BusTalk :: View topic - Bus garage/yard photos (or lack thereof) at nycsubway.org (2024)

I know I am not the only one here who has long ago noticed that bus garage/yard photos at nycsubway.org are almost as rare as a snowflake on the Sahara.

Now, on the other hand, there are photo sections for each and every subway yard, comprising of hundreds of photos, past and present.

Now, here's the "puzzle"........

If few bus garage/yard photos were taken back in the 70s (or even the 80s) due to crime worries, then tell me why there are HUNDREDS of subway yard photos, taken over a period of several decades?

These subway yard photos, BTW, have aided me tremendously over the years, during my research for various topics here.

As most subway yards are in areas, shall we say, less than "gentrified", you wonder at how so many hundreds of subway yard photos were taken, and virtually ZILCH regarding bus garage/yard photos?

The sizeable absence of bus garage photos at nycsubway.org is, indeed, QUITE glaring................

"NYO"

["New York City Transit Authority"]

At nycsubway.org, you have to go through the different links for the different companies/operators to even begin hunting for garage/yard photos; it is, at best, a mere "smattering" of photos depicting the many garages and bus storage yards in the NYC area, many of which no longer exists.

Too, such photos would give us interesting "behind the scenes" looks at day-to-day bus operations in years and decades past, as well as to give us rare glimpses of older buses that were either stored or awaiting scrapping.

There ARE a number of old photos taken at the BMT's 39th Street yards, where buses of various types can be glimpsed in the background.

Also, there are quite a few "subway" photos from the early/mid-1970s, showing OOS Old Looks and Fishbowls awaiting scrapping, parked between the BMT ramps at Fresh Pond Road.

Given this, a section at nycsubway.org, perhaps headed "GARAGES/DEPOTS", is, IMHO, long, long overdue.

Older photos taken at the garages are indeed "time capsules" depicting for us today in 2024 what city bus operations were like, "behind the scenes".............

"NYO"

["NO PASSENGERS"]

Such pics would also be valuable in terms of what buses - and in what range of numbers - were stored there at any given time.

Good post.

Agreed; seeing more "yard"/"garage" photos would, indeed, also be quite useful in deciphering what types of buses, what number series, etc, were stabled at a given garage.

Certainly, I'd especially like to see more FACCo/SURFACE garage photos, and, most especially, early "stoa" garage/yard photos.

For certain, I know we'd all like to see a series of vintage photos showing Brooklyn and Queens garages as well.

Too, seeing photos of buses being re-painted, overhauled, having new sign curtains installed, etc., would really be of tremendous value to us "historic" minded fellows, if only we could access such photos, as much as those depicting the subway yards/shops........

"NYO"

["15 FIFTH AVENUE"]

W.B.:

Agreed.

The few Staten Island garage/yard photos at nycsubway.org show only one lone bus outside of the Castleton garage in two or three views, and a few of WAMATA "Dangerfields" in a Staten Island yard.....that's about it...........

"NYO"

["GARAGE"]

Also, buses undergoing both cosmetic and heavy repairs; also re-painting.

Would also love to see the Coliseum yard prior to (and just after) the "stoa" takeover................

"NYO"

["New York City Transit Authority"]

I (and others, I am sure) would greatly enjoy seeing photos showing "garage" photos taken during FACCo's transition to an all single-deck bus operation.

Of course, there would have to be the documentation of the disposal of parts, tooling. hardware, etc. that was used exclusively for the double-decker fleet.

Too, seeing garage "transition" photos when "stoa" was taking over the scene; also, seeing photos where roller curtains, spares, parts, etc. were maintained/stored............

"NYO"

["2519"]

"NYO"

["8182"]

In the bus photo collection at nycsubway.org there should be a listing of garages, with links taking you to photos associated with that particular garage.

These photos should include buses by type and by number series, as well as buses that are stored and/or awaiting scrapping.

Too, work vehicles (tow cars, staff cars, etc) assigned to a certain garage (or HQ)

Just my 2 1/2 cents worth...........

"NYO"

["OA"]

"NYO"

["B&QT"]

Note the rows of new "Pattons" standing where rows of streetcars once rested (an 8000-series Peter Witt is seen passing by in the foreground)

Note that the old line poles are still intact (for now); also, you can make out where the partially paved over tracks swung off the street and into the car house "forecourt"..............

https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?46323

(courtesy: nycsubway.org)

["B&QT"]

The other thing about that depot/car barn: Were the lights incandescent?

Regarding the type of lighting used at the ENY barn/garage in said photo.......

Perhaps the facility MIGHT have had florescent lighting installed fairly early in the postwar era, or, then again, it might not have been until the early "Tee-Yay" era that florescent lighting replaced the original incandescent fixtures............

"NYO"

["Bee-oh-Tee"]