BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Further (SEE PREVIOUS POST)

I always thought it interesting that none of the CTA's still almost-new PCCs were not purchased by a foreign buyer, for further service, instead of being scrapped, or "recycled" into new apid transit cars.

Look at how many American PCCs (from several properties) were later sold for further service south of the border, Europe, and Egypt...........

"NYO"

["PRE-VIEW"].

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Historical trivia:

CTA's venerable 6000 series cars had the distinction of being the only postwar "L" cars to run alongside the CA&E and North Shore interurban trains.

The now-iconic 6000s, like the surviving CA&E and North Shore rolling stock, today only survive in rail museums (however,(the CTA, it should be noted, does retain a set of restored 6000s, along with with other vintage rapid transit cars and buses, in their historic collection)............

"NYO"

["CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Chicago's diverse PCCs........

There were a number of interesting variations variations among Chicago's sizeable PCC fleet;as in any city, the absence of standee windows on the prewar cars was one clear distinction that separated them from the postwar cars.

The full body skirting gave these sleek cars a distinctive, low-slung appearance..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?49881

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

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["49 WESTERN-79"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's one of the CSL/CTA prewar PCCs displaying a striking and distinctive paint scheme...........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?57457

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["20-DEARBORN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here's an excellent page dedicated to Chicago's postwar PCCs (many rare photos and historical info here)..........

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

["PRE-VIEW"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

"END OF THE LINE"...........

As we know, many retired CTA PCCs were sent to St. Louis for scrapping, with components/parts "recycled" for use in the new "6000"-series "L" cars.

However, as the program continued, it became clear that the "recycling program" was becoming too costly, far exceeding scrap value.

Thus, the last PCC's remained on CTA property until as late as 1959, where the once-sleek cars were scrapped locally............

"NYO"

["ST. LOUIS CAR COMPANY"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See:

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?141677

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

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["CTA"]

[Cyberider]

I liked all of the Chicago PCC's. They were distinctive for their length and door layouts. Also, the pre-PCC Brill and St. Louis demonstrators were interesting. Let's see, did both Chicago and Washington DC have them?

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Check out these pre-PCC experimentals which underwent tests in Brooklyn in the early 1930s........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140900

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?141938 (note very early use of florescent lighting)

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?140896

(courtesy:nycsubway.org)

["B&QT"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Today preserved at the IRM, this is the body shell of CSL's experimental (1934) #4001 (aka the "Blue Goose")

This sleek experimental was not at all popular with CSL, as it was frequently breaking down and tying up traffic.

After only seven years in service, it was removed from service in 1941..........

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?56209

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["22 CLARK"]