BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

(SEE PREVIOUS POSTS)

An interesting note on PSNJ's semis.............

Some of the semis were originally built as single-ened cars, with open rear platforms enclosed by folding gates.

Though all were later rebuilt as double-ended cars, some remained single-ended cars until retirement.

However, all evenyually had the open rear platforms enclosed.

The cars that remained single-ended, had rebuilt rear platforms that resembled a streamlined railroad observation car.

Seats were installed on the serear platforms.

The last ran in late 1937, assigned to the HUDSON/BERGEN Inter-divisional "PALISADE" line, which was converted in late 1938.

In this very rare circa-1920 photo, we see a single-ended 1600-series car using the turntable at the 14th Street Ferry Terminal in Hoboken.

Note the conductor standing on the rear p;atform.

This was the only turntable on the PS system; the track layout here was later changed to two stub tracks, anda crossover.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?116999

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

"NYO"

['WEST HOBOKEN"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1935.........

The Newark City Subway (today's Newark Light Rail) opened between Broad Street (today Military Park) and Heller Parkway; the line was built as a conduit for suburban streetcars heading downtown.

Service was extended to Penn Station in 1937, and to Franklin Avenue in 1940.

The last of the connecting subway-surface lines was converted to buses in 1952...........

"NYO"

["SUBWAY CAR-SAVE TIME AND PARKING"]

[Cyberider]

Nice that it's managed to continue to exist so long without the connecting surface rail lines. Too bad they didn't keep the PCC's, though.

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1937......
.
The Newark City Subway extended operations from Broad Street (today's Military Park) to Penn Station; a revesal loop and several surface car departure tracks are placed in service.

Also, a short-lived connection opens, allowing cars to travel from the lower level of the PS Terminal directly into Penn Station.........

"NYO"

["23 CENTRAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On this day in 1978...........

During demolition of the old PS Terminal in Nrwark,t wo disused PCCs (8 and 29) were discovered in the long-abandoned connector between the City Subway at Penn Station and the lower lower level of the PS TErminal.

THe damaged cars were stripped for parts and scrapped on sute.........

"NYO"

["7 CITY SUBWAY"]

[Cyberider]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Cyberider:

The now-defunct "STAR-LEDGER"(Newark) newspaper had a small "blurb" about this unfortunate incident.

I also seem to recall it being mentioned in Stephen McGuire's "TRANSIT TOPICS" in "RAILROAD" Magazine.

I believe the two PCCs that were stored in that old connector tunnel were awaiting heavy repairs, but had been somehow forgotten...........

"NYO"

["21 ORANGE"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

The most unusual PSNJ streetcar grade crossing in the system........

Until just after WW1, the Morris Canal actually crossed over OrangeStreet in Newark; the canal boats were hoisted up the plane bia an elecvtrically-operated hoist.

The boats (riding on dollies) were hauled up the "plane", across Orange Street, and then lowered down again into the canal on the other side.

Electric warning bells were also ised to warn pedestrians and vehicles.

The DL&W also shared this crossing with PS streetcars; trains AND streetcars had to pause when the canal boats crossed.

The site of this u niqie crossing later became the "CITY SUBWAY's"Orange Street crossing; the DL&W was later relocated to below street level after the canal was abandoned.............

"NYO"

["PUBLIC SERVICE RAILWAY"]

[Cyberider]

Sounds interesting!

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

In thispre-1952 view, an inbound "Compromise" roof car is heading to Penn Station.

The factory building on the left was standing when the Morris Canal was in use; this was the location of the electric inclined "plane" that hauled the canal boats across Orange Street.....

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?18983

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["29 BLOOMFIELD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Note the steel trusses on the right of the photo; they, and the adjacent building, were in place when the Morris Canal was still in operation; the boats passed under Norfolk Street.

This photo depicts a 1957 City Subway fantrip; the abandoned ramps were used by the "23 CENTRAL" cars until late 1947.............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?76112

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["SPECIAL"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Here are three of the handsome WPA-era murals on the City Subway,(Newark Light Rail) depicting the Morris Canal days......

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?27690

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?149780

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?19049

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["WPA"]