BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The BMT, it has been said, was the "flamboyant playboy" of the New York subways.

No other subway division ever operated experimental rolling stock, nor, did either the IRT or the IND ever operate articulated equipment (imagine articulated Lo-V's or "Arnines"?)

The IRT, with its distinctive kiosks, intricate station mosaics, and spindly Manhattan els, was quite "Victorian"; the BRT/BMT, on the other hand, was a heady, complex, far-flung conglomeration of subways, elevateds, streetcars, and, even buses.

The IND, indeed, represented the very acme of modern subway construction and design.......

"NYO"

["New York City Transit System"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Another interesting "what if" to consider is what if ALL New York's subways had been built to the same dimensions?

While the BMT and IND were (and are) still "compatible"); the iRT, with its shorter, narrower rolling stock and tighter curves and tunnels, was more "in sync" with the H&M tubes (PATH)

Recall, also,that both the INTERBOROUGH and the BRT/BMT were fierce competitors; when it came to transporting the teeming masses to the honky-tonk empire of thrilling amusements and the boardwalks of Coney Island.

The IRT, on the other hand, could hardly compete in this venue; subway ads told day-trippers that they COULD take the IRT to up to Pelham Bay Park/Orchard Beach (hardly an area that could compete with Coney's glittering, colorful sprawl!)

While BMT riders were also told that they could ride out to Canarsie Beach Park, again, certainly light-years removed from the honky-tonk gala of Coney Island.......

"NYO"

["You, Too, Can Reach The Beach By Subway!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of the BRT/BMT Canarsie line......

1906:

The line is opened for BRT service between Rockaway Parkway and Williamsburgh, via the Broadway El.

1908:

Through train service to the Canarsie Pier begins.

1920:

Through subway service to the Canarsie Pier ends; a (streetcar) track loop is built at Rockway Parkway, and service to the pier is now handled by streetcars.

1951:

Trolley service to the Canarsie Pier ends; the B42 bus replaces the streetcars.

"NYO"

["BRT/BMT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Canarsie line memories......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75651

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?75579

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?137097

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?118529

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["16-Canarsie"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Canarsie trolleys.......

https://nycsubway.org/perl/show?31214

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?141974

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?7828

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117699

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117723

["Canarsie"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a few more photos of Canarsie trolleys.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117678

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117683

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117691

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["Canarsie Pier"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Gone for nearly 50 years now, the old grade crossing at E. 105th St. (Canarsie line) had the distinction of being the only grade crossing on the subway system.

This location (once a powerful magnet for railfans of that long-ago era) was quite reminiscent of the SIRT, back in the days before the massive grade crossing elimination of the 1960's......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?144460

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?6692

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?112994

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?26089

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["E. 105th St."]

[traildriver]

[traildriver]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

traildriver:

If the old grade crossing at E. 105th St. was still a part of the system today, rest assured that there would be tighter "security" on hand to prevent fare-beaters from entering the system; these days, fare-beating (on both the subways and the buses) is, indeed, totally out-of-hand, with no end in sight.

Recalling the double-fare on the Rockaway line (which, by the 1960's, was re-using the old IND "HH" designation, used by the old Court St. shuttle until 1946); in "UNDER THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK" (Cudahy) the author reports:

".......the double fare charged on the Rockaway line was a departure from long-standing practice. Not since the days prior to the Dual Contracts, when BRT trains to Coney Island required a double fare, had more than a single payment been required to ride the subway....."

".....the double fare lasted from 1956 through 1975, but a 'premium' fare was instituted on the Rockaway line in 1978......"

"NYO"

["HH-Fulton St.Local"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also interesting, in discussing the Rockaway line.

The following is from the aforementioned Cudahy work:

"......an oddity of the Rockaway line as it appeared, in 1956, to be an extension and expansion of the IND system,,,,,,"

".......in actuality, it was operated and supervised as the TA's FOURTH subway division......."

".......through trains from Manhattan to Rockaway, for example, changed crews at Euclid Avenue, not unlike a railroad division point in the middle of Kansas or Nebraska........"

"NYO"

["Special-Wave Crest"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting page on the Rockaway line......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IND_Rockaway_Line

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also: (many photo links)......

https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/IND_Rockaway_Line

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this 1971 photo, we see a train of prewar IND cars in service on the "HH"; the "HH" reading on these cars would have been originally used on the Court St. shuttle until 1946.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?1989

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

{"HH-Rockaway Pk."]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Memories.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24365

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?24431

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?80157

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?152023

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["HH Fulton-Euclid"]