We Could Talk About The Weather

Strap hangers, more like rider hanger straps, when they figured out frustrated riders couldn't hang themselves with metal hoops they were replaced. Same thing in the subway, plus the ceiling fans were eliminated when riders frustrated with the hoops leaped up into them. As for buses, things only got worse in Jersey when the old late '40s GM coaches with stick shifts were replaced with automatics that made the engines rev to the max. You guessed it, exhaust still under the bumper so you didn't DARE tailgate a bus! By the time they decided to change them to stacks they came with higher efficiency engines, far less smoke and stink, too little too late for drivers suffering from coal miner's disease, black lung.

"And here I aways though straphangers were tits."
Right, and the Germans are the only ones to properly describe the straps, büstenhalter. Really big titties are hängebusen, pendeln; schlaffes herabhängen; freies schwingen. I am particularly fond of the last one, picture Dolly Parton doing the Twist.

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Originally Posted by K7SGJ

And here I aways though straphangers were tits.

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Over the shoulder boulder holders.

These are later versions of those leather straps. Stronger and they didn't break like the straps did when they got old.

http://www.rachelleb.com/images/2004...p_hanger_1.jpg

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Originally Posted by N2NH

You guys aren't even supposed to GET snow south of the Mason-Dixon line. It's supposed to be all Magnolia Blossoms 24/7 365. :yes:

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Hah, I used to think that when I was a kid. The south is always hot ;) Of course when I finally spent time in the south I found it is always hot, but not in terms of weather and especially if you are from the New York City area and are a college educated liberal.

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Originally Posted by N2NH

Um, soot and dirt fallout from the rainstorm, water on rubber carpeting combined with the heating system (which was actually better on the older buses) and the fogged up windows. Usually the other passengers have good hygiene or else you will get sick to your stomach from the putrid wet human smell while being held captive to your destination.

http://i45.tinypic.com/30v2k9u.jpg

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I remember those old buses well. Think I even rode in one maybe once or twice. Kids loved those buses. You hop up on the rear bumper and ride for free top your destination... or until the bus driver or the cops kicked you off.

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Originally Posted by n2ize

I remember those old buses well. Think I even rode in one maybe once or twice. Kids loved those buses. You hop up on the rear bumper and ride for free top your destination... or until the bus driver or the cops kicked you off.

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I saw more than a few guys who fell off of the bumper. If they didn't get run over by a car behind the bus, they usually got pretty banged up. One guy fell on his head and discovered his hidden love. He filled every nook and cranny of his hospital room with her. Orange Juice. It smelled like crud in that room after a week. And nobody had Orange Juice for 3 days too.

Those buses were nice, but I'd hate to drive one. No power steering, and no air conditioning. Rode pretty good though. The Macks were like trucks. They'd shake every time you stopped for a red light.

http://i48.tinypic.com/35d9qvr.jpg

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Originally Posted by N2NH

I saw more than a few guys who fell off of the bumper. If they didn't get run over by a car behind the bus, they usually got pretty banged up. One guy fell on his head and discovered his hidden love. He filled every nook and cranny of his hospital room with her. Orange Juice. It smelled like crud in that room after a week. And nobody had Orange Juice for 3 days too.

Those buses were nice, but I'd hate to drive one. No power steering, and no air conditioning. Rode pretty good though. The Macks were like trucks. They'd shake every time you stopped for a red light.

http://i48.tinypic.com/35d9qvr.jpg

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Luckily I never saw anyone fall off the bumper. But my Mom and Dad were always afraid of that happening, especially when kids were riding the bumper and my folks were the first car behind the bus. Kinda glad I never saw it happen either.

Bout the most risky things I did were to ride the subways between cars. I always rode in between cars. Also crossed the tracks a couple of times and one time ran along the tracks between one station to another.

"Of course when I finally spent time in the south I found it is always hot, but not in terms of weather and especially if you are from the New York City area and are a college educated liberal."
Nope, Southerners didn't take kindly to Freedom Riders especially those arriving on buses with New York plates.

"The Macks were like trucks. They'd shake every time you stopped for a red light."
In an offhand way that reminds me of the buses in Toms River, NJ. I don't know who makes them but they have jake brakes that roar like trucks as they slow for a stop.

"Bout the most risky things I did were to ride the subways between cars. I always rode in between cars."
You must be mad! The system is a bit smoother now but not long ago they did the shimmy shake and swayed like belly dancers. Unlike heavy rail coaches there is no flexible "tunnel" between cars to protect you from the weather or falling off the train which is why it's illegal and these days you'd get busted in a heartbeat by the cops or the train whichever comes first.

"Also crossed the tracks a couple of times and one time ran along the tracks between one station to another."
Now I'm sure you're mad! That's a good way to get run over by a train rounding a blind curve or get a 700VDC third rail jolt. I knew a ham in Middletown, NJ who was a motorman for the NYCTA and we had a standing joke about hissing poodles. Rain poodling in the yard often comes in contact with the third rail energizing the ground over a wide area so when it rains beware of hissing poodles.

Oh, those metal hoops may be more durable than straps but they're dangerous. Spring loaded, when released they snap back to the resting position toward the aisle. Hopefully you're not standing next to one when a strap hanger lets it go, you could get a whack upside da haid bro.

Shorts and T-shirts yesterday.
Coats and hats today.

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Originally Posted by KG4CGC

Shorts and T-shirts yesterday.
Coats and hats today.

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7" of snow forecasted. Starts just in time for the early evening rush in the city. I wonder how the geese and ducks will weather it.

Sunny and 90s. I'd like to lounge around the pool, but all we have is a cesspool. Maybe I'll put a diving board on it and.....................nah. Too much work.