BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This interesting 1942 photo has a PCC gliding along Brooklyn Bridge trackage with a BMT El train (note the convertible car) rumbling alongside.

In 1944, when the El trains stopped running across the bridge, the streetcars would be shifted over to the former El tracks, after the third rail was removed, and the overhead trolley wire relocated.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?132316

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["FULTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These two post-1944 photos depict PCC's using the former El tracks on the Brooklyn Bridge.

As noted previously, all streetcar service over the bridge ended in 1950, with no bus replacements.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140805

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140778

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BoT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

It is now 1944, and timeless scenes like this were soon to vanish forever.

Here, just outside of the massive, echoing, Sands Street station complex, we see a train of BMT "BU" elevated cars, opposite an elderly B&QT convertible.

Note the heavy steel girderwork that supported the trolley wires.

Hard to believe that none of this complicated transit infrastructure exists today.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?113235

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This undated photo of single-ended Peter Witt #6045 is interesting; it looks like the car is sporting some sort of experimental paint scheme.

Note the once-commonplace "TROLLEY STATION" sign at upper left.........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117777

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PUTNAM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a truly nostalgic (circa-1950) view of a bygone Brooklyn.

In this view, we have single-ended Peter Witt #6059 meeting PCC #1069 (Vanderbilt & Grand Army Plaza); note the "TROLLEY STATION" sign, just right of center.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140906

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BoT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In this circa-late 1930's photo, we have single-ended Peter Witt #6162 clattering along Brooklyn Bridge trackage.

To the right of the streetcar can be seen the third rail trackage for the BMT elevated trains.

Again, note the heavy steel latticework supporting the trolley wires.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117858

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["FULTON"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Back in 1948, we see two old-time trolley men, happily posing with double-ended Peter Witt #8001 at the elevated Stillwell Avenue terminal; this car was operating on the Norton's Point line.......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46325

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SEA GATE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

This picture from 1946 is particularly interesting; approaching Park Row, we see convertible #4192, with an 8000-series car following in the distance.

On the right, we see a Brooklyn-bound PCC, heading east.

By this time, the streetcars were using the former BMT el trackage over the Brooklyn Bridge......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117639

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

['GRAHAM"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The Brooklyn end of the Brooklyn Bridge looked quite barren after 1944, with the removal of the BMT El trains, and the demolishing of the multi-level Sands St. station.

This photo dates to 1947, three years before the streetcars themselves would stop running over the bridge......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117621

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["B&QT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Now, compare these two earlier views (both featuring PCC's) with the 1947 Sands St. photo I linked in the previous post......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117332

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117333

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SANDS ST."]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's another post-1944 view of a PCC heading east across the Brooklyn Bridge.

The heavy steel trusswork that once separated the El tracks from the streetcar tracks and vehicular lanes is still in place, with the streetcars now using the former BMT tracks.

After the streetcars stopped crossing the bridge in 1950, these steel trusses were removed, along with the tracks and overhead............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140768

(courtesty: nycsubway.org)

("BMT LINES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Modern, lightweight, articulated trains like the CLARK "Bluebird" were originally supposed to replace all of the antiquated wooden cars on the BMT's extensive elevated network in Brooklyn, had the El lines been given a new lease on life.

Here, we see the "Bluebird" near Sands St.; note the elevated interlocking tower in the background, and the overhead trusswork for the trolley wires......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46908

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["PARK ROW"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's a rare circa-1914 photo of streetcars on the Brooklyn Bridge, after a snowstorm........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?141924

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["2972"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Sands Street, circa-1935.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140868

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["BROOKLYN & QUEENS TRANSIT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

These three interesting photos depict different paint schemes on the doors of the 6000-series Peter Witts........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117820

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117814

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?117844

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["NOSTRAND"]