BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The famed "Green Hornets"............

In 1948, the CTA began taking delivery of a fleet of especially-sleek PCCs (210 were built by PULLMAN, while ST. LOUIS built 290)

Barely in service for a decade, these modern cars, still practically new, were, for the most part, simply scrapped, while others had components "recycled" for new CTA rapid transit cars.

Interestingly, as delivered, these modern cars were operated by a two-man crew; later, they were later converted for one-man operation, HOWEVER, some cars WERE converted back to two-man.

The fare registers on the two-man cars were quite unusual, closely resembling and old-fashioned ship's engine telegraph.
'
By 1958, only a few cars were left, operating on the sole surving line (22); #7213 made the final run, becoming the last streetcar to run in Chicago.

Today, only one of these handsome, distinctive cars survives (oddly, none of these cars went to Mexico, South America, or overseas, after retirement)

Why the CTA went through all the expense of buying these modern streetcars, only to discard them 10 years afterwards, simly does not make sense.

Give this, the CTA should have purchased new buses instead.

Let us now pay a brief tributew to the legendary "Green Hornets" of Chicago.............

"NYO"

["PRE-VIEW"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Like PE's distinctive double-ended PCCs, the CTA's postwar PCCs had a distinct, low-slung appearance, which gave them the impression of simply gliding along the rails............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46019

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["36-BROADWAY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"ON THE JOB"..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?151967

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"......as the days dwindle down to a precious few......"

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46020

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"Green Hornet" #4391, the proud (and last) survivor of the fleet.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?56222

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?14861

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["ENTER AT REAR"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Excellent collection of "Green Hornet" photos here........

https://www.thetrolleydodger.com/2015/06/09/chicagos-postwar-pccs/

["4137"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an OUTSTANDING collection of rare COLOR photos depicting Chicago's diverse and fascinating streetcar fleet (EXCELLENT photos!)

https://thetrolleydodger.com/2015/02/22/chicago-streetcars-in-color/

["4-COTTAGE GROVE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another excellent collection of rare Chicago streetcar photos (man, oh, man, to be a "juice fan", back in those days!)

https://thetrolleydodger.com/2015/05/05/chicagos-pre-pccs/

["22 VINCENNES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

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

www.chicagorailfan.com/roscsls.html

["460"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Survivors..........

www.chicagorailfan.com/rosctasp.html

["IRM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Not only are there many nostalgic photos here, we are also treated to a number of interesting "then and now" photos, depicting areas where the streetcars once clattered, swayed, screeched, and clanged along.......

www.thetrolleydodger.com/2016/04/28/more-chicago-pcc-photos-part-eight/

["22 CLARK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another outstanding collection of rare photos......enjoy!

www.thetrolleydodger.com/2015/10/20/7001s-true-colors/

["22 CLARK-WENTWORTH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

A horrific, tragic day for a "Green Hornet" and its unfortunate passengers in 1950........

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_Chicago_streetcar_crash

["CTA"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also............

www.thetrolleydodger.com/2015/05/19/the-green-hornet-streetcar-disaster/

["PLEASE HAVE FARE READY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Scroll down page for more historical streetcar photos........

www.thetrolleydodger.com/2015/08/30/chicago-pcc-update/

["4406"]