaphores at several locations......... |
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NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 BusTalk's Offical Welcoming Committee
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 23136 Location: NEW JOISEY
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Posted: Fri May 12, 2017 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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Here we see a modern NWP train enroute to the Sausalito ferry terminal, circa 1939.
This classic and timeless scene reminds me of MP-54's, running along the LIRR; one wonders today, had the NWP electrics still been running when WW2 broke out, if the third rail commuter system would have been kept in service, at least until the end of hostilities in 1945.
Perhaps, then, the postwar suburban boom MIGHT have saved the old NWP electric lines; alas, today in 2017, all one can do is speculate.......
http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/odds/ca/htm/nwp02.htm
(courtesy: newdavesrailpix)
*An interesting sidenote to the NWP's then-innovative signal system:
"......New York's Interborough subway opened in 1904 with the North Shore's (NWP) signal design.....it was also the prototype for the electrifications of New York City's two great railway stations, Grand Central Terminal and Pennsylvania Station......"
(Source: "ELECTRIC RAILWAY PIONEER", Harre Demoro)
Last edited by NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629 on Sat May 13, 2017 12:51 am; edited 3 times in total |
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