BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS)

Thankfully, the tall and imposing original track indicators are still at use at GCT; though now updated with electronic signage, these majestic indicators still appear much as they did many decades ago.

The drawers built into the base of the indicator once were used to store the roller curtains which were originally used in this indicators............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?108896

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["TRACK 110"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Now, here is one of the original "double" track indicators on GCT's upper level; like their counterparts on the lower level, these indicators now use electronic signage.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?108901

See also:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?108900

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["12:07 NEW HAVEN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Straddling the burnished rails leading into GCT for decades, "NICK" tower was a vital and integral part of the station's daily operations.

Sadly, this unique tower was demolished after it was closed, after cab signalling was implemented...............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?93327

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NICK"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recalling one of the most famous trains of all time. the "20th Century Limited", this classic and nostalgic sign takes us back to the long-ago days when this luxurious train once sped between New York and Chicago (last run was in 1967).............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?139545

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["RESERVED SEAT COACH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

By the 1970s, NH's once gaudy, flamboyant, and eye-catching FL-9's were indeed showing many signs of deferred maintenance and neglect; this is indeed evident in these photos from the 1970s.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?147648

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?147650

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PENN-CENTRAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In later years, MN repainted and restored the fabled FL-9's to their original distinctive New Haven McGuiness liveries; Mom, like myself, was always enamored by these flamboyant and proud engines.

In later years, she'd recall that "those engines always looked like they were all dressed up for a parade!"

How right she was!

I will forever associate these proud machines with not only many boyhoodvisits to GCT as a lad, but also, our day trips up to New Haven, many eons ago...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?86824

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NH"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The "mysteries" of Track 61...........................

https://untappedcities.com/2021/03/17/abandoned-track-61-grand-central-terminal/

["NEW YORK CENTRAL SYSTEM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Electrification.............

Interestingly, the NYC was quickly moving ahead with electrification prior to 1910, far in advance of the mighty PRR (recall, the first MP-54's did not begin operation [LIRR] until the opening of Penn Station in 1910, and the first PRR MP-54's did not begin operation until 1915)

As early construction of the present GCT was underway, the stalwart "S" motors began hauling through trains out of New York (these iconic little engines were still hard at work, through the 1970s!)

The first NYC electric MU's began running in 1908; the earliest cars were furnished with elegant stained glass in their arched windows.

In later years, these once-familiar workaday electrics had the window arches covered by letterboards, when they were modernized (some of these ancient cars made it into the P-C, era!)

In fact, very early on, LIONEL even made a replica of the NYC's big green MU's, lettered "INTERURBAN"!

In the 1950's, the NYC began using ex-CUT electrics to haul through trains between GCT and Harmon................

"NYO"

["TRACK 20"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an interesting page on the towering and most impressive former Cleveland Union Terminal (today's "Tower City Center") in Cleveland.

Amtrak only briefly served this cavernous and lofty facility..........

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

["EMPIRE STATE EXPRESS"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Also of interest:

www.clevelandmemory.org/cut-coll/

["NKP"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

IMHO, the now-gone F40PH was indeed an AMTRAK icon.

To me, these big, beefy, hulking, no-nonsense machines shouted "AMTRAK"!

(I was also quite partial to those operated by NJT, back in the day!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_F40PH

["TRACKS ARE BACK!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Like GREYHOUND, AMTRAK has closed a large number of stations over the the past 50 years; many communities now no longer have either rail or bus services...........

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

["LAST STOP!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Great photos! (locos and cars)

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

["BROADWAY LIMITED"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Could any passenger coach be more identified with AMTRAK than the iconic "Amfleet" cars?

Hard to believe that the first of these sleek now-iconic cars entered service in the late 1970's!

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

["AMCAFE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Mention must also be made of AMTRAK's now-retired "Heritage" fleet cars, the last of which were retired in 2019.

What a grand surprise and a THRILL it was to discover that an honest-to-goodness classic DOME CAR was part of the consist of the eastbound "BROADWAY LIMITED", back in 1986, when Your's Truly was traveling back to Newark from Chicago!

Before it was cut out of our consist, rest assured I was indeed having one grand old time, reliving the glory days of American streamliners!

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