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| (247155) | |
BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011 Remembering the Bx55 when it was first run by the new two tone blue GM's, then with older fishbowls, white top fishbowls, and two tone blue Flxs. Of course there were other buses too but this is just a sampling of what replaced the old EL.njoy jrc        
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by mcorivervsaf on Fri Nov 4 22:44:58 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Superb shots, once again, Joe! Love the Bus-O-Ramas on the GM Fishbowls. The only bus in your photos I ever recall seeing in service, was #4876, but I only remember seeing that in Manhattan, and I was too young to recall where! Thanks again, Joe! |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:50:40 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by mcorivervsaf on Fri Nov 4 22:44:58 2011. Thanx again. Happy I could stir up some memory for you.The 4800's if I recall were transferred pretty quickly to other lines after they were specifically ordered for the EL replacement service. It was a hoot when all the other stuff appeared on the Bx55. Now, its artics. jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Fri Nov 4 22:56:31 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Sweet! I was pretty young, but I remember this well. I also recall that the BX55 usually had only the new 5309As and by the late 1970s you'd see any KB bus show up on the BX55.In the last photo with 7845, I'm thinking those other two are BX3 buses on layover. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Fri Nov 4 23:02:58 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by mcorivervsaf on Fri Nov 4 22:44:58 2011. The only bus in your photos I ever recall seeing in service, was #4876, but I only remember seeing that in Manhattan, and I was too young to recall where! Thanks again, Joe!Originally the lion's share of the 5309As at MABSTOA were at KB depot, with some at COL and a smaller group at HUD. Later (early 1980s), most of them were sent to WF depot. A couple of years later most of them were split between two Manhattan depots (146th St and 132nd St depots). |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by fishbowls4ever on Fri Nov 4 23:05:20 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Awesome pics!! |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Fri Nov 4 23:10:44 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by WayneJay on Fri Nov 4 22:56:31 2011. I need to add that I used enjoy riding the BX55. It was often a nice fast ride and bus usually made good time when they went southbound on Washington Ave and north along Third Ave (which was one-way N/B between 163rd Street to 187th Street). |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by mcorivervsaf on Fri Nov 4 23:17:12 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by WayneJay on Fri Nov 4 23:02:58 2011. (146th/132nd) That must have been when I saw #4876. Did the RTS's displace the 5309A's at West Farms? |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 23:34:09 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by fishbowls4ever on Fri Nov 4 23:05:20 2011. Thanx!jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 23:40:17 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Have to add here that the first shot (overhead) is in the neighborhood I grew up in. That is my old church parish in the rear. Some of the best Chicken Chow Mein was served just across the street from this bus, on the right side of this pic.jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Fri Nov 4 23:41:42 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by mcorivervsaf on Fri Nov 4 23:17:12 2011. A couple of things happened. West Farms depot closed and it's operations shifted to Walnut. The remaining 5309As went to Manhattan. Walnut eventually got brand new '84 RTSs (3487-3571). |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 23:53:29 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by WayneJay on Fri Nov 4 23:41:42 2011. You know, there was always something amiss with that number series. The 5303's in that series were OA's first new buses after takeover, and were somewhat a come-down from all the previous buses. They were cheap in appearance, having one piece simple destinations signs, no side sign, hard seats ( with more roaches), a red-hot rear seat (over the engine) which emanated fumes at high speed. They had no paint on the bottom skirting. Geeze, I hated these (until it was time for them to go). The RTSs in that series rode like they had no shocks, seemed slow (compared to the Grummans), always seemed to lack a/c. I was happy when they were gone. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Sat Nov 5 00:14:35 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 23:53:29 2011. I didn't care for those old OA 5303s either. I did like the forward facing seats in the rear half of 3301-3355 and 5201-5525 groups, but I never cared much for the 6401-6900 group. I was never a big RTS, but I really disliked the '81 (OA 2201-2300, PA2301-PA2579) & '83 RTS as they were dreadfully slow. I too was happy to see them go.Another thing I forgot to mention about the OA 5309A was that they eventually were renumbered from 4800-4919 into the 65/6600 series. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Nov 5 03:22:28 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Those MABSTOA 48/4900's and NYCTA's 62/6300's were my favorite fishbowls of all time. Of course it helped I was a regular Crosstown commuter at the time on the B24/29 (or whatever it was called then) riding with super seniority b/o's who almost always drew a nice, new air conditioned 6300. They were the first brand new units they got since 1963 as the 8000's from 1966 were hand-me-downs from Jamaica. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Pelham Exp on Sat Nov 5 09:09:30 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 23:40:17 2011. What parish is that? |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Railman718 on Sat Nov 5 09:52:04 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Thank you for the flashbacks i remember the old service pattern..Going towards 149th Sreet or 161st street Via Washington Ave(one way street).. Going towards GunHill or Fordamn Rd Via Thrid Ave(One way street).. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Westcode44 on Sat Nov 5 10:11:31 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Nov 5 03:22:28 2011. Don't forget the 6900 Express Versions,, GLEASON ran them on the 27x what a comfortable ride,,A/C -great suspension too. There was 1 oddball 6948--All that's left now is a Corgi Model-WE-44 |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 14:08:37 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Pelham Exp on Sat Nov 5 09:09:30 2011. Immaculate Conception.jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Manwithaplan on Sat Nov 5 14:15:43 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Boy do I remember those days. I can remember when the north bound Bx55 ran on 3rd Avenue and the south bound BX55 would ran down onWashington Avenue. MaBSTOA also had a run on the BX55 that terminated at 161st Street-River Avenue Station. Thanks Joe! Great stuff. I miss the 3rd Avenue El, but I also miss the original equipment that was used to replace the El. The good old days are always a good thing to see and talk about, and as long as there are people who can remember the good old days, those days will never die! MWAP |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Sat Nov 5 14:51:51 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Railman718 on Sat Nov 5 09:52:04 2011. I always thought that the BX55 service was great when it (and the BX29) used Washignton Ave sounthbound and Third Ave northbound. The buses moved along at good speed and there wasn't much congestion like Third Ave is nowadays with two-way traffic flow. The BX55 buses serving 149th-3rd Ave also made good time on Melrose Ave. It was always that special route that was known as the express, didn't accept Add-A-Ride transfers, free transfers to/from the subway. Even us students (at the time) knew that you needed to have a train pass (They didn't accept bus pass on the BX55) or they had to ride the BX29.You all may also remember that the BX55 had separate bus stops from local routes. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Keeping the RAPID in Rapid Transit on Sat Nov 5 14:58:33 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Nov 5 03:22:28 2011. How did the 8000's/hand-me-downs from Jamaica work out? My Dad operated them new in Queens. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 16:35:13 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Manwithaplan on Sat Nov 5 14:15:43 2011. Glad you enjoyed, MWAP. My only regret is not having taken more. Same on the train side of the board, with the EL shots. Should have taken more.Oh well. jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Gotham Bus Co. on Sat Nov 5 16:41:10 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by WayneJay on Sat Nov 5 14:51:51 2011. [It was always that special route that was known as the express, didn't accept Add-A-Ride transfers, free transfers to/from the subway.] Not "always." In the early 1990's, the Bx55 gained bus-to-bus transfer privileges, thus losing part of its "special" status. Of course, the TWU sued (unsuccessfully) to preserve that status on the grounds of "past practice." Then came July 1997, when all other bus routes gained subway transfer privileges and the Bx55 was finally reduced to being just another bus route. The TWU grieved again over the "special" status and lost. [You all may also remember that the BX55 had separate bus stops from local routes.] Those stops were only at the locations of the former Third Avenue Elevated stations. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Nov 5 16:49:24 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Keeping the RAPID in Rapid Transit on Sat Nov 5 14:58:33 2011. I remember them as decent buses, but the first few I rode were quite dirty. XT got 8041 to 8080. 8041 lived for about 20 years, ending life in Flatbush sans wings. That was the first one I rode one cold winter Sunday night on the B48. Air conditioning was pretty spotty too, but in those days the a/c systems were in their infancy on transit buses. Couple that to lousy maintance in those days. It was preety neat how different the engine sounded inside the bus with the a/c in operation. They were restricted from the B39 due to clearance problems on the WillyB. Let's say the TA found out the hard way. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by B53RICH on Sat Nov 5 18:12:52 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 16:35:13 2011. Don't feel too bad, Joe. At least you got some shots. I've always talked about getting bus pics from back then myself, never did. Probably would have had some batwings from Fresh Pond.Thanks for sharing the memories. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by B53RICH on Sat Nov 5 18:22:20 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Bill from Maspeth on Sat Nov 5 16:49:24 2011. 8041 was at FP for a short stay, sometime around 1980.FP had 8001-8040 from FLU. Never saw them on the B(Q)55. Forest Park trees pehaps? |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Larry,RedbirdR33 on Sat Nov 5 18:43:38 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 23:40:17 2011. That is my old church parish in the rear.That's the "Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary" or the "Immac" as we used to call it. I was down there this past year and the church and rectory have strong fortified doors. The place was sealed up tighter than Fort Knox. I guess that they only open it on Sundays for mass. Larry, RedbirdR33 |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Larry,RedbirdR33 on Sat Nov 5 18:49:23 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. R-17: Thank you for the great pictures and the good memories. Melrose Avenue was for me ,'the old neighborhood.' When the Bx 55 started running the peak headway was a bus a minute at least between Fordham Road and 149 Street. The branch line over to River Avenue and 161 Street was something of a Red Herring. It ran infrequently and never really built up a customer base.Larry, RedbirdR33 |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 20:57:43 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Larry,RedbirdR33 on Sat Nov 5 18:43:38 2011. The "Immac" or "Immaculate" is basically a seminary for Redemptorists now. Few Sunday Masses, the school still thrives though.I graduated in 1962. jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Larry,RedbirdR33 on Sat Nov 5 21:38:19 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 20:57:43 2011. I went to school there from 1956 to 60. At that time the top floor of the school was an annex of Cathedral High School.Larry, RedbirdR33 |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 23:04:32 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Larry,RedbirdR33 on Sat Nov 5 21:38:19 2011. My sister also went there, and attended a year upstairs until transferring to Manhattan. My friends and I wandered all over the building including the upstairs floor. They even had their own cafeteria.jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by AMoreira81 on Sat Nov 5 23:55:45 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Nice pics! But where is the last picture at? |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 23:58:58 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by AMoreira81 on Sat Nov 5 23:55:45 2011. Fordham Plz. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Pelham Exp on Sun Nov 6 07:59:44 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Sat Nov 5 14:08:37 2011. 151st |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sun Nov 6 13:31:45 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Pelham Exp on Sun Nov 6 07:59:44 2011. 150th and 151st. I lived around the corner on Courtlandt.jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Larry,RedbirdR33 on Sun Nov 6 15:56:57 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Sun Nov 6 13:31:45 2011. 150th and 151st. I lived around the corner on Courtlandt.Wasn't there a big Italian Street Festival there at certain times of the year? I lived at 156 Street and Melrose and at least the apartment house is still standing. Larry, RedbirdR33 |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by R 36 ML 9542 on Sun Nov 6 17:14:23 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. I hate to ask, does any one have any pics of the el being cut down? |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sun Nov 6 20:34:31 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Larry,RedbirdR33 on Sun Nov 6 15:56:57 2011. I recall the Italian feasts on Morris, in conjunction with Our Lady of Pity, the Italian parish.You & I may have known the same families. My building is also still standing although they removed the stoop in front of it. I stood there many hours watching the buses come up 150th and get stuck on the turn because of parked cars. Even then! jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by r17-6599 on Sun Nov 6 20:35:15 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by R 36 ML 9542 on Sun Nov 6 17:14:23 2011. I never did that; couldn't stand the sight of it.jrc |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Mon Nov 7 09:13:06 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Gotham Bus Co. on Sat Nov 5 16:41:10 2011. Those stops were only at the locations of the former Third Avenue Elevated stations.Unless I'm mistaken, weren't all BX55 stops at the location of former Third Ave El stops, except 161st-River Ave., of course. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by UTC Bus Roster on Mon Nov 7 09:34:37 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by WayneJay on Sat Nov 5 00:14:35 2011. FYI, the 4801-4919 were renumbered 6500-6918 respectively. 4800 was only 4800-series fishbowl to be sent to Blitz for rebuild as 5511.Eventually, the lowest-numbered of this series (4800-4822) was transferred rto Ulmer Park, where the lasted for many years. Also, the 1981 & 1983 RTS buses were some of the slowest buses on the planet! Only 2281-2300 had 6V-92 engines. The rest had the 6V-71. All of the 1982 RTS buses came with the 6V-92. I remember that 2205 & 2210 could not make it up Kingsbridge Hill! 2201 should have been retained for the museum RTS. It was the first RTS (except for the demo) delivered to NYC. It was delivered a month before 1201 was delivered. It was also the only RTS bus delivered with 4 roof hatches, instead of the standard 2 roof hatches. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Joe Saitta on Mon Nov 7 09:38:28 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by UTC Bus Roster on Mon Nov 7 09:34:37 2011. Was RTS #200 considered the demo? |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by William A. Padron on Mon Nov 7 13:26:28 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by Joe Saitta on Mon Nov 7 09:38:28 2011. Yeah, #200 was the demo, and I remembering taking one photo snapshot of it when it was in #Q17 service leaving the 165th Street Terminal (Queens) circa 1979-80. I recall seeing that bus with the front destination sign in the solaris-like flip digitron format.-William A. Padron ["Q43"] |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by William A. Padron on Mon Nov 7 13:29:37 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by WayneJay on Mon Nov 7 09:13:06 2011. Yeah, there were at the same cross streets as the El. However, then years later, the Bx55 bus stop for 161st Street-3rd Avenue was moved upward to 163rd Street, as I recall.-William A. Padron ["Limited"] |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by Newkirk Plaza David on Mon Nov 7 15:16:12 2011, in response to BX55: the way it was, posted by r17-6599 on Fri Nov 4 22:35:02 2011. Wow, picture #4 of the Mosholu Parkway "bridge" seems like it was ancient. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Mon Nov 7 15:29:01 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by UTC Bus Roster on Mon Nov 7 09:34:37 2011. Yes, I remember '81 RTS 2281-2300 as those were originally assigned to Kingsbridge - my home depot. Actually some of the '81 TA RTS also had the DD 6V-92TA engine too. I think it was 1288-1297 and of course 1298-1317 which had the 2X2 high-backed seating for express service. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Mon Nov 7 15:37:36 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by William A. Padron on Mon Nov 7 13:29:37 2011. then years later, the Bx55 bus stop for 161st Street-3rd Avenue was moved upward to 163rd Street, as I recall.Agreed! I think the BX55 161st St stop was moved to 163rd St-Third Ave when the BX55 serving 149th St-Third Ave routing was moved from Melrose Ave (between 149th-161st) to Third Ave. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by B53RICH on Mon Nov 7 18:23:10 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by William A. Padron on Mon Nov 7 13:26:28 2011. #200 was also a slope back. I remember seeing it, I think at Jamaica Ave. and Queens Blvd. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by B53RICH on Mon Nov 7 18:35:10 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by WayneJay on Mon Nov 7 15:29:01 2011. 2287-2290 were sent to FP later on, around the time the 4000 series GM's were renumbered into the 6000's. I didn't know then that these had different engines but when I first saw 2289 pass, it did sound different from the other RTS's. |
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Re: BX55: the way it was |
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Posted by WayneJay on Mon Nov 7 19:22:48 2011, in response to Re: BX55: the way it was, posted by B53RICH on Mon Nov 7 18:35:10 2011. Yeah - When the '81 buses were still being delivered, I got 2294 one day on the old BX38 and I immediately knew the bus sounded different (and better). Then it took off and I realized that it was faster too. It was cool once I realized that 2281-2300 were "special". Someone (must've been an OA employee at KB) wrote the word "Turbo" next to the interior fleet number on 2281-2300. |
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