Fw: [PCCtrolleys] TAN: Newark: TODAY WAS The Last Day (long post)

Forwarded from the [PCCtrolleys] list.

Regarding the third to the last paragraph (car disposition), at this time,
Muni is still very much in the running to get some.

Milantram

From: "jan lorenzen"
Date: Sat Aug 25, 2001 7:09 am
Subject: Re: [PCCtrolleys] TODAY WAS The Last Day (long post)

It's almost 3am, and I think I am probably the first poster from the Last
Supper of the Newark PCC's today. Here's my report:

I thought I was going to be late, with all my biz calls in the car on the way
in. Got to Newark Penn station at 11:30, bought two
tickets at the machine, forgot to validate them. Got downstairs to run into a
huge mob of the suit and tie crowd waiting at the
platform with an equally huge mob of camera laden fans mixing with people
trying to get home/to work. I think the suits were
waiting for car 11 (all deco'd in bunting) to pick them up, but she decided
not to cooperate, and apparently would not come out
of emergency despite valiant efforts by the mx personel. Transfer to car 17
on the next track. Made it on time to the
ceremonies with people obviously not used to standing in un-air conditioned
public transportation.

Listened to a good group of politicians, historic preservation folk, and NJT
folks who had nice stories/statements about the cars
(esp the guy who told the "today's catch story"). VIP's were presented with
plaques made from OB Marathon round wire
hangars. KEWL!

Watched alot of people roast in the mid-day sun (beautiful weather I must
say), although the rude folks talking about their local
systems problems at full voice volume while the speeches were going on was
annoying.

Started to run into the usual suspects, folks from Baltimore (kidded about the
all-electric thread I started for them here), Philly,
Boston, Toronto, NYers, local Jersey fans, all over. The throngs up on the
hills, hanging off of bridges, standing in rush hour
traffic, etc trying to get that "great shot" was probably the most amusing
thing to see.

Rode the cars around (4, 10, 6, 21, 13) and then was invited to participate in
taking the surplus cars from the Penn shops to
transfer to the new shops. Rode car 12 with a very select few on the new
section of the line with three other cars following into
storage. Got back to Franklin er Branch Brook Park to ride another car to Penn
and back. Rode the next batch to storage (car 28
with 1 following - the newest and the oldest). The pantographs almost
stretched to their full height past Franklin Ave street
crossing on the hill!

Since there was so many cars still running for everybody, there was alot of
confusion as to which was the actual last revenue
car around 7:30pm. Validated one of my tix just in case. I was on 6, which I
think WAS the last rev car in (there were actual
passengers on board wondering who these guys with all the expensive camera
equipment were). Much applause when we
arrived at Penn.

Went back upstairs, got a bite at WackDonalds, went back down to do the
express runs. By that time I as starting to get a little
bleary eyed, so I dont even remember for sure whether or not I was on 14 (I'll
have t wait for the pictures to come back).
Bought some stuff from the NJT store, and since it was getting around 10PM, I
tried to get back downstairs to get one more
run (I'm a glutton yeah I know), but transit cops had already cordoned off the
stairs. Listened to the last car going around the
loop and then went back to Brooklyn. Watched a little piece on the day's
events on the 11pm news.

Oh well. Saw some old friends, made some new ones, talked alot about what
we're doing here in Brooklyn, participated in
some unusual car moves, and witnessed the close of an era in transit history.

BTW - someone asked which was the other car that got the Bochum wheels - its
car 9, which will be repainted in TCRT colors
as its original number of 328.

Car disposition is as of today - three going to Phillipsburg, 4 retained by
NJT, the rest are up for grabs, though today it
sounded like Hoboken is going to get them. Next week who knows.

Much thanks to the NJT staff who made this day come off great, like a proper
retirement party. I am still smiling.

Monday morning when the Kinky's crap out they can haul out some of the
veterans to show them how its done.

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