BusTalk

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

It is, indeed, a testimony to BUDD workmanship that those old "Brightliners" are still on the job today, 56 years after they made their debut! (Mom and I saw them on display at GCT, back in the day; they were equipped with NYC-style third rail shoes to travel down from the old Mott Haven Yards)

(Personally, I think that the R-32's looked much more handsome, prior to the removal of the end roller sign boxes and bulkhead!)

Recall, too, that BUDD built the articulated BMT "Zephyr" in the mid-30's (OOS by 1954); and the R-11/34's (1948/1949) which were to be the prototype for the new SAS fleet, when that system opened (only a SAS "stubway" operates today)

Ironically, the sleek new Fishbowls that were then running for MABSTOA and the "Tee-Yay" when the R-32's first hit the rails, have long since vanished (shoot!), whereas their subway counterparts are still on the job, several decades later!

The R-32's have even outlasted a number of newer cars, as well! (recall, also, the experimental R-110A's and R-110B's, back in the 1990's)........

"NYO"

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Coney Island yards, 1964.

The shiny new "Brightliners"* are here framed by ancient "AB" Standards and Triplex units, both types long-standing workhorses of the BMT.

While the hulking "D"-type Triplex units (1925) would be retired the following year (1965), Standards would continue to serve straphangers until 1969.

Talk about CLASSIC subway rolling stock!

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4712

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

*Note the interesting routing displayed on the R-32's roller curtains!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Now here's a real MUSEUM fleet!!!

A train of new R-32's are framed by an ancient IRT Lo-V and an elderly "Q" unit; this photo also gives one a great "look see" at the evolution of rapid transit car design, over the decades.........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4721

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK"!

How much has vanished since these photos were taken, well over a half-century ago.........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4744

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4976

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75611

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75750

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?114189

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?4986

(courtesy: nycway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

BMT's 36th St., yard, 1969.

Plenty of "Tee-Yay" Old Looks are on hand here to help keep this lonely old IRT Lo-V work motor company........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?150322

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The same yard, as it was back in 1954 (talk about a REAL "Museum" fleet!)

Quite a "treasure trove" here for both the bus and rapid transit buffs of that era.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75771

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

At the 36th St. yard in 1972, in this melancholy view, we see a number of retired Old Looks (#'s 9006, 9036, and 7111 front and center) in the foreground (as well as more retired buses in the far background) with a group of New Looks in between........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?53689

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Steeplecabs and New Looks......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?33666

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?33667

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

36th St. yard, 2001.

Subway work equipment has indeed changed over the decades, and the buses seen here were far and away removed from the Old Looks and Fishbowls of yore.......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?69363

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The same yard, back in early 1964.

Note the Fishbowls parked on the left, and the "Standard" converted to a work car, on the right........

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?41829

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here, in 1972, the "new MTA blue" bus is the odd one out; the other two Fishbowls are still adorned in their original "Tee-Yay" green and stylish script lettering......

http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7319

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Buses are just glimpsed here at the far right in this 1960 scene at the 36th St. yard.

The two-car Lo-V set, seen here fitted with flange skirting, was for use on the BMT; the modified Lo-V's operated on the BMT from the late 1950's, until about 1961.......

http://bus.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6722

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[W.B. Fishbowl]